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Cincinnati vs Rutgers College Football Odds, College Football Picks & College Football Predictions: Cincinnati kicks off their 2009 season today with a tough, road conference tilt in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The Scarlet Knights await the Bearcats in what is certain to be a hostile Rutgers Stadium. The Big East clash is set to get underway at 4:00pm ET this afternoon and will be broadcast live on ESPN. College football odds at SBGglobal.com have the Knights listed as a -5 against the spread home favorite.

Bearcats Head Coach Brian Kelly has taken the Cincinnati football program to new heights since his arrival in 2007. He is hoping that last year's finish becomes the norm as his squad wrapped up the regular season with an 11-2 record and Big East title. He will, however, have a difficult time reaching that level this year with just one starter returning on defense.

Kelly will have to rely on an offense that welcomes eight starters back, including quarterback Tony Pike and star wide receiver Mardy Gilyard. The unit produced 25.9 points per game last season and figures to be more explosive with the two major pieces back. Joining Pike and Gilyard are the top three rushers from 2008 and an offensive line that has three front line players.

The Scarlet Knights stumbled out of the blocks last season as starting quarterback Mike Teel struggled to find his touch through the first three games. However, Teel hit his stride during conference play and led Rutgers to an 8-5 record and 5-2 mark in Big East action. The team closed out the year with a 29-23 victory over NC State in the Papajohns.com Bowl. 

This year Head Coach Greg Schiano will be without Teel, the school's all-time leading passer, and his top target, wide receiver Kenny Britt. Teel will be replaced by senior Domenic Natale, who threw just eight passes in 2008, while Britt's spot goes to Tim Brown (27 receptions, 565 yards, six touchdowns). 

Despite the big losses, seven other starters from an offense that produced 29 points and 398 yards per game are back, including four from what should be one of the top offensive lines in the Big East.

Six starters from the 2008 Rutgers defense return as well. The unit has a solid front seven with the starting defensive ends and five of the top six linebackers back on campus.

SBGglobal.com Cincinnati vs Rutgers College Football Odds, Picks & Predictions

Cincinnati Bearcats +5 (-110), Over 47 (-110), +175 (Moneyline)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights -5 (-110), Under 47 (-110), -210 (Moneyline)

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