WEST VIRGINIA +9

For a number of different reasons I feel the value in this game is on the visitors:

WVU’s defense stepped it up against Louisville last week and did not allow a TD; last year WVU was as good as anyone controlling the Bearcats last year, giving up only 26 points, including overtime, with one of the Cincinnati TD's coming on a kickoff return.

Not only is West Virginia 5-1 SU its last six, dating back the last three seasons its 18-7 SU its last 25 on the road.

On the other side of the field: Zach Collaros and Tony Pike will both see time in this game.

Each QB has proved he can effectively run the Bearcats’ spread, no-huddle offense, which ranks third nationally with 482.6 yards per game.

However, Cincinnati’s defense is still smarting from the second half against UConn last week, during which the Huskies burned them for 322 yards. Most disconcerting for UC was the 201 rushing yards allowed, including 162 and four TDs from Jordan Todman.

Bottom line: I believe the defensive struggles against the run will once again be a problem tonight for Cincinnati as they face one of the top backs in the nation in Noel Devine; Devine ranks 13th nationally with more than 112 yards per game and look for him, or Jock Sanders to have a strong game as the Mountaineers focus on establishing the run in this one.

Look for WEST VIRGINIA to improve to 1-1 ATS this season as an underdog of 3 1/2 to 10 points while Cincinnati falls to a horrible 1-3 ATS its last four at Nippert Stadium!

*9* WEST VIRGINIA.