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Provo • Ask most Utahns what they know about Cincinnati, and they will bring up a popular television show from days gone by about a fictional radio station, or Major League Baseball's Big Red Machine in the 1970s, or an NFL team that has mostly underachieved in its 47 years of existence, or how residents of Ohio's so-called Queen City like putting chili on their spaghetti.
On the other hand, Cincinnati's college football team, which will meet BYU for the first time ever on Friday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium, is relatively unknown out West. In a rare visit to the Mountain Time Zone, the Bearcats (3-2) of the American Athletic Conference — the same league as recent BYU opponents Memphis, UConn and East Carolina — will test the Cougars (4-2) in a nationally televised (ESPN) showdown at 6 p.m.
Independent BYU will return the visit in November of 2016 at historic Nippert Stadium.
Mostly unknown to BYU fans? Yes. Incapable of knocking off the inconsistent Cougars? No.
Cincinnati is a team with one of the best offenses in the country, and will bring a couple of capable gunslingers to the expected shootout, opening-game starter Gunner Kiel and redshirt freshman Hayden Moore, who stepped in when Kiel suffered a neck injury against Memphis and threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-23 win over Miami two weeks ago.
Kiel was cleared to return last Sunday, but Cincinnati coach Tommy Tuberville has said he will not name a starter before the kickoff.
"I think they are similar enough and the offense similar enough where there won't be significant change [in preparation] on our part," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said Monday.
BYU's quarterback situation is unsettled as well, but for a different reason.
Freshman Tanner Mangum pulled a hamstring in Saturday's 45-38 win over East Carolina and missed four series while fellow freshman Beau Hoge — who grew up in Fort Thomas, Ky., about 10 miles outside Cincinnati — struggled to move the team.
Mangum returned and led the game-winning touchdown drive, and said Tuesday he is "good to go" against the well-rested Bearcats but could be a bit limited in his movements.
"We will have to plan on him probably being less mobile, and try to build a plan around that," Mendenhall said. "If he happens to be more than that, that is just a bonus. But I think it is better that we plan for him to be less mobile than more."
Whatever the case, the Cougars can't afford to bring a pea-shooter to the party, because Cincinnati is fifth in the country in total offense (587.2) and passing offense (385.8), and 16th in scoring (39.0 ppg.) and BYU's defense was riddled last week by ECU's less-explosive attack, giving up 513 yards.
Turnovers were the reason the Bearcats lost to Memphis and Temple, which are both undefeated; they rank 116th in turnovers lost and 127th in turnover margin.
"Oh man, statistically they are the best [offense BYU has faced]," Mendenhall said. "You are talking about [almost] 600 yards a game, and 39 points, and so yeah, they are good. I would say very similar to [ECU]. If possible, they can even run higher tempo than that, and probably are a little bit deeper at the skill positions."
Cincy's attack could be even more dangerous, because sophomore RB Mike Boone, who averages 9.6 yards per carry, is expected back from an ankle injury.
The Cougars' defense should be closer to full strength than it was against ECU, however, because middle linebacker Harvey Langi is expected back, nose tackle Travis Tuiloma will get more than 20 or so reps after being limited vs. the Pirates, and suspended defensive backs Jordan Preator and Michael Shelton will return.
Offensive lineman Ului Lapuaho is questionable with an ankle injury.
Mangum said he watched Cincinnati roll Miami two weeks ago and went away impressed with the Bearcats on both sides of the ball. He said he wouldn't be surprised to see the scoreboard get a workout.
"Whatever it takes to win," said Mangum. "That's what we do as an offense. We want to score every time we go on the field."
It might take just that on Friday night.
Twitter: @drewjay —
Cincinnati's offense
How the Bearcats fare in NCAA rankings:
Statistic Avg. Rank
Total Offense 587.2 5th
Pass Offense 385.8 5th
Rush Offense 201.4 32nd
Scoring Offense 39.0 6th —
Cincinnati at BYU
P At LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo
Kickoff • Friday, 6 p.m.
TV • ESPN
Radio • 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and Sirius XM 143
2015 records • BYU 4-2, Cincinnati 3-2
Series history • First meeting
About the Cougars • They are 11-4 in Friday night games under coach Bronco Mendenhall. … They are 21-5 against teams from the American Athletic Conference after last week's 45-38 win over East Carolina. … They are No. 63 in the country in total offense, averaging 406.2 yards per game.
About the Bearcats • They have not played since a 34-23 win over Miami on Oct. 1, a 15-day stretch. … They lead the AAC and are fifth in the nation in total offense, averaging 587.2 yards per game. … Coach Tommy Tuberville was an assistant coach on the top-ranked Miami team that lost 28-21 to BYU in 1990. He is 21-10 in his third season at Cincinnati.