Mountaineer Monday: Breakdown, Prediction for West Virginia-Cincinnati

After the loss to Connecticut two Fridays ago, the visions of West Virginia beating Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl after Rich Rodriguez left for Ann Arbor are long gone in the minds of Mountaineer Maniacs and more importantly, Bill Stewart.

The Mountaineers will look to get the bitter taste out of their mouths as they return to Morgantown this Saturday against the Bearcats of Cincinnati.

The play-calling will have to be dramatically adjusted from offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen to better incorporate big play threats Noel Devine and Jock Sanders, in addition to finding better options in the passing game for sophomore quarterback Geno Smith.

With that being said, let’s get to the breakdown of the Mountaineers and the Bearcats this week...

This article is also featured on A Blue and Gold State of Mind.

History

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 13: Isaiah Pead #23 of the Cincinnati Bearcats is grabbed by J.T. Thomas #30 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in the fourth quarter of the game at Nippert Stadium on November 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

First Meeting: October 1^st, 1921

Overall Record: West Virginia leads the series 14-3-1

Biggest WVU Win: 69-3 – October 21^st, 1989

Biggest Cincinnati Win: 26-23 – November 8^th, 2008

West Virginia National Rankings

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jock Sanders #9 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated

Total Offense: 369 yards per game (67th nationally)

Passing Offense: 212 yards per game (67th nationally)

Rushing Offense: 156 Yards per Game (54th nationally)

Total Defense: 249 yards per game (4th nationally)

Passing Defense: 150 yards per game (4th nationally)

Rushing Defense: 99 yards per game (9th nationally)

Cincinnati National Rankings

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 30: Chazz Anderson #14 of the Cincinnati Bearcats throws a pass during the Big East Conference game against the Syracuse Orange at Nippert Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Total Offense: 425 yards per game (29th nationally)

Passing Offense: 268 yards per game (26th nationally)

Rushing Offense: 157 yards per game (52nd nationally)

Total Defense: 354 yards per game (51st nationally)

Passing Defense: 244 yards per game (98th nationally)

Rushing Defense: 110 yards per game (15th nationally)

Quarterbacks

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers walks off the field after a play against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defe

WVU, Geno Smith –163-248 Attempts, 1696 Yards, 15 Touchdowns, 5 Interceptions

Cincinnati, Zach Collaros -  139-225 Attempts, 1918 Yards, 20 Touchdowns, 4 Interceptions

EDGE: WVU

Running Backs

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 13: Runningback Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in at Nippert Stadium on November 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons

WVU, Noel Devine – 143 Carries, 693 Yards, 4 Touchdowns

Cincinnati, Isaiah Pead - 88 Carries, 618 Yards, 1 Touchdown

EDGE: WVU

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 24: DJ Woods # 3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs with the ball while defended by Brandon Heath #5 of the Louisville Cardinals during the Big East Conference game at Nippert Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by

WVU, Tavon Austin -43 Catches, 486 Yards, 3 Touchdowns

Cincinnati, DJ Woods - 45 Catches, 743 Yards, 7 Touchdowns

EDGE: Cincinnati

Offensive Line

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in action against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Combined Experience of WVU Offensive Line: Four Seniors, Six Juniors

Combined Experience of Cincinnati Offensive Line: Two Seniors, Four Juniors, One Sophomore, Three Freshman

EDGE: WVU

Defensive Line

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 30: Ryan Nassib #12 of the Syracuse Orange is sacked by Dan Giordano #99 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Big East Conference game at Nippert Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

WVU, Scooter Berry – 9 Solo Tackles, 2 Sacks,

Cincinnati, Dan Giordano – 20 Solo Tackles, 4 Sacks

EDGE: Cincinnati

Linebackers

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 19: Onterio McCalebb #23 of the Auburn Tigers breaks a tackle by Pat Lazear #31 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

WVU, Anthony Leonard – 23 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble

Cincinnati, JK Schaffer – 40 Solo Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Interception

EDGE: WVU

Special Teams

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Bill Stewart of the West Virginia Mountaineers meets with his team against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second quarter at Nippert Stadium on November 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

WVU, Tyler Bitancurt -23-23 PAT Attempts, 9-12 Field Goals Attempts

Cincinnati, Jacob Rogers – 25-26 PAT Attempts, 8-10 Field Goal Attempts

Edge: WVU

Prediction

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 13: Fans of the Cincinnati Bearcats cheer on their team at the start of the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Nippert Stadium on November 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Score: Cincinnati 28, West Virginia 24

Next Game for WVU: at Louisville, November 20th

Next Game for Cincinnati: Rutgers, November 20th