Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

FACTS & STATS: Site: Nippert Stadium (35,000) -- Cincinnati, Ohio. Television: ESPN3.com. Home Record: Akron 0-1, Cincinnati 1-0. Away Record: Akron 0-1, Cincinnati 0-1. Neutral Record: Akron 0-0, Cincinnati 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 0-1, Cincinnati 0-0. Series Record: Cincinnati leads, 3-2.

GAME NOTES: Not much has changed for the Akron Zips in 2011. After losing their first 11 games of 2010, the Zips are off to a slow start once again. They will attempt to get in the win column this weekend when Rob Ianello's squad takes on the Cincinnati Bearcats this Saturday at Nippert Stadium.

It will be an uphill battle for the Zips, who have struggled through two weeks of football. Akron has been clobbered by Ohio State and Temple, losing both matchups by a combined score on 83-3.

It will be interesting to see what Cincinnati team takes the field this weekend. Will it be the team that exploded for 72 points against Austin Peay at home, or the team that was devastated by Tennessee on the road. Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, expect coach Butch Jones to have the Bearcats much more prepared this Saturday.

This all-time series is surprisingly close, as the Bearcats roll into the contest with only a 3-2 edge over the Zips. Cincinnati took the one game lead back in 2008, as Jacob Rogers connected on a late field goal to give the Bearcats a 17-15 victory.

Akron has played two games and has only one field goal to show for its efforts offensively. That pretty much says it all for this unit, which has been completely shut down through two weeks.

Coach Ianello has seen little go right so far, and the lack of success on the ground could be the main issue for the Zips. So far Akron has only 77 yards rushing. Yes, 77 yards. That comes with an equally poor average of 1.4 yards per attempt. Jawon Chisholm has show signs of promise, but the young back has not seen much daylight.

Usually when a ground game is ineffective the passing attack will pick up the slack, but Akron's two quarterbacks have been inconsistent.

Clayton Moore has seen the bulk of the work in both contests, but he has completed less than 50.0 percent of his throws for only 246 yards. He has yet to throw a touchdown and has been intercepted twice. However, coach Ianello has no choice but to stick with the young gunslinger because backup Patrick Nicely has not been much better off the bench.

Nicely has also completed less than 50.0 percent of his throws and does not look comfortable under center. The latter is understandable when considering the offensive line has already surrendered 13 sacks.

The Akron has been equally bad. Ohio State and Temple both ripped right through the Zips, and the results are not good. After just two games the defense has surrendered 529 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.

The majority of those numbers came last week against Temple, as the Owls dissected Akron's front line for 305 yards and four touchdowns on 6.2 yards per attempt.

Akron's numbers against the pass are better (202.0 ypg), but that is likely because the opposition has enjoyed such a large lead that throwing the ball would just be insulting.

The Zips are fortunate for that because so far the team has shown an inability to pressure the quarterback and through two games has yet to claim a sack. If there was a bright spot for this defense, it would be the play of Brian Wagner, who has already posted 22 tackles.

After scoring 72 points in a season-opening win at Austin Peay, the Bearcats got a dose of reality, scoring just 23 points in a double-digit loss to Tennessee.

Despite the loss, Zach Collaros had another solid showing and is quickly proving he is one of the top quarterbacks in the Big East. After throwing for 230 yards and two scores against Tennessee, the signal caller has now racked up 364 yards and six touchdowns.

Anthony McClung has hauled in three of those touchdown passes, but the main option for Collaros has been D.J. Woods, who is currently leading the team with 13 receptions and 170 yards.

Even though the Bearcats seemingly went backwards against Tennessee, the ground game still put forth a strong effort and overall has done a good enough job to keeping opposing defenses honest. A big reason for the success on the ground is tailback Isaiah Pead, who has rumbled for 242 yards and three scores thus far. If Pead can continue to produce and Collaros can keep his mistakes to a minimum, than the Bearcats have a fighting chance in just about any game.

Cincinnati's defense got abused at times by Tennessee last weekend.

The reason the Vols looked unstoppable is because Tyler Bray dissected Cincy's secondary for 405 yards and four touchdowns. Getting off the field was a problem, with the Bearcats allowing the Vols to convert on 10-of-13 third down attempts and all six of their red zone chances.

The defense should be much better prepared this weekend against a suspect Akron squad.

Cincinnati should be able to rebound and perform at a high level in this one. The Bearcats should be able to light up the scoreboard against the Zips.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cincinnati 41, Akron 7