Sept. 5, 2008

So, a big game Saturday. I don’t think UC has to win to win (if you know what I mean). If the Bearcats show they can play with Oklahoma – which, let’s face it, is one of the best teams in the country – that would be good. Considering this game means nothing in terms of a Big East title, a hard-fought defeat wouldn’t be a backbreaker here. But BK knows what UC can’t do.

“It’s critical for our program in terms of where we want to go,” BK said. “This is a huge measuring stick for our program and our football tam relative to where we stand in the progression of a Big East championship. Certainly we can’t go to Norman and lay an egg. But we haven’t shown any sign of that.”

When UC is on offense:
The offensive line will be critical here. Assuming Khalil El-Amin doesn’t play (and as of now when I’m writing this, he won’t), the Bearcats have to manage the Sooners strong defensive line as much as possible. This will not be an easy task.

But if UC can give Dustin Grutza a little bit of time to work, he could be effective. Oklahoma’s secondary is probably the weakest facet of its defense, and considering UC still has Dominick Goodman, Mardy (with a ‘D”) Gilyard and Marcus Barnett, this will be key for the Bearcats to pull an upset.

It would help, of course, if Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel could punch some holes in the Sooners defensive line, but I’m thinking that’s going to be really, really tough.

When UC is on defense:
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is a tough one to beat, but I have two questions about him: is he totally comfortable running the no-huddle offense (a huge win against Tennessee-Chattanooga last week would be an affirmative, but it was Tennessee-Chattanooga after all, so it’s hard to gauge) and how will he perform if Terrill Byrd and Adam Hoppel (who will get more playing time this week) can get some penetration, forcing him to scramble and throw against UC’s secondary?

DeAngelo Smith, now at safety, will be a key.

“His preparation was outstanding,” BK said referring to Smith’s transfer from cornerback to safety. “He did a lot of great things for us in preseason camp. We’ll get a better indication of his success at this position this weekend. Thus far, he still has to get lined up right all the time and be consistent. He makes up for it with such a great knack and savvy in terms of getting the football.”

Prediction: I can’t imagine anybody picking UC to win this game on the road against a top-5 team, and I certainly won’t. But the Bearcats will perform well and will earn some respect against one of the best programs in the country.

Let’s say, Oklahoma 24, UC 14