Cincinnati Bearcats Links Jump Off | December 27th

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Liberty Bowl

Vanderbilt defense has to scramble to contain Cincy QBs // tennessean.com

Cincinnati’s Zach Collaros and Munchie Legaux are regarded as dual-threat quarterbacks who are often at their best outside the pocket when a play breaks down. And while a surgically repaired broken ankle figures to limit Collaros’ inclination to run, the Commodores would rather not offer him the option.

Without question the biggest question mark surrounding this game is the ankle os Zach Collaros. No one will know how it will affect his mobility and velocity until things go live.

Feisty James Franklin has right formula at Vanderbilt // The Commercial Appeal

He decided from Day 1 that he was going to ignore Vandy's underwhelming football past, and talk about "there's change-a-comin' " to anyone who would listen. "I found real quickly when I got here everybody wanted to tell me who and what we could be," Franklin said. "We took some criticism early on because I was going around selling our dream and our vision. I struggled early on how to get people excited and motivated about Vanderbilt football without setting up false expectations.

As a Cincinnati fan there is something eminently relatable about the Vanderbilt experience to me.

UC wary of Vanderbilt QB's bloodlines // cincinnati.com

Vanderbilt’s offense improved in the last six games of the season, when coach James Franklin switched quarterbacks to Rodgers. Rodgers averaged 258.9 yards total offense (210 passing, 48.9 rushing) in those six starts, accounting for eight passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns in that span.

Vandy went 3-3 in Rodgers 6 starts. There will be much more on this subject later today.

• Vandy WR hopes for chance to help out offense // tennessean.com
• 5 Keys for Cincinnati to Win the Special Teams Battle with Vanderbilt // Bearcats Nation

• Vanderbilt's Chris Marve will finish college career at home | The Tennessean // tennessean.com
  Chris Marve is one of the best Linebackers in the SEC and will be the man tasked with shutting down Isaiah Pead.

• Who has the most to prove in the bowls? // SEC Blog // ESPN
  The Bearcats are playing for a 10 win season. Vanderbilt is playing for their 2nd winning season in the last 29 years. These are life or death things, but they do matter.

• Bearcats Arrive In Memphis // gobearcats.com
• Staying home: Football and family create perfect storm // Paul Dehner

Basketball

Cincinnati 95 Chicago St 60 // Bearcats Blog
Scott King giving a ton of attention to the Bearcats last game. Attention that truthfully doesn't really need.

Other Bearcats News

Chisholm Leads UC To 70-54 Victory Against Longwood // gobearcats.com
The Women's Basketball team finally broke a five game losing streak. The Ladies head to Blacksburg this week to participate in the Hilton Garden Inn Hokie Classic. They will matchup with the hosts Wednesday at 7 PM

Welcome To The Big East: Houston

Cincinnati and Houston: It’s About Time They Starting Playing Each Other Again // Bercats Nation
The Bearcats and the Cougars actually have a pretty long history having hooked up 21 times on the girdiron, not so much in Basketball. In those games UC has won 8 to Houston's 13. The Bearcats have won 7 of the last 10 and dominated the match up when both were in Conference USA winning 5 of 7 games.