The Cincinnati Bearcats (5-1, 1-0 BIG EAST) take their show on the road this week for their first conference road game. The opponent, the Connecticut Huskies (5-2, 1-1 BIG EAST). This marks the fifth meeting between the two teams. To this point, the Huskies have not been successful against the Bearcats as they have not come away with a win against them yet. The last time these two teams met was November 10th of last year at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats took that game 27-3.

Both the Bearcats and the Huskies have had a difficult time keeping a quarterback healthy. The Huskies have had to play three different QBs this year while the Bearcats have one up on them with having played four. While the most recent starter for the Bearcats, Chazz Anderson, has played admirably (wins over Marshall and Rutgers), especially for a redshirt freshman, the team needs a veteran signal caller behind center if they want to succeed down the stretch. They take one step in the right direction in that area this week when Tony Pike returns. He has been missed the last two games since breaking his arm against Akron. Pike was playing in place of season starter, Dustin Grutza, who went down in the Oklahoma game with a broken leg. He's slated to return when the Bearcats take on South Florida next Thursday night.

Pike's return will provide more stability to a high powered offense. Head coach Brian Kelly will be able to open up the playbook more this week, which should see wideouts Mardy Gilyard and Dominick Goodman more involved in the action. The next receiving touchdown for Goodman would be his 21st and tie him with Jim O'Brien for UC's all-time leader. The Bearcats two headed running game of Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel will help Pike settle back into the offense.

The Huskies come into this game having lost their last two contests. Most recently they suffered a surprising loss to a downed Rutgers team, 12-10 in Piscataway, NJ. One thing on the Huskies side is they have the fifth longest home winning streak in the country at 10 games currently. The player to watch when UCONN has the ball is their junior running back, Donald Brown. He leads the nation in yards per game with 167.7. If the Bearcats can keep him in check, it could be a long day for the Huskies. Look for defensive end, Connor Barwin, to be focused on shutting down the run game as well as getting at the quarterback. He leads the BIG EAST with six sacks, which also has him tied for 10th in the nation.

At the end of September the Huskies entered the AP Top 25. While their stay didn't last long, they're still a dangerous team, especially coming off a loss. If the Bearcats can come away with a win, and do so in impressive fashion on the road, they would move to 6-1 and very well could jump up into the Top 25 depending on what happens with those teams that are currently ranked and playing this week.

The game kicks off Saturday at noon. It can be seen on Channel 12 locally or on the BIG EAST Network if available in your area.

College Football cincinnati bearcats, connecticut huskies, chazz anderson, tony pike, dustin grutza, brian kelly, mardy gilyard, dominick goodman, jacob ramsey, john goebel, donald brown, connor barwin