NCAA Football Betting: Cincinnati at Rutgers

Two Big East giants square off on Monday night. (Wikimedia Images)"]

Talk about getting right to the meat of the season for the opener.

The Cincinnati Bearcats, who are the defending Big East conference champions, will start their season against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, who are looking to win their first league title.

It’s Tony Pike and Cincinnati’s explosive no-huddle offense against a veteran Rutgers defense that might feature the most depth on the line since Greg Schiano took over the program in 2000.

Schiano knows that Rutgers has to slow down Pike, the 6-foot-6 quarterback who missed last year’s game with a broken left arm. He has two proven receivers in Mardy Gilyard and Marcus Barnett.

The Bearcats’ defense will be facing an offensive line that returns all five starters, led by highly touted tackle Anthony Davis.

For Rutgers and Cincinnati, the difference between winning a league title might well depend on what happens tonight.

Rutgers is listed as a 5-point favorite.

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