MORGANTOWN — Cincinnati has had two weeks to think about what happened in Arizona. Now it's time to find out whether the Bearcats have done something about it.

Cincinnati (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) returns to action Saturday at noon against West Virginia (3-3, 0-3) after a 34-7 loss that exposed serious problems on both sides of the football.

The Bearcats managed just 227 yards of offense, including 74 rushing yards, while allowing three sacks. It was a far cry from the team that opened the season with four consecutive victories.

West Virginia has problems of its own. The Mountaineers have lost three straight, allowing at least 40 points in each defeat. Their offense, however, is among the nation's best on the ground, averaging 295.5 rushing yards per game.

Saturday gives Cincinnati an opportunity to get its offense back on track, but the Bearcats will need a much better performance in the trenches to take advantage.

Players to Watch

• JC French IV — French made it clear during the bye week that Cincinnati needs to open up the passing game when opponents load the box to stop the run. Arizona showed what happens when the Bearcats can't make defenses pay for that approach. West Virginia allows 297 passing yards per game, giving French an opportunity to open up the offense and force the Mountaineers to respect Cincinnati's passing attack. He called for more production through the air, and Saturday he may get his wish.

• Cincinnati Offensive Line — The offensive line was one of Cincinnati's biggest strengths before Arizona, but the Wildcats controlled the line of scrimmage and made life miserable for the Bearcats. The unit has had two weeks to correct those mistakes, and Saturday provides an opportunity for redemption. West Virginia is allowing 163.8 rushing yards per game, but Cincinnati must create running lanes for Gi'Bran Payne and Cole Tabb while giving French time to throw. If the Bearcats control the trenches in both phases, they'll have an excellent chance to win.

• Jonathan Thompson — West Virginia ranks fourth nationally in rushing offense, led by Cam Cook's 793 yards and seven touchdowns and quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.'s 12 rushing touchdowns. Thompson leads Cincinnati with 5.5 tackles for loss and will be instrumental in keeping both runners contained. The Mountaineers operate at a fast tempo, making defensive discipline and proper gap assignments essential. Thompson and the rest of Cincinnati's linebackers cannot allow missed assignments to become explosive plays.

Game Information

Notes

• Cincinnati is coming off its bye week after losing 34-7 at Arizona on October 3.

• West Virginia has lost three straight Big 12 games, allowing 41, 45, and 52 points.

• The Mountaineers rank fourth nationally in rushing offense at 295.5 yards per game.

• French has not thrown an interception through Cincinnati's first five games.

• Saturday is West Virginia's Homecoming game.

Prediction

I expect a very different Cincinnati team than the one that showed up in Tucson two weeks ago.

The offensive line was embarrassed against Arizona, but this is an experienced group that has had two weeks to correct its mistakes. I believe they're going to respond with their best performance of the season.

That should open running lanes for Payne and Tabb while giving French the protection he needs to put the ball in the air more. Against a West Virginia defense that has struggled throughout conference play, Cincinnati should have plenty of opportunities to move the football.

Stopping Cook and Hawkins won't be easy, and the Mountaineers will get their yards. But I expect Cincinnati to make the necessary adjustments, limit the explosive plays, and prevent West Virginia from controlling the game on the ground.

The Bearcats have had two weeks to prepare, and I don't believe they're going to allow what happened in Arizona to happen again in Morgantown.

Cincinnati 31, West Virginia 17