The Cincinnati Bearcats host the #23 Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a pivotal conference clash with title implications this Saturday at noon.

Rutgers enters this game after stepping out of conference play and taking care of the Army Black Knights. Rutgers was surprisingly slow to get things going against the less talented Knights but used a 21 point 4th quarter explosion to pull away comfortably 28-7. Army used their juggernaut rushing attack to rack up 282 yards on the ground and got on the board first with a Trent Steelman 1 yard run. Army moved the ball up and down the field all afternoon but Rutgers made just enough stands to keep them out of FG range and the end zone. Rutgers was anemic offensively throughout the first 3 quarters of this game until the light flipped on in the 4th quarter when Gary Nova connected with Brandon Coleman for a 31 yard strike. A few minutes later, after getting the ball back, Savon Huggins punched it in from 2 yards out – Huggins had 33 yards rushing on the day and starting tailback Jawan Jamison chipped in 90 yards of his own. Rutgers used their defense for a late 73 yard fumble recovery that padded the score and the cover.

Cincinnati made easy work of the Temple Owls this past weekend 34-10. With the win and Louisville’s loss, the Bearcats are now back in the thick of things for the conference title. Rutgers remains the lone unbeaten and Cincinnati will welcome them to town hoping to gain the head to head advantage. Cinnci blew this one open late in the first quarter with a 75 yard bomb from Brandon Kay who performed admirably for the injured Munchie Legaux. Cinnci would then get George Winn’s second rush TD of the day and a FG for the 24-3 halftime lead. Winn had another strong outing racking up 83 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. The Cinnci run D should be applauded as they held the speedy Matt Brown and Montel Harris to 54 yards rushing combined – Harris had been the lone bright spot in the past few games but was completely shut out vs the Bearcats.

Some trends to consider – Rutgers is 4-0 against the spread in their last 4 conference games and Cincinnati is 6-0 against the spread in their last 6 conference games.

Cincinnati has been steady in big east play scoring 30+ in all 4 conference games this season and their defense has been especially stout at home.  Rutgers has now struggled in back to back games against lower level opponents and I expect a raucous crown and Cinnci's D to play a big role in keeping Gary Nova off balance and Jawan Jamison under wraps.  I expect a close game, with Cinnci pulling away by 7-10.