South Florida @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 22, 2011 ) Cincinnati 37, South Florida 34

Cincinnati is coming off its most anemic offensive showing of the season in a 10-3 home loss to Rutgers that ended the Bearcats' hopes of capturing the Big East crown. At 7-3, Cincinnati is already assured of playing in a bowl game, but coach Butch Jones can't be happy with how the Bearcats' league-leading offense was shut down so easily by the Scarlet Knights. Playing against struggling South Florida on Friday night at home might be just the answer though. The Bulls had little fight in a 40-9 loss to Miami last week and have won only once since early September, though two of their last three losses were by fewer than three points.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Cincinnati -13

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (3-7, 1-4 Big East): While the Bulls are playing musical chairs at quarterback - third-stringer Matt Floyd will make his first start this week because of injures - coach Skip Holtz knows its not just who is throwing the ball that is to blame for the struggles in the passing game. Holtz tried to send a message to his receiving corps by starting walk-on Jordan Duval for the first play against Miami, but it wasn't received. Top receiver Andre Davis had only catch for four yards and senior Victor Marc made three grabs on 12 passes targeted for him. The South Florida secondary is also under fire after being torched for 413 yards and three touchdowns by Miami quarterback Stephen Morris.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (7-3, 3-2): The Bearcats entered their game against Rutgers Saturday leading the Big East in rushing at 226.8 yards per game, but managed only 90 against the Scarlet Knights. George Winn, the league's leading rusher, gained 35 yards on 11 carries. The seemingly endless quarterback rotation with the Bearcats may have another turn this week. Quarterback Brendon Kay, who has started the last two contests, is questionable, which might allow Munchie Legaux to regain his starting spot that he lost. Whoever is under center must get the offense moving in a better direction than last week. The Bearcats' scoreless first half was the first shutout half by Cincinnati since Nov. 19, 2011.

EXTRA POINTS

1. South Florida's loss to Miami marked the team's most lopsided defeat in coach Skip Holtz's three years as coach.

2. Despite gaining only 35 yards against Rutgers, Winn passed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time after having 376 career yards heading into this season.

3. Cincinnati leads the series 6-2, including five of the last six meetings, though South Florida's win in that span came at Cincinnati in 2010.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 35, South Florida 17