[Tommy]

Optimism is much brighter in the Queen City this season, with Cincinnati returning 17 starters. The ten defensive demons back showed already that this year could be different, pitching a shutout in a 31-point win against an above average Eastern Kentucky team.

In 2005, the Bearcats were the worst offensive team in the Big East averaging 324.5 yards a game and finished 94th nationally. Meanwhile, for Pittsburgh, year two of the Dave Wannstedt era began with a bang as Pitt laid out an overmatched Virginia team 38-13. One easy to spot difference between this and last season is the noticeable difference in speed. The defensive back seven was persistently out of position and seldom closed on ball carriers and receivers collectively.

Even if it is only the second weekend in September, neither team wants to start with a loss in conference play. The Panthers are not a sure thing in the contest, since they are 0-6 ATS in road games against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons, being outscored by almost 13 points per game. Cincinnati still has to match points with Pitt, which will not be easy against speedy linebackers like H.B. Blades. If the Bearcats are held to 14 or less points, they are 7-26 ATS.


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