Keys to a WVU upset

It is going to be extremely difficult for West Virginia to leave Nippert Stadium victorious tonight.

Not only are the Mountaineers up against their toughest opponent to date in No. 4 Cincinnati, but a rather large number of key West Virginia players are battling injuries.

Making matters more difficult is Bill Stewart's troops playing the game at Cincinnati. Stewart is just 3-5 on the road during his career at WVU.

Add in West Virginia's 0-19 all-time record away from home against teams ranked in the Associated Press' top five, and the outlook appears to be bleak for the Mountaineers.

For WVU to pull off the upset and keep its Big East Conference title hopes alive, it must do these things and likely more.

Force at least two turnovers

The Mountaineers' defense must deliver a couple of game-changing plays if they are to have a shot.

This will not be an easy task against Cincinnati, which is the only bowl subdivision team yet to lose a fumble this season. In fact, the Bearcats have only turned the ball over four times, which is perhaps the biggest reason they enter tonight 9-0.

Since taking over at quarterback, Zach Collaros has thrown one interception in four games while fellow quarterback Tony Pike has thrown just three picks in 199 pass attempts.

Collaros led Cincinnati to an astounding 711 yards of offense in last week's 47-45 win over Connecticut.

The Mountaineers need to find a way to get their hands on the ball. That all starts with West Virginia's three-man front, which must limit Cincinnati's running game and make the Bearcats one-dimensional.

If West Virginia can do that, its secondary will have more opportunities to force mistakes. Recovering a fumble against the Bearcats is not likely, but you have to think Brian Kelly's team will lose at least one at some point this year.

Spread the wealth offensively

Stewart has talked numerous times this season about how the WVU offense prides itself on being balanced and spreading the wealth. While that looked to be a staple of the unit in the middle of October, it has certainly been missing of late.

Noel Devine has just 98 rushing yards in his last two games and will be battling a sore left ankle, but there are several other areas of concern. The Mountaineers have not scored 30 points in each of their last four games, after reaching the 30-point mark in their first five contests.

It may not be a coincidence that slot receiver Jock Sanders had 41 catches through the first five games and has just 17 since.

Fellow receiver Brad Starks appeared to be ready for a breakout season but has only five receptions for 13 yards in the last four contests.

West Virginia will need all of its offensive weapons to contribute against a Cincinnati defense that allowed over 20 points for the first time this season against Connecticut.

However, the Huskies were able to run and pass effectively en route to 462 total yards.

While quarterback Jarrett Brown has looked average at best since suffering a concussion in the win over Marshall, WVU's offensive line needs to do a better job of protecting him and providing the time to get everyone involved.

Be solid on special teams

West Virginia's struggles on kickoff coverage have been well documented. Mardy Gilyard began last season's game with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that changed the complexion of the contest.

Gilyard remains Cincinnati's kick returner and is just as dangerous. The explosive wide receiver averages 26.8 yards per kickoff return, and the Bearcats are 10th in the nation in kickoff return average.

The Bearcats are also dangerous returning punts and are 12th in the country in punt return average. That sets up a good battle, considering WVU punter Scott Kozlowski may be the best at his craft in the conference.

Kozlowski is No. 4 in the nation, averaging 45.5 yards per punt. Cincinnati appears to be somewhat vulnerable defending punts and ranks at just 78th in the country, allowing 10.2 yards per return.

Sanders and fellow punt returner Brandon Hogan have come close to breaking open returns at times this season, and this game presents a good opportunity for a big return.

West Virginia can't afford to give Cincinnati good field position and let it win the overall battle on special teams. The Bearcats are simply too dangerous in other areas.