College Football’s New Year’s 6 Watch, Week 12: Cincinnati a lock?

No. 7 Cincinnati at UCF

This game is strength on strength. The Knights have one of the most prolific passing attacks in all of college football and Cincinnati could boast the same thing about its secondary. UCF boasts a prolific running game as well; Cincy counters with one of the stingiest run defenses in the country. The key for the Bearcats is their ability to pressure Knights’ quarterback Dylan Gabriel without blitzing.

For the Bearcats offense, run Desmond Ridder at least ten times. This forces the Knights defense, which is a bit soft against the run, to respect the keep on the zone read. Forcing the defensive end to commit early opens things for both Gerrid Doaks and Jerome Ford in the running game.

Appalachian State at No. 15 Coastal Carolina

This was supposed to be the year everything crumbled for the Mountaineers. No program could endure three coaches in three years including some coordinator attrition, right? Well, this is App State’s third coach in three years. They aren’t ranked and the Chanticleers are getting all of the headlines in the Sun Belt, but the Mountaineers are undefeated in the Sun Belt and could make the title game with a win this weekend.

How will Coastal respond to being the alpha in this game? That’s the question the Chants have to answer. This is no Cinderella story, Coastal Carolina is the real deal; the Mountaineers are going to play like they are.

No. 21 Liberty at NC State

Maybe a win against the Wolfpack will have someone putting some respect on Liberty’s name. The undefeated Flames look to go three for three against the ACC this season. The Wolfpack have played well with Bailey Hockman at quarterback. The  ‘Pack have to figure out how to stop dual-threat dynamo, Auburn transfer Malik Willis. The Wolfpack have not been stellar defensively this season. The Flames have done one thing well; they will hang around until the end of a game and give themselves a chance to win.