Colleges

USF scouting report

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 3, 2007

No. 20 USF (6-2, 1-2 Big East) vs. Cincinnati (6-2, 1-2), 3:30

Both schools started 6-0 and have since dropped two straight, but the difference is in the level of competition in those first six games. USF's six wins were against teams that are a combined 30-23; Cincinnati's six combine for a 19-29 record. The Bearcats' Ben Mauk might be the best quarterback you've never heard of. The Wake Forest transfer has 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, with eight of those scoring passes going to freshman Marcus Barnett. You don't have to remind USF about Cincinnati's defense - the Bearcats dominated USF last season, holding the Bulls scoreless until the final minute of a 23-6 win. Matt Grothe had his worst game as a starter there, going 11-of-21 for 47 yards and rushing seven times for 22. Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly called this "an elimination game," with the loser out of contention for the Big East title. After averaging 46.4 points in their first five games, Cincinnati has averaged only 23 in three games since, but that includes a 28-23 win at Rutgers, where USF lost two weeks ago. USF will be without top receivers Amarri Jackson (knee) and Taurus Johnson (ankle), but watch out for their replacements, freshmen Carlton Mitchell and Dontavia Bogan. There will be a fireworks show 15 minutes after the game ends.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 22:23:20]