This Saturday the Bearcats (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) travel to Morgantown, West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers (6-4, 4-3 Big 12) for the first time since their time in the Big East nearly 12 years ago. The last time these two teams faced each other was back at Paul Brown Stadium, (now known as Paycor Stadium) back on November 12th, 2011, where the Mountaineers defeated the Bearcats 24-21 after blocking the game tying field goal as time expired.
The Bearcats are coming off a dominant 24-14 victory over Houston as the Bearcats not only get their first Big 12 victory, but also stop a seven-game losing skid in the process. The Mountaineers on the other hand are coming off a 59-20 blowout loss to Oklahoma. The Mountaineers are having a season not many predicted they would, myself included, after being projected to finish 14th in the Big 12 preseason polls voted on the media (myself included) as head coach Neal Brown made a statement at Big 12 Media Days in Dallas, Texas this summer that he felt the Mountaineers would prove teams wrong, and they have done exactly that.
The Mountaineers are 6-4 on the season but entering the season many people thought if the Mountaineers had a downward season they could see head coach Neal Brown on the hot seat, however it’s safe to say the if the Mountaineers finish the season strong and win their bowl game that Brown has solidified his job for one more season potentially.
The Mountaineers offense is very similar to the Bearcats as they really like to establish the run game and wear opposing teams defenses down to open up Garrett Greene and the passing game. Greene, is currently 4th in the nation in passing yards per completion averaging nearly 16 yards per completion. Greene is also ranked 34th in the country in yards per pass attempt with 8 yards per pass.
Greene, has appeared in nine games for the Mountaineers this season as he has completed nearly 51% of his passes racking up 1,699 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. However, like a lot of other quarterbacks in the Big 12, Greene is one that likes to be mobile, use his legs to extend plays and we all saw that in the Mountaineers 48-34 loss to Oklahoma State where Greene rushed for 117 yards on 16 carries. Greene is heavily dependent on the run game and has struggled in the passing game, so if the Bearcats can get home and create some pressure and force Greene into some tough scenarios like Donovan Smith was in over the weekend the Bearcats defense will have some opportunities to come away with some turnovers.
However, like the Bearcats (5th) the Mountaineers are also Top 10 in rushing offense as they average 220 yards per game on the ground. The Mountaineers have scored 17 touchdowns on the ground since conference play started and that is amongst the top in the Big 12. C.J. Donaldson has been the bell cow for the Mountaineers offense as the sophomore running back has 10 rushing downtowns on the season, racking up 755 yards on 161 carries, as the sophomore averages nearly 4.5 yards per carry.
Wide receiver Devin Carter a name to keep an eye on for the Mountaineers as the redshirt senior has hauled in 26 receptions for 481 yards and two touchdowns on the season. Carter is averaging nearly 18.5 yards per play, which is 21st in the nation and is someone capable of making a big explosive play when needed as that is something the Bearcats have struggled with all seasons long on the defensive end.
