Editor's note: Christian Alexander is on fire in college football, spanking the books at 70 percent clip on Thursdays, in addition to a 9-3 record (75%, +570) in Week 9! Click to win now with Christian's guaranteed UFS-Cincy selection!

#24 South Florida (6-2, 1-2 Big East) at Cincinnati (5-2, 1-1 Big East)
Thursday, October 30
7:30 PM ESPN
Nippert Stadium (FieldTurf)
Sports.com Line: South Florida -2.5, O/U 51

I have to admit, when Auburn went up 17-3 in the second quarter last Thursday night, I was more than a little worried that my West Virginia (-2.5) play was in jeopardy of being a loser. However, the Mountaineers got things on track offensively in the second half and scored 31 unanswered points to coast to a 34-17 win.

That ‘W’ brings my Thursday night to 7-3 on the year, a very tidy 70% winning clip.

Of course, you never want to look at your stats too long when you’re on a winning streak so let’s just move on and discuss the game this Thursday night.

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I’m entering this week with a little payback on my mind. That’s because South Florida is responsible for one of my three Thursday night losses this season when they laid an egg at home against Pittsburgh on October 2nd, losing outright as almost two touchdown favorites.

I backed the South Florida that night so I figure coach Jim Leavitt and the Bulls owe me. And I’ll be happy to collect this Thursday night when South Florida hits the road and visits Cincinnati.

But that of course raises the obvious question. Which side to take?

Well, if you believe that history repeats itself, you certainly might take a long look at fading South Florida the rest of the season. Why? Just look at 2007.

The Bulls were one of the media darlings of college football at the beginning of the 2007 season, making it into the top 10 of the AP poll for three weeks and rising as high as #2.

However, ending the season with three straight losses and then a Sun Bowl appearance that resulted in a 35-point blowout to Oregon left the Bulls unranked to end the year.

Given that up and down 2007 season, the voters have been a little more skeptical of South Florida this year and given that its somewhat surprising to see them still ranked considering they have lost two of their last three and sit near the bottom of the Big East standings.

Then again, the talent is obviously still there and the conference stats still look pretty favorable for South Florida.

Behind the dynamic QB Matt Grothe, who leads the league in passing yardage, passing efficiency, total offense and passing touchdowns, South Florida boasts the number one offense in the Big East. The Bulls can burn teams in multiple ways, averaging 171 yards rushing per game with the mobile Grothe and RB Mike Ford (ankle) as well as 254 yards per game through the air with targets Taurus Johnson and Jessie Hester.

While he doesn’t get nearly the publicity that Grothe garners, the Bulls also have a very impressive team leader on the defensive side of the ball in All-American defense end George Selvie. Selvie, who was the 2007 Big East defensive player of the year, has missed a couple game this season due to an ankle injury but he is 100% now and is once again wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Behind Selvie and crew, South Florida has the number one ranked defense in the Big East.

It’s quite an offensive and defensive package but as I said, so far it hasn’t translated to much success in the Big East as South Florida sits at 1-2, just one spot above the winless Syracuse Orangemen in the cellar.

To get by the Bulls Thursday night, Bearcats coach Brian Kelly knows he must get consistent play from his quarterback position, something that didn’t happen last weekend in a 40-16 loss to Connecticut. Cincinnati had a four-game winning streak snapped against the Huskies and left the game with big questions around the QB position.

Tony Pike was able to make his first start last weekend since breaking his left (non-throwing) arm against Akron on Sept. 27. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, Pike was only able to play in the first half last week after he experienced numbness in his left hand and had trouble gripping the ball during halftime.

Kelly has said that Pike will be a gametime decision against South Florida and has prepared several options in case the junior signal caller can’t play. If Pike can’t go, redshirt freshman Chazz Anderson will likely get the nod although Zach Collaros and even Demetrius Jones got more reps in practice this week.

Whoever gets the call will have to end an ugly streak as the Cincinnati offense has 25 straight failed third-down conversions.

Cincinnati is 3-0 at home this season and has won three of five against the Bulls, including the last two and both meetings at Nippert Stadium.