| Bearcats Welcome Undefeated Scarlet Knights |
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| Written by John Hoben | |||||||
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Friday, 17 November 2006
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 Following No.6 ranked Rutgers’ big win over Louisville last Thursday (Nov 9), head coach Greg Schiano would like nothing more than to get his team, mentally, as far away from that game as possible because the Scarlet Knights still have plenty of work left to do in the 2006 season and that work begins with a road trip to play the Cincinnati Bearcats in Nippert Stadium Saturday night at 7:45 p.m. in a game to be televised by ESPN. The Scarlet Knights are a perfect 9-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big East. It marks the latest point in a season the Scarlet Knights have been alone in first place in the 16-year history of the Big East Conference. Rutgers is ranked sixth in the BCS Standings, seventh in the AP Top 25 and eighth in the USA Today/Coaches Top 25. Receive Instant Cash Bonuses at Bodog.com!!Cincinnati (5-5, 2-3 Big East) lost 42-24 at then 10th-ranked West Virginia last Saturday. The Bearcats had won two straight Big East games before the setback in Morgantown last week. Rutgers has been installed the favorite in this game by a –7.0-point chalk at most Las Vegas and offshore sports books with a total of 39. The Scarlet Knights are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) on the Road this season and 1-1 ATS on the road in Big East action. Overall, the Scarlet Knights have covered 6-of-8 ATS. Find Live College Football Lines Here! The Bearcats have fared well for their supporters in 2006. After starting off poorly, failing to cover the line in their first two games, Cincinnati reeled off six-straight wins ATS. The streak ended in the Bearcats last game getting a push (+18) at West Virginia last Saturday (Nov 11). Rutgers is 7-1 in its last eight regular season games on the road. The Scarlet Knights own wins over South Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut, Syracuse, Buffalo, Navy and Pittsburgh during the streak, dating back to Sept. 17, 2005 Rutgers sophomore running back Ray Rice has quickly developed into one of the top running backs in the nation and has put himself into contention for the Heisman Trophy. Rice, who rushed for 1,120 yards as a true freshman in 2005 - the fifth-best mark among true freshmen backs in the nation last season - has recorded seven 100-yard games this season, including three 200-yard performances. Defense has been the key to the Bearcats' success. Cincinnati is rated 30th nationally against the run and No. 40 in scoring defense. Over the last six games, UC has surrendered 280.7 yards in total offense and 107.2 yards rushing. Bet on College Football at Bodog.com! Opposing running backs have found it difficult to rush for 100 yards against the Bearcats' defense. Cincinnati has allowed just three opponents to reach the 100-yard plateau this season. Only three individuals have topped the century mark in rushing vs. UC, Virginia Tech's Brandon Ore, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman and West Virginia's Steve Slaton. This match up could spell trouble for Rutgers, especially coming off the emotional high of defeating third-ranked Louisville in Piscataway Nov.9. One feather in the Scarlet Knights cap is the team has had an extra day to get Louisville out of its system and focused on Cincinnati. If the Scarlet Knights continue to play with the same intensity that got them to 9-0, they will take care of business at hand and win straight up and should be a good bet to cover the -7.0 spread.                        |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 November 2006 ) | |||||||