Cincinnati @ Brigham Young preview

BYU attempts to defeat an American Athletic Conference team for the third consecutive week when it hosts offensively-gifted Cincinnati on Friday night. The Cougars recorded at least 500 yards in victories over Connecticut and East Carolina the last two games and needs a similar performance against the Bearcats, who stand fifth in the nation in total offense.

Tanner Mangum threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns last week in the 45-38 win over East Carolina, but his status for BYU’s first meeting with the Bearcats is uncertain due to a hamstring injury. Cincinnati’s starting quarterback is likely a game-time decision as well with Gunner Kiel cleared for contact this week and joining Hayden Moore in an open competition for the spot. “It’s good to know we have two quarterbacks that we feel good about,” Bearcats coach Tommy Tuberville told reporters of his signal callers, who have 12 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. Cincinnati comes in off a bye week after defeating Miami (Fla.) 34-23 at home on Oct. 1.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Off

ABOUT CINCINNATI (3-2): Kiel missed the Miami game after suffering a neck injury early in the previous contest against Memphis, and Moore has thrown for 836 and six scores in his absence. Whoever gets the nod has six different players with at least 192 yards receiving to look for, led by Shaq Washington’s 392 on 34 catches. The Bearcats are averaging 587.2 yards overall while recording 11 touchdowns on the ground, and that attack should be bolstered by the return of tailback Mike Boone (ankle), who has missed the last two games.

ABOUT BYU (4-2): Mangum has completed 62.5 percent of his passes – 24-for-33 last week -- since replacing injured Taysom Hill in the opener, and fellow freshman Beau Hoge is preparing as his backup. Leading rusher Adam Hine (ankle) has missed the last two weeks, but Algernon Brown has totaled 229 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to go along with a TD reception in his place. Mitch Mathews (team-high 30 receptions) is one of three players with at least 339 yards receiving and leads the team with six touchdown catches.

EXTRA POINTS

1. BYU WR Devon Blackmon (27 catches, 342 yards) and WR Mitchell Juergens (26, 341) join Mathews in the top 90 in the nation in receiving yards.

2. Washington has registered at least one reception in 31 straight games for the Bearcats and has had three or more in the last 19.

3. The Cougars are 21-5 all time against teams currently in the AAC.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 38, BYU 28