It's not just a pair of top-25 defenses squaring off here as to why I like the Under.

Many key skill position players have opted out and the weather is going to be lousy with a 70 percent chance of rain and winds in the 15-25 mph range in Boston at Fenway Park.

Louisville won't have its star quarterback, Malik Cunningham. The Cardinals also won't have Tyler Hudson, who is their best wide receiver by a wide margin. Tiyon Evans, the Cardinals' third-leading rusher, also won't participate. The remaining Louisville offensive players will have to deal with Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., one of the top defensive players in the nation.

The Bearcats are going to be without their second-leading wideout, Tre Tucker, and Josh Whyle, one of the better receiving tight ends in the country.

There's not going to be much continuity as both head coaches resigned with Cincinnati's Luke Fickell going to Wisconsin and Louisville's Scott Satterfield coming to the Bearcats to replace him. So there aren't going to be any secrets.