Cincinnati Football: Can Bearcats Win Wide-Open Big East?

The Cincinnati Bearcats went head-to-head with the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners over the weekend, and if not for four turnovers, Cincinnati would have pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season so far. 

For the first time all season, quarterback Zach Collaros had some time to throw and showed the type of numbers he can put up when he is not running for his life. 

Running back Isaiah Pead was finally healthy and ran for 169 yards on only 21 carries. Pead showed how difficult to handle he can be in the open field, breaking off huge runs against the Oklahoma defense. 

At 8.0 yards a carry, Pead returned to the form he held last season, and if he can stay healthy he gives the Bearcat offense the balance they need. 

With a bye week upon them, Cincinnati has time to work and continue to improve like they did last week. 

The Bearcats return to action next weekend against the Miami Redhawks.

The Redhawks are the last non-conference opponent of the season for Cincinnati. Miami gave Florida a good run, but the Bearcats are at home where they have played much better this year. 

Then Big East play begins, and the schedule is in the Bearcats favor. Cincinnati opens with their three easiest conference games: Louisville, South Florida, and Syracuse. 

The next month is a chance for Cincinnati to get well and get the season back on track. With three of the four games at home, Cincinnati will be a decided favorite in all of those games. The Bearcats are in good shape to improve their record to 5-3. 

The Big East championship is up for grabs, and the Bearcats have as good a shot as anybody. 

The three-peat is still possible and with it would come another BCS berth. 

Judging from last week's performance, it looks like this team has finally turned the corner. 

Only time will tell.