PASSING NOTES ABOUT CINCINNATI

It is time topreview the Saturday night game against Cincinnati.  From here on out, these previews will be called, “Passing notes on….”.  Kind of like passing information in class and yes I have taken into consideration that no one under the age of 20 will understand what passing notes in class was like for people growing up and constant fear that the note would be taken and read in front of the class. This of course would mean the end of your life due to the humiliation in front of your classmates. 

The game on Saturday is at 7PM (one excuse gone for Pitt fans) against the 23^rd ranked (there goes another) Cincinnati Bearcats. It is a big game for both schools (yup, there is one more excuse for not attending out the window).  The winner will control their own destiny for the Big East title.  By the way, the weather will be about 50 degrees and clear at kickoff (the weather excuse will also note work).  Don’t worry.  I’m sure fans will still find a reason for not going.  I actually do anticipate a nice crowd.  Nothing overwhelming, but I do think they will get a legit 50K + at the game and turn, well, most of Heinz Field blue.

Now time to talk about the Bearcats of Cincinnati and let’s all pray that this game ends betterthen the last time Cincinnati came to Pitt.  On offense, there are familiar faces galore.  Senior QB Zach Collaros leads the charge and is having a great year so far with over 1500 yards throwing and 225 yards rushing.  He has accounted for 20 touchdowns already this season (14 passing and 6 rushing).  He can and will hurt you in the air and on the ground.  Cincy’s rushing attack is also led by a familiar senior. Isaiah Pead is over 700 yards and has 8 TDs.  When Pead does not have the ball, it is usually being thrown to one of three targets.  Junior Kenbrell Thompkins (388 yards and 2 TDs), sophomore Anthony McClung (371 yards and 3 TDs), and senior DJ Woods (329 yards and 2 TDs) will do most of the receiving for the Bearcats.  Overall, Cincy is 57^th in passing, 25^th in rushing, and an impressive 11^th in points scored per game in the FCS!

The defense is something Pitt is used to after playing Rutgers, Utah, and UConn the last few weeks: very tough up front and they love to get after the QB.  The Bearcats are 19^th in points against and 14^th in sacks.  If Lucas Nix is going to pick a game to come back, this would be a good one, as Pitt’s line will be tested.  Senior tackle Derek Wolfe does a good amount of damage and when he isn’t in on a play, you can count on seeing Dan Giordano.  They are backed up by linebacker J.K. Schaffer.  There are only two linebackers in this scheme as Cincy plays a 4-2-5 defense.  The secondary can be a problem, so if the line can give Tino Sunseri some time and Zach Brown can help grind out some tough yards, Cincy can give up some points.  The already weak defensive backfield was hurt further by an ACL injury to cornerback Dominique Battle, who is now lost for the season.

The 23 ranking in the polls was obtained by a 6-1 record.  Now, you may be asking, how in the world can Pitt slow down the Bearcats on Saturday night.  Well, I’m not saying that Cincinnati is NOT the 23^rd best team in the country, BUT, their opponents overall combined record is 21-34.  That is not a misprint.  It’s not really their fault, as they did play some historically strong schools (NC State and Tennessee are included in the non-conference), but you wonder just how good Cincinnati is this season. 

Because of the bloated record and Lucas Nix coming back, I do think Pitt can hang in there on Saturday and make a pretty good showing.  I also think the Panthers will have some crowd support this weekend and that will help as well.  Pitt will need to fix the middle of the defense, which seems to be eaten up every week with run plays up the gut.  The line will absolutely need to come together.  I think Pitt plays well, but I also think they end up on the wrong end of the score.  Final prediction…Cincinnati 34  Pitt 27…and yes, if Pitt wins, I will say I did a reverse jinx.