Breaking down the Knights defense
The Knights defense however has really struggled this season as opponents have averaged nearly 402 yards per game this season. However, the Knights huge weak spot on their defense is their ability to stop the run. The Knights are currently ranked last in the Big 12 in terms of rushing defense as they have allowed 21 rushing touchdowns on the season as they give up an average of 207 yards per game on the ground.
The Knights defense has been a weak spot for them over the season, and a prime example of that is their contest vs Baylor after blowing a 28-point second half lead and losing in the final seconds on a field goal. However, the Bearcats offense has struggled as of late outside of the running game, is this the week Emory Jones and the Bearcats can really find their grove and piece things together and play complementary football and see guys like Xzavier Henderson and Chamon Metayer have breakout weeks as Henderson is currently leading the Bearcats in reception and yards, while being one of the top receivers in the Big 12, he is due for a breakout performance.
Metayer, on the other hand has really hit his stride here in the last few weeks and has shown flashes of what he is capable of doing in this offense. However, how will the Knights defense try to prepare for the 6’5″, 250 pound tight end, as Scott Satterfield utilizes the tight end in many different ways because of his skillset weather it’s as an extra blocker in the run game or in the passing game as well. Metayer is miss match for opposing team’s defenses and should be a key target on Saturday vs Central Florida as the Knights main focus will probably be stopping the Bearcats run game.
However, for the Bearcats this is a huge emphasis this week after the Bearcats saw Corey Kiner and Myles Montgomery both rush for over 100 yards two weeks ago in their 32-29 loss vs Baylor. Kiner and Montgomery also were on pace to have huge games before being knocked out of the Bearcats 45-13 loss to Oklahoma State with minor injuries. However, Satterfield mentioned earlier this week he expects both running backs to be available for this Saturday’s matchup.
Can the Bearcats high powered run game exploit a struggling Central Florida defense? That is a huge question heading into this matchup as the Bearcats have outrushed six of their eight opponents this season. That will be a huge emphasis on this matchup is finding ways to get the Bearcats rushing game going early as Myles Montgomery has recorded touchdowns of 30 plus yards in consecutive weeks. Is the sophomore running back capable of rattling off another long touchdown run this weekend.
Prediction- I believe the Bearcats will get their first Big 12 victory come Saturday. I believe it will be a very close game as always with these two teams, however, I have the Bearcats winning 28-24. However, the Bearcats have to establish the run game early in this one for that predication to stand. However, if they don’t get the run game early it could be a long day for the Bearcats defense especially with how quick Gus Malzhan and the Knights like to play on offense.
Can Scott Satterfield and the Bearcats put the pieces together on Saturday and pick up their first ever Big 12 victory? Guess we will find out as kickoff is slated for 3:30 pm at Historic Nippert Stadium as the Bearcats welcome in fans for their Military appreciation matchup vs longtime rival UCF.
