Consensus Seems to be that the Defense Will be Helpless...

[anglerman]

Relax, the reason I'm saying it is because Cinci is better running the ball and defending the run, it's just a fact. They have more dynamic runners who can get chunk plays and their QB is a featured runner. It's just reality, not an insult.

For SU the run defense was an issue early, NWestern went for 166, USC for 279, and SBU 224. I recognize that some of that, just like USF was a product of big runs. SU adjusted and had some excellent performances against the run, but Cinci has been doing that all year. VT and Toledo had good days, but other than that they have shut their other opponents down for the most part. They held Lville to less than 3ypc last week.

They bigger contrast is on offense. 4 of 7 games over 250 yds, one 210 and another 196. The only game they struggled running was VT. They don't have negative plays. They have lost 5 and 4 yards from scrimmage the last two games.

Has SU run the ball much better the last two games, without a doubt. But before that, other than SBU, they struggled to get to 130 yds. They averaged 3.5ypc the first 6 games.

SU has gone a long way in turning around it's running game and run defense, but that doesn't mean that Cinci has been better at both this year.

I think you should compare the Schedules before you can say Cincy is better then SU at anything. I think if SU had their Schedule that they would certainly have better stats in terms of defending the run. Also you need to look at recent performance and 3 of SU's past 4 games have been simply outstanding. I think you're putting way to much emphasis on the SF game.

 

[MaxwellCuse]

Why are some of you guys thinking we need to score 7 TDs to win? Cincinnati scored 23 points against Delaware State and Toledo. They scored 27 against the Hokies, 31 against Louisville and 34 against Pitt.

I get it. They have a good offense and Munchie is sort of similar to BJ Daniels. But these guys aren't Big 12 scoring machines and our D isn't any worse than Toledo's or Delaware State's or Pitt's. We'll give up some points but we'll outscore them and the total won't set any records.

 

[Crusty]

Geez we beat them 34-13 in the second half. The D will be just fine.

 

[GoSU96]

Why are some of you guys thinking we need to score 7 TDs to win? Cincinnati scored 23 points against Delaware State and Toledo. They scored 27 against the Hokies, 31 against Louisville and 34 against Pitt.

I get it. They have a good offense and Munchie is sort of similar to BJ Daniels. But these guys aren't Big 12 scoring machines and our D isn't any worse than Toledo's or Delaware State's or Pitt's. We'll give up some points but we'll outscore them and the total won't set any records.

I think some of you are underestimating how well they have played in all three phases this year. They are really good at running the ball. It's just my opinion but SU will be better off trying to make this a high scoring game. As you say they have struggled to get past 30.

 

[anglerman]

I think some of you are underestimating how well they have played in all three phases this year. They are really good at running the ball. It's just my opinion but SU will be better off trying to make this a high scoring game. As you say they have struggled to get past 30.

Do you think cincy has better backs then Pittsburg does? We crushed their running game and they've run all over many teams this year

 

[TheCusian]

I think some of you are underestimating how well they have played in all three phases this year. They are really good at running the ball. It's just my opinion but SU will be better off trying to make this a high scoring game. As you say they have struggled to get past 30.

I think the weak spots are their passing offense and their defense against the pass. Make Munchie beat us through the air.

 

[alphaorange]

College football was, and still is, a game of match ups. Not only styles, but how every player matches up from the guy across from him. large mismatches can completely change the effect a good running team has on a poor defense and vise versa. Not sure if I said it well but running teams with similar stats won't all perform the same against a given defense. Same with passing...mobile QBs...all facets. I'm not overly concerned because of how USF did.

 

[syr02esq]

Poor tackling, over pursuit, and losing contain.

Which adds up to lack of talent?

 

[CIL]

Cinci hasn't really played anyone. Va Tech is mediocre at best. L'Ville, despite their ranking, is no better than us. We can beat these guys, and I expect to beat these guys. We are much better than our record indicates.

 

[ORANGEsPHK]

Alpha said it well, and I think we all know this. Any past performance, or lack thereof, do NOT indicate how we will perform against a different team. However, the way I see it the goal for the Bearcats is simple - stop the run and we are set. I think Shafer is up to the task personally and I think our secondary will have a huge day. Limit the 1st and 2nd downs to set up long 3rd downs and I think we will see a positive outcome.

IF we are not able to stop the 1st/2nd down runs then we'll be in for a long day. I'm not worried about the offense to be honest, they are good, albeit inconsistent at times and I don't doubt they will move the ball. I think this game rests on the defense personally.

 

[Crusty]

Cicny has played a weak schedule - Delaware State (5-3), Miami OH (4-4), Fordham (5-3) and Toledo (8-1) all in minor conferences. Not necessarily lousy teams but they are not NW (7-2), MN (5-3), Rutgers (7-10 and USC (6-2). Against VT they rushed for only 106 and against Louisville 196. We really do not yet know how good Cincy really is yet.

 

[dollarbill44]

Cincy's air attack:

Make Munchie throw the ball.

 

[CU44SE]

Without a doubt it will hurt if Bromley doesn't play. The good news however is that USF and Cincy run a similar offense with similar quarterbacks. Fast, like to run but not very good through the air. Schafer saw what happened to the defense last week and was able to see what did and didnt work on defense. This gives me confidence because this week he will hopefully stay away from what didnt work. Its more of an advantage for us. Its like he gets a re-do this week, and I have all the faith in the world that he will correct it. I would really like it if the DE played contain more than rush the passer. Too many times last week did the DE's lose their edge and allowed Daniels to get around them for big yards. I haven't watched Munchie play this year, but I dont think its possible for him to even come close to what Daniels did. Daniels played a hell of a game last week, and I dont see that being duplicated. Go Orange!!

 

[Pyle]

Cinci hasn't really played anyone. Va Tech is mediocre at best. L'Ville, despite their ranking, is no better than us. We can beat these guys, and I expect to beat these guys. We are much better than our record indicates.

I think Parcells said it best: "You are what your record says you are"

Football is so much more than just yardage gained. Fact is if you are losing then there is a reason. I don't believe in being snakebitten as some would say. If injuries have caused you to lose games then you don't have enough depth. If ST are causing you to lose games then you don't have the proper personnel on the field. If you lose because of turnovers then it's because you weren't disciplined enough to take care of the ball. If you lose because of penalties then you are undisciplined or frustrated because you are getting beat. There's alot more to winning games than just outgaining the other team. We are 4-4 because of all the successes and of all the failures. We are in fact a .500 football team, and given where most of the experts said we would be prior to the season, it's not so bad. But don't sugar coat it, this final stretch is tough and we have to keep playing like we have the past 2 weeks.