South Florida vs Cincinnati Prediction

This is clearly the game of the year in the Big East pitting the conferences only two ranked teams against one another. Both have won big nonconference road games(@Oregon State for Cincy and @Florida State for USF) are dominant on one side of the ball. The Bearcat offense is third in the nation averaging 42 points a game led by future first round picks QB Tony Pike and WR Mardy Gilyard. If Pike keeps up this gaudy pace he's started the season with(66.7 completion percentage, 13-3 TD-INT ratio)and Cincinnati keeps winning, he'll plant himself smack dab in the middle of the Heisman race. The Bulls rank in the top 5 in scoring defense in the country surrendering a mere 9.4 ppg. South Florida will probably need a strong performance from DE George Selvie if they want to pull the upset. However, I think the real key to this game will be the performance of USF QB BJ Daniels. The redshirt freshman QB came was forced to start earlier than expected due to a season ending injury to longtime starter Matt Grothe and has done a solid job in his 3 starts since by being able to make plays with his legs in addition to his arm. If he doesn't turn the ball over and is able to convert some key third downs with his legs, then USF has a great shot to win. Thursday nights are where upsets happen and I don't see this Thursday night being any different. Cincinnati's national title hopes will all but vanish as will Tony Pike's Heisman campaign. USF wins it with a late field goal, 27-24.