Cincinnati QB, Tony Pike, will be starting for Cincinnati’s game against Illinois this weekend, allowing Bearcat fans around the country (Cincinnati) to stop holding their breath.

Pike’s return will be the most intriguing element of an out-of-conference game for teams at the opposite ends of their leagues. The Bearcats had one of the nation’s top offenses when Pike got hurt at South Florida on Oct. 15. A helmet hit damaged a protective plate in his non-passing forearm, which had been broken last year. Pike had to have the plate replaced.

Granted Illinois boasts a sad 3-7 record, but this is the time when upsets happen. Cincinnati is on the verge of doing something quite special, which is big for a school in Ohio that isn’t Ohio State. Not only is it big for Cincy to final crawl out from under the shadow of Ohio State, but as always, it’s big for the lesser known conferences everywhere. Yeah, they’re not in the MAC or something, but the Big East isn’t the SEC.

Look for Pike to help the Bearcats finish off their perfect season. Then they’ll be sitting in front of the TV, yelling like the rest of us for an upset that could land them in the title game.

[SportsIllustrated]