Rutgers has been the most impressive team in the Big East this season and will look to stay undefeated in the conference as they travel to Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats.
The Scarlet Knights are 4-0 in the conference and have a clear shot to win their first-ever Big East title.
Rutgers has been stellar on defense in its first season under head coach Kyle Flood, who took over when Greg Schiano left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. The Scarlet Knights have been one of the best defensive teams in the Big East this season, ranking fifth in the nation with 13.4 points allowed per game.
Due to Louisville's upset-loss last Saturday against Syracuse, Rutgers can make it to a BCS bowl if they win their next three games against, which are against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Louisville.
"I did not know that was the outcome of (Louisville's loss), but I am never surprised in this league by any outcome," Flood said to the Associated Press. "Top to bottom it is an extremely competitive league. For us to be thinking about any three games would be a big mistake."
According to the Associated Press, Rutgers has not started "5-0 Big East start since the league began playing football in 1991."
The Scarlet Knights won their first seven games of the season before losing to Kent State two weeks ago on Oct. 27. The team out gained Kent state in total yards, but could not overcome six interceptions by quarterback Gary Nova.
The sophomore has been excellent this season, passing for 1,939 yards and 18 touchdowns. Junior running back Jawan Jamison is leading the team in rushing, gaining 953 yards and scoring four touchdowns on 214 attempts.
The team rebounded last week against Army with a 28-7 win, but will have a much more talented opponent on Saturday with the Bearcats. The Scarlet Knights allowed their first rushing touchdown of the season, but not much else as they held Army to nearly 100 yards less than its season average, according to the Associated Press.
Cincinnati has been extremely impressive on offense this season, scoring 34 points per game, and is leading the conference with over 220 yards rushing per game.
Quarterback Munchie Legaux has been explosive for most of the season, passing for 1,716 yards and 13 touchdowns, but was benched for last week's game against Temple after throwing six interceptions in the past three games.
Cincinnati lost two of those three games, including a 34-31-overtime loss to Louisville on Oct. 26 in which Legaux threw three interceptions. Senior quarterback Brandon Kay started in his place and played excellent, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns as well as 71 yards rushing.
"Brendon Kay came in and did exactly what we wanted him to do and that was manage the football game," coach Butch Jones said. "I thought his decision-making was very good."
Running back George Winn has also been excellent for the Bearcats, rushing for 980 yards and seven touchdowns, including an average of 5.7 yards per carry. Winn is the top rusher in the Big East and ran for 83 yards and two touchdowns against Temple.
If the Bearcats win their next three games, they have a chance to win a share of the Big East title. If they win those games and Louisville loses again, Cincinnati will have a chance at a BCS game.
"Everyone wants a crown ... but every game counts and that's why you just come to work every day," Jones said.
According to the Associated Press, the "all-time series is tied, 8-8-1, with the Bearcats winning five straight before a 20-3 road loss last November."
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