You'll in all probability hear the time period "must-win" from either side this weekend because the s 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 acquired a. Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita then handed for 3 extra touchdowns at West Virginia Oct. 10 in a 52-31 flogging of the Mountaineers.
In the long run, two Large 12 groups with fast begins are attempting to remain on observe with ranked groups BYU, Texas Tech, Utah and Oklahoma State, all undefeated within the league.
Cam Cook dinner, who got here with WVU head coach Wealthy 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 high two rushers, Gi'Bran Payne and Cole Tabb, are at 78.4 and 66 yards, respectively.
"Anytime you're taking part in 11-on-11, and your quarterback can run, it's onerous to defend," UC head coach Scott Satterfield mentioned. "Significantly when it's a man who's an elusive runner like he (Hawkins) is, a different-style runner than e's quarterback. This man could make you miss, and likewise has the velocity. They're not scared to run him; he'll get 20 carries, similar factor with Cook dinner. You set a whole lot of hats down and also you've acquired to sort out properly."
May UC, WVU try and throw soccer?
UC quarterback JC French IV is No. 20 within the nation with almost a 70% completion share, whereas Hawkins Jr. is No. 127 of 128 groups at 52.3%. Nevertheless, in passing effectivity, Hawkins is No. 43, with a 151.10 score, seven touchdowns and one interception. French is No. 44 at 150.83 with six touchdowns and nil interceptions.
Large receiver JV Gibson was French's greatest 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) didn't have an ideal recreation final recreation," French mentioned. "He didn't get any touches. I feel that fueled him to be a tough employee this week. He was texting me the opposite night time saying, 'We've acquired to go this week. This will likely be our week.' I respect that."
How WVU Mountaineers have misplaced
West Virginia has outrushed each staff they've performed, however in three consecutive losses, they've been outgained via the air. Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker threw for 389 yards to only 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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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. s soccer historical past
West Virginia leads the collection 18-3-1. The Mountaineers have gained the final 4, together with the final matchup within the Large 12 in 2024 y, 31-24. UC's final win got here in 2009 at Nippert Stadium 24-21 to assist undefeated at 10-0. Their final win in Morgantown got here in 2008. Present ESPN School GameDay star Pat McAfee kicked a 52-yard discipline purpose to ship the sport to time beyond regulation for West Virginia. He then hit a 27-yarder for the lead on the primary time beyond regulation possession. UC got here again with James P. Kelly UC Athletic Corridor of Famer Tony Pike throwing a landing to tight finish Kazeem Alli for the 26-23 win.
Wealthy 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 last season as Bearcats coach.
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Cincinnati Bearcats at West Virginia scouting report
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Why Cincinnati Bearcats have a bonus: Time is of the essence, and UC has 4 High 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 highway recreation Nov. 7 at No. 20 Houston.
The Bearcats have seen their share of working soccer in apply, so nothing WVU does ought to come as a shock.
Staying within the Japanese Time Zone will likely be a welcome change, and the Bearcats needs to be decided to point out their offensive line is much better than what followers noticed in Tucson.
"Within the offensive line room, we simply leaned on one another," guard Xavier Lozowicki mentioned. "We've taken some duty. We've discovered develop nearer, and I really feel like this week will likely be nice due to the way in which we've grown this previous bye week."
Why West Virginia has a bonus: The Mountaineers have their second straight dwelling recreation and are on a three-game skid, making each followers and gamers hungry to listen to musket fireplace.
If UC can't shore up a protection that allowed 522 whole yards to Arizona, together with a 284-153 benefit on the bottom, it may very well be an extended day at Milan Puskar Stadium. West Virginia had 522 yards (sure that's right) 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 all know they're a tempo staff, so we'll see what performs we are able to make on the market."
UC had outrushed each staff that they had confronted till Arizona dashed off within the desert Oct. 10. West Virginia has the 2 most potent threats within the Large 12 with Cook dinner and Hawkins. Their dashing assault is 295.5 yards per recreation, which is fourth behind service academies Military, Air Pressure and Navy.
"You've acquired 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 harm report
The primary weekly report will come out Wednesday night time, Oct. 13.
Cincinnati Bearcats at West Virginia odds, moneyline
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- Moneyline: UC -112, West Virginia -108
- Unfold: -1.5 West Virginia
- Over/below: 63.5
This text initially appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: n
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