Louisville & Cincinnati: Friday Night Big East Battle

The Big East has several rivalry’s that are worthy of National attention. Friday night’s game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bearcats is definitely one of those match-ups! Both of these teams have been to the top of the Big-East as well as the top of the AP polls over the last few years, but have fallen down a notch or two this season due to the loss of several key position players.

Not even the best college football handicappers could have predicted an undefeated regular season for the Bearcats last year, but they climbed to the top of the polls and played in the Sugar Bowl against the 5th ranked Florida Gators. That game may have been a bitter defeat, but it certainly brought a ton of attention to this program. Louisville has been relevant for a longer period of time, due to their incredible crop of quarterbacks.

The Cardinals have changed their offense approach this season offensively. They have a tremendous running back tandem, that have the ability to carry the team on their shoulders. Bilal Powell is in the top-5 in rushing yards in division 1 football with 689. His 7 touchdowns have come in every way shape and form. He can break away for long runs or bust through the line for a goal line TD. Victor Anderson has added 245 yards of his own to this rushing attack, and can hold his own when Powell is resting. Quarterback Adam Froman is getting better game by game. He had 4 touchdown passes against Memphis last week in a 56-0 route. He will need to be equally as good against a young but talented Cincinnati defense that is trying to regain the dominance that this team showed in 2009.

The Bearcats lost several starters from last year’s team, but still feel that they have what it takes to be a bowl caliber team this year. Quarterback Zach Collaros has done a phenomenal job as a freshman this season for the Bearcats. He is extremely efficient and accurate as he has completed 63 percent of his passes, and only thrown 1 interception to 12 touchdowns. Cincinnati is the favorite in this game due to his distinct advantage over Adam Froman in this game.

Both teams are ranked in the top 35 in the country defensively, but those numbers are skewed as neither team has played a difficult schedule thus far. I can’t imagine this game being a defensive battle. Both of these teams have something to prove, and will try their best to do so in front of a National audience on Friday. Check out this Big East battle……it won’t disappoint!

Related posts:

1. Friday Night Big East Fight: Cincinnati/ S. Florida
2. Villanova hosts Louisville in Top-25 Big East Battle
3. Friday Night Big East Showdown: UCONN vs. Rutgers
4. Louisville goes to Connecticut in Big East Top-25 Battle
5. Louisville v. Connecticut in Friday Night Showdown

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