Bengals slide to 0-8

By Brian Betz

I used to be adamant that the greatest college football team ever wouldn't stand a chance against the NFL's biggest patsy. But after watching the 2001 Miami Hurricanes and surveying the 0-7 Cincinnati Bengals this season, I should expect to hear Lee Corso's patented "not so fast my friend."

I'm no Kirk Herbstreit, but figuring out where the '01 'Canes stack up with the proverbial butt of the AFC North seems easy. In the trenches, the Bengals have a heap of no-names on their O-Line. Willie Anderson can't block by himself, so expect Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams to pressure Cincy's passing game all day. Or, should I say, whichever QB draws the longest straw on this particular Sunday.

Offensively, you're looking at a Hurricane O-line led by Bryant "Mount" McKinnie who never allowed a sack in his college career. Add in the playmaking abilities of Andre Johnson and Jeremy Shockey, along with the prospect of Clinton Portis against an awful run defense.

Corey Dillon will assuredly create his own holes. But who will provide the handoffs? In a quarterback by committee move, Kitna, Frerotte and Akili Smith will throw for 42 yards and two picks apiece, thanks to the stellar play of Phillip Buchannon, Ed Reed and Mike Rumph. Frustration will force Dick LeBeau to go beyond his depth chart. Enter Ryan Leaf. Sure, he says he's hung 'em up for good, but I'm confident that Peter Warrick would be cordial enough to lend him a pair of "free" cleats.

Give Cincinnati home field advantage, although it really shouldn't matter because the 'Canes will spend most of the game wondering which team the fans are actually cursing. When it's all said and done, Leaf will lead his troops back from being down two touchdowns, bad wrist and all, only to see Neil Rackers shank a 28-yard chip shot to lose 27-24. Larry Coker stays unbeaten and McKinnie goes back to his 90-plus day holdout.