GAME NOTES: A couple of programs ready to get their Big East schedule underway hook up in Piscataway this Saturday, as the 20th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats battle the 21st-ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Bearcats enter the game fresh off another convincing victory, as they defeated San Diego State, 52-23, last weekend. With the victory, Cincinnati improved to 5-0, marking its best start since beginning the 1954 campaign with eight wins in a row. As a matter of fact, dating back to last season, the Bearcats have won eight consecutive games, their longest such streak since 1954. As for Rutgers, it was dealt its first loss of the year last weekend, dropping a 34-24 decision to Maryland. The loss not only dropped the Knights to 3-1 on the year, but it also put an end to their 10-game home winning streak. On a positive note, Rutgers has been able to bounce back after a loss, posting a 5-1 record in games following a setback since 2005. As far as the all-time series goes, Rutgers owns a 7-4-1 edge over Cincinnati and that includes a perfect 6-0 mark when playing in New Jersey. Last season however, the Bearcats upset the Knights, 30-11, at Nippert Stadium and that was the start of their current eight-game winning streak.

The Bearcats haven't exactly faced the toughest of competition early on and that helps explain why this team is averaging a healthy 46.4 ppg coming into the weekend. Cincinnati has displayed a good deal of balance between the run (193.0 ypg) and pass (260.0 ypg), with a near even split of its 27 offensive touchdowns. Last weekend, the Bearcats rolled up 547 yards of total offense, including 263 on the ground, in a 52-23 triumph over San Diego State. Quarterback Ben Mauk led the charge, as he completed 17-of-23 throws for 257 yards and four touchdowns. It was another solid outing by Mauk, who has completed an efficient 70.0 percent of his throws for 777 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions in four games. Marcus Barnett has been one of his favorite targets, as he leads the squad with 22 catches, 278 receiving yards and five scores. Last weekend, Barnett snared three balls that went for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Greg Moore paced the ground attack with 84 yards and a score on 12 carries, while Butler Benton added 72 yards on 11 totes in last weekend's victory. For the season, Benton is the team's top rusher with 300 yards, but Moore is a close second with 232 yards behind an impressive 7.2 yard per carry average.

Cincinnati has done a tremendous job generating turnovers this season, as it has forced its opponents into 21 miscues, including 13 interceptions. Overall, the Bearcats are surrendering just 321.8 total ypg, including only 82.4 ypg on the ground. As a matter of fact, the team has yet to surrender a rushing touchdown in any game this season. Last weekend, Cincinnati gave up 377 total yards to San Diego State, but many of those yards came while the game was out of reach. The defense yielded only 65 yards on the ground, and it also forced a pair of turnovers. Aaron Webster recorded one of those turnovers on an interception, which he returned 58 yards for a score. For the year, Haruki Nakamura and Andre Revels are tied for the team-lead in tackles with 28, while Mike Mickens is tops on the club with four interceptions.

Much like Cincinnati, Rutgers has been highly successful on offense this season, but against weak competition as well. Still, the team is putting forth 40.5 ppg, while rushing for 191.8 ypg and passing for 300.2 ypg. Last weekend, the Knights faced their toughest competitor of the season and they were held to 392 total yards and 24 points in a loss to Maryland. The team also committed three costly turnovers and that was a bit of a surprise considering the Knights had turned the ball over just twice in their first three games. Heisman hopeful Ray Rice was slowed down by Maryland, although he still finished with 97 rushing yards on 21 carries. He also scored his 34th career touchdown on the ground, tying him with J.J. Jennings for the most rushing touchdowns in school history. Despite the modest performance, Rice is having another strong season, as he has rushed for 528 yards and nine touchdowns in just four games. Quarterback Mike Teel has also been effective this season, completing 62.4 percent of his throws for 1,173 yards, with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. Last weekend, Teel threw for 310 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 25-of-44 pass attempts. His main outlet was Tiquan Underwood, who hauled in eight balls for 101 yards and a score. Underwood, one of the top receivers in the nation with 601 yards, has posted a school-record four straight 100-yard receiving games.

The Knights have done a respectable job on the defensive side of the ball, although this unit is capable of doing better. The defense is currently limiting its foes to 143.2 rushing ypg and just 132.8 passing ypg, but it has forced just four turnovers thus far. Last weekend, Rutgers was pushed around on this side of the ball, as Maryland racked up 458 total yards, including 239 on the ground. It was clearly the worst effort of the season by this defense, which failed to force a single turnover despite spending over 36 minutes of the game on the field. Courtney Greene guided the Knights in defeat with 13 stops, giving him a team-best 35 tackles for the season.

In their first game against a legitimate competitor, the Knights were pushed around, but don't expect that to happen again. Rutgers is still a solid all- around team and it should be able to bounce back against a Cincinnati club that hasn't faced anyone of significance up to this point.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Rutgers 30, Cincinnati 20