Cincinnati Football: 3 reasons the Bearcats will beat SMU in Week 8

1. SMU’s offense has not faced a defense like Cincinnati’s

SMU has the seventh-ranked scoring offense in the nation (42.6 points per game) and the fourth-ranked total offense (551.2). The Mustangs are led by senior quarterback Shane Buechele who has helped turn them into a prolific passing offense.

They have made huge strides as a productive offense but in the five games played so far this season, they have not faced an efficient defense like Cincinnati’s.

The Bearcats’ defense is ranked sixth in the nation in points allowed per game (12.3) and 13th in total yards allowed (294.7). They have only allowed a 33 percent conversion rate on third downs (15-of-45) in three games. They have four defenders that were named to the preseason All-AAC first-team by Athlon Sports. Two more defenders for Cincinnati were Athlon Sports’ All-AAC second-team selections.

Myjai Sanders is one of the most reliable pass rushers in the conference as he has accounted for four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in three games. They have productive linebackers that make plays in the backfield with Jarrell White (3.5 tackles for loss) and Joel Dublanko (three tackles for loss). The Bearcats have accounted for 25 tackles for loss in three games with five players having at least two.

Cincinnati’s secondary will be key against the Mustangs on Saturday.

This defense ranks 11th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (159.7) and has accounted for 13 pass breakups and seven interceptions. Their preseason first-team All-AAC defenders in James Wiggins and Ahmad Gardner have accounted for three pass deflections.

Three Bearcats in the secondary including Gardner have accounted for two interceptions. They can be key in staying on routes long enough to make either Shane Buechele throw into bad situations or for him to get sacked.