Friday, October 3
Cincinnati (3-1) at Marshall (3-2), 8:00 EST, ESPN
Why to watch: Marshall gets a rare opportunity to strut in front of a national TV audience and a shot at a Big East opponent for a second straight week. Last Saturday didn?t go so well. The Herd was shut down by West Virginia, 27-3, managing just 158 yards in a sloppy effort. It?ll be looking to recapture the form that led to back-to-back Conference USA wins over Memphis and Southern Miss. Cincinnati is coming off a narrow escape at Akron, pulling out a 17-15 win on a Jake Rogers field goal in the final quarter. Whatever problems the Bearcats are having, no one can place them at the feet of new starting QB Tony Pike who completed 74% of his passes and thrown five touchdowns without an interception before breaking his arm. The lack of a proven starting quarterback should keep this close.
Why Cincinnati might win: Marshall folded like a tent when it faced a solid Big East defense a week ago. It?ll do so again this Friday. Save for the game with Oklahoma, which is in a different league, the Bearcats have been air-tight on defense, creating turnovers, stopping the run, and getting to the quarterback. This group will be a tall order for Marshall QB Mark Cann, a freshman that?s still prone to making rookie mistakes. DT Terrill Byrd will get in his face, and defensive backs Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith will make him pay for staring down receivers and telegraphing passes.
Why Marshall might win: Marshall is unbeaten in Huntington. Cincinnati has not played well away from home. Expect to see a different Herd team than the one that hardly showed up at West Virginia. It?ll get after a one-dimensional Bearcat offense that?s had problems moving the ball on the ground. LB Mario Harvey and DE Albert McClellan have the speed to get after Pike and flush him out of the pocket. On offense, RB Darius Marshall, WR Darius Passmore, and TE Cody Slate are playmakers who?ll support Cann in his quest to beat a quality defense.
Who to watch: The young Herd cornerbacks are going to be tested by the best set of receivers they faced all year. Mardy Gilyard and Dominick Goodman are the Big East?s top two receivers, combining for 54 receptions and eight touchdowns through the first four games. Even better, last year?s star, Marcus Barnett, is coming off his best game since breaking his leg last year. He had a season-high six catches for 66 yards, flashing some of his pre-injury form.
What will happen: Having already faced Wisconsin and West Virginia, Marshall won?t be intimidated by a visit from Cincinnati, especially with a backup quarterback like redshirt freshman Zach Collaros at the helm. The Herd will battle for four quarters and threaten to pull the upset before fading late. Mark Snyder has the program headed in a positive direction for a change, but until it can make a few key stops, especially in pass defense, it?s going to fall short against quality opponents.
CFN Prediction: Cincinnati 27 ? Marshall 20 ... Line: Cincinnati -3.5
Must See Rating: (5 Palin vs. Biden - 1 Beverly Hills Chihuahua) ? 2
