Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati game preview, prediction

What to expect as Oklahoma and Cincinnati meet in this Big 12 matchup as the Week 4 college football schedule kicks off with our updated game prediction

History of sorts will be made this weekend as Cincinnati makes its Big 12 conference debut at home in a matchup against No. 16 Oklahoma in college football's Week 4 action on Saturday.

Cincinnati comes in at 2-1 under first-year head coach Scott Satterfield, behind a balanced offensive attack posting 526 yards per game but will face a solid test against a 3-0 Sooners squad averaging more than 534 yards each time out and that has been the class of the Big 12 for a generation.

What can you expect in the matchup? Here's what you should watch for as Oklahoma and Cincinnati square off along with our Week 4 game predictions.

Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati preview, prediction

Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati picks, predictions / USA Today Images

How to watch

When: Sat., Sept. 23
Time: 12 p.m. ET, 11 a.m. CT
TV: Fox network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati game odds

Line: Oklahoma -13.5
Total: 57.5 points
Moneyline: OU -599 | CIN +375
FPI pick: Oklahoma 86.6% to win

What to watch for

Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati highlights Week 4 / USA Today Images

1. A familiar face. OU fans will remember Emory Jones when, as the Florida quarterback, he ran for 60 yards and a touchdown in the Cotton Bowl during the Covid season. Now he's at Cincinnati, and still a credible dual threat at the position, running for over 100 yards in last week's loss. The Sooners' front seven tacklers will have to be disciplined in closing down running lanes on the outside against Jones.

2. Cincy's main target. Another player from that Cotton Bowl was wide receiver Xzavier Henderson, who reunited with Jones at Cincinnati and currently leads the Big 12 with 20 catches and went over 140 yards in 2 of 3 games already this season. UC is a legitimate threat when working in play-action thanks to its 8th ranked rushing attack, good for 239 ypg, putting the Sooners' secondary on alert in the corners when locking down throwing lanes as Jones seeks out Henderson.

3. Finishing drives. Among the most productive offenses in the nation, Oklahoma ranks 2nd nationally in EPA per play and 8th in yards per game, and is doing some of its best work in the red zone, where it's scored 16 times out of 17 chances, with 14 of those scores resulting in touchdowns. 

Cincinnati struggled in scoring position against the RedHawks in the loss last week, resorting to field goals kicked basically from the goal line. OU has allowed just 5 red zone trips this year, but opponents scored on all of them, with 3 of the 5 going for touchdowns. If the Bearcats can cash in, this game could stay near the spread.

Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati prediction

Cincinnati has the pieces to create throwing lanes in the middle third of the field as Jones and Henderson have built a rhythm and the Bearcats can set their backs to the outside of the formation and generate some moderate yards after the catch. 

But the Sooners have an outsized advantage in the skill positions and the 15th ranked rushing defense which should hold firm in the second half as Dillon Gabriel proves he's still one of the nation's most efficient quarterbacks.

College Football HQ predicts...

• Oklahoma wins 36-17
• Covers the spread
• And hits the under

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