The highest ranked team I have yet to profile are the Cincinnati Bearcats. 

BCS Race:

Cincinnati is in the Big East and can earn a trip to the BCS with a win over Pittsburgh.  This would likely be enough to jump them over TCU for an opportunity at the NCG should Texas lose a game or one of the SEC teams should drop out and win the SEC Championship game.

The Big East has an automatic qualification but no bowl tie-in.  It is hard to say which bowl Cincinnati is headed for if they win out.  The Orange Bowl has some historical interest in the Big East and the Sugar Bowl would be one of the closer venues.  Big East teams have had difficulties traveling to the Fiesta Bowl in the past.

Cincinnati has been to a single BCS bowl, last year's 20-7 loss to Virginia Tech.  Cincinnati has a far better team this year and should be a strong contender in whichever bowl they are invited to.

A look at the Bearcats NCAA stats next...

Cincinnati is #3 in total offense at 478 yards per game.  In scoring they are #6 with 38.4 points per game.  They are tied at #17 in the Red Zone, scoring 89% of the time.

Cincinnati is #7 in passing with 314.30 yards per game and #46 in rushing with 163.70 yards per game. 

Marty Gilyard is #17 in catches per game with 6.8.  He is #14 in receiving yards per game with 98.  He is #6 in all purpose yards with 180.1 yards per game.

Armon Binns is #46 in receiving yards per game with 69.3. 

Defense:

Cincinnati is #34 in total defense, allowing 335.8 yards per game.  In scoring they improve to #16, allowing 16.9 points per game.  In the Red Zone they are #81 with opponents scoring 81% or the time.

Cincinnat is #49 in rushing defense, allowing 133 yards per game.  They are #41 against the pass allowing 202.8 yards per game.

Andre Revels is #46 in the nation in tackles with 8.8 per game.

Other:

Kicker Jacob Rogers is #31 with 8.2 points per game.

Cincinnati has a turnover margin of +1.1 per game, tying them for #5.  They are #117 in time of possession at 26:29 minutes per game. 

Prospectus:

Cincinnati has a tough fight ahead in Pittsburgh.  If they survive that round they should be looking at their second straight BCS appearance.

They could remain BCS eligible even if they lose that game but are not likely to be selected as an at-large.

It is all or nothing for Cincinnati when it comes to the BCS this year.