Austin Peay @ Cincinnati preview

THE STORY: It’s bounceback time for Cincinnati, which missed out on a bowl last year after two straight Big East titles under Brian Kelly. Butch Jones, who took over when Kelly left for Notre Dame, has guaranteed a bowl berth and that shouldn’t be a problem for this high-powered offensive team. Senior QB Zach Collaros returns after he threw for 2,902 yards and 26 touchdowns while earning first-team All-Big East honors last year. The Bearcats were the only Big East team to average more than 400 yards of offense (417.3). Austin Peay also is trying to turn things around after a 2-9 season in which it was outscored by nearly 20 points per game.

TV: FS Ohio. LINE: None

ABOUT CINCINNATI (4-8 in 2010): The Bearcats were picked to finish fifth in the Big East after ranking last in turnover margin and allowing 28 points per game. All 11 starters return on defense, with LB Walter Stewart moving fulltime to DE in hopes of generating more of a pass rush. Collaros has an array of dangerous targets led by WR D.J. Woods (74.8 yards per game, eight TDs). But only two starters return on the offensive line.

ABOUT AUSTIN PEAY (2-9 in 2010): The Governors were outscored 249-110 in the first half last year before opponents began to ease up. Coach Rick Christophel believes his team benefitted from playing so many freshmen last season, but the media still picked Austin Peay to finish last in the nine-team Ohio Valley Conference. RB Ryan White (804 yards, four TDs) is a preseason all-conference selection.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cincinnati leads the alltime series 4-0, the last meeting coming in 1993.

2. Austin Peay played one FBS team last year and lost 70-3 at Wisconsin.

3. Bearcats RB Isaiah Pead (1,029 yards, six TDs) is the Big East’s leading returning rusher.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 56, Austin Peay 10 - Collaros has a field day against a team that gave up 38.2 points per game last year.