Cincinnati @ Rutgers preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 20, 2010 ) Rutgers 38, Cincinnati 69

THE STORY: Few predicted that the Big East title could be decided this weekend when Rutgers hosts Cincinnati. But with the top teams in the preseason failing to live up to expectations, the Scarlet Knights and the Bearcats could very well be deciding which school gets the conference’s automatic BCS Bowl berth. Cincinnati currently holds a ½- game lead with Rutgers, West Virginia, Louisville and Pittsburgh all knotted up in second place. The Bearcats have played one less game than their closest competitors and will play their next two on the road, starting in New Jersey. Cincinnati’s surprising rise has been due to an offense that averages 37.1 points - 15th best in the nation. The Scarlet Knights will counter with a sound defense that has held opponents to 18.2 points, 11th-best in the nation.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Cincinnati -3.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (7-2, 3-1 Big East): The Bearcats suffered their first conference loss last week, dropping a 24-21 decision to West Virginia. Senior quarterback Zach Collaros was lost in the second quarter with an ankle injury with the Bearcats leading. Collaros underwent surgery for a broken ankle and will miss the final three regular-season games. In his place steps sophomore Munchie Legaux, who completed 10 of 21 passes in relief.

ABOUT RUTGERS (7-3, 3-2): The Scarlet Knights are humming along again since re-installing Chas Dodd at quarterback. Dodd took over in the fourth quarter against South Florida on Nov. 5 and led Rutgers from a 17-3 deficit to a 20-17 overtime win. The sophomore backed that performance up with a pair of touchdown passes in a 27-12 victory over Army last week. Top wide receiver Mohamed Sanu made 13 catches in the win, giving him 94 for the season and breaking Larry Fitzgerald’s conference single-season record.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Cincinnati has taken the last five meetings in the series, including two straight in Piscataway.

2. The Bearcats lead the nation in tackles for a loss, averaging 8.7.

3. Dodd threw for a career-high 335 yards against Cincinnati last season.

PREDICTION: Scarlet Knights 24, Bearcats 17. Collaros’ loss will prove to be too big for Cincinnati to handle against Rutgers’ defense, throwing the Big East into chaos.