Fordham @ Cincinnati preview

Cincinnati hopes to remain sharp on both sides of the ball as it hosts Fordham in their first-ever meeting Saturday. The No. 20 Bearcats have produced at least 425 yards in each of the first four games and have played well enough on defense to show they are a strong contender in the Big East race. Running back George Winn has played a big part, averaging 111.5 yards per contest to help Cincinnati extend its win streak to seven games overall. Fordham, an FCS team, should give the Bearcats’ defense a challenge. The Rams are averaging 31.8 points and 428 yards per game against FCS competition, and first-year coach Joe Moorhead was previously the offensive coordinator in the Big East at Connecticut. Still, the last victory for the Rams over an FBS team came in 1954 against Rutgers.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com. LINE: -40.5

ABOUT FORDHAM (4-2): The Rams have won three of their last four, each by seven points. Fordham, which went 1-10 in 2011, have some strong weapons on the offensive side. Running back Carlton Koonce has rushed for 812 yards and quarterback Ryan Higgins completes 68.2 percent of his passes for 244.7 yards per contest. Brian Wetzel is the top target for Higgins, with 32 catches for 445 yards. Patrick Murray, who has booted three field goals for 50 or more yards this season, was honored as the FCS national place kicker of the week by The Sports Network on Monday.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (4-0): Winn has already registered more yards rushing than his first three seasons combined with the Bearcats. Winn averages 6.6 yards per carry, which has helped quarterback Munchie Legaux adjust in his first season as a starter. Legaux will have to improve his completion percentage (55.0), but has nine touchdown passes and three interceptions while averaging 284.3 yards of total offense. He has four receivers with at least 10 catches and 150 yards. The Bearcats, who lost two All-Big East defenders, are 14th in the nation in sacks per game (3.0), 13th in scoring defense (13.75) and have forced 11 turnovers. Linebacker Greg Blair leads the team with 36 tackles and has two interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cincinnati has outscored its opponents 44-6 in the first quarter.

2. Fordham is fifth among FCS schools and 15th overall in all-time victories with 753.

3. Cincinnati has won 23 straight non-conference games at its home field – Nippert Stadium.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 42, Fordham 13