Can Cincinnati contain Utah on the ground? That's the biggest question heading into this weekend's Big 12 matchup.
Devon Dampier has been excellent. He came into the season on the fringe of the Heisman Trophy conversation, but the dual-threat passer is elite this year. Cincinnati's focus first and foremost in this game needs to be on slowing down the dominant Utah rushing attack. That's easier said than done.
By the numbers, the Utes' ground game averages 6.1 yards per carry, which is ninth in college football. It doesn't stop there. The unit is averaging 4.2 yards after contact per carry, fourth-best in the country. Obviously, Wayshawn Parker, who's been one of the best running backs in college football, is a major force behind those totals. His 39 broken tackles is seventh-most in the country right now. Not to mention, Parker had 507 yards after contact, which is tenth overall.
Cincinnati will have to decide how to effectively cover all of Utah's offensive weapons. Dampier has also been a threat on the ground right now. He's currently tenth in rushing yards among Power Four quarterbacks with 388 yards. When it's not Parker or Dampier, opposing defenses have to account for another...