Cincinnati Football: Five Keys to Victory Against the Louisville Cardinals

As Big East play is set to begin for Cincinnati, the Bearcats seem as ready as ever to defend their crown. 

The Bearcats travel to Louisville to face the surprising Louisville Cardinals who are off to a respectable 3-2 start. 

Both teams are coming off blowout victories. Cincinnati handled rival Miami 45-3 while Louisville took down Memphis 56-0. 

With the Big East wide open this season, every game is important and for Cincinnati, winning at Louisville is a must if they hope to win a third straight Big East title. 

Here are five things the Bearcats will need to do to take down the Cardinals in Louisville. 

5. Protect the Quarterback

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 25: Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs with the ball during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Cincinnati currently ranks 118 out of 120 in the country in sacks allowed and have recently just moved out of the bottom spot. 

Louisville on the other hand leads the Big East in sacks at 3.7 per game and has the leading pass rusher in the conference in Rodney Gnat. 

The Bearcat offensive line has improved, but an injury to Alex Hoffman could pose a problem. Cincinnati will need to protect quarterback Zach Collaros like they did the previous two games if they plan on putting a lot of points on the board. 

4. Run the Football

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 25: Isaiah Pead #23 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs with the ball while defended by Tony Jefferson #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The key to any good offense is balance and with Isaiah Pead running the ball magnificently over the past two games, the Bearcats look like they have achieved that balance. 

Cincinnati will have to establish Pead early to run the clock and keep the defense off the field. If they can do that, they should be able to control the game from the start. 

Senior John Goebel has been able to fill in well during the absence of backup Darrin Williams. Williams will be out for at least the next two weeks and Goebel will be called upon, especially in goal line situations. 

3. Win the Turnover Battle

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 25: D J Woods #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs with the ball while defended by James Hanna #82 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Turnovers single-handedly cost Cincinnati a huge upset win over Oklahoma. Receiver D.J. Woods leads the league in receiving yards, but has also mishandled the ball a few times, particularly on special teams.

Woods fumbled a punt that ruined any chance Cincinnati had at an upset over the Sooners. Last season the Bearcats lost two fumbles the entire year. This season they have already lost seven fumbles.  

If the Bearcats can take care of the ball and force a few Louisville turnovers, they will be in good shape to come out with a victory. 

2. Win Time of Possession

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RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Butch Jones of the Cincinnati Bearcats yells at his team against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 16, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lec

Last season, one of the few weaknesses for the Cincinnati offense was their lack of time of possession. 

Entering Big East play this season, they know that is a statistic that they must improve on. Simply put, the defense can not be on the field as much as they were last year if this team plans on winning the conference. 

With a young and inexperienced defense, the experienced offense will need to keep the ball in their hands as much as possible or this one could potentially be a shootout. 

1. Overcome the Road Crowd

The Bearcats have played horribly on the road this season, having lost by two touchdowns in both of their road games. 

The crowd in Louisville will be no different, especially a nationally televised night game. 

Cincinnati will have to jump out on Louisville early and keep the crowd out of the game or they could be in for a dog fight.