Cincinnati Bearcats Football

After a 4-1 non-conference record the Bearcats get a chance to enjoy an off week before conference play begins next weekend against Louisville at Paul Brown Stadium.

While the Bearcats looked bad in their lone loss to Tennessee and a little sloppy against Miami (OH) last weekend, for the most part, they had a rather successful non-conference slate. 

With four wins, they have already reached their total from all of last season. The early season success can be attributed to a more balanced offensive attack, an improved defense and leading the nation is turnovers forced. 

Head coach Butch Jones promised he would put more of an emphasis on the run and last season he did not live up to that promise. So far this season he has.

The Bearcats have thrown 141 passes and ran the ball 206 times on offense. They are averaging nearly eight yards per pass attempt and 5.4 yards per carry. 

A three-headed monster at receiver (Anthony McClung, D.J. Woods and Kenbrell Thompkins) lead a strong, balanced passing attack. All three receivers have between 249 and 281 yards. 

On defense, the Bearcats have forced 18 turnovers, good for first in the country. They have totaled nine interceptions and recovered nine fumbles. 

The defense is also in the Top 20 in the country, allowing less than 17 points per game.

The key on defense has been getting more consistent pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run. Cincinnati has held its last two opponents to negative rushing yards and is seventh in the country, allowing only 70 rushing yards per game.  

While the good start is something to build on, none of it will matter if Cincinnati does not have a strong showing in conference play.

It all starts next weekend against the Louisville Cardinals.  

After two turnovers in the red zone to begin the game, the Cincinnati Bearcats' prolific offense finally put six on the scoreboard late in the second quarter.

Even though the extra point was missed, it proved to be all they'd need in this year's Battle for the Victory Bell.

Butch Jones' heavily-favored Bearcats allowed opposing quarterback Zac Dysert to pass for 252 yards, but held Miami of Ohio to minus-three yards on the ground (on 38 rushes) and 3-of-17 on third down (17.6 percent) en route to a 27-0 blowout win.

"In 24-plus years of coaching, I don’t think I’ve had more stuff go the wrong way in one half of football. We had a great week of practice; our players were ready to play," said coach Butch Jones during the post-game press conference.

"They might have been a little too hyped to play this week. But players stepped up and made plays in the second half to lead this team to a victory, and that speaks volumes to our football team and the stability and leadership to persevere in the second half. We are proud of the character of our football team."

Cincinnati (4-1, 0-0 Big East) found success moving the ball early against a Miami RedHawk squad that ranked 38th nationally in total defense.

However, the RedHawks forced senior quarterback Zach Collaros to two quick turnovers inside Miami's 20 yard-line—an interception and a fumble—and didn't allow a score until 6:08 remained in the second quarter, when Collaros hooked up with tight end Travis Kelce for a 30-yard touchdown strike.

The Bearcats didn't look back from there.

Miami (0-4, 0-1 MAC) got off to a hot start in the second half when Dysert connected with Nick Harwell for 66 yards all the way to Cincy's 2-yard-line, but the Bearcats' brick wall of a defensive line was having nothing of it.

The RedHawks were stuffed on two straight rushes before a 15-yard offensive pass interference penalty brought Miami of Ohio back to the 17-yard line. Following yet another failed third down conversion, Mason Krysinski missed a 34-yard field goal that would have cut the lead in half.

That was the closest Miami would get to scoring.

Cincinnati put an exclamation point on the sixth-straight win over its cross-town rival, finding the end zone three more times via two Isaiah Pead touchdowns and a J.K. Schaffer defensive score. The final score read 27-0 in favor of the 'Cats.

"I’m sure many of you who watched the game would agree that the score does not indicate how well we played at times," said RedHawks coach Don Treadwell. "At some point, our team will collectively put two halves together, like the first half we played."

The last time MU was shut out in this series was a 17-0 loss on September 26, 1976.

Zach Collaros finished 16-of-30 (53.3 percent) for 251 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a team-high 88 yards. Pead added 49 yards to the Big East's second-best individual rushing total and accounted for two TDs.

This was the 116th renewal of the Battle for the Victory Bell, dating back to 1888. The RedHawks still lead the series 59-50-7.

Cincinnati will embark on the quest for its third conference title in the last four years on October 15 against Louisville, while Don Treadwell's Miami RedHawks look to erase the goose egg from the win column next week against Army.

It’s a bit of a downer for this week’s Thursday night ESPN national TV game after getting ranked foes LSU and Mississippi State last week. This week it’s unranked North Carolina State and Cincinnati on the docket for this one. I can guarantee you one thing: There will be a ton more points scored by the Wolfpack and Bearcats than the 25 the Tigers and Bulldogs managed.

Both clubs are 2-1 but really haven’t played anyone of note yet. The Wolfpack have had little trouble with Liberty and South Alabama—nice scheduling!—but lost two weeks ago by a touchdown at a mediocre-at-best Wake Forest team.

The Bearcats have beaten up on Austin Peay and Akron but were thumped in a visit to a Tennessee team that seemed exposed this past weekend by Florida. UC ranks fourth in the country in scoring, but that’s because of 131 points against the two patsies. It had just 23 in the loss to the Vols.

NC State at Cincinnati Betting Storylines

It’s a homecoming for NC State coach Tom O’Brien, a Cincinnati native. This offseason, O’Brien essentially forced out starting QB Russell Wilson when Wilson wouldn’t commit to giving up pro baseball (of course, he did and is now starring at Wisconsin). However, O’Brien also thought he had an excellent replacement in Mike Glennon. He might be right as Glennon threw a career-high four touchdown passes in Saturday’s 35-13 win over South Alabama. He has thrown for 745 yards and eight TDs with just one pick so far.

The Bearcats have one of the Big East’s top trio of skill position players in QB Zach Collaros, RB Isaiah Pead and WR D.J. Woods. Woods has 15 catches for 232 yards and a score, Pead has rushed for 257 yards and four scores and Collaros has thrown for 521 yards and seven TDs (UC has called off the dogs in its two blowout wins). There’s no question in my mind that Cincinnati has more firepower than NC State.

And the Wolfpack will be down three defensive starters for this one. That unit already had lost defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy (broken foot) for the first three games and cornerback Jarvis Byrd (anterior cruciate ligament) for the season. And now linebacker Terrell Manning will miss this game with a knee injury. The junior outside linebacker had 14 tackles in the first three games and had five sacks last season. 

Dwayne Maddox takes Manning’s place. He started 11 times in 2009 and four in 2008. He had eight tackles last week after Manning went out versus South Alabama. Defensive end Jeff Rieskamp missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, but he is expected to play on Thursday.

As it is, NC State struggles defensively, allowing 243 passing yards and 376.7 yards overall.

These two teams also played in a Thursday night September game last year in Raleigh, with the Wolfpack winning 30-19 (as two-point favorites), behind a big night from Wilson. Collaros threw for 310 and three scores—Woods caught six of those passes for 146 yards and two TDs—but the UC rushing offense was ineffective. Cincinnati didn't run a play inside the NC State 32 until the final minutes, long after the Wolfpack had the game in hand.

NC State at Cincinnati Betting Odds and Trends

The Wolfpack have opened as eight-point favorites, according to college football odds, with the total at 59.5. The lean is more than 65 percent on UC. NCSU is 4-1 ATS in its past five non-conference games and as a dog of 3.5-10 points. UC is 0-5 ATS in its past five versus a team with a winning record. It is just 1-9 ATS in its past 10 following a straight-up win.

The ‘under’ is 4-0 in NCSU’s past four non-conference games. It is 9-1 in UC’s past 10 Thursday games.

College Football Predictions: NC State at Cincinnati Betting Picks

I simply don’t see either team stopping the other, barring lousy weather (forecast looks good), despite those ‘under’ trends. So I love the ‘over.' I think the Bearcats win the game but that it won’t be by more than a touchdown. Take NC State and the points.

Doc’s Sports will have his week four college football selections available on Thursday, and you can check out more information about his plays for this weekend.

Cincinnati rebounded in Week 3 against Akron after a sluggish Week 2 effort against Tennessee.

While their first two home opponents, Austin Peay and Akron, were over matched by the Bearcats, NC State will be a little tougher match up for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati proved they were no contest for Tennessee and if they want this season to be different than last, they cannot lose at home to an NC State team that is not nearly as talented as they were a year ago.

Here is what to expect from NC State on Thursday night. 

Offense

The Wolfpack have had a somewhat balanced attack over the first three games, and have put up at least 27 points in all of those contests. 

Quarterback Mike Glennon has passed for 745 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. He has also been sacked eight times. The Bearcats defensive line will have to get pressure on Glennon by forcing them into some third and long situations.

On the ground the duo of Curtis Underwood Jr. and James Washington have combined for 390 yards and four touchdowns. They will split carries and slowing down the running game will be the key to victory for Cincinnati.

Receiver T.J. Graham is a deep ball threat, averaging 21.0 yards per reception on 12 catches. He teams with Tobias Palmer to give NC State a solid duo at wide out. 

Defense

The Wolfpack rank 52nd in the country in points allowed per game at 22.7. 

They allowed 21 points in a season-opening win against Liberty, but then were blitzed by Wake Forest, who scored 34 points.

The Cincinnati offense is more explosive than even Wake Forest, and the Bearcats should be able to put some points on the board.  

NC State has suffered a lot of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the latest to linebacker Terrell Manning. 

On the defensive line senior Jeff Rieskamp has missed action due to injury as has tackle J.R. Sweezy. 

With a banged up defense, the Wolfpack will have a hard time slowing down the high-flying Bearcats attack that is fourth in the country at 51.3 points per game. 

Outcome

Playing at home will be extremely beneficial to Cincinnati. They will need the home field advantage to be able to take down NC State. 

The injuries to the NC State defense and the ineptitude of the Cincinnati defense could make for a high scoring game. 

Cincinnati should have enough talent on offense to get a much needed win against a non-conference foe. 

Prediction: Cincinnati 42 NC State 31

For as good as Cincinnati was in Week 1 and the improvements they seemingly made from last season, they gave it all back in Week 2, with new questions abounding as to how good this team really is. 

A home game against Akron may not be the best indicator. 

The Zips started the year with a 42-0 loss at the hands of Ohio State and followed that up last weekend with a 41-3 drubbing by Temple. 

With the exception of Austin Peay, Akron will easily be the weakest team on the Cincinnati schedule. 

Here is a breakdown of what to expect from the Zips on both sides of the ball. 

Offense

As far as offense goes, there isn't much there for the Zips. If Cincinnati wants to prove they have gotten better on the defensive side of the ball, they must hold Akron to 10 points or less. 

Akron is currently 118th out of 120 teams in total points, including 104th in passing yards and 116th in rushing yards. 

The Cincinnati defense is much stronger at stopping the run than the pass, and Akron averages just 38.5 rushing yards per game. 

Quarterback Clayton Moore has only completed 18 of 42 passes for 236 yards on the year. 

When Akron does try to run the ball, Jawon Chrisholm will get the bulk of the carries. He has 89 yards on 25 carries for the season. 

Receiver Marquelo Suel is a long-ball threat. He has 110 yards and averages 22.0 yards per reception. 

When the Zips do throw the football, they will try to burn the Bearcats secondary deep.

Defense

Akron has no trouble giving up points—41.5 per game to be exact. That's good for 112th in the country.

Cincinnati has no problem scoring points, scoring 47.5 a game (11th in the country).

The Bearcats are also ranked 11th in the country in rushing yards, despite abandoning the run against Tennessee.

When Cincinnati does have the ball, look for Akron to try to stuff the box and stop the run.

They have had trouble doing so in their first two games, giving up 150 yards and three touchdowns to Temple running back Bernard Pierce in the second quarter alone.

The Bearcats should have no problem putting up seven or more touchdowns on the Zips defense.

Outcome

Cincinnati should have no trouble bouncing back from their Week 2 loss to Tennessee in this one. But what will it really mean if the Bearcats beat the Zips by 40 points?

This may be another laugher that will leave fans guessing heading into the pivotal Week 4 game against NC State.

Prediction: Cincinnati 49, Akron 10 

This past weekend the University of Cincinnati took a big "L" against the Tennessee Volunteers. The same story also went for Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, whose Fighting Irish fell to the Michigan Wolverines in an instant classic.

Both Kelly and the Bearcats have not been the same since they were a part of each other.

While at UC, Kelly took the Bearcats to two BCS bowl games and the program was on the rise. With Ohio being a huge football state, Kelly did not have trouble recruiting talent. He had a chance to bring the University of Cincinnati to places they have never seen before.

The two seemed as if they were a perfect fit.

With a hungry up-and-coming coach leading a program on the rise, it appeared that the football future for the Bearcats was very bright.

Since accepting the job at Notre Dame, however, Brian Kelly and the University of Cincinnati have been on a downward spiral.

The Bearcats missed a bowl game last season and it may be the same story this year. Similarly, Brian Kelly has failed to reach the high expectations in South Bend, coaching a program where the alumni and fanbase are still stuck in the 1990s.

The end result is that the Bearcats and Kelly both need each other. The relationship between UC and Kelly was not comparable to Bobby and Whitney, it actually had the potential to be great.

As college football fans, we will never know what would have happened if the two had stuck together. It will remain a great unknown—like many stories in the history of college football.