Cincinnati @ Temple preview

Cincinnati has hope that it can claim at least a share of the Big East crown for the fourth time in five years. To get there, the Bearcats may need to win out and get some help along the way. They will attempt to take the next step in that process with a visit to Temple on Saturday. Following a 35-24 victory over Syracuse last week, Cincinnati leapfrogged the Orange into third place, looking up at Louisville and Rutgers, whom the Bearcats host next week. Losers of three straight, the Owls hope to catch Cincinnati in a look-ahead mode. Temple will have to get its offense going to keep up with the league's top scoring attack; the Owls have scored 17 points or fewer in four straight games. This marks the first meeting between the schools as Big East opponents. The Bearcats won the last encounter, a triple-overtime affair in 2003.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, Big East Network, ESPN3.com.. LINE: Cincinnati -10.5

ABOUT CINCINNATI (6-2, 2-1 Big East): Coach Butch Jones has a quarterback controversy on his hands after benching starter Munchie Legaux last week in favor of senior Brendon Kay, who helped lead the Bearcats to two late touchdowns. Jones has hinted that the competition remains open. After a solid start to the season, Legaux has completed only 45.3 percent of his passes while throwing six interceptions in his last three games. Regardless of who is under center, senior running back George Winn figures to get his share of touches. Winn set career highs in carries (30), yards (165) and touchdowns (three) in the win over Syracuse.

ABOUT TEMPLE (2-3, 3-5): The Owls have been outscored 127-44 over their last three games and they've given up 31 first-half points in two straight. They hung around early with undefeated Louisville last week on the road. Matt Brown returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to give Temple a quick lead and the teams were locked in a 17-17 tie in the second quarter. However, four lost fumbles, three in the second half, doomed the Owls' chances at an upset en route to a 45-17 setback. Now, they must win out to gain bowl eligibility for the fourth straight season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Bearcats rank eighth in the country with 5.6 rushing yards per attempt.

2. Brown had a school-record 227 return yards on seven kickoffs against Louisville, earning Big East Specialist of the Week honors.

3. The Owls own a 9-4-1 series advantage, including six wins in seven tries at home.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 28, Temple 19