Saturday will give us the 11th meeting of the River City Rivalry, when the Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1, 2-0) travel to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-4, 2-1).
Pittsburgh has an 8-2 overall lead in the series, and won 2010's game 28-10.
Cincinnati does have history in its favor in one respect, as they won the most recent game in Pittsburgh. In 2009, they beat the Panthers 45-44 at Heinz Field.
This is also an important game in the Big East, as Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Louisville are all one-half game behind the Bearcats.
Where: Heinz Field. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
When: Saturday, November 5 at 7 p.m. EDT
Watch: ESPNU
Spread
Cincinnati (-3.5), according to Sportsbook.
The home field advantage doesn't do much to override the massive amount of injuries that Pittsburgh has suffered. The loss of running back Ray Graham hurts this team in a big way.
Even on the road, I like Cincinnati to get the win and cover the spread.
Over/Under
54.5, according to Sportsbook.
I'm actually expecting a relatively low-scoring game in this one. I don't see the losing team scoring more than about two touchdowns here, and I don't like the winner to pick up the slack.
Obviously, a spread of 54.5 implies that the two teams will have an average score in the mid-to-high 20s. I don't see that happening.
Go under.
Key Injuries
Cincinnati DB Dominique Battle (knee) is out for the season.
Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham (knee), WR Cameron Saddler (sternum), OL Matt Rotheram (leg), WR Salath Williams (shoulder), DB Jason Hendricks (shoulder) and OL Chris Jacobson (knee) are out for the season.
Pittsburgh QB Trey Anderson (wrist), and LB Dan Mason (knee) are out indefinitely.
BCS/Top 25 Implications
Cincinnati is already ranked in the AP and USA Today Polls. A win here would go an awfully long way in putting them in the BCS Top 25.
They are undefeated in Big East play, and Pittsburgh only has one loss.
The winner of this game will be in a good position to make a run at the Big East crown.
Key to Cincinnati Win
Isaiah Pead has over 700 yards rushing this year, but the dual-threat quarterback Zach Collaros is an important figure in the Bearcats' offense.
He has over 1,500 yards passing with 14 touchdowns, including six touchdowns on the ground.
If he continues to play at this rate, Cincinnati will roll.
Key to Pittsburgh Win
Defensively, they need to contain Collaros and Pead. Collaros has thrown six interceptions this year. So, if the Panthers make him throw a lot, they can win.
Other than that, their chances at winning this game are not great.
Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Pittsburgh 13
It's not that Pittsburgh is a bad team, but their injuries are just too much to overcome. Cincinnati is on a five-game winning streak.
It will be six this weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment