Cincinnati vs Navy Best Bets for the Liberty Bowl
Welcome to 2026, the New Year brought us some fun games in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. For Friday, the College Football Gods have blessed us with a few remnant games to get us through to the weekend of NFL football.
The Liberty Bowl was originally played in the city of Philadelphia, but after a series of moves, now takes place at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis. The Liberty Bowl features the American Conference co-Champion, Navy Midshipmen, who finished the season 10-2, and the Big 12's Cincinnati Bearcats who finished the season with a record of 7-5.
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Cincinnati vs Navy Betting Odds for the Liberty Bowl
Spread: Navy -7.5 (Fanatics Sportsbook); Cincinnati +7.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
Moneyline: Navy -275 (FanDuel Sportsbook); Cincinnati +240 (BetMGM)
Total: Over 55.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook); Under 56.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Cincinnati vs Navy Betting Picks for the Liberty Bowl
This is an interesting matchup as the Midshipmen will be in full force without a single opt-out, while the Bearcats will be missing 12 players, including their starting quarterback, top two tacklers, top cornerback, and top defensive lineman.
Full List of Cincinnati Opt-Outs:
- Ormanie Arnold, DB
- Tayden Barnes, DB
- Kamari Burns, DT
- Dontay Corleone, DL
- Trevon Gola-Callard, DB
- Jake Golday, LB
- Christian Harrison, DB
- Evan Pryor, RB
- Jiquan Sanks, DB
- Brendan Sorsby, QB
- Kye Stokes, DB
- Tawee Walker, RB
- Xavier Williams, DB
- Logan Wilson, DB
The Midshipmen had the nation's top-ranked rushing attack and the American Conference's fifth-ranked offense, averaging 289.3 rush yards per game and 421.2 total yards per game. The booming Navy offense is led by quarterback Blake Horvath, who racked up 1,472 passing yards and 1,147 rushing yards on the season while throwing for 10 touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding another 15 touchdowns on the ground.
The Navy defense was not quite as stellar on the season, but still formidable, finishing sixth in the American in total defense and fourth in rushing defense, as they allowed an average of 382.3 total yards per game and 141.3 rushing yards per game.
Cincinnati will have some struggles trying to replace the production of starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The QB was not only the team's leading passer, but also the team's second leading rusher. Sorsby, on the season, threw for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions while also rushing for 580 yards and nine touchdowns.
Fortunately for the Bearcats, they will still have their full offensive line intact, including redshirt-senior captain Gavin Gerhardt, although top running backs Tawee Walker and Evan Pryor will also be absent, opting out and entering the portal. RBs Manny Covey and true freshman Zion Johnson are expected to get long looks for UC.
Walker led the way for the Bearcats on the ground this season, rushing for 709 yards and four touchdowns on 5.8 yards per carry. Pryor had a solid season backing up Walker with 522 yards and three touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry. The duo of running backs should help stabilize the offense that will be run by senior quarterback Brady Lichtenberg. Lichtenberg has just 41 pass attempts across his four-year career to this point, but thankfully, he'll have WR Cyrus Allen, the Big 12's leading receiver with 12 touchdowns.
Navy vs Cincinnati Expert Pick: Under 56.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Cincinnati vs Navy Predictions for the Liberty Bowl
With all the opt-outs for the Bearcats, it adds a lot of uncertainty to the game. However, one thing that is certain is that the running game will be the focus of this football game. The Midshipmen are a rush-first offense centered around the option, which they then use to open up a chunk passing game.
With a first-time starter under center and fresh options in the backfield, the Bearcats' offense will likely also be focused on rushing the ball first, unless forced into situations that don't allow them to do so. Much of this spells out a recipe for the Under here.
Prediction: Navy 24, Cincinnati 17
Cincinnati vs Navy Liberty Bowl Player Props for Friday January, 2nd
Blake Horvath, QB, Navy - Over 0.5 Passing Touchdowns (PrizePicks)
In the bowl setting, you will typically see teams pull out plays you don't typically see throughout the course of the season. The added prep allows coordinators to get creative and take some more shots. I think we will get an interesting look or two out of the Midshipmen, which will result in a passing touchdown for Horvath in this one.
