UC Bearcats should outrun, outpass West Virginia Mountaineers for win

You’ll most likely hear the time period “must-win” from either side this weekend because the Cincinnati Bearcats play West Virginia in Morgantown Saturday, Oct. 17 at midday.

The Mountaineers began 3-0, then dropped three straight. The Bearcats started 4-0, then received “Fafita’d” in Tucson in a 34-7 loss to Arizona. Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita then handed for 3 extra touchdowns at West Virginia Oct. 10 in a 52-31 flogging of the Mountaineers.

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In the top, two Big 12 groups with fast begins try to remain on observe with ranked groups BYU, Texas Tech, Utah and Oklahoma State, all undefeated within the league.

Cam Cook, who got here with WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez from Jacksonville State, is the No. 3 runner within the nation at 793 yards, averaging 153 per recreation. Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is tied for No. 8 with 672 yards for a mean of 117. UC’s prime two rushers, Gi’Bran Payne and Cole Tabb, are at 78.4 and 66 yards, respectively.

“Anytime you are enjoying 11-on-11, and your quarterback can run, it is laborious to defend,” UC head coach Scott Satterfield mentioned. “Particularly when it is a man who’s an elusive runner like he (Hawkins) is, a different-style runner than Kansas State‘s quarterback. This man could make you miss, and in addition has the pace. They’re not scared to run him; he’ll get 20 carries, similar factor with Cook. You put quite a lot of hats down and you have to sort out properly.”

Might UC, WVU try and throw soccer?

UC quarterback JC French IV is No. 20 within the nation with almost a 70% completion proportion, whereas Hawkins Jr. is No. 127 of 128 groups at 52.3%. However, in passing effectivity, Hawkins is No. 43, with a 151.10 ranking, seven touchdowns and one interception. French is No. 44 at 150.83 with six touchdowns and nil interceptions.

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Wide receiver JV Gibson was French’s finest risk however went and not using a catch at Arizona. He nonetheless has 18 grabs and near a 15-yards-per-catch common.

“He (Gibson) did not have a fantastic recreation final recreation,” French mentioned. “He did not get any touches. I feel that fueled him to be a tough employee this week. He was texting me the opposite evening saying, ‘We’ve received to go this week. This will likely be our week.’ I admire that.”

How WVU Mountaineers have misplaced

West Virginia has outrushed each staff they’ve performed, however in three consecutive losses, they have been outgained by way of the air. Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker threw for 389 yards to simply 132 for WVU. Iowa State outpassed them 312-227, and Arizona’s Fifita had 341 yards passing to WVU’s 291.

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West Virginia leads the sequence 18-3-1. The Mountaineers have gained the final 4, together with the final matchup within the Big 12 in 2024 on a turnover-plagued day for Brendan Sorsby, 31-24. UC’s final win got here in 2009 at Nippert Stadium 24-21 to assist Brian Kelly’s last UC team remain undefeated at 10-0. Their final win in Morgantown got here in 2008. Current ESPN College GameDay star Pat McAfee kicked a 52-yard subject purpose to ship the sport to additional time for West Virginia. He then hit a 27-yarder for the lead on the primary additional time possession. UC got here again with James P. Kelly UC Athletic Hall of Famer Tony Pike throwing a landing to tight finish Kazeem Alli for the 26-23 win.

Rich Rodriguez is again teaching West Virginia and is 7-11 in two seasons, in comparison with 60-26 in his first run from 2001 to 2007. His solely loss to UC in that point was in Morgantown, 15-13 in Rick Minter’s ultimate season as Bearcats coach.

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Cincinnati Bearcats at West Virginia scouting report

Why Cincinnati Bearcats have a bonus: Time is of the essence, and UC has 4 Top 25 groups on their schedule of their subsequent six video games after West Virginia. The Bearcats face three consecutive ranked groups in No. 10 Texas Tech and No. 11 Utah at Nippert on back-to-back weekends, adopted by a street recreation Nov. 7 at No. 20 Houston.

The Bearcats have seen their share of operating soccer in observe, so nothing WVU does ought to come as a shock.

Staying within the Eastern Time Zone will likely be a welcome change, and the Bearcats ought to be decided to indicate their offensive line is much better than what followers noticed in Tucson.

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“In the offensive line room, we simply leaned on one another,” guard Xavier Lozowicki mentioned. “We’ve taken some accountability. We’ve realized tips on how to develop nearer, and I really feel like this week will likely be nice due to the way in which we have grown this previous bye week.”

Why West Virginia has a bonus: The Mountaineers have their second straight house recreation and are on a three-game skid, making each followers and gamers hungry to listen to musket hearth.

If UC cannot shore up a protection that allowed 522 whole yards to Arizona, together with a 284-153 benefit on the bottom, it might be a protracted day at Milan Puskar Stadium. West Virginia had 522 yards (sure that is appropriate) of whole offense on Arizona, however nonetheless misplaced by 21 factors.

“I see it as a chance for the linebackers and entrance six,” linebacker Damaine Wilson mentioned. “I see it as one thing we are able to capitalize on. We know they seem to be a tempo staff, so we’ll see what performs we are able to make on the market.”

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UC had outrushed each staff they’d confronted till Arizona dashed off within the desert Oct. 10. West Virginia has the 2 most potent threats within the Big 12 with Cook and Hawkins. Their dashing assault is 295.5 yards per recreation, which is fourth behind service academies Army, Air Force and Navy.

“You’ve received to deal with these guys like an academy,” Satterfield mentioned. “They’re going to run, run, run.”

UC is No. 16 in dashing at 230.8 yards a recreation.

Cincinnati Bearcats at West Virginia damage report

The first weekly report will come out Wednesday evening, Oct. 13.

Cincinnati Bearcats at West Virginia odds, moneyline

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sports Network)

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• Moneyline: UC -112, West Virginia -108

• Spread: -1.5 West Virginia

This article initially appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats must outrun, outpass West Virginia Mountaineers for win

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