Play vs Us On Underdog! Use Promo-Code: YARDSPER for a 100% deposit match up to $100
The inaugural Fenway Bowl, presented by Wasabi, takes place this Saturday in Boston, Massachusetts. Played at historic Fenway Park, this bowl is the lone matchup in bowl mania that will feature only one sideline. I mention this only for the coaching news that broke earlier this month.
When: Saturday, December 17th @ 11:00 AM ET
Where: Boston, Massachusetts
Who: Cincinnati vs. Louisville
Spread & Total: Louisville -2; O/U 40
HEAD ON OVER TO BETUS AND USE PROMO CODE YARDSPER FOR A 125% DEPOSIT BONUS. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.
Tale of the Tape: Cincinnati Bearcats
It was nearly impossible to replicate the historic season Cincinnati had in 2021. Yet, the Bearcats still finished 9-3 in a touch American Athletic Conference. Each of their three losses came by one possession and against teams who made a bowl game. Only one came at home, a 27-24 loss to then #19-ranked Tulane. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, they lost starting quarterback Ben Bryant for the season against Temple late in November to a foot injury.
In a surprising move to end the season, Wisconsin decided to hire Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell. Cincinnati replaced Fickell with Louisville’s Scott Satterfield. Satterfield will not be coaching in the Fenway Bowl; the Bearcats will be led by Kerry Coombs, who served as the DB coach and Special Teams Coordinator. Tight end Josh Whyle is opting out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Transfer Portal Departures:
WR Jadon Thompson (3rd on team in receiving yards)
WR Nick Mardner (5th on team in receiving yards)
CB JQ Hardaway
S Ja’Quan Sheppard
DL Noah Potter
Players to Know: QB Evan Prater
Replaces Bryant as starting quarterback. Played as backup against Temple when Bryant went down and started the season finale against Tulane. Stat line for 2022: 28/51, 340 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.
LB Ivan Pace Jr.
Leads the team with 119 total tackles and eight sacks (23rd nationally).
Tale of the Tape: Louisville Cardinals
Safe to say Louisville’s season was a roller coaster. Alternating wins and losses, it wasn’t until mid-October where the Cardinals found their groove and got on a win streak. That four-game win streak saw dominating wins over Pittsburgh, #10 Wake Forest and James Madison. Yet, the season ended with a loss to a struggling Kentucky team, a team that Scott Satterfield could never top.
Now, news breaks that Satterfield’s four year run at Louisville is done as he departs for Cincinnati. He will be replaced by former Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm, who played at Louisville. Former Louisville legend Deion Branch is coaching the Cardinals in their bowl game, but will be without quarterback Malik Cunningham, wide receiver Tyler Hudson, and cornerback Kei’Trel Clark. Each have opted for the NFL Draft.
Transfer Portal Departures:
RB Trevion Cooley
RB Jalen Mitchell
OL Luke Kandra
DL Kaleb Banks
LB K.J. Cloyd
DB Nicario Harper
Player to Know: QB Brock Domann
Replaces Cunningham at quarterback. Played in eight games this season, including four starts. Was 2-2 in starts, winning against Virginia and NC State, while falling to Clemson and Kentucky
LB Yasir Abdullah
A do-it-all linebacker for the Cardinals. Leads the team with eight sacks, fourth in total tackles (57). Four pass breakups, two interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Game Synopsis:
There is a reason this bowl game total is so low: both teams’ strength is on defense and each will be without their starting quarterback. Both quarterbacks getting the start have struggled in their limited time. Each team has a month to prepare, but Louisville takes a larger hit; Cunningham accounted for 20 of the team’s 35 total offensive touchdowns. Tyler Hudson accounted for 33.7% of the team’s receptions and 40.1% of the team’s yards. In the last three games with Domann, Hudson had 331 receiving yards; the rest of the Cardinals had 126. You can’t replace that production overnight. In an ugly game, I think Cincinnati prevails.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Cincinnati
Bowl Mania Confidence: 6/43
Follow @DrewRoberts_ for more football content!
