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The Bearcats host the final game of the home-and-home series with NC State tomorrow night. In many ways this is even bigger than the Tennessee clash two weeks ago. Sure beating the Vols would have been a monumental but a victory in Knoxville was pretty unrealistic. Even Brian Kelly would have had difficulty with Tyler Bray and his dynamic duo at wide receiver, especially with Bob Diaco as his DC. A win over the Wolfpack would be a nice stepping stone for this team and the program, which is really what Cincinnati Bearcats football needs right now. Coach Jones probably needs this more than anyone has he has yet to defeat a signature out of conference opponent at UC and his only victories so far this season are over FCS Austin Peay and should-be-FCS Akron. He’s also still being heavily criticized for his in game adjustments during the Tennessee game. A win would at least quiet most of the rational critics.
To the game itself the Bearcats and Wolfpack are both completely different teams from a year earlier. Cincinnati is a year old, a year wiser, and has snazzy new uniforms. The Wolfpack are without two big weapons from last season in Russell Wilson (at Wisconsin) and Mustafa Greene (injured). Still they are very dangerous especially on defense and new quarterback Mike Glennon could be a future NFL draft pick. The bottom line is the Bearcats have some advantages in this game but have their work cut out for them Thursday night. Here are five way they can walk off the field with a win:
- Make NC State One Dimensional – Leading rusher Mustafa Greene is out for this game. Backups James Washington and Curtis Underwood will take most of the carries but UC’s defensive line should stuff them. It’s all too important for the Bearcats to make young Glennon throw the ball and if they start getting to him on blitzes, it will just rattle him more especially if Nippert Stadium is rocking. Force him to make passes he doesn’t want to and Cincinnati’s defense will be opportunistic like it has all season.
- Blitz the Wolfpack Early and Often – A big difference I’d like to see in this game when compared to, say, Tennessee is more blitzes out of the linebackers and safeties. UC’s D-Line should hold it’s own against NC State’s running game but getting to Glennon means sending rushers off the edge. I’m more in favor of an aggressive defense especially with the talent at cornerback and like I mentioned above, shaking up Glennon early will only pay dividends as the game goes on.
- Dominate on the Offensive Line – The Wolfpack defensive line has been mired with injuries, which is the perfect situation for a burgeoning UC O-Line to command the trenches and create running lanes for Isaiah Pead and time for Zach Collaros. If UC’s defense comes out flat, the Bearcats may be looking at a shootout, and the offensive line will be key to ensure they put up enough points.
- Execute Better in Zone Coverage – I think Cincinnati plays a similar zone coverage look like they did against Tennessee. The problem with that look against the Vols was that a.) UC almost never blitzed and b.) the players in zone coverage weren’t checking off receivers to the players next to them. This left receivers almost always wide open across the field. The Bearcats must have better discipline against the Wolfpack.
- Let Zach Throw the Ball More – Typically I’m entirely in favor of a balanced offense. It helps keep the defense guesssing and when you have a running back like Isaiah Pead, why wouldn’t you feed him the rock more. But NC State hasn’t been exactly stout against the pass this season. They gave up almost 300 yards through the air to FCS Liberty and I expect the Bearcats’ trio of Woods-McClung-Thompkins to exploit that secondary.
The Rest of the Big East – Louisville with the Bye
Syracuse vs. Toledo – The Rockets have had a tough September so far playing Ohio State and Boise State. To their credit they have played very well whereas the Orange have been struggling. Syracuse is on upset alert. Toledo – 23, Syracuse – 20
Pitt vs. Notre Dame – The Irish are coming off a big win over Michigan State in the Ex-UC Coach Bowl. After shooting themselves in the foot the first two games, it looks like Brian Kelly finally has that team playing close to perfect. Notre Dame – 35, Pitt – 28
Rutgers vs. Ohio – The Scarlet Knights have had two weeks to prepare for Ohio and are playing much better this season. Rutgers – 31, Ohio – 14
UConn vs. Buffalo – I’d love to see Chazz Anderson have a breakout game against the Huskies. But I think the Bulls ultimately fall in this low scoring game. UConn – 20, Buffalo – 13
South Florida vs. UTEP – These Bulls, however, are absolutely rolling knocking off Notre Dame and steamrolling Ball State and Florida A&M. They should have no trouble with the Miners. South Florida – 33, UTEP – 10
West Virginia vs. LSU – The marquee Big East game of the week! By far the biggest test for the Mountaineers this season and a win could really bolster the conference’s reputation (or what’s left of it). I’m taking WVU in the upset. West Virginia – 28, LSU – 24