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Tomorrow the Bearcats face one of their biggest tests of the season. The West Virginia offense challenges defenses with both a strong running and passing game while testing them vertically and horizontally. Geno Smith is a very talented quarterback and has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. It will be no easy task slowing down that high powered machine. But Cincinnati will have to if they want to come out of Saturday’s game with a win. And what an important game it is. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past five days, you also know how big this game is in terms of the Big East championship race. The Bearcats currently boasts a two game lead over Louisville with the tiebreaker in their favor. They control their destiny at this point and with a Bearcats win and a Louisville loss to Pitt, Cincinnati all but locks up the Big East crown and the BCS bid to the Orange Bowl.
Before they reap the rewards of their hard work, the Bearcats have to focus on getting the job done tomorrow at Paul Brown Stadium (which will hopefully be filled to the brim with UC fans). In order for Cincinnati pull out a W against the Mountaineers, they must accomplish the following five tasks:
1.) Pound the Rock: In his two games against the Mountaineers, Isaiah Pead has rushed for 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns at almost 10 yards per carry. West Virginia has been middle of the pack this season against the run only allowing about 130 yards per game on the ground. But with the way Pead runs on them, Cincinnati will be leaning on him to have a big game.
2.) Safeties Need to Stay Home: To clarify, I don’t mean they shouldn’t take the bus down to the game (maybe). With the incorporation of the running game into Dana Holgorsen’s offense, he’s also created great opportunities to get his receivers deep with the play action pass. And you know how Drew Frey just looooves to bite on that play action! He and Wes better stay back otherwise I’m going to be passing out a lot of #FreyShots tomorrow.
3.) Hit Geno Smith on Every Pass Play: In two conference losses for West Virginia, Geno Smith was sacked 7 times. Not only that but, during the Syracuse game especially, he was getting knocked down or at least touched everytime he dropped back for a pass. Cincinnati doesn’t need to sack him every play but getting him uncomfortable in the pocket is key and it starts with the defensive line. Smith isn’t the most mobile of quarterbacks so at least forcing him to move around in the pocket should help slow down the offense.
4.) Avoid the Zach Collaros Brain Farts: Zach is the most exciting and frustrating quarterback to ever play the college football. He can lead spectacular game winning drives and throw a 20 yard pitches that are lobbed in the air for easy interceptions all in the same game! Which he did (@ USF!). He’ll have to avoid the latter instance against West Virginia as the Mountaineer offense doesn’t need extra possessions. In Syracuse and Louisville’s wins against them, they only committed one turnover COMBINED.
5.) Contain Tavon Austin: The speedy wide receiver is one of the fastest players in the Big East. He’s playing a huge roll on the Mountaineers, similar to what Mardy Gilyard did while at Cincinnati. This is especially true on special teams where he has returned a kickoff for a touchdown this season and is always a threat to take on to the house. The Bearcats can’t allow him to be a factor in this game, at least as a returner, by kicking away from him or flat out even allowing him to touch the ball.
Big East Games Predictions – UConn with a Bye
Syracuse vs. South Florida: The Bulls are a mess right now. After all of the preseason hype, this season has become a nightmare for USF fans. The Orange aren’t playing much better, though, having only beaten one team in the Big East (all be it that was West Virginia). In the conference suckfest game of the week, I think USF gets the ‘upset’. South Florida 20, Syracuse 17
Louisville vs. Pitt: This will be a very good game between two great defenses and horrid offensive lines. It has the makings of a grudgematch in which neither team gets yards or points very easily. The problem for the Panthers is that they are reeling after losing to UC last Saturday and with Ray Graham lost of the season. The Cardinals meanwhile are peaking at just the right time and have been playing great football of late. Louisville 21, Pitt 14
Rutgers vs. Army: All of Army’s wins have come at home this year but the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers are just a much better team. Chas Dodd and Gary Nova are still fighting for the starting quarterback job but there’s enough weapons on offense and talent on defense to make this one a snoozer. Rutgers 31, Army 10
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