Jacob Ramsey News

Despite Friday morning temperatures in the 30s, snow flurries and brisk winds, the tailgate lots along Corry Boulevard adjacent to Nippert Stadium were packed with revelers nearly three hours prior to the University of Cincinnati's final football home game against Illinois.

Mardy Gilyard is hoping to avoid tears when he steps out onto the Nippert Stadium turf for his last game.

Big East leaders Cincinnati , Pittsburgh and West Virginia are off this weekend.

All week, college football followers wondered how Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly would manage his unique quarterback derby.

We don't need a computer to determine Cincinnati's chances of making the Rose Bowl, so we likely won't get to see the Bearcats and Ohio State Buckeyes square off this season.

Instant analysis from No. 5 Cincinnati's 24-21 win over No. 25 West Virginia : How the game was won: West Virginia had a good game plan: Run the ball between the tackles, move the chains and keep Cincinnati's offense off the field.

Isaiah Pead rushed for a career-best 175 yards and a touchdown to help Cincinnati to a 24-21 victory over West Virginia.

For more college football predictions and analysis go to WhatIfSports.com The three-team race in the Big East will finally begin to thin out as West Virginia and Cincinnati meet in a primetime showcase of ranked teams.

It was another down-to-the wire finish, and for the second year in a row, it was a Cincinnati Bearcat victory over West Virginia.

A win today against UConn would make UC 9-0 for the first time since 1951 and only the second time in the program's history.

NOVEMBER 07: Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs for a touchdown against the Connecticut Huskies during the Big East Conference game at Nippert Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

What a night for Big East football! With the ABC cameras rolling and former Buckeye quarterback Kirk Herbstreit singing praises for Cincinnati, the Bearcats and UConn put on an unbelievable offensive display for the nation to enjoy.

The Huskies sure know how to keep things interesting. Trailing by 20 points in the third quarter and allowing Cincinnati to move up and down the field with ease, UConn showed tremendous heart and grit and almost upset the No.

Will he be too hard or too soft... Let's see.. Offense: 462 yards on a team that gives up, no turnovers and 35-second half points.

Zach Collaros threw for 480 yards and a score and ran for two more touchdowns, as fourth-ranked Cincinnati held on for a 47-45 win over Connecticut to stay undefeated.

John Goebel was Cincinnati's leading rusher with 67 yards on 10 carries and the Bearcats first touchdown.

Tale of Tape Quarterbacks Last week quelled Cincinnati's fears. Without Heisman Trophy-worthy Tony Pike under center, the Bearcats were just fine.

Zach Collaros greeted the man who recruited him Thursday. Joe Tresey , the assistant who helped convince Collaros to play at Cincinnati, smiled and said hello.

A capsule look at this week's Big East games : THURSDAY No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 21 South Florida , 7:30 p.m. Line: Cincinnati by 2. Series record: Cincinnati 4-2. Last meeting: 2008, Cincinnati, 24-10. What's at Stake Cincinnati is off to a 5-0 start for the second time in three years.

Heisman Trophy candidate Tony Pike was forced from the game after one series in the second half, but that didn't stop the University of Cincinnati Bearcats from continuing their recent mastery of South Florida on Thursday night.