ESPN analyst John Congemi breaks down the BIG East Game of the Week
By John Congemi
Posted: Nov. 24, 2010
Cincinnati and Connecticut will meet for the seventh time on Saturday at Rentschler Field; the Bearcats hold a 5-1 series lead, but the Huskies were victorious when these two teams met last at the Rent. Connecticut was a 40-16 winner that afternoon, handing Cincinnati its only Big East loss that season. Last year’s game saw UCONN rally from a 30-10 halftime deficit only to come up two points short, 47-45 at Nippert Stadium. Bearcats QB Zack Collaros threw for an amazing 480 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for two scores. Huskie RB Jordan Todman also had a spectacular day rushing for 162 yards and four TDs, in a losing effort. Connecticut is bowl-eligible and looking to grab the Big East championship outright by wining out (while getting some help Pitt and West Virginia). Cincinnati, meanwhile, is trying to string two wins together to become bowl-eligible, and possibly more if the Panthers and Mountaineers stumble.
KEYS FOR CINCINNATI:
LIMIT TODMAN AND SCORE
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RB Isaiah Pead
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It’s no secret that Connecticut loves to run the football behind their massive offensive line. The challenge for the Bearcats defense will be to limit the opportunities and big plays from UCONN RB Jordan Todman. Cincinnati ranks last in the league in total defense (giving up 364.6 yards per game), but ranks second against the run (giving up 111.7 yards per contest). Linebacker J.K. Schaffer is second in the Big East in tackles per game (9.2 per contest) and DL Dan Giordano must control the line of scrimmage if the Bearcats have any hope to slow Connecticut’s running attack. The Cincinnati offense helped snap a three-game losing streak by scoring 69 points last week against Rutgers. Cincinnati has scored 35, 40, 45, and 69 points in its four wins this season and has gone 0-6 when it has scored 30 points or less. QB Zack Collaros leads the league in passing (278.3 yards per game) and total offense (286.2 yards per game). Zack’s TD-to-INT ratio of 24 TDs to only seven interceptions is a big reason why Cincinnati can score points. RB Isaiah Pead also feasted on the Rutgers D by rushing for 213 yards and four TDs. Coach Butch Jones says that the Bearcats are at their best offensively when they can achieve balance. Receiver Armon Binns leads the conference in receptions (63), yards (909) and touchdowns (nine).
KEYS FOR CONNECTICUT:
CONTROL THE CLOCK AND FORCE TURNOVERS
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RB Jordan Todman
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Connecticut has won three straight games (undefeated at home, going 5-0) to become bowl eligible, and also have a chance to grab a piece of the Big East title, if things fall their way. They’ve
done so by hopping on the shoulders of the running game, and particularly Jordan Todman. Todman 145.1 rushing yards per game puts him at second for the nation (Oregon’s LaMicheal James is at 158.0 yards per game) nationally in rushing. Todman, who has scored 11 TDs, leads the conference in rushing with 1,306 yards (averaging 5.5 yards per carry with a long of 66 yards). If the offensive Line can continue to control the line of scrimmage, the Huskies can play keep away from the Cincinnati offense and control the tempo of the game! Defense and special teams have played a big part of the success lately; the “D” has forced a league-leading 21 turnovers and returned three INTs for TDs, and two kickoff returns have also found the end zone. Coach Randy Edsall has played into his team’s strengths of ball control and time of possession over the last three weeks and look for the Huskies to continue to use this formula for success. He has them focused and believing that they can win every time they hit the field!
It’ll be a close one, with CONNECTICUT edging CINCINNATI 27-24.
