Big East Week Nine Preview

The two highest-scoring offenses in the Big East clash when Cincinnati (5-1,1-0 Big East) meets No. 16 Louisville (7-1, 1-0 Big East) in the 52nd edition of The Battle for the Keg of Nails. The Bearcats have won the last four in the series, but the Cardinals hope to remain in the realm of the unbeaten by defeating their border rival.

Syracuse (3-4, 2-1 Big East) looks for its first road win of the season when the Orange squares off with South Florida (2-5, 0-3 Big East). Last week’s 40-10 win over Connecticut was Syracuse’s largest margin of victory against an FBS team under Doug Marrone. The Bulls have won six of seven in the series and return home to Tampa after a month on the road.

Temple (3-3, 2-1 Big East) searches for its first win at Pittsburgh (3-4, 0-3 Big East) since 1998. The Owls’ pass defense will be tested by the conference’s two leading receivers, Mike Shanahan and Devin Street. This season marks the first time in nine years that Temple has faced Pennsylvania’s other two FBS programs (Penn State, Sept. 22).

Kyle Flood looks to become the first coach in Rutgers (7-0, 4-0 Big East) history to start 8-0 when the Scarlet Knights host Kent State.