Southern Methodist @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 18, 2014 ) Cincinnati 41, Southern Methodist 3

Cincinnati will try to snap a four-game losing streak when its hosts SMU in an American Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon. First-year coach Luke Fickell said he has seen improvements and positives even if the results aren't on the scoreboard.

"I couldn't say that two weeks ago (after a 51-23 loss to Central Florida) but after this past week (a 33-3 loss to South Florida) I could tell," Fickell told reporters. "To a lot of the people out there, they see 33-3 and it's hard to see that it's any closer (to being competitive)." The Bearcats have been outscored 164-79 during the losing streak and haven't held a lead in any of those games. Cincinnati's five losses are against teams with a combined 26-3 record and SMU is another tough test. The Mustangs, who were off last week, are second in the AAC in scoring offense (43.8 points) and total offense (506.7 yards).

TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: SMU -7.5

ABOUT SMU (4-2, 1-1 AAC): Trey Quinn and Courtland Sutton combined for 28 catches in a loss to Houston and have combined for 12 touchdown receptions from Ben Hicks (1,672 yards, five interceptions and 15 touchdowns). Quinn (54 catches, 587 yards, five TDs) leads the league with nine catches per game while Sutton adds 31 catches for 489 yards and seven scores. Justin Lawler has six sacks as the Mustangs lead the AAC with 3.5 sacks per game and are plus-8 in turnovers.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (2-5, 0-3): Hayden Moore (1,522 yards, 10 touchdowns, six interceptions) left the USF loss early as a precaution after aggravating an elbow injury. Kahlil Lewis (37 catches, 360 yards, four TDs) is the only Bearcats receiver with more than 17 catches. Linebacker Jaylyin Minor's 10.3 tackles per game lead the conference while the Bearcats, who have lost seven straight AAC games, have six total sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Mustangs have recorded a takeaway in nine straight games and have at least two takeaways in five of the six games this year.

2. Cincinnati has won both meetings against SMU, 28-25 in 2013 and 41-3 in 2014.

3. Moore has 30 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions in 23 career games.

PREDICTION: SMU 31, Cincinnati 20