Cincinnati Bearcats Football

How awful would it be (from a fan that isn’t involved with the programs) to watch Cincinnati, the possible Big East champion, play Clemson or Virginia Tech in a bowl game?

It would be unwatchable.

I’m not a fan of having billions of bowls and several bowl games that are “bigger” than others to begin with, but this one wouldn’t capture my attention at all. I’m sorry.

About the only BCS bowl game that would be worse would be if UCLA and Michigan State upset Oregon and Wisconsin.

The Big East is pathetic. There really isn’t anything else you can add to it. It is truly embarrassing. Louisville has a great chance of winning the league if Cincinnati loses to Connecticut. They have lost games to Florida International and Marshall this season. That would look even worse.

Cincinnati has shown their share of struggles too. The Bearcats got blown away by 22 points to Tennessee, a team that is 5-7.

No disrespect to Virginia Tech or Clemson because they have actually played great football. The Hokies haven’t been talked about at all this season yet they have one blemish on their record and that was at home to Clemson.

The Tigers have been fun to watch on offense collecting more than 440 combined yards per game. They would be entertaining to watch.

But this has everything to do with the Big East being horrific. I hope that whoever wins the conference can actually put up a fight, but I don’t see it lasting more than one half.

I see another 2010 Fiesta Bowl in the works. Connecticut won a lousy Big East Conference and then went on to the Fiesta Bowl to get blown away by Oklahoma 48-20 last season. Cincinnati wouldn’t get blasted by 28 points but the margin would be at least double figures.  

Virginia Tech is a solid football team, but there is a reason why they haven’t been talked about AT ALL in mainstream media because they don’t win in exciting fashion. I like that type of football if I was supporting the team, but it’s not exciting to watch.

There’s always one BCS bowl that is extremely boring to watch. Last year it was the Fiesta Bowl and this year it will involve a team from the same conference.

After receiving his first collegiate start at quarterback on Saturday against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Cincinnati Bearcats sophomore quarterback Munchie Legaux just might be finding himself in the midst of a quarterback controversy. 

While it is still unlikely that Legaux will lose his starting job, there is a good chance that sophomore Jordan Luallen will be in for at least a few plays. 

Luallen has played sparingly so far this season and runs the Wildcat offense. He is a transfer from Georgia Tech who has speed and athleticism and will give Cincinnati an added dimension.

Junior Brendon Kay, who has yet to throw a pass this season, will be getting some extra reps this week at practice and according to Butch Jones, if he plays well, he also has a chance to be the starter. 

In the two games Legaux has played since senior Zach Collaros was injured, he has completed 22-of-52 passes for 302 yards and two interceptions. He is yet to throw a touchdown pass. 

Legaux was not solely to blame for the loss; Cincinnati receivers dropped numerous passes and Legaux saw more blitz packages than Cincinnati has seen all season. 

If Legaux has a solid week in practice, he will not lose his starting job. He is the most talented of the healthy quarterbacks on the roster. His size and athleticism are things that not many college quarterbacks have. 

Cincinnati will need to catch a few breaks if they plan on winning their third Big East title in four years, so they can not afford to slip up anymore this season. 

If they plan on winning their remaining two games, it all starts with production from the quarterback position. 

They will certainly need more of that this weekend against Syracuse. 

After a tough road loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, the Cincinnati Bearcats will have to rebound quickly and win their remaining two games to have any shot at winning their third conference title in four years.

Backup quarterback Munchie Legaux struggled mightily trying to fill in for Zach Collaros, and the Bearcats will need much more production out of him if they plan on winning on the road against Syracuse. 

Here is a preview of what to expect against the Orange on Saturday.

Offense: 

The Orange are middle of the pack on both sides of the ball and rank No. 68 in the country in offensive scoring, averaging 25.7 points per game. 

They run a balanced offensive attack, led by quarterback Ryan Nassib. 

Nassib has thrown for 2,257 yards and 20 touchdowns to go along with only six interceptions. 

Receiver Alec Lemon has been his big target with 710 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Nick Provo has been one of the best in the Big East with 453 yards and six touchdowns on 43 receptions. 

Running back Antwon Bailey has rushed for 863 yards and six touchdowns on the season. 

The Bearcats should expect to get a steady balance of the run and the pass from the Orange.

Defense: 

Syracuse ranks 70th in the country in points against, allowing an average of 27.9 points per game.

In their three straight losses they have failed to hold an opponent under 27 points and have only held one opponent (Rhode Island) under 19 points all season. 

The Orange are led by junior safety Phillip Thomas, who already has six interceptions on the season in only 10 games.

Expect the Orange to key on the run and try to stop Isaiah Pead much like Rutgers did last week. 

Outcome: 

Without Collaros, this one will be much closer than it would have normally been. 

If Cincinnati can win the turnover battle they should be able to win on the road. If not, this one could be very close.

In the end, even without Collaros, Cincinnati will have too much for Syracuse in this one. 

Prediction: Cincinnati 23, Syracuse 17

Losing a starting quarterback is one thing, but losing a fifth-year senior who is a reigning First Team All-Big East selection is another.

That is what happened to the Cincinnati Bearcats in Saturday's 24-21 loss to West Virginia when Zach Collaros went down with a fractured ankle. 

The man set to replace Collaros beginning Saturday in Piscataway, New Jersey against Rutgers is sophomore Munchie Legaux.

Legaux was one of the prized recruits in last year's recruiting class and was rated the number 12 dual-threat quarterback according to Rivals.com.

At 6'5" and 203 pounds, he certainly has the size to compete in the Big East and can move the ball through the air or on the ground.

Legaux was a candidate for a redshirt last season, but because wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins was ruled ineligible along with freshman recruit DyJuan Lewis and Vidal Hazelton was lost for the season with a torn ACL, Legaux was thrown into the mix at wide receiver.

His athleticism and size gave him the ability to play a number of positions in college. While he only caught one pass for 18 yards last year, he lost his redshirt and is a sophomore, in line to start at quarterback the next two seasons in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati will continue to run the spread offense in the absence of Collaros, but may concentrate a little bit more on the run to help protect the ball against a Rutgers defense that ranks fifth in the nation in turnovers forced.

However, the Bearcats will not be ultra-conservative and will give Legaux a chance to win the game instead of trying not to lose it. 

He entered the game in the second quarter against West Virginia and after a slow start he finished the game 10 of 21 for 144 yards and an interception. 

He also carried the ball eight times for 77 yards and a touchdown, including a 65-yard scamper. 

Many may think the Big East title hopes for the Bearcats went to the wayside with the injury to Collaros, but Legaux has a chance to lead this team to their third BCS bowl appearance in four seasons, and in the process make Collaros and the rest of the Bearcats senior class the best in school history. 

After the news that quarterback Zach Collaros has a broken ankle, and coming off a close 24-21 loss to West Virginia, the Cincinnati Bearcats are still all alone in first place and control their own destiny to win the conference. 

Sophomore quarterback Munchie Legaux will make his first career start after playing some wide receiver last season, and will be going against the best defense in the Big East. 

If Cincinnati plans on winning the Big East, it will likely need to win at least two of their three remaining games.  Saturday against Rutgers will be the toughest of the three. 

Here is a preview of what to expect from Rutgers. 

Offense

The Rutgers offense is ranked in the bottom half of the country and averages just over 27 points per game. 

Their leader on offense—and certainly a favorite to be a first-team all-Big East selection—is Mohamed Sanu. 

Sanu has 973 yards and seven touchdowns on 94 receptions.  He has six 100-yard games and has an outside chance to be the Big East offensive player of the year if Rutgers can win the conference. 

Quarterback Chas Dodd has stepped back into the starting role after missing five games in the middle of the season.  He has nine touchdowns and six interceptions on the season, while completing less than 57 percent of his passes.

Running back Jawan Jamison has rushed for 547 yards and four touchdowns on 165 carries.  His 3.3 yards per carry, and the success of the Bearcats run defense, which ranks second in the country, will make it a tough day on the ground for the Scarlet Knights.

Defense

The Scarlet Knights defense is ranked 11th in the country, allowing only 18.2 points per game. They have only allowed one opponent to score more than 26 points all season and will have a chance to feast on a quarterback making his first career start.

Rutgers is in the top five in the country in turnovers forced with 28.  They are led by cornerback Duron Harmon who has five interceptions.

Defensive lineman Justin Francis leads the team with 6.5 sacks and linebacker Steve Beauharnais has five on the season.

Cincinnati will keep running their spread offense, even without Collaros in the lineup, and will have to try not to turn the ball over to be able to stay in the game.

Outcome

It is Senior Day for Rutgers and they will likely be pumped up by a chance to jump into a five-way tie for first place in the Big East with a win.

The home-field advantage, and the fact that Legaux is making his first career start for Cincinnati, will make things difficult for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats will have to win the turnover battle to stay in the game; the ineptitude of the Rutgers running game will keep Cincinnati in it.

In the end, the Scarlet Knights will be a little too much. 

Prediction: Rutgers 23, Cincinnati 20  

Cincinnati's chances in the Big East might have taken a serious hit when quarterback Zach Collaros was carted off of the field in the Bearcats' game against Cincinnati. 

The Bearcats were trailing when Collaros was tackled awkwardly. Insult to injury came when he fumbled the ball into his own end zone. That was recovered by West Virginia, opening up a 17-7 Mountaineer lead.

The news is not good for the Cincinnati comeback.

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2:06 p.m. EST

Joe Kay of the Associated Press reported via Twitter that Collaros' injury looks serious.

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2:08 p.m. EST

The news that Dennis B. reported via Twitter was no better.

For Cincinnati, this injury is nothing short of devastating. How much time he'll miss is still unknown. He entered the game with 14 touchdown passes. More important is that he entered the game with eight rushing touchdowns, tied for the team lead.

The Bearcats entered the game in good position for a Big East crown. They are undefeated in conference play, having already beaten Louisville, which is the only other Big East team with fewer than two conference losses. 

But Collaros is a huge part of their offense, so even though games against Syracuse and Connecticut would appear to be rather easy wins, nothing can be taken for granted if Collaros is forced to miss games, or even play at less than 100 percent. 

The injury just looked bad, and there isn't much reason to be optimistic. Chances are that we won't have any definitive answers until the game ends, but the prospects aren't good.

A showdown between two of the best teams in the Big East will come on Saturday when the West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Ohio to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats.

West Virginia (6-3, 2-2) effectively needs this game if they are going to win the Big East. Cincinnati (7-1, 3-0) is in great standing in the Big East, even with a loss. 

A win wouldn't clinch the conference, but it would put them on the brink and give the Bearcats a commanding lead late.

Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC, streamed at ESPN3

Listen: 101.9 WVAQ in Morgantown, 700 WLW in Cincinnati

Betting Line: Cincinnati (-3.5), according to Bodog

Even though they aren't playing at their home stadium, they are playing in their home city. The Bearcats are on a nice run. I expect that to continue this week. Winning by four points isn't too much to expect from that point on.

Key Storyline

Can anyone catch Cincinnati in the Big East?

Who Might Not Play for West Virginia?

DL Joshua Taylor is questionable. 

WR Brad Starks and OL Josh Jenkins are out.

Who Might Not Play for Cincinnati?

DB Dominique Battle is out. 

BCS/Top 25 Implications

At No. 23, Cincinnati needs to win to stay in the Top 25. At 6-3, a win would not get West Virginia into the Top 25. 

Whether they win or not, Cincinnati is in great position to win the Big East.

What They're Saying

Dave Hickman of the Charleston Gazette implied that while they won't be at their home stadium, the extra fans will provide a boost for the Bearcats.

But as far as UC's program has come in recent years, including back-to-back Big East championships in 2008 and 2009 (including a 12-0 regular season in 2009), what holds the school back as much as anything is its stadium. It is one of the oldest and smallest in FBS football and can't really be expanded because it is smack dab in the middle of campus. 

So in an effort to enhance the program's image, two games this season were moved downtown. The Bearcats beat Louisville at Paul Brown Stadium on Oct. 15, 25-16, in front of an announced crowd of 40,971.

 

West Virginia Player To Watch

QB Geno Smith. He'll be as important as any single player on either side.

Cincinnati Player To Watch

QB Zach Collaros. As both a passer and a rusher, he's dangerous. West Virginia needs to limit one of those elements and make him one-dimensional.

Key Matchup

Smith vs. the Cincinnati defense. Cincinnati's defense has been strong in most games this year. If Smith doesn't have a good game, West Virginia's chances of winning are slim to none.

On the Hot Seat

At this point of the season, nobody's job should really be in danger. 

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, West Virginia 20

The Bearcats are playing very well this year. The Mountaineers are just not playing consistent football. In Cincinnati, I like the Bearcats to take this game.

The No. 23 Cincinnati Bearcats were a forgotten team as recently as three weeks ago.

After Brian Kelly skipped town before the biggest game in school history, the Bearcats regressed significantly in 2010.

The expectations were higher this year, but an early season thrashing at the hands of Tennessee had people expecting another mediocre season.

Instead, the Bearcats have ripped off six straight wins and have just won two incredibly tough road games in a row against South Florida and Pittsburgh.

If they can beat West Virginia at home next week, Cincinnati is in the driver's seat for a Big East championship.

The Bearcats have been able to do it with their offense, which is currently ranked 11th in the nation and is averaging more than 39 points per game.

Quarterback Zach Collaros is making smart decisions with the football and is taking chances at the right times. His 63 percent completion percentage has been a big reason for his team's success.

But the real star is running back Isaiah Pead. The senior has racked up 821 yards and eight touchdowns on a mere 136 attempts.

Pead runs with terrific explosion that leads to huge gains. Any time your featured back averages six yards per carry, you're going to be in great shape.

You may not realize this, but the Bearcats are going to win the Big East and earn a BCS bowl game.

Maybe then you'll start paying attention.

Here are two other teams that will only keep climbing up the BCS rankings:

No. 11 Houston Cougars

The Cougars will benefit from teams in front of them losing because there is little doubt they are going to go undefeated.

They won't crack the top five, but the Cougars and their No. 1 ranked offense in the nation are going to end up around No. 6 or No. 7 by December.

Yes, that's right—the Houston Cougars are going to be one of the top seven teams in the nation. Who would have ever guessed?

No. 16 Texas Longhorns

That OU thrashing sure does feel like a long time ago, doesn't it?

Since getting Texas two-stepped by Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, the Longhorns have won two straight games by a combined 75 points.

After struggling all season, freshman running back Joe Bergeron has exploded for 327 yards the past two games. The Longhorns don't need great quarterback play when the running game is so  dominate.

If they can take care of Missouri on the road and Kansas State at home (two games they'll be favored in), then the Longhorns will be knocking on the door of the top 10.

Nobody would have guessed that a month ago.