This is it, the final game of the regular season. The River City Rivalry. It couldn’t be a more perfect situation. The winner of this game takes the Big East Championship. Technically, if Pitt wins Cincinnati will be co-champions, but Pitt will get the BCS bowl bid gauranteed to the Big East. We doubt anyone will celebrate a co-championship in Cincinnati.

The Bearcats are undefeated this season (11-0). Pitt is 9-2 (5-1) after last week’s loss to WVU. The Panthers look to get 10 regular season wins today, which would cap the best season under Dave Wannstedt.

Here are our predictions for the game:

Mike_B:

This is it, the biggest game of the year. The scheduling couldn’t have been more perfect. Pitt-Cincinnati for the Big East championship and the BCS bowl berth. Cincinnati has already clinched at least being co-champions and the question is how focused is Brian Kelly. He is the head of the Notre Dame rumors, and one has to wonder if it is affecting the players at all. Then there is Coach Wannstedt, always criticized for not winning the big game. Cincinnati and the Sun Bowl last year, West Virginia last week. The list goes on and on.

Pitt fans are disappointed in the start time of the game being at noon, and it not being a primetime game. But Pitt fans, don’t let the early start stop you from being loud. The Panthers need you more then ever. Notre Dame was a good start, but be louder and stay behind the team. They need you behind them after the loss last week. There will be at least 3000 Cincinnati fans there. Don’t let them be louder then you.

The big question mark in this game is the defenses. Pitt’s secondary vs Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard. Cincinnati’s run defense vs Dion Lewis. These will be the matchups to watch. Pike and Gilyard will be one of the top quarterbacks and wide receivers respectively that Pitt has played all year. Pitt needs to pressure Pike much like they pressured Jimmy Clausen to not allow him to beat the Pitt secondary deep. Cincinnati has been giving up plenty of yards on the ground as of late, and Pitt needs to expose this tomorrow to not only put up the points, but to eat up the clock as well.

What’s crazy to me is Pitt is giving 1.5 points to Cincinnati. Now I know the usual home line is 3 points, but for Pitt to be favored, this almost feels like a sucker bet to me. Something just doesn’t seem right, and the Vegas line makers usually know what they are talking about.

Prediction: 45-38 Pitt

Dan_P:

I’ll keep this short, as it’s last minute.

You all know what’s on the line in this game. The Panthers know what’s on the line. Cincinnati knows what’s on the line. This game is going to be intense. These are the two best Big East teams. I’m disappointed that it’s at noon, but it doesn’t matter. That changes nothing.

Pitt is coming into this game leading the River City Rivalry. That means nothing. All that matters is how they play today. The team knows this and will be focused on today’s game, not the past. That includes forgetting the loss at WVU.

Look for Pitt to be focused and intense. The crowd will be loud and plentiful. Pitt’s a favorite in this game, and I completely agree. Cincinnati’s defense is their weak point. Pitt’s offense is their strong point. Look for Pitt’s defense to play like last week’s game and provide the Bearcats with a good obstacle to overcome. It’ll be high-scoring, but Pitt will take it in the end.

Prediction: 41-35 Pitt