West Virginia vs. Cincinnati: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time & More

A showdown between two of the best teams in the Big East will come on Saturday when the West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Ohio to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats.

West Virginia (6-3, 2-2) effectively needs this game if they are going to win the Big East. Cincinnati (7-1, 3-0) is in great standing in the Big East, even with a loss. 

A win wouldn't clinch the conference, but it would put them on the brink and give the Bearcats a commanding lead late.

Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC, streamed at ESPN3

Listen: 101.9 WVAQ in Morgantown, 700 WLW in Cincinnati

Betting Line: Cincinnati (-3.5), according to Bodog

Even though they aren't playing at their home stadium, they are playing in their home city. The Bearcats are on a nice run. I expect that to continue this week. Winning by four points isn't too much to expect from that point on.

Key Storyline

Can anyone catch Cincinnati in the Big East?

Who Might Not Play for West Virginia?

DL Joshua Taylor is questionable. 

WR Brad Starks and OL Josh Jenkins are out.

Who Might Not Play for Cincinnati?

DB Dominique Battle is out. 

BCS/Top 25 Implications

At No. 23, Cincinnati needs to win to stay in the Top 25. At 6-3, a win would not get West Virginia into the Top 25. 

Whether they win or not, Cincinnati is in great position to win the Big East.

What They're Saying

Dave Hickman of the Charleston Gazette implied that while they won't be at their home stadium, the extra fans will provide a boost for the Bearcats.

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But as far as UC's program has come in recent years, including back-to-back Big East championships in 2008 and 2009 (including a 12-0 regular season in 2009), what holds the school back as much as anything is its stadium. It is one of the oldest and smallest in FBS football and can't really be expanded because it is smack dab in the middle of campus. 

So in an effort to enhance the program's image, two games this season were moved downtown. The Bearcats beat Louisville at Paul Brown Stadium on Oct. 15, 25-16, in front of an announced crowd of 40,971.

 

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West Virginia Player To Watch

QB Geno Smith. He'll be as important as any single player on either side.

Cincinnati Player To Watch

QB Zach Collaros. As both a passer and a rusher, he's dangerous. West Virginia needs to limit one of those elements and make him one-dimensional.

Key Matchup

Smith vs. the Cincinnati defense. Cincinnati's defense has been strong in most games this year. If Smith doesn't have a good game, West Virginia's chances of winning are slim to none.

On the Hot Seat

At this point of the season, nobody's job should really be in danger. 

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, West Virginia 20

The Bearcats are playing very well this year. The Mountaineers are just not playing consistent football. In Cincinnati, I like the Bearcats to take this game.