ESPN analyst John Congemi breaks down the FINAL BIG East
Game of the Week
By John Congemi
Posted: Nov. 25, 2008
Updated: Nov. 29 | Cincinnati 30, Syracuse 10
I can remember back in the early ’90s when Cincinnati was getting beat by Florida State 70-21 and then a year later Penn State turned a few heads with an 81-0 pounding. Actually, four short years ago Louisville took the Bearcats out behind the woodshed with a 70-7 victory. Here we are in 2008 and Cincinnati is one win away from its first Big East title and first trip to a BCS Bowl. On paper, Cincinnati hosting Syracuse sounds like a no-brainer. It still might be, but when High Noon rolls around on Saturday, there'll be a ton of emotion inside Nipper Stadium. Yes, the Bearcats are playing for a conference crown and a prestigious bowl game, but let's not forget a Syracuse team that could have folded their tents weeks ago--especially last week when they found out their head coach had been fired. Instead, they went into South Bend and erased a 20-10 deficit (which may prevent the Irish from landing a spot in the Gator Bowl). Granted, Notre Dame isn't the Notre Dame of old, but the Orange was a three-touchdown dog and now they'll be playing their final game for their coach. What better way to send him off than to rain on Cincinnati's parade? Here are some keys to watch for this week. See you Saturday at Noon …
KEYS FOR SYRACUSE
1) DISRUPT THE TIMING
If there's one thing that the Orange can't do on Saturday it's to allow the Bearcats skill players to run wild in the secondary. Two things must happen for the Orange to be successful: pressure the pocket, and limit the run-after-catch yardage. If Syracuse's front seven can make Cincinnati QB Tony Pike throw the football before he's ready, this will help the secondary versus the two big play WRs (Dominick Goodman and Marty Gilyard). The key will be the defensive line, however. Can DT Arthur Jones have another dominating performance (15 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks vs. Notre Dame)? The season numbers are not kind to the Orange defense, which is eight in pass defense and total yards). But, this is all about putting it together for one game...just like ND!
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RB Curtis Brinkley
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2) MIX IT UP
Looks like the Orange might have found a one-two punch in the offensive backfield; Curtis Brinkley has carried the load on the ground for Syracuse all year long. He's been one of the most productive backs in the Big East (he’s fourth in the league in rushing at 1,104 and 7 TDs). Freshman
Antwon Bailey had a break-out afternoon in South Bend. He rushed for a career-high 126 yards on 16 carries. This can only help the running game and QB
Cameron Dantley's job a little easier. Dantley’s task will be to make the throws early in the game to open up the running game. If Syracuse can create balance and keep the Bearcats offense on the sidelines, it will shorten the game and take away Cincinnati's offensive opportunities.
KEYS FOR CINCINNATI
1) DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE
This week's game versus Syracuse is just another game right? WRONG! But the Bearcats need to approach it just like last week, and the week before. It's my opinion that you need to embrace this week as the biggest game of the year--only because it's the next one on the schedule. The players, coaches and fans know what's at stake, but unless you prepare during the week, and execute on Saturday, all that you've accomplished will be forgotten. The Bearcats must rely on what has put them in this position--staying aggressive on offense, and flying around on defense. This team was built on a lunch-pale mentality from former coach Mark Dantonio, current coach Brian Kelly has just refined the brand and moved around some pieces of the puzzle to make it easier to function. The results speak for themselves.
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QB Tony Pike.
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2) BIG PLAYERS MUST STAY HOT
What a story QB Tony Pike has become this year; from fourth string QB to one of the most efficient passers in the country. He’s first in the Big East and 19th nationally in passing efficiency, and he’s making his eighth career start Saturday. All Conner Barwin has done this year was move from tight end to defensive end and become one of the nation’s best at his position. He leads the league in sacks with ten (good for seventh nationally) and might be the only player in the country this year to record a sack (10), block a punt (3) and catch a touchdown pass (1). The biggest stage to date will be Saturday … I expect the play makers for Cincinnati to continue to shine all the way to the Orange Bowl in Miami.
So there you have it. What a wonderful run this has been … not the season, this column. Thank you for those emails—believe me, I read them all. We’ll do this again next year for sure. Happy Holidays.
