Game Nine Preview: West Virginia at Cincinnati

Following a 34-23 loss to Colorado, the Bearcats (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) received a much needed bye week to get healthy and recover both mentally and physically as they prepare for the final four games of the regular season.

The Bearcats returned to the practice field Sunday in preparation for Saturday's match up against an old Big East rival, West Virginia.

"I think we're sitting in pretty good shape as far as staying healthy," Satterfield told media Tuesday afternoon. " We are excited about this week with West Virginia coming in and we're playing back at Nippert, and the game is sold out. It will be a hostile crowd and a great environment for us. Our players and staff are excited about that, to get back here and to play in front of our home crowd. West Virginia is a very solid team; they've lost four games against four really good football teams, and they are coming off a big win at Arizona. We know how hard it is to travel out west, and they went out there and handled their business, so we know we'll get their best shot when they come in here on Saturday."

The Mountaineers (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) also enter Saturday off a bye week after defeating Arizona 31-26.

Quarterback Nicco Marchol completed 18-of-22 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while also rushing for 39 yards on 11 carries. 

(Photo: West Va Athletics)

Running back Jaheim White averaged 7.7 yards per carry in the win over the Wildcats, rushing for 92 yards on 12 carries. 

With West Virginia head coach Neil Brown announcing earlier in the week that starting quarterback Garrett Greene as doubtful this week against the Bearcats, Scott Satterfield knows stopping the run and duo of White and CJ Donaldson will once again be the first priority for the UC defense.

" (Jaheim's) an outstanding running back. He's got great speed. Their other running back is CJ [Donaldson Jr.]. He's a big back that runs a little bit different but is also still very talented. It starts up front, those guys create some nice holes. In those backs, they know how to hit the holes. So, it's a great challenge for our defense to be able to come up and try to stop the run and try to slow it down a little bit," said Satterfield.

Neal Brown will welcome back All Big-12 tackle Wyatt Milum this week, after being sidelined against Arizona. 

According to PFF, Milum is ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, grading out at 92.1%. His 90.1 run-blocking grade is No. 2 and his pass-blocking grade is No. 5. He has played 193 snaps and has not allowed a pressure, a sack or a quarterback hit.

The Mountaineers enter Saturday ranked 23rd nationally, averaging 202 rush yards per game and have rushed for at least 140 yards in 23 of their last 24 games. 

In last season's 42-21 loss to WVU, the Bearcats allowed 424 yards on the ground. 

"They are one of our top rushing teams in the country, rushing over 200 yards a game, and I think their offense starts right there," said Satterfield.

"If they get that running game going, then it's going to be a long day for you. So, we have to do a great job of getting a lot of hats to the ball, swarming the ball, playing at 100 miles an hour on defense, and really playing fast. If your first guy misses, then the next guy, if you are playing fast, the next guy's going to be right there."

Sophomore Hudson Clement leads the West Virginia wide receivers with 17 receptions for 391 yards. Clement had 150 yards on seven catches on September 21st against Kansas.

The Cincinnati defense will also have to account for 6-foot-7 255 pound tight end Kole Taylor in the passing game.

"He’s just extremely long. You can be in position, but yet, if you don't have the length and the reach to be able to get to him, then he can make some plays. I think that's what they want to do," said Satterfield.

"They do some things with a lot of shifts and motions and try to manipulate the defense and get them out of position. And now they find those ways to run the football, but then all of a sudden you load up to stop the run. Well, now they have some guys out there that can make plays as well, including the tight ends." 

The major storyline heading in to Saturday's match up is West Virginia Head Coach Neil Brown shaking up his defensive staff by naming linebackers coach Jeff Koonz interim defensive coordinator.

Special teams responsibilities will now fall on Tony Thompson and Chris Haering to concentrate on a defense that ranks near the bottom nationally in pass efficiency, third down conversion rate, and takeaways. 

Brown elected to make a switch after WVU had generated just six turnovers so far this year, while allowing teams to average 261 yards per game through the air and convert close to 50% of their third-down attempts.
 
The Mountaineers have given up at least one explosive play for a touchdown in each game so far this year.

So how does that affect Cincinnati's offensive game-plan this week?

Scott Satterfield explained.

"I think the structure will be the same. It's really hard to go in the middle of a season and just change a lot. Anytime you're making a change like that, just over a period of time, you then are going to try to make the guys feel comfortable about whatever you're trying to do and that's really for them not to make mistakes. I think what it does, it makes you, if anything, simplify a little bit more."

Senior defensive lineman TJ Jackson leads the West Va defense and is currently ranked No. 11 nationally and No. 1 in the Big 12 for most tackles for loss per game (1.4) and No. 4 in the Big 12 for most sacks per game (0.56).

Brown told media earlier this week that safety Aubrey Burks and cornerback Ayden Garnes will both be unavailable Saturday with various ailments.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Josiah Trotter currently leads the team with 58 tackles and was recently named a semi-finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. 

Other West Virginia defensive standouts include safety Anthony Wilson (53 tackles) , linebacker Trey Lathan (42 tackles), and linebacker Tyrin Bradley (33 tackles).

Last season West Virginia was able to gain momentum early by being the more physical team on both sides of the ball, specifically in the trenches. 

For Cincinnati to come away with a victory, they will have to match that physicality and set the tone early up front.

"What we try to do is learn from the things we did not do well last year against them, and then try to correct that," said Satterfeld. "As we move forward, it's a different game plan this year. That one didn't work, so we have got to move forward with a different one. Our guys are in a different state of mind.”

Notes:

- Sixth year UC linebacker Jared Bartlett is currently second in the Big 12 in sacks (5.5) after appearing in 50 games over five seasons with West Virginia. 

"He's such a serious minded individual, really just focused on what he's got to do and his task. I'm sure inside for him, it's a little something extra," Satterfield explained earlier in the week. " He knows a lot of those guys over there, but he's not the type to be that kind of guy. He just wants to play ball and do the best he can. We're excited he's on our team, and he's had a great year for us, and he's been a really good leader for us. He just needs to keep playing like he's been playing and go out and be himself."

- Saturday will be the Mountaineers' first visit to the Queen City since 2011 when the two programs were members of the Big East Conference. WVU won that day 24-21, and currently lead the all-time series 17-3-1.

- Both teams are among the 14 teams still in contention for the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

"This league is wide open," West Virginia coach Neil Brown said earlier this week. "BYU is the only undefeated team left, and I would not be surprised at all if there were a two-loss team playing in Dallas when it's all said and done."

- A win over West Virginia Saturday would make the Bearcats bowl eligible. While Satterfield acknowledged that is a milestone that is important for the fans, players, and program, they are currently focused on bigger goals.

"I think, more than anything, you go out and handle your business now you are just one more notch closer to potentially playing a Big 12 Championship. We are still not out of it yet, but again, we are still focusing on one day at a time and certainly trying to go take care of business.”

Final Thoughts:

Cincinnati enters Saturday as a 4.5 point favorite. 

 The Bearcats have gotten to the quarterback 18 times so far this year, while generating eight fumbles and three interceptions. Defensively, they will have to continue to be good in the redzone while also forcing turnovers. 

West Virginia's secondary has struggled this season.

Brendan Sorsby ranks among the conference passing leaders with 2,108 yards and 15 touchdowns, connecting on 65.6% of his attempts. He will have to do a better job getting No. 1 wide receiver Xzavier Henderson more involved in the pass game this week, while also feeding Joe Royer across the middle in key third-down situations. 

 Corey Kiner is the Big 12's second-highest-rated RB (84.7) according to PFF. He ranks fourth nationally in missed tackles forced with 55.

The Bearcats are 4-1 when he rushes 20 times. Establishing the run early will go a long way in setting the tone for the overall game script. 

How to watch:

Saturday 11.9 

Noon on FS1