Cincinnati @ Connecticut preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 3, 2011 ) Connecticut 27, Cincinnati 35

There is still plenty to play for when Cincinnati visits Connecticut in the regular season finale on Saturday. Even though Louisville defeated Rutgers 20-17 on Thursday to clinch a share of the Big East title and all but wrap up the BCS bid, the Bearcats can still gain a share of the Big East title for the fourth time in five years. The Huskies, meanwhile, are a win away from gaining bowl eligibility for the fifth time in six seasons. Their win over the Cardinals last Saturday further muddied the waters in the Big East, which could wind up with four teams at 5-2 in league play.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Cincinnati -4

ABOUT CINCINNATI (8-3, 4-2 Big East): Brendon Kay threw for one touchdown and ran for another in a 27-10 victory over South Florida last weekend. Since taking over as the starter earlier this month, Kay has averaged 224.3 passing yards and 55 rushing yards per game. George Winn chipped in 119 yards and two scores against the Bulls. It marked the fifth 100-yard game for the man who leads one of the top rushing attacks in the country. Coach Butch Jones needs one win to reach 50 for his career.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (5-6, 2-4): While the Bearcats can run the football, the Huskies know how to stop it. They held Louisville to 27 yards in pulling off the upset in three overtimes 23-20. Connecticut has the 19th-ranked scoring defense (18.5) and the ninth-ranked unit against the run, holding opponents to an average of 100.3 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, running back Lyle McCombs has energized a once-dormant Huskies ground game, rushing for 120 and 133 yards in the last two weeks, respectively.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cincinnati owns a 6-2 series advantage, including a 35-27 victory at home last season.

2. The Huskies scored a total of 33 points during a four-game losing streak from Oct. 6 to Nov. 3. They scored 47 in two wins since, although 13 came in overtime against Louisville.

3. Connecticut standout CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson had six interceptions between his sophomore and junior seasons, but had yet to make a pick as a senior until the game-clinching interception against the Cardinals in the third overtime.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 17, Connecticut 16