Pitt heads west to defend trophy

For the first time in its brief history, the River City Rivalry means something. The Pitt… For the first time in its brief history, the River City Rivalry means something. The Pitt football team enters tomorrow’s contest against Cincinnati with a possible Big East title and a BCS bowl bid at stake. If the Panthers lose, the Bearcats are the likely candidates for the Orange or Sugar Bowl. That makes a victory crucial for Pitt (7-2, 3-1 Big East) to stay in the BCS hunt. The No. 20 Panthers travel to No. 19 Cincinnati for a primetime showdown that will be broadcasted on ESPN2 at 7:15 p.m. tomorrow. The Bearcats (8-2, 4-1 Big East) hold a half-game lead over Pitt in the Big East standings. If they defeat Pitt, and knock off a struggling Syracuse squad next week, the conference title goes to Cincinnati. Pitt controls its own destiny in the same light. It’s as simple as this: If it wins its final three games against Cincinnati, West Virginia and Connecticut, Pitt will be the Big East representative in a BCS game. The Panthers own a 7-0 advantage lifetime against Cincinnati, but Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt isn’t thinking about that statistic. ‘We will not be overconfident going into this game,’ said Wannstedt at his weekly press conference. ‘This is a veteran team that won a lot of games. Our team knows the challenge that we have.’ The Bearcats ride a three-game winning streak into tomorrow night’s battle. Quarterback Tony Pike, who was injured in the fourth quarter of last week’s win over Louisville, is expected to start. Cincinnati has played five quarterbacks this season because of an injury plague. Opening day starter Dustin Grutza broke his leg against Oklahoma in the second game of the season, and Pike filled in admirably. He has 1,479 passing yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. The Bearcats boast two dangerous threats at wide receiver. Senior Dominick Goodman and junior Marshwan Gilyard have combined for 111 catches and 1,560 yards, to go along with 14 touchdowns. ‘Goodman is a big, strong and physical player with great hands,’ said Wannstedt. ‘[Gilyard’s] probably the most dangerous guy we’ll face once he has the ball in his hands.’ Pitt running back LeSean McCoy looks to bounce back from the worst statistical performance of his young career. McCoy ran for 39 yards on 17 carries in Pitt’s 41-7 triumph over Louisville Nov. 8. Despite the rough game, McCoy still has 1,043 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. The Panthers defense might have a tall task ahead as well. Cincinnati runs a spread offense that has garnered 374.9 yards per game. In addition to the passing threat, Cincinnati owns two tailbacks with more than 400 rushing yards: Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel. ‘You prepare for everything, and at this point in the season we’ve seen everything,’ said Wannstedt.