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Illinois-Cincinnati Preview

Nov 24, 2009 - 2:22 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Illinois (3-7) at No. 5 Cincinnati (10-0), 12:00 p.m. EDT

Cincinnati's perfect record has survived weeks of uncertainty about the team's quarterback, but starter Tony Pike is finally ready to return for the fifth-ranked Bearcats' final push.

The senior will make his first start since Oct. 15 on Friday as Cincinnati takes on struggling Illinois in a non-conference matchup that should serve as a tuneup for the Bearcats before next week's showdown for the Big East title.

With Pike recovering for several weeks after reinjuring his previously broken non-throwing forearm in last month's win over South Florida, backup Zach Collaros helped Cincinnati (10-0) continue the best start in school history.

Collaros threw for 1,233 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception in his four starts, also rushing for 193 yards and prompting Bearcats coach Brian Kelly to waffle at times about whether he'd taken over the starting job.

But Kelly announced Monday that the strong-armed Pike will start on Senior Day, barring a setback.

"It's going to be Tony Pike, unless something happens during practice unexpected," Kelly said. "The six weeks since the injury has allowed the bone to heal properly to the point that we've minimized the risk of putting him out there. He's excited by the chance to play on Friday."

While Collaros started on Nov. 13 against West Virginia, before Cincinnati's bye week, Pike took several snaps and attempted four passes, completing two - both for touchdowns in the Bearcats' 24-21 victory.

Pike was a Heisman Trophy candidate before the injury, throwing for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions in six games, although it remains to be seen how comfortable Pike will be after a dislodged plate in his arm was replaced.

"Obviously he understands the game's not played in a vacuum," Kelly said. "It's not flag football. He's going to get hit.

"I'm sure he's going to have some moments on Friday where he goes, 'Oh, OK, here it comes,' and he's got to take care of himself."

Both quarterbacks have looked comfortable at the helm of Cincinnati's spread, no-huddle offense, which ranks sixth nationally with 38.4 points per game.

The Bearcats are also among the top 10 in passing offense, but they showed a new dimension against West Virginia, with sophomore running back Isaiah Pead piling up a career-high 175 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

"I haven't seen 18 carries since my last game in high school," Pead said. "I never thought with Collaros and Pike that I'd get the ball that many times."

That could make preparations even tougher for the Fighting Illini, whose defense has struggled in both areas.

"Teams are overplaying the pass, doubling up the receivers, so you have to be able to run the football," said Kelly, who has been rumored to be a top candidate to take over at Notre Dame if Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis is fired.

Friday's game won't affect Cincinnati in the Big East race, which will be decided Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh whether or not the eighth-ranked Panthers win at West Virginia on Friday.

But the Bearcats must win if they want to retain any lingering hopes of reaching the BCS title game. They'll likely need help to achieve that goal, with four other unbeaten teams ahead of them in the BCS rankings.

They'll be heavy favorites against an Illinois team bound for its second straight losing season. The Illini (3-7) had improved on a woeful start with back-to-back victories over Michigan and Minnesota, but they went into their bye week after a 21-16 home loss to Northwestern on Nov. 14.

Senior quarterback Juice Williams is expected to start for Illinois after sitting out the Northwestern game with an ankle injury.

Williams, who threw for 3,173 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2008, has struggled this season, totaling just 1,139 passing yards and six scores, but Illini coach Ron Zook said he'll be under center to finish his college career against Cincinnati and in the team's season finale Dec. 5 against Fresno State.

"I think we owe it to these seniors to do everything we need to do to win these next two games. Obviously we're going to play the guys that we feel give us the best opportunity to win," Zook said. "If Juice can go, Juice is going to go."

The coach's bigger concern could be with a defense that ranks 89th nationally, allowing 400.3 total yards per game.

While Illinois is in the rare situation of finishing the season with two non-conference games and with no chance of reaching a bowl, Zook said the chance to deal the Bearcats their first loss in the first-ever meeting between the schools should give his players plenty of motivation.

"They have the opportunity to play a football team and once again, still make a name for themselves," Zook said. "See if we can be what we thought we could be."