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FACTS & STATS: Site: Nippert Stadium (35,000) -- Cincinnati, Ohio. Television: ESPN. Home Record: UConn 4-3, Cincinnati 4-1. Away Record: UConn 1-3, Cincinnati 4-2. Neutral Record: UConn 0-0, Cincinnati 0-0. Conference Record: UConn 2-3, Cincinnati 3-2. Series Record: Cincinnati leads, 5-2.

GAME NOTES: The final week of the 2011 regular season is upon us, and there is still plenty to play for as the UConn Huskies and the Cincinnati Bearcats clash on Saturday afternoon.

UConn needs a victory in this contest to earn bowl eligibility under first- year head coach Paul Pasqualoni. The Huskies have managed to win two of their last three outings, including last weekend's impressive 40-22 romp over Rutgers in front of the home crown. UConn is just 1-3 on the road this season, so there is plenty to prove this weekend.

As for the Bearcats, they can clinch a share of the Big East Conference title with a victory in this weekend's affair and could possibly represent the league in a BCS bowl if tie-breakers prove favorable. Cincinnati was alone atop the conference standings a few weeks ago, but back-to-back losses to West Virginia and Rutgers hurt the squad. Still, Butch Jones has his Bearcats at 8-3 and they will certainly earn a bowl bid regardless of this weekend's outcome.

Cincinnati owns a 5-2 series lead over UConn, but the Huskies won last season's meeting by a 38-17 final.

The Huskies are generating 24.0 ppg and 317.1 total ypg this season, but the club has struggled to run the ball, surprising considering the recent track record of tremendous success on the ground. UConn is managing a mere 127.6 ypg at a clip of just 3.2 yards per carry, but it is important to note that the 35 sacks that the club has surrendered have resulted in 212 lost rushing yards, a total that has clearly affected the average. Lyle McCombs has run for 1,109 yards and seven touchdowns, proving to be a workhorse by carrying the ball 254 times. As for the passing attack, Johnny McEntee paces the Huskies with 1,858 yards and 10 TDs against seven INTs, though his 51.5 percent completion rating won't scare anyone. Keep an eye on Kashif Moore at receiver, as he has five TDs and plenty of big-play ability.

Opponents are scoring 23.4 ppg against UConn, which has struggled at times against the pass, permitting 286.8 ypg through the air with 19 TDs permitted. Fortunately, the Huskies have been stellar against the run, yielding a lowly 84.2 ypg at a clip of 2.7 yards per attempt. They have 33 sacks to their credit and have notched 28 takeaways, so the defense is certainly capable of making multiple big plays in this weekend's affair. A player to watch is Trevardo Williams, as he has posted 12.5 sacks this season. Also worthy of mention is that six Huskies have at least two INTs to their credit.

The most impressive thing about UConn's 40-point explosion against Rutgers last week was that all of the points came in the first three quarters. It is certainly surprising that the Huskies finished with four offensive touchdowns despite the fact that they were only able to muster 290 total yards. McCombs ran for 95 yards and two scores, while UConn came up with six takeaways, including three interceptions.

Switching focus to Cincinnati, it bounced back strong from two straight losses with a 30-13 romp over Syracuse last week. In that game, the Bearcats posted 368 total yards, five fewer than the Orange, but Jones' team didn't commit a single turnover and didn't allow a single sack either. Munchie Legaux threw for 169 yards and pair of touchdowns in the victory, while Isaiah Pead showed off his versatility by scoring as both a runner and a receiver. Pead finished with 80 rushing yards and 112 receiving yards on nine catches.

Overall this season, Cincinnati is scoring 33.4 ppg while generating 400.0 total ypg. Pead brings a ton of experience and ability to the field, as he has rushed for 1,042 yards and 11 TDs this season to go along with 305 receiving yards and three more TDs. The team undoubtedly missed Zach Collaros, who was injured in the season's ninth game and lost for the remainder of the campaign. Legaux has completed just 49.4 percent of his passes, so the offense is obviously far less potent with him under center.

Opponents are scoring a modest 19.4 ppg against Cincinnati, which continues to play tremendous defense. The Bearcats are only allowing 369.8 total ypg, including 99.5 rushing yards per contest at a clip of 2.8 yards per attempt. A high total of 38 sacks have been mustered by the Bearcats, who have also come up with 27 takeaways. JK Schaffer paces Cincinnati with 94 total tackles, including 11 TFL and 3.5 sacks.

Given the fact that they are playing this weekend's game at home, give a narrow edge to the Bearcats. They figure to jump on top early and hold off the pesky Huskies in the fourth quarter.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cincinnati 27, Connecticut 20