The 2-1 Cincinnati Bearcats will be on the road Thursday night taking on the Memphis Tigers in Tennessee. The Tigers are 3-0, coming off a 44-41 win over Bowling Green last week. As impressive as Memphis has looked, the Tigers might struggle to cover a double-digit spread against a team like Cincinnati.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous History - Memphis upset the Bearcats in Cincinnati by a score of 41-14 last year, but Cincinnati had covered the spread in six straight meetings prior to that, winning five of those game outright.

2. Memphis Defense - The Tigers allowed Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson to throw for 443 yards and four TDs last week. The previous Saturday the Jayhawks ran the ball for 194 yards and a pair of TDs. The Beacats should be able to find a way to penetrate this Memphis defense.

3. X-Factor - The Bearcats offense will get a boost from the return of WR Mekale McKay who missed last week's game due to injury. McKay has four catches for 133 yards and a TD in two games this season.

Selection: This is a play on the Cincinnati Bearcats (8*)