Cincinnati Bearcats: Cincy Looks To Restore Big East Image Against NC State

In what has been as bad a start to the college football season as ever imagined, the Big East will have a few more opportunities in the coming weeks to prove they belong with the big boys.

After starting the first two weeks a combined 10-6, the Big East needs to prove itself in the final few weeks of the non-conference schedule.

With Pittsburgh still scheduled to play Miami (FL) and Notre Dame in the coming weeks, and West Virginia set to take on LSU next Saturday, there are ample opportunities for this conference to regroup and prove itself on the field once again. 

It all starts tomorrow night when the Cincinnati Bearcats take on NC State on ESPN. 

The Bearcats travel south to battle an NC State team that enters 2-0 but, on paper, is not as talented as a Cincinnati team still reeling from a season-opening loss at the hands of Fresno State. 

Through two games, the Bearcats have yet to find themselves on offense, particularly on the offensive line, having passed for only 349 yards. 

The running game has picked it up, but the Bearcats will need to get their receivers involved more starting Thursday night. 

Running back Isaiah Pead should return from a knee injury, and if not, fellow running backs Darrin Williams and John Goebel will fill in.

The key to getting Cincinnati moving on offense is tight end Ben Guidugli. Through two games, the senior has only three receptions for 18 yards after being named a preseason Second-Team All-American by The Sporting News. 

If Cincinnati can get him going against an untested NC State team, a victory is very likely. 

The Wolfpack have had two relatively easy non-conference victories against the likes of Western Carolina and Central Florida, and face a Cincinnati team much more talented than their previous opponents. 

NC State has a balanced attack and ranks in the top 30 in the country in both points for and points against. 

Cincinnati will need to slow down an offense that averages nearly 40 points per game to come out with a road victory.

If the Big East has any plans of salvaging the season and making a name for themselves, it all starts tomorrow night on the road with a Bearcat victory.