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No. 17 Cincinnati can clinch AAC East by beating Temple
Temple (7-3, 4-2 AAC) at No. 17 Cincinnati (9-1, 6-0), Saturday at 7 p.m. EST (ESPN2).
Line: Cincinnati by 10 1/2.
Series record: Temple leads 13-7.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
The Bearcats can clinch the AAC East and a spot in the conference’s title game. The Bearcats also would host the game if they beat Temple and Memphis. A loss to the Owls would scramble things.
KEY MATCHUP
Temple’s front four vs. Cincinnati’s offensive line: The Owls lead the FBS with 59 quarterback hits. Defensive end Quincy Roche had 12 tackles — including an AAC record six for losses — along with three sacks and a fumble recovery during a 29-21 win over Tulane last week. Last season, the Owls limited Cincinnati’s dual-threat quarterback Desmond Ridder to 111 yards passing and nine rushing while handing the Bearcats their first loss of the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Temple: Roche has 6½ sacks in the last two games. He also has batted down three passes, tied with teammate Khris Banks for most in the AAC. The Owls lead the league with 10 passes batted away.
Cincinnati: Sam Crosa’s 37-yard field goal on the final play kept the Bearcats perfect in league play with a 20-17 win at South Florida. He also had a game-winner on the final play against East Carolina.
FACTS & FIGURES
Temple has won the last four in the series. ... The Bearcats have won 12 in a row at home since a loss to the Owls in 2017. ... WR Jadan Blue had 12 catches for 131 yards and a TD. He has at least 10 catches and 100 yards in two straight games. ... Temple has nine 100-yard receiving games this season from three players combined, a school record. ... Temple’s offensive line leads the conference in preventing quarterback pressures. ... Cincinnati has rallied from behind in the second half for wins at East Carolina and South Florida. ... Josiah Deguara needs nine catches, 99 yards receiving or three TDs to set Cincinnati records in those categories for a tight end. ... Ridder was 9 of 18 for only 78 yards in the win at South Florida. He ran 12 times for 18 yards.
