Cincinnati Bearcats Football: Week 1 Breakdown vs. Austin Peay

With the start of the college football season less than a week away, it is time for the Cincinnati Bearcats to prepare for their Week 1 opponent: Austin Peay. 

The Governors are an FCS team that struggled last season, finishing the year with an eight-game losing streak. 

After starting the season with two wins in their first three games, Austin Peay finished the year 2-9, including a 70-3 drubbing at the hands of Wisconsin. 

Here is a breakdown of the relative unknown Austin Peay Governors of the Ohio Valley Conference. 

Offense: 

Junior Jake Ryan is the man under center for the Governors. Austin Peay is a run-first team and Ryan only passed for 1120 yards last season with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions. 

Ryan White returns at running back. He teamed last season with Terrence Holt as both ran for over 750 yards. 

Holt is no longer around and the brunt of the carries will fall on the senior captain White. At only 5'8" and 199 pounds, he will get some help on the ground game from junior Wes Kitts who was the No. 3 running back last season. 

When the Governors throw, look for the passes to be directed toward Devin Stark and captain Scott Thomas. The duo were the leading receivers last season for Austin Peay, but only accounted for 253 and 223 yards respectively. 

Defense: 

Austin Peay gave up a lot of points last season. They allowed 38 points per game in 2010, including four games where they gave up over 55 points. 

The Governors are led on defense by senior captain Amius Smith. Smith is a safety who has earned preseason recognition in various publications. 

Smith will need some other younger players to step up on defense if Austin Peay wants to stay in the ball game for more than the first half against Cincinnati.

The kickoff is set for 7 P.M. on Saturday night and this one could get ugly quick. The talent and athleticism of Cincinnati will give the Bearcats a chance to get an early season victory and start off 1-0, a far cry from the start they had last season.