The Big East Thermometer is a weekly postgame feature that attempts to analyze the "hotness" or "notness" of a team's performance. It is based on a points system that contains no substantive guidance and is sure to be rife with errors, omissions, and inconsistencies.How does Brian Kelly announce his presence in the Big East? How about dropping a 59-point missile on Southeast Missouri State. Kelly, a disciple of the "score until they tell us to go home" mentality, opened up his offense to the tune of 615 yards, the third-most prodigious offensive showing in the school's history.
Program Support: -22
Disappointment often comes in the form of fan frustration. Whether derived from a lack of wins or questionable institutional philosophy, supporters of a program are often the vehicles for the expression of disappointment.
At Cincinnati, however, the state of mind is switched, with the fans providing the impetus for such frustration. Against Southeast Missouri State, only 20,223 partisans showed up to voice their affection for the home team. The turnout was actually below Cincinnati's attendance last year (20,373), a figure that was good for 90th in the country. To provide context to that number, Montana, an FCS member, actually averaged 22,600 attendees last year.
Granted, Southeast Missouri State is not a particularly sexy opponent. Long an average to below-average member of the FCS, the Redhawks do not exactly serve as a sexy home opponent. However, given the fact that the game was played on a Thursday evening preceding a holiday weekend, there is no excuse to not show up and support Kelly's charges. It's not like the Reds are any good and the Bengals were still a week away from suiting up down by the river. Honestly, there cannot be that many more interesting things to do in the Queen CIty.
Ben Mauk: +8
Ben Mauk may turn out to be the most underrated passers in the Big East. Against Southeast Missouri State, Mauk -- a transfer from 2006 college football darling Wake Forest -- put up exceptional numbers: 18-27, 244 yards, and two touchdowns. The lone blemish -- an interception -- merely modified his status from "outstanding" to "terrific."
The most important aspect of Mauk's performance, however, were the circumstances preceding his performance. Last season against Syracuse, Mauk dislocated his right shoulder and broke his right arm while attempting to recover a fumble. Mauk went through extensive off-season rehabilitation and appears to have rejuvenated his career (and throwing arm) in Kelly's wide open spread attack. His deft touch in four and five wide receiver sets showed an acumen that many signal callers fail to grasp in their first season in such an offense.
Mike Mickens: +8
It's not easy to garner Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors, but Mickens did so by not attaining the minimum expectations, but rather by making an emphatic statement.
Against Southeast Missouri State, Mickens was all over the field. On the night, the native Ohioan picked off two passes (the first denying a Redhawks touchdown; the second Mickens returned for a 45-yard touchdown), recorded six tackles, and generally was a menace to any and all Southeast Missouri State receivers. As a defensive back, Mickens changed the pace of the game, which is a difficult task considering the role and character of most secondary players.
Brian Kelly: +8
It's difficult to carve out a place in the Big East's offensive juggernauts. West Virginia, with its modified spread option attack, has confounded opponents with its rushing philosophy for years. Louisville, conversely, has redefined the aerial attack, pressing opponents downfield with complex receiver routes and spot-on quarterback play. Kelly seems to have found a medium between the two, featuring wide-open offensive sets and a rushing attack that emphasizes the draw, read, and shovel pass. It's multidimensional approach will undoubtedly confound even the best defensive teams Cincinnati will face this year.
The fact that Cincinnati rolled up 615 yards against the Redhawks is not the touchstone indicating that Kelly's offense is a beast. It is the attack's balance (the Bearcats maintained approximately a 50-50 ratio as to the run and pass), the philosophy's efficiency (Cincinnati had only two giveaways), and the approach's dexterity (14 players recorded an offensive statistic). Kelly manufactured so much productivity from its offense that it should translate well against the league's better opponents.
TOTAL POINTS: +2
SEASON TOTAL: +2
