LOUISVILLE (3-3) AT NO. 15 CINCINNATI (6-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday 4 p.m.

* TV: ESPNU.

* Line: Cincinnati by 10 1/2.

* Louisville update: A season that began with national title talk has deteriorated to a struggle for any bowl berth thanks to a defense that’s giving up 30.7 points and 444.5 yards a game. Still, the Cardinals can make up for it with an offense led by quarterback Brian Brohm, who has 2,415 yards and 20 touchdowns passing. They are averaging 44 points and 578 yards a game. With only one conference loss, a Big East title and a BCS Bowl berth are still possible.

* Cincinnati update: One of the biggest surprises of the season, the Bearcats are using a no-huddle offense that’s averaging 43.3 points a game and is only 14 from matching its season point total from 2006. Cincinnati also has a solid defense that’s giving up only 12.7 points a game and leads the nation with 25 turnovers. However, it seems vulnerable to the pass, giving up 255.2 yards a game.

* Story line: Even after defeating Rutgers last week, Cincinnati must prove it deserves its lofty ranking. This game could finally give the Bearcats some credibility. Louisville can resurrect its season, but with West Virginia, South Florida and Rutgers still to come, a loss on Saturday would spell doom.

* The pick: Louisville. Cincinnati is no longer able to sneak up on anyone and that will make winning much tougher.

-- Peter Yoon