Betting tips from AI for Cincinnati Bearcats vs Navy Midshipmen, 02 January 2026.

This is a straightforward play on Navy's clear advantages. I back the Navy Midshipmen 1.35 — Blake Horvath’s career finale (back-to-back 10-win seasons, Commander-in-Chief Trophies) and his rare dual-threat profile (1,472 pass yds, 1,147 rush yds) should control tempo and finish drives.

Cincinnati lost QB Brendan Sorsby to the transfer portal and will lean on rusher Tawee Walker; their late slump (4 of 5 losses) makes the Bearcats unreliable offensively. Cincinnati is listed at 3.32.

Pundits like the under 53.5 and a Navy grind-out; with Horvath, WR Eli Heidenreich and a sound defense led by MarcAnthony Parker, the Midshipmen should impose the pace and cover the moneyline.

The Liberty Bowl finale looks set for a dominant Navy Midshipmen performance. Star QB Blake Horvath, capping a career highlighted by back-to-back 10-win seasons, is playing at an elite level. His dual-threat magic, with impressive passing and rushing yards, fuels a hot Navy team that has won three of its last four. Experts are predicting a Midshipmen rout, eyeing a 31-14 score. Cincinnati, meanwhile, is in disarray, having dropped four of their last five. The critical loss of QB Brendan Sorsby to the transfer portal, their 2,800-yard passer, is a massive blow, forcing reliance on a run-heavy attack with Tawee Walker. This plays directly into Navy's disciplined defense, anchored by LB MarcAnthony Parker. With Navy's momentum and Cincinnati's struggles, the 1.35 odds for the Midshipmen are entirely justified. Pundits also favor the under 53.5 total, suggesting a game controlled by Navy's methodical style. Expect Horvath to lead his team to a decisive victory.

Navy enters this Liberty Bowl as heavy 1.35 favorites for good reason. Blake Horvath's dual-threat capabilities (1,472 passing yards, 10 TDs; 1,147 rushing yards, 15 TDs) make him a nightmare for Cincinnati's defense, especially with his stellar career culminating in this finale.

The Bearcats face a devastating blow with QB Brendan Sorsby (2,800+ yards, 27 TDs) opting out via the transfer portal. Their offense now relies heavily on Tawee Walker's ground game, playing directly into Navy's defensive strengths.

Cincinnati's late-season collapse (losing 4 of their last 5) contrasts sharply with Navy's momentum (3 wins in their final 4, including victories over Memphis and Army). The Midshipmen's disciplined approach and balanced attack featuring WR Eli Heidenreich (877 yards) should overwhelm a Cincinnati team in disarray.

Expect Navy to control the clock, limit Cincinnati's offensive opportunities, and cruise to a comfortable victory similar to the 31-14 scoreline experts are projecting.

The Liberty Bowl pits a reeling Cincinnati Bearcats squad against a surging Navy Midshipmen team, and all signs point to a Midshipmen masterclass. Navy's star QB Blake Horvath is entering his finale on fire, fresh off back-to-back 10-win seasons and dual-threat dominance—1,472 passing yards with 10 TDs, plus 1,147 rushing yards and 15 scores. Paired with WR Eli Heidenreich's 877 receiving yards and LB MarcAnthony Parker's 93 tackles anchoring the defense, Navy's disciplined option attack is tailor-made to exploit Cincinnati's vulnerabilities.

The Bearcats are in turmoil after a late-season collapse, dropping four of their last five following a win over Baylor. Their biggest blow? QB Brendan Sorsby, their 2,800-yard, 27-TD engine, has transferred out and won't play, leaving them to lean on rusher Tawee Walker in a run-heavy scheme. Navy, meanwhile, is rolling with three wins in their final four, including statement victories over Memphis and Army.

Experts are buzzing about a Navy rout, something like 31-14, with the under 53.5 total fitting this low-scoring grinder perfectly. The odds reflect it: Cincinnati at 3.32 as massive underdogs, Navy at 1.35 as heavy favorites. For bettors chasing value, Navy's the smart play—lock in the Midshipmen to cash in on Horvath's swan song.

The Liberty Bowl finale features Navy's star QB Blake Horvath capping a stellar career with back-to-back 10-win seasons, poised to dominate a reeling Cincinnati squad. Bearcats QB Brendan Sorsby's transfer portal exit cripples their offense, forcing reliance on rusher Tawee Walker against Navy's disciplined defense led by LB MarcAnthony Parker.

Navy rides hot with three wins in their last four, including triumphs over Memphis and Army, while Cincinnati has dropped four of five after beating Baylor. Experts predict a low-scoring grinder, favoring the under, but Horvath's dual-threat magic—1,472 passing yards and 1,147 rushing—fuels a Midshipmen attack primed for a rout.

With odds at 1.35 for Navy, the value lies in backing the favorite's momentum and Cincinnati's vulnerabilities for a profitable bet.

Navy Midshipmen enter this matchup as heavy favorites with odds of 1.35, and for good reason. Star quarterback Blake Horvath has been nothing short of spectacular, racking up dual-threat numbers that make Navy’s offense multidimensional and dangerous. His leadership in high-stakes games, including a recent triumph over Army, positions him perfectly to close out his collegiate career with a statement win. Cincinnati, on the other hand, is reeling without their starting QB Brendan Sorsby, who accounted for 27 touchdowns this season before entering the transfer portal. The Bearcats will lean heavily on rusher Tawee Walker, but Navy’s disciplined defense—anchored by LB MarcAnthony Parker’s 93 tackles—should stifle any attempts at offensive fireworks.

The total for this game sits at under 53.5 points, and given both teams’ styles, it’s easy to see why experts favor a defensive grinder. Cincinnati’s run-heavy attack isn’t built to keep pace with Navy’s methodical yet explosive triple-option scheme. With Horvath commanding the field and WR Eli Heidenreich stretching defenses, Navy has all the tools to control tempo and dominate time of possession. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s late-season struggles—including four losses in their last five games—paint a bleak picture for their chances here.

Betting on Navy at 1.35 may not offer massive returns, but it provides security in a game where they’re poised to dominate from start to finish. Backing the Midshipmen feels like a smart, calculated play in what could shape up to be a lopsided affair.