2010 NCAA Football: Cincinnati Bearcats Big East Game-By-Game Preview

After a difficult five-game non-conference schedule to kick off the 2010 campaign, Cincinnati enters Big East play for its final seven games. 

With the unbalanced Big East schedule, Cincinnati will get four home games and only three roads games in 2010. 

Here is a breakdown of the Big East schedule for the 2010 Cincinnati Bearcats.

@ Louisville, Oct. 15

Cincinnati opens Big East play on the road for a nationally televised ESPN Friday night game. Louisville finished tied for last in the Big East last season going 1-6 in conference play.

The Cardinals have struggled over the past few seasons.

All that is likely to change with the hire of new head coach Charlie Strong.

Strong was the Florida defensive coordinator for the past seven seasons. Strong has all the credentials get the Louisville program back to where they were under Bobby Petrino.

The Cardinals appear to be a year or two away from being a real contender in the Big East, and the Bearcats should have no trouble in the opener. 

Prediction: Cincinnati 45, Louisville 17

vs. South Florida, Oct. 22

The Bearcats conference home opener is also a nationally televised Friday night game.

South Florida was a Top 25 team for parts of last season, but lost a lot—particularly on defense.

Standout defensive ends George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul are on to the NFL.

On offense, sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels is back after starting for most of last season due to the injury to Matt Grothe. He will certainly be improved from last year. 

South Florida is not as good as they were a season ago and Cincinnati should be better.

Prediction: Cincinnati 38, South Florida 20

vs. Syracuse, Oct. 30

The Bearcats take on the Syracuse Orange in the annual homecoming game at Nippert Stadium.

Syracuse has consistently been on the bottom of a mediocre Big East Conference over the past few seasons and this season should be no different.

Quarterback Greg Paulus is finally out of collegiate athletics and star receiver Mike Williams has moved on for the Orange. Syracuse only won four games last season and was 1-6 in Big East play. They will likely be on the bottom again this season.

Look for the Bearcats to roll in this homecoming game over a Syracuse team that is simply over-matched.

Prediction: Cincinnati 42, Syracuse 14

@ West Virginia, Nov. 13

After a bye week, Cincinnati really gets into the meat of the Big East schedule. Having played who are likely to be the bottom three teams in the conference, the last four games on the schedule will be challenging for the Bearcats.

West Virginia returns one of the best running backs in the country in Noel Devine, and also do-it-all receiver Jock Sanders.

The Mountaineers are ranked in many of the preseason publications and are solid at home. 

Cincinnati will have its hands full in this one. Morgantown is an extremely tough place to play and the slight edge goes West Virginia at home.

Prediction: West Virginia 31, Cincinnati 30.

vs. Rutgers, Nov. 20

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights could be a surprise team not only in the Big East, but in the nation. They finished a respectable 9-4 last season with a bowl victory as well. 

True freshman quarterback Tom Savage started nearly every game last season for Rutgers and will have a breakout season in 2010. Mohamed Sanu had a solid freshman campaign at receiver and will be back for what should be a promising sophomore season. Leading rusher Joe Martinek is back for his senior season. 

Rutgers is much better than people give them credit for and this could be a tough one for the Bearcats. 

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Rutgers 24

@ Connecticut, Nov. 27

The Connecticut Huskies gave Cincinnati all they could handle last season before falling 47-45. This season could be much of the same as the Huskies have a lot of talent back from a season ago.

Leading running back Jordan Todman is back after rushing for nearly 1200 yards last season. Quarterback Zach Frazer also returns for his senior campaign. Connecticut manhandled Cincinnati up front last season, running the ball down their throats. Cincinnati should have more of an answer with an improved defense in 2010.

Connecticut always gives Cincinnati trouble and this one will be no different.

Prediction: Cincinnati 38, Connecticut 31

vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 4

The Panthers and Bearcats played last season for the Big East title at Heinz Field and this season could be the same, except at Nippert Stadium. 

The Panthers and Bearcats are both ranked in nearly every preseason publication and are the two favorites to win the Big East. Pittsburgh returns All-American running back Dion Lewis. Lewis rushed for 1800 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman. Leading receiver Jonathan Baldwin is also back for Pittsburgh.

This has all the makings of being another down to the wire encounter. This one should be close like last season.

Prediction: Cincinnati 40, Pittsburgh 33