Cincinnati (0-5) at No.24 Syracuse (2-2)             5:30 pm EDT

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SYRACUSE, New York (Ticker) -- With its national title hopes
gone, the goal for 24th-ranked Syracuse is a second straight Big
East Conference title.  But that must wait as the Orangemen
welcome six-touchdown underdog Cincinnati, by far the worst
defensive team in the nation. 

Despite a season-opening one-point loss to Tennessee, the
Orangemen (2-2) appeared capable of reaching the Fiesta Bowl on
January 4th.  But those hopes died with a 38-17 loss to North
Carolina State on October 1st. 

Syracuse played in the Fiesta Bowl last season after its
first-ever outright league title, and could reach the Orange
Bowl by repeating the feat.  A loss to Cincinnati would be
almost unthinkable, but the Orangemen have suffered those type
of defeats before. 

In fact, the Bearcats (0-5) almost handed Syracuse that kind of
loss here in 1993.  The Orangemen trailed 21-6 in the fourth
quarter but rallied for a wild 24-21 victory.  The only other
meeting between the teams was in Cincinnati the following
season, and Syracuse came away with a 34-19 win. 

Cincinnati was bombed for 62 points last weekend by Louisville,
a bad sign as it prepares for Syracuse.  The Orangemen have
averaged 42.5 points in their last eight home games and are
well-equipped to take advantage of the fast Carrier Dome
surface. 

Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb and explosive wideouts
Quinton Spotwood and Kevin Johnson will test Cincinnati senior
cornerbacks Shawn Ferguson and Don McKnight.  They should get
some help from outstanding safety Tinker Keck. 

Despite his and the team's struggles last week against the
Wolfpack, McNabb is the leader of the offense.  He ranks 11th
nationally in passing efficiency and 28th in total offense.
Syracuse ranks ninth in the nation in scoring and 23rd in total
offense. 

The Syracuse defense will be weakened due to the suspension of
starting cornerback Ian McIntosh.  Coach Paul Pasqualoni
suspended the junior indefinitely for violating team rules. 

Cincinnati ranks last in the nation against the run, last
against the pass, and consequently ... last in total defense. 

The Bearcats will be looking to end a season-opening five-game
losing streak, their longest skid since dropping five straight
as part of a 0-7-1 start in 1995, Frank Minter's first season as
head coach.