The AAC and the ACC will meet up in the Birmingham Bowl. Cincinnati will try to knock off Boston College to get their 11th win of the season. Here is the 2020 Birmingham Bowl preview.
Cincinnati Bearcats (10-3)
Luke Fickell has done a fantastic job turning around the Cincinnati program, as they won 10 games this season. They beat four bowl-eligible teams this season. Their three losses are to Memphis (twice) and Ohio State.
Cincinnati scores 29 points per game, which ranks 67th in the country. They pass for 187.4 yards (ranked 105th) and rush for 197.6 yards per game (ranked 33rd).
When healthy, Desmond Ridder has played quarterback for the Bearcats. He has 2,069 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 54.8 percent completion. Four wide receivers have over 200 receiving yards for the Bearcats this season. Wide receiver Alec Pierce leads the team in receiving yards with 621, while tight end Josiah Deguara leads the team in touchdown catches with seven.
Michael Warren is the team-leader in rushing yards with 1,160 and he has also scored 14 touchdowns. Their second-leading rusher is Ridder with 545 yards. Gerrid Doaks, their backup running back, has chipped in with 499 yards and five touchdowns.
The Bearcats rank 30th in points allowed per game at 21.7. They give up 233.2 passing yards per game (ranked 79th) and 143.4 rushing yards per game (ranked 48th). Safety Darrick Forrest leads the team this season with 104 tackles.
Boston College Eagles (6-6)
The Eagles will be without their head coach Steve Addazio, who was fired following the season. Boston College defeated two bowl-eligible teams this year. Their lone loss to a team below .500 was to Kansas.
Boston College scores 30.8 points per game, which ranks 50th in the FBS. They rush for 267.8 yards (ranked sixth) and pass for 183.4 yards per game (ranked 107th).
Dennis Grosel will be playing quarterback for the Eagles, because Anthony Brown was lost for the season with an injury. Grosel has 896 passing yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on 48.6 percent completion. Four wide receivers have over 200 receiving yards for the Eagles. Tight end Hunter Long and wide receiver Kobay White each have over 400 receiving yards.
A.J. Dillon is Boston College’s leading rusher, but he will not play in this game as he prepares for the NFL Draft. David Bailey will have to step his game up after rushing for 816 yards and seven touchdowns. Grosel will also need to run more after putting up 203 rushing yards this season.
The defense allows 31.7 points per game, which ranks 95th. They give up 180.8 rushing yards (ranked 89th) and 299.6 passing yards per game (ranked 126th). Linebacker Max Richardson leads the team with 108 total tackles.
Prediction
Boston College will be without their head coach and starting quarterback from the start of the year. Cincinnati will want to prove they can play with a team from a big conference. Fickell will lead his team to victory.
Cincinnati Bearcats 28 Boston College Eagles 23
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!