Cincinnati Bearcats @ West Virginia Mountaineers Preview

West Virginia looks to remain unbeaten in the Big East

Date: Saturday, November 8, 2008

Time: 7:00 EST

Location: Milan Puskar Stadium (60,000) Morgantown, WV

Television: ESPNU and Select Local Cable Providers

Records: West Virginia (6-2 Overall 3-0 Big East); Cincinnati (6-2 Overall 2-1 Big East)

Rankings: West Virginia (20 th AP Coaches Poll, 25 th BCS Poll); Cincinnati (N/A)

All-Time Series Record: West Virginia Leads 14-1-1

Last Meeting: West Virginia 28 Cincinnati 23- Cincinnati, OH- 2007

Cincinnati Bearcats @ West Virginia General Overview

West Virginia will play its third big game in a row as they get into the meat of their tough Big East schedule.

A week ago, the Mountaineers were preparing for a heavy dose of Donald Brown and the run game of a tough UConn team that possessed a solid rushing offense, which ranked among the Top-20 in the country. This week is a different story, however, as WVU will take on a Cincinnati Bearcats team that throws the ball all over the field (260.9 passing YPG). Their quarterback, Tony Pike, is second in the Big East and 21 st in the nation in throwing efficiency ( 147.3). Pike injured his non-throwing shoulder earlier in the year in a game at Akron, but has recovered nicely and has thrown for 1,051 yards and nine touchdowns. His return has energized the Bearcats and has them near the top of the Big East standings. He has been removed from certain games due to his injury, which could be the case this weekend, but when on the field, his talent and leadership is crucial for his teams’ success. Head coach, Brian Kelly, is an offensive genius and will have a game plan for whomever he sends out onto the field.

The Bearcats are in the middle of a tough stretch in their schedule where they play four games, three of which are on the road, in 21 days. Meanwhile, since losing to East Carolina and Colorado early in the season and starting 1-2, West Virginia has reeled off five straight wins and is the only team left in the conference without a loss. Cincinnati is tied with Pittsburgh for second at 2-1 in Big East play.

WVU’s 10th-ranked rushing attack in the nation has given opponents troubles all year long. Led by sophomore Noel Devine (909 yards rushing this year) as well as senior and two-time defending Big East Offensive Player of the year, Pat White, the Mountaineer offense is clicking on all cylinders at this point in the year. Coming off a big 35-13 win in East Hartford, CT last week over their Co- Big East Champs of a year ago, West Virginia appears to be playing its best football at the right time. Offensively and defensively the Mountaineers have outscored their opponents 52-0 in the second half of the last two weeks.

Both teams know the magnitude of this game and will pull out all the stops to get the win. West Virginia head coach, Bill Stewart has prepared his team for whoever is on the field on Saturday. “Brian Kelly does such a great job it doesn’t matter which one is playing,” said West Virginia coach Bill Stewart. “Tony Pike can pitch and catch.”

Cincinnati Offense vs. West Virginia Defense

Advantage: Push

Cincinnati, who was ousted 42-24 the last time they visited Morgantown, will look to throw the ball all over the Mountaineers and look to get the ball to their big play receivers, Mardy Gilyard, and Dominick Goodman. Each receiver with their 6’1” frame, has 40+ catches this year and a 12 touchdowns combined between them along with 1,200+ yards. Pike will look to distribute the ball to his playmakers in space. “I keep seeing a lot of playmakers and I’m worried about that,” said Stewart. “We want to keep them in front of us.”

The young defense is vastly improving and is eager to take on any challenge thrown their way. “They’ve got a couple of great guys,” said WVU cornerback Brandon Hogan. “Two of them have already got 40-some catches. We’ll try to match up with them and give them a good go.” Hogan, a converted starting cornerback for WVU, made his first two interceptions of his career last week. The West Virginia defense, which, in its last five games, is surrendering just 263.8 yards per game and has shut out their opponents in the last six quarters of second half action.

Senior linebacker, Mortty Ivy, who claimed Defensive Player of the Week last week in the Big East with 10 tackles and a game-sealing interception, will lead the Mountaineers defense and try to slow down an improving Bearcat offense and their potent passing attack. West Virginia is allowing the least points per game this season in the Big East at a stingy 14.8 PPG, and will try to slow down a Cincinnati offense averaging nearly 27 PPG.

West Virginia has forced 6 turnovers the last two weeks, which have led to 28 points. Pat White’s offense will look to thrive off good field position given to them by their play-making defense.

West Virginia Offense vs. Cincinnati Defense

Advantage: West Virginia

Pat White eclipsed many milestones last week in his WVU career, but will have one goal in mind this week: Win. Even though he only needs 239 more rushing yards to pass Missouri quarterback, Brad Smith, for the most rushing yards in a career by a quarterback, Pat White, who has been called by his coach the “Greatest winner in college football,” wants nothing more than for his team to win. White passed the 9,000 total yard mark for his career last week and needs 6 more touchdowns to pass former Syracuse quarterback, Donovan McNabb, for most total touchdowns all-time in the Big East (96).

White leads a hot West Virginia offense who is averaging 26 points in their last two games in the second half alone. Sophomores Noel Devine and Jock Sanders help carry the load in the run game, which is a staple in Morgantown. Also on the verge of being a big contributor to the offense is Mark Rodgers, a freshman from Lawndale, CA. Rodgers has been returning kicks, along with taking carries in the backfield. “I’m happy that the coaches are getting more trust in me by putting me on the field,” Rodgers said Tuesday evening. “Every time that I get in I try to take advantage of my opportunity and just play the game.” Like Devine, Rodgers has sprinter’s speed that the coaching staff believes can get the football into the end zone.

Defensively, Cincinnati has the most experienced group in the entire conference with 10 of its 11 starters being seniors. The Bearcats also boast the best secondary in the Big East with a pair of cornerbacks with NFL ambitions in seniors Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith. Mickens is the team leader in tackles (48) and also has three interceptions. Along with a strong and lanky defensive line, an athletic line-backing core has the Cincinnati defense in prime pouncing position for their First Big East title.

The Mountaineer offense is well aware of what they will be up against on Saturday. “They have 10 seniors on defense and their defensive line is really athletic,” said West Virginia tackle Ryan Stanchek. “They’re long, rangy and they’re good football players. Their secondary is right there with the best, if not the best, that we’ve played against this year with Mickens and DeAngelo Smith. They’re studs.”

Pat White will construct multiple drives resulting in scores for WVU, but the Bearcat defense will play very well, limiting the Mountaineer offense to less than 200 yards rushing, which is a significant feat for a West Virginia Opponent. The only difference is that at home, Pat White and the offense has a greater tendency to be successful through the air, which will be the case this week.

West Virginia vs. Cincinnati Special Teams

Advantage: Push

Pat McAfee is a well-known figure in Morgantown as he has been the punter and kicker for the Mountaineers for 4 years now, but Co-Ray Guy award finalist (Nation’s best Punter), Kevin Huber, is 4 th in the Nation in punting average and gives the Bearcats a slight but much-needed edge in the punting game.

Kicking, however. is a different story. McAfee is again involved for WVU, and he excels at kicking on the turf in Morgantown (a perfect 8-for-8 on the year). Cincinnati has a sophomore doing their kicking as Jake Rogers has those duties. Rogers is a solid option, but the nod goes to McAfee.

A large part of this game could be the big plays in the return game. Cincinnati has that luxury with the best kickoff return game in the Big East (23.6 yards per return) and Mardy Gilyard has a 97-yard touchdown this year and is averaging 27.5 yards per return.

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Cincinnati Bearcats @ West Virginia Mountaineers Final Prediction & Analysis

Pat White will close the gap on Brad Smith by about 100 rushing yards and maybe a score, while Noel Devine will have a below average day running the ball (50-75 yards, much like last week) due to the athletic ability of the Bearcat defensive line. Pat White and Bill Stewart will open up the playbook and pass the ball down the field on the talented Bearcat secondary for about 200 yards passing.

The West Virginia defense will have no trouble stopping the run and hold Tony Pike and the Cincinnati offense to below 300 yards of total offense. Pike will have a good day throwing, but will make a couple crucial mistakes late in the game to allow WVU to prevail in Morgantown. “Country Roads” will be flowing and the Mountaineer Maniacs will be very pleased with the outcome.

The Mountaineers win in a surprisingly low-scoring defensive battle, but Pat White will guide his offense on a couple crucial scoring drives in the second half to propel WVU to their fourth win in the Big East and improve their home record to an impressive 6-0.

West Virginia 20 - Cincinnati 13

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