CFI: BIG EAST GAME OF THE WEEK

LOUISVILLE 3-3 (0-1) @ CINCINNATI 6-0 (1-0) * 7:00 * ESPNU

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER


This is a huge BIG EAST conference game with a little bit of Conference USA flavor as two old rivals renew their yearly battle for the Keg of Nails. This game was thought to be a test for Louisville in their run for a National Title -- instead it is Cincinnati who is looking to remain undefeated after a huge win at Rutgers last week.

This looks to be a shootout -- Louisville and Cincinnati are at the top of the conference in passing offense and are one and two in scoring for the year. If that doesn't get your blood boiling it is Cincinnati and Louisville who make up the basement in pass defense in the conference, which means there are going to be some points being put up. Brian Brohm will have a field day, he comes into this game leading the conference is passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage and is a Heisman candidate -- statistically speaking. He has already thrown for 2415 yards and 20 touchdowns, and has thrown for over 400 yards three times in six games. Cincinnati has also become a passing team but have focused more on efficiency, and Ben Mauk has fit the system well. He has thrown for 1034 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing one game and parts of others. He has done a tremendous job finding his young receivers Marcus Barnett and Marshawn Gilyard.

Key Matchup: Anthony Allen vs. Cincinnati's Rushing Attack: Louisville doesn't only pass but they can run the ball too with Anthony Allen. Allen is a power tailback, who has tremendous moves and is fourth in the conference is rushing this season. Allen has six touchdowns this year and his averaging 4.4 yards per carry. In a shoot out like this, Allen needs to be strong especially in the red zone. Cincinnati runs two senior tailbacks in Butler Benon and Greg Moore. These two split most of the carries, as Butler leads the team with 343 yards and is averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Moore is averaging 6.3 yards per carry and has rushed for 144 yards in Cincinnati's last two games. Bradley Glatthaar is someone who they use in short situations, he leads the team with six touchdowns.

Photo Credit: University of Louisville