This is Rutgers game to lose as the the Bearcats come off an emotional loss because not only did they lose to West Virginia their rival, but they lost their QB Zach Collaros to a broken ankle. Look for Rutgers to have a lot of revenge for the beat down's they got from Cinci the last few years. Now that Collaros is not there as he threw for 366 yards a year ago. Rutgers defense is the real deal any how and a much improved unit from a year ago. They should be able to come up and stop Isiah Peed.
Cinci is great at stopping the run and are ranked #2 in the nation and leads the nation in tackles for loss, but Rutgers doesn't run the ball anyway they've been passing it behind Chas Dodd who had 4 TD and 300+ yards a year ago vs. Cinci and he goes up against their 115th ranked pass defense. Rutgers has the receivers to give them all kinds of issues again including Mohamed Sanu and Mark Harrisson. Harrisson had 240 yards receiving a year ago in the loss. Rutgers defense should put up a better game they are #1 in the Big East in takeaways now facing an inexperienced QB in Munchie Legaux. Rutgers averages 4.5 sacks per home game and although Munchie looked good in relief he faces a much more challenging test knowing he's the starter. Cinci with Collaros were only converting 36.84% on third down on the road and Rutgers defense allowing just 31.8% conversions at home.
Again both teams can stop the run this comes down to who can pass better and at home Rutgers has proven they can get to the QB and the newbie Munchie won't have success as Rutgers is holding opponents to 52.5% completions and 9 interceptions at home 53.7% and 16 overall while the Bearcats have allowed 65.2% to opposing QB's. The dog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings and Cinci is 1-8 ATS in their last 9 in November.
Iowas is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 as a favorite and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games as a favorite while Purdue is 17-7-1 ATS in their last 25 games in november. Iowa has looked awful on the road vs. Minny, Penn State and Iowa St and are 0-3 on the road. PUrdue just beat two solid Big Ten teams at home in Illinois and Penn State and they've gotten done running the ball, as they average 4.47 ypc at home this season. They controlled the clock and ran the ball 42 times vs. both Ill and Penn State. The big key though has come on 3rd down as they have converted 45% of their third downs at home and have only allowed 35% conversions on defense. Iowa defense has allowed 47% on 3rd downs on the road which will set Purdue up for another successful day.
In the early going it will be Marcus Cooker form Iowa vs. Ralph Bolden from Purdue. Purdue held both Illinois and Penn State to under 4 yards per carry and I see no reason why they can't do it again. Purdue is also 32nd in ppass defense if James VandenBerg tries to throw the ball they could run into a stiff test. On the other side the QB committee has worked well with Terbush and Robert Marve.
