Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

One Bearcat will be coming back, will another?

Tony Pike was felled by injury on October 15 and missed four games and change. This had some in fifth-ranked Cincinnati’s program worried that their perfect season would be ruined by the injury to their start quarterback, but backup quarterback Zach Collaros played outstanding and the two signal callers have taken turns leading the team to an historic 10-0 start.

The Cincinnati Bearcat that could be on his way out is coach Brian Kelly, who is rumored to be the top contender for what many consider to be a future vacant position in Notre Dame. Yet Kelly will not allow himself to become a distraction as he tries to help his team weave through a non-conference, trap-type situation with the woeful Illinois Fighting Illini (3-7) of the Big Ten before getting ready to play at Pittsburgh next week for a winner take all Big East tilt.

Pike had thrown for 1633 yard with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions in his six games started this year. He probably could have come back earlier if needed, but Collaros has played just as well, 1233 yards with eight touchdowns and an interception in his four starts and part of the South Florida victory in which he replaced the injured Pike.

Cincinnati must avoid a letdown and avoid looking ahead to their matchup with Pitt next week when they face Illinois for the first time. The Illinois Fighting Illini are in the rare position for a Big Ten team of playing into December as they have two games left, this Friday in Cincinnati and next Saturday at home in the season finale with Fresno State.

Typically the Big Ten season ends the Saturday before Thanksgiving with all the teams having wrapped up their non-conference games as well, but Illinois have played just 10 games (Wisconsin also has another game in Hawaii next week).

Juice Williams will begin winding down his solid career at Illinois, though he spent a good majority of the senior season on the bench. After throwing for 3173 yards with 22 touchdowns last season, he has just 1139 yard with six touchdowns.