Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Cincinnati

Our staff picks who will win this week's game between the Mountaineers and Bearcats.

The West Virginia Mountaineers (6-4, 4-3) welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats (3-7, 1-6) for Senior Day Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 2:30 and the action will stream on ESPN+. 

Schuyler Callihan: West Virginia 27, Cincinnati 20.

This isn't your typical 3-7 football team. The Bearcats do a lot of things well on both sides of the ball, they just have trouble holding onto it and punching it into the end zone. 

West Virginia's offensive line did not play well a week ago at Oklahoma and will have arguably its biggest challenge with this Cincinnati front headlined by Dontay Corleone. Whether CJ Donaldson plays or not, the Mountaineers must get back to running the football efficiently. Also, Garrett Greene has to have a bounce back performance after completing just 37% of his pass attempts a week ago.

Although the Bearcats will roll into Morgantown with some confidence, I don't see them pulling off the upset. Not on senior day. Not on Don Nehlen day. West Virginia moves to 7-4.

Christopher Hall: West Virginia 31 Cincinnati 20

West Virginia is coming off a 39-point loss at Oklahoma while Cincinnati captured its first Big 12 conference win against Houston last week. 

The win may have given confidence to the Bearcats moving forward, and it's possible the 14-point loss to Oklahoma in September may have instilled certainty in the defense which believes they will give a Mountaineer offense fits after a poor showing in Norman.

West Virginia was terrible on both sides of the ball versus Oklahoma but in the previous two performances, the Sooners had the talent to take the Mountaineers to the woodshed. 

Garrett Greene had his worst performance of the season last week and I suspect he will bounce back this week and Jahiem White will carry the load in the rushing attack in the absence of CJ Donaldson. 

Defensively, the Mountaineers remain thin in the secondary and at linebacker, and the Bearcats have potential to take advantage with the usage of two tight ends. WVU will also have to contend with quarterback Emory Jones utilizing his athleticism in the running game and will have to stay disciplined and remain in the gaps to avoid explosive plays. 

Cincinnati will put up a fight, but the Mountaineers remain focused on finishing the season strong and dispatch the Bearcats 31-20.

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