TicketsUC took to the air this morning. The first conference road game of the season. There's something about playing in conference on the road that makes for wild football.
This conference seems especially prone to the syndrome.
Thus far in the BE season, the road team hasn't fared well. They're 1-5.
Week 7
@UC 25, UL 16
@UConn 16, USF 10
Week 6
@WVU 43, UConn 16
@Rutgers 34, Pitt 10
Week 5
@Pitt 44, USF 17
Rutgers 19, @Syracuse 16, 2OT
You could argue both USF losses were upsets, if you would, you're probably really concerned about Bearcats chances in Tampa. You could argue Rutgers pounding Pitt to be an upset, if you do you probably haven't watched Pitt play football this year.
That said, Rutgers hanging 34 on the Panthers with a freshman QB? Pitt, whose remarkably played football uglier than their coaching search, rolls up 44 against then-undefeated USF? UConn finds a way to lose to Western Michigan at home, but rebound to hold BJ Daniels to 10 points?
Lady Gaga thinks Big East football is weird. The Metric System thinks the conference is tough for people to understand.
Hence, concern for Saturday.
Anytime you hit the road in the Big East, odd events happen. The top three teams in the Big East all hit the road this week. West Virginia enters the Carrier Dome and Rutgers heads to Louisville tonight. UC at USF tomorrow.
As poor as the Bulls played the first two weeks in conference (Did I mention 44-17 at Pitt?) it would be so very Big East of them to pull out the best game of their season Saturday.
The Bearcats better be ready.
And fans should expect the unexpected. That's what happens when UC travels to Tampa. As Adam Niemeyer points out, strange things are afoot at the Ray-Jay. In 2007, 45 points are scored in a first quarter that lasts an hour. In 2009, some backup QB named Zach Collaros leads the Bearcats to a 34-17 victory.
As you know, I don't do predictions for UC games, but as for the rest of the Big East. West Virginia doesn't allow the Big East Road theorem to overcome the We Can't Believe We Lost To Syracuse At Home Last Year theorem. They romp.
The upset of the weekend comes with a Louisville win against Rutgers: 3-2 final, in 2OT. Two-RBI double for Teddy Bridgewater the difference.
Also, Pitt finds a way to throw two Pick-6s and loses to BYE, 14-0.
As for UC, here are this week's Four Stats For Victory:
1. Create three turnovers. The Turnover Margin Express derailed the last two weeks. After opening the season plus-14 through the first four games, the Bearcats are minus-2 since. However, the Bulls have made a habit of turning the ball over in their recent downslide. They threw two interceptions and lost four fumbles in two conference games.
2. Own the lead at halftime. Eventually, these slow starts are going to catch up to the Bearcats. You can't continue to play sloppy football for half the game and pull out wins. That goes double in conference on the road against a team with a winning record. UC established it plays better as the game goes along, but avoiding an early deficit will not only set up the potent second-half run game, but insert the here-we-go-again feeling for the Bulls.
3. Keep Daniels under 55 percent. The downfall of the Bulls recently has been their quarterback's sinking completion percentage. He's only connected on 52 percent of his passes in the Bulls' two losses and 64 percent in wins. That means getting push in the pass rush without letting him out on the edges where he's so good throwing on the run. Sacking Daniels isn't the key -- the line has played well and he's so difficult to corral, USF is tied for the BE lead with only seven allowed. The key is containing him while uncomfortable.
4. Pead > 20 for 120. It's no secret the Bulls can be gashed in the run game. The 226 yards for Ray Graham established that. Finding holes for the best player on the field and letting him run free will make the difference. Pounding them into submission with more than 20 opportunities on the ground in the same fashion UC did against Louisville and NC State will be the order of the day.
Lets' eat...
--- Containing BJ Daniels will be key for UC, as this story from Bill Koch states. Remember, Daniels threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns while running for 35 yards and two touchdowns in the loss at Nippert last season.
--- Andrea Adelson reminds us that despite two lackluster performances, Daniels remains confident.
--- Fun sidenote to Saturday's game: Collaros and Daniels are actually good friends.
" I remember him playing as a freshman and I wasn't playing, I was a redshirt freshman," Collaros said. "I could remember being in South Floridaafter that game, thinking, man, this guy is lucky. Sitting around is terrible. I hated it.
"I think we met at the Big East Media Day. We are the same exact size, same exact build, so we had something in common there. He's a cool guy, so we just kind of hung out there and kept in touch ever since."
He said the last time they talked was a few weeks ago during the Syracuse-Toledo game. Collaros says they will usually communicate in some fashion if there is a Friday night Big East game on TV.
As for this week...
"We didn't talk this week," he said. " I think last year we talked during the week, but I don't think we'll do it this year. I know we'll talk down there."
Just don't expect any of it to be trash talk. They're not that way.
"No, no," Collaros said. "He's a cool guy."
--- John Kiesewetter at Cincinnati.com wrote a story catching up with our guy Dan Hoard. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nobody works harder or is more genuine than DH. The most respected guy in the local game. Period.
UC and the city has been fortunate to have a talent like him for all these years.
--- Get jacked up. Here are some highlights from last week's game with player interviews.
--- The USA Today/Coaches Poll came out yesterday and UC was sitting at No. 22. Xavier was 15. Six Big East teams were in the Top 25. That includes four in the top 11 (UConn - 4, Syracuse - 5, Louisville - 8, Pitt - 11, Marquette - 21).
This is the first time UC has been ranked in the preseason during the Mick Cronin era.
Almost everybody has UC somewhere between 15 and 25. Take a look at last year's teams ranked between 15-25 in the coaches poll and where they ended up.
Team Open Close NCAA/Seed Lost
Washington 15 Out Y/7 R32
Illinois 16 Out Y/9 R32
Baylor 17 Out No ---
Butler 18 Out Y/8 Final
Memphis 19 Out Y/12 R64
Temple 20 25 Y/7 R32
Georgetown 21 22 Y/6 R64
Texas 22 10 Y/4 R32
Tennessee 23 Out Y/9 R64
Virginia Tech 24 Out No ---
Wisconsin 25 13 Y/4 R16
In case you didn't already know being ranked guarantees you very little, you should now.
That's right, only four of the 11 teams ranked between 15 and 25 finished the year in the poll. Only two of the 11 made it past the second round of the NCAA tournament.
NONE were ranked higher than a 4 seed.
The good news? All but two of the 11 still made the NCAA tournament. And another was a prominent snub (Virginia Tech, again).
Stretching for good news? Ranked No. 22 last year was Texas who finished No. 10 overall and a No. 4 seed in the dance.
I'll be sure to relay these numbers to Mick as he tries to keep his team grounded in dealing with success and accolades.
--- Some randomness....
--- MC Hammer is launching his own Internet Search Engine. www.2legit2click.com. OK, that's not the name, but you all know it should be.
--- Facts I don't need a survey to tell me, Part 4,393: "Young heavy metal listeners are more likely to suffer from depression, study finds"
--- Been a giant Jeff Pearlman fan for a long time, ever since I read "The Bad Guys Won". He's taken some heat for his Walter Payton book -- predominantly from those who haven't read it. Here's his strong defense.
--- #HippieProblems
--- Bob Huggins making a great point. When you start drawing up 24-team conference models, it is time for everyone to go independent.
--- That's a huge tat, Rajon!
--- The Pearl Jam Twenty doc hits PBS tonight at 9 p.m. High, high DVR alert. I can't wait.
Here's the PBS preview. Heard nothing but fantastic things.
This conference seems especially prone to the syndrome.
Thus far in the BE season, the road team hasn't fared well. They're 1-5.
Week 7
@UC 25, UL 16
@UConn 16, USF 10
Week 6
@WVU 43, UConn 16
@Rutgers 34, Pitt 10
Week 5
@Pitt 44, USF 17
Rutgers 19, @Syracuse 16, 2OT
You could argue both USF losses were upsets, if you would, you're probably really concerned about Bearcats chances in Tampa. You could argue Rutgers pounding Pitt to be an upset, if you do you probably haven't watched Pitt play football this year.
That said, Rutgers hanging 34 on the Panthers with a freshman QB? Pitt, whose remarkably played football uglier than their coaching search, rolls up 44 against then-undefeated USF? UConn finds a way to lose to Western Michigan at home, but rebound to hold BJ Daniels to 10 points?
Lady Gaga thinks Big East football is weird. The Metric System thinks the conference is tough for people to understand.
Hence, concern for Saturday.
Anytime you hit the road in the Big East, odd events happen. The top three teams in the Big East all hit the road this week. West Virginia enters the Carrier Dome and Rutgers heads to Louisville tonight. UC at USF tomorrow.
As poor as the Bulls played the first two weeks in conference (Did I mention 44-17 at Pitt?) it would be so very Big East of them to pull out the best game of their season Saturday.
The Bearcats better be ready.
And fans should expect the unexpected. That's what happens when UC travels to Tampa. As Adam Niemeyer points out, strange things are afoot at the Ray-Jay. In 2007, 45 points are scored in a first quarter that lasts an hour. In 2009, some backup QB named Zach Collaros leads the Bearcats to a 34-17 victory.
As you know, I don't do predictions for UC games, but as for the rest of the Big East. West Virginia doesn't allow the Big East Road theorem to overcome the We Can't Believe We Lost To Syracuse At Home Last Year theorem. They romp.
The upset of the weekend comes with a Louisville win against Rutgers: 3-2 final, in 2OT. Two-RBI double for Teddy Bridgewater the difference.
Also, Pitt finds a way to throw two Pick-6s and loses to BYE, 14-0.
As for UC, here are this week's Four Stats For Victory:
1. Create three turnovers. The Turnover Margin Express derailed the last two weeks. After opening the season plus-14 through the first four games, the Bearcats are minus-2 since. However, the Bulls have made a habit of turning the ball over in their recent downslide. They threw two interceptions and lost four fumbles in two conference games.
2. Own the lead at halftime. Eventually, these slow starts are going to catch up to the Bearcats. You can't continue to play sloppy football for half the game and pull out wins. That goes double in conference on the road against a team with a winning record. UC established it plays better as the game goes along, but avoiding an early deficit will not only set up the potent second-half run game, but insert the here-we-go-again feeling for the Bulls.
3. Keep Daniels under 55 percent. The downfall of the Bulls recently has been their quarterback's sinking completion percentage. He's only connected on 52 percent of his passes in the Bulls' two losses and 64 percent in wins. That means getting push in the pass rush without letting him out on the edges where he's so good throwing on the run. Sacking Daniels isn't the key -- the line has played well and he's so difficult to corral, USF is tied for the BE lead with only seven allowed. The key is containing him while uncomfortable.
4. Pead > 20 for 120. It's no secret the Bulls can be gashed in the run game. The 226 yards for Ray Graham established that. Finding holes for the best player on the field and letting him run free will make the difference. Pounding them into submission with more than 20 opportunities on the ground in the same fashion UC did against Louisville and NC State will be the order of the day.
Lets' eat...
--- Containing BJ Daniels will be key for UC, as this story from Bill Koch states. Remember, Daniels threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns while running for 35 yards and two touchdowns in the loss at Nippert last season.
--- Andrea Adelson reminds us that despite two lackluster performances, Daniels remains confident.
--- Fun sidenote to Saturday's game: Collaros and Daniels are actually good friends.
" I remember him playing as a freshman and I wasn't playing, I was a redshirt freshman," Collaros said. "I could remember being in South Floridaafter that game, thinking, man, this guy is lucky. Sitting around is terrible. I hated it.
"I think we met at the Big East Media Day. We are the same exact size, same exact build, so we had something in common there. He's a cool guy, so we just kind of hung out there and kept in touch ever since."
He said the last time they talked was a few weeks ago during the Syracuse-Toledo game. Collaros says they will usually communicate in some fashion if there is a Friday night Big East game on TV.
As for this week...
"We didn't talk this week," he said. " I think last year we talked during the week, but I don't think we'll do it this year. I know we'll talk down there."
Just don't expect any of it to be trash talk. They're not that way.
"No, no," Collaros said. "He's a cool guy."
--- John Kiesewetter at Cincinnati.com wrote a story catching up with our guy Dan Hoard. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Nobody works harder or is more genuine than DH. The most respected guy in the local game. Period.
UC and the city has been fortunate to have a talent like him for all these years.
--- Get jacked up. Here are some highlights from last week's game with player interviews.
--- The USA Today/Coaches Poll came out yesterday and UC was sitting at No. 22. Xavier was 15. Six Big East teams were in the Top 25. That includes four in the top 11 (UConn - 4, Syracuse - 5, Louisville - 8, Pitt - 11, Marquette - 21).
This is the first time UC has been ranked in the preseason during the Mick Cronin era.
Almost everybody has UC somewhere between 15 and 25. Take a look at last year's teams ranked between 15-25 in the coaches poll and where they ended up.
Team Open Close NCAA/Seed Lost
Washington 15 Out Y/7 R32
Illinois 16 Out Y/9 R32
Baylor 17 Out No ---
Butler 18 Out Y/8 Final
Memphis 19 Out Y/12 R64
Temple 20 25 Y/7 R32
Georgetown 21 22 Y/6 R64
Texas 22 10 Y/4 R32
Tennessee 23 Out Y/9 R64
Virginia Tech 24 Out No ---
Wisconsin 25 13 Y/4 R16
In case you didn't already know being ranked guarantees you very little, you should now.
That's right, only four of the 11 teams ranked between 15 and 25 finished the year in the poll. Only two of the 11 made it past the second round of the NCAA tournament.
NONE were ranked higher than a 4 seed.
The good news? All but two of the 11 still made the NCAA tournament. And another was a prominent snub (Virginia Tech, again).
Stretching for good news? Ranked No. 22 last year was Texas who finished No. 10 overall and a No. 4 seed in the dance.
I'll be sure to relay these numbers to Mick as he tries to keep his team grounded in dealing with success and accolades.
--- Some randomness....
--- MC Hammer is launching his own Internet Search Engine. www.2legit2click.com. OK, that's not the name, but you all know it should be.
--- Facts I don't need a survey to tell me, Part 4,393: "Young heavy metal listeners are more likely to suffer from depression, study finds"
--- Been a giant Jeff Pearlman fan for a long time, ever since I read "The Bad Guys Won". He's taken some heat for his Walter Payton book -- predominantly from those who haven't read it. Here's his strong defense.
--- #HippieProblems
--- Bob Huggins making a great point. When you start drawing up 24-team conference models, it is time for everyone to go independent.
--- That's a huge tat, Rajon!
--- The Pearl Jam Twenty doc hits PBS tonight at 9 p.m. High, high DVR alert. I can't wait.
Here's the PBS preview. Heard nothing but fantastic things.