Connecticut @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2010 ) Cincinnati 17, Connecticut 38

THE STORY: No. 25 Cincinnati can clinch a share of the Big East title with a win at home over Connecticut on Saturday. However, the Bearcats' chances of earning the conference's BCS bid are all but gone after West Virginia defeated South Florida on Thursday. A Cincinnati victory means the Bearcats, West Virginia and Louisville would finish tied for first. In that case, the BCS representative will go to the team rated highest in the final BCS rankings. West Virginia, ranked No. 23 in the BCS this week, would likely win that tiebreaker. Neither Cincinnati nor Louisville are ranked in the BCS. Ironically, the Mountaineers need Cincinnati to win because Louisville would get the BCS bid in a two-way with West Virginia. Connecticut's task is much more simple: a victory would make the Huskies bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive season.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Cincinnati -9.5

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (5-6, 3-3 Big East): The Huskies kept their bowl hopes alive with a 40-22 win at home over Rutgers last week. Connecticut forced six turnovers and defensive tackle Kendall Reyes ran in a fumble recovery for a touchdown. The Huskies also had six sacks and allowed 26 yards rushing. Quarterback Scott McCummings and running back Lyle McCombs both ran for two scores. Nick Williams had 158 return yards, including 128 on three kickoff returns.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (8-3, 4-2 Big East): The Bearcats still have a chance at the title despite losing quarterback Zach Collaros to a season-ending broken ankle against West Virginia. Munchie Legaux and Jordan Luallen split the quarterback duties in last week's 30-13 win at Syracuse. Legaux, making his first start, threw for two touchdowns while Luallen ran for 77 yards. Running back Isaiah Pead had 244 all-purpose yards, including nine receptions for 112 yards and a score.

EXTRA POINTS:
1. Cincinnati has won five of seven in the all-time series. The Huskies rolled to a 38-17 home win over the Bearcats last season.
2. The Bearcats haven't played a game at Nippert Stadium since Oct. 15 when they defeated Louisville. The home game against West Virginia on Nov. 12 was played at Paul Brown Stadium, home of the Bengals.
3. Connecticut hasn't won two straight games this season.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 24, Connecticut 17 -- The Bearcats, who didn't qualify for a bowl last season, put aside their BCS disappointment. A nine-win team will be an attractive bowl candidate. The Huskies, a BCS qualifier last season, stay home for the holidays.