No. 1

How will Cincinnati's offense function with its third new starting quarterback?

Injuries to two quarterbacks, leaves UC head coach Brian Kelly opting between redshirt freshmen Zach Collaros and Chazz Anderson, who have combined for one career completion.

Each earned Ohio Player of the Year honors in their respective high school divisions in 2006. Collaros owns a slight athletic edge, but each obviously is a question mark.

"We've got two freshmen quarterbacks and we've got to be able to put together a package for them that will allow them to run our offense," Kelly said. "Both of them are quite different in their styles."

No. 2

Can Marshall rebound from last week's lackluster lack of performance at West Virginia?

For the first time in 2008, a Thundering Herd team loaded with redshirt freshmen and sophomores looked the part of a team loaded with redshirt freshmen and sophomores. The result -- disappointment for Thundering Herd fans anticipating much more in Morgantown.

Marshall head coach Mark Snyder immediately flipped the page, watching Cincinnati film on Saturday night's bus ride to Huntington. Rather than reflect, Snyder maintained focused on the Bearcats throughout a short week.

"It happens," Snyder said. "That's part of football. Each and every week, you sit there and go, 'Wow, how did that happen?' So, no, I can't put my finger on it. I just hope we got it out of our system."

No. 3

Thundering Herd and Bearcats fans, kick back and enjoy the kickoff return show.

Marshall's Darius Marshall ranks third in the nation, averaging 35.4 yards per runback. He ripped off returns of 75 and 64 yards last week against West Virginia. Cincinnati's difference-maker, Mardy Gilyard, leads NCAA football with a 36.3-yard average, including a 97-yard touchdown.

Marshall coach Mark Snyder spoke with passion when asked to detail ingredients required of a special kickoff returner.

"Speed and vision," Snyder said. "Believing in a little crease. The creases aren't but about this big (brings palms together) and they close like that. The guy who believes in the crease and hits it before it closes is. ... it's like when you have a nightmare at night and the wall is coming down and you try to get under it and get out, you know, before the thing comes down.

"It's the same thing with kickoff return. That thing, it's open and it's going to close. You have to hit it while it's open. Darius has a feel for that. They have a knack for it."

No. 4

Speaking of the game's third phase, which punter will dictate field position?

Kase Whitehead consistently has exceeded expectations, drilling long punts when needed and angling kicks in corners when in the midfield's vicinity. Marshall's true freshman is averaging 39.5 yards a punt with a long of 52 and has placed 13 of 26 kicks inside the 20.

Cincinnati leads the nation in net punting with a 43.7 average, but punter Kevin Huber (46.5-yard average) doesn't qualify for individual national rankings, because he's attempted just 13 kicks. Part of Huber's part-time duty is Kelly's aggressive approach; in just four games UC has converted seven of 11 fourth down opportunities.

No. 5

Which team will thrive, rather than overreact, to tonight's ESPN-charged, 'White Out' atmosphere?

Good or otherwise, a crowd at least approaching 30,000 will factor into this showcase matchup. Marshall fans are encouraged to wear white, and 7,500 white T-shirts are being distributed, along with 1,000 white towels.

A victory would further Marshall's drive toward a postseason return, while Cincinnati seeks to flex Big East muscles at energized Edwards Stadium.

"We're excited," UC defensive end Connor Barwin said. "We know it's on ESPN and it's our first national game of the year.

"We know it's a Friday night game and every college football team will be sitting in their hotel watching us. We're ready to show the country how we play football and that we were not just a one-year wonder (UC finished 2007 at 10-3 with a Papajohns.com Bowl victory over Southern Miss).

"And we've heard about the great atmosphere in Huntington, so we're excited about it."

-- Anthony Hanshew

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