BIG EAST 16th-ranked WVU hopes to avoid another fade

The 7-1 Mountaineers travel to Cincinnati tonight.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- West Virginia wants to avoid another fade.
At this point last season, the Mountaineers were in control of the Big East, needing only one more victory to win the title. Instead, they lost two games, then dropped their Gator Bowl appearance against Florida State.
A year later, No. 16 West Virginia (7-1, 4-0) has another chance to get it right. A victory tonight over Cincinnati (4-4, 2-2) would leave the Mountaineers in position for a much better ending.
Different attitude
Experience has taught them not to count on anything.
"Maybe people might have relaxed a little bit, thinking that we just had to win one of these two games to get into the BCS bowl, and we ended up losing the last two and then the bowl game," defensive back Mike Lorello said.
"It might happen a little bit, but I think this team is a lot different."
A victory tonight would leave only South Florida (4-3, 2-1,) with a chance to catch the Mountaineers. The teams finish the regular season Dec. 3 in Florida, a game rescheduled because of Hurricane Wilma.
Bearcats improving
The Mountaineers can remain the team to beat by beating a young team that has grown up fast and developed bowl aspirations of its own. The Bearcats have won two of their last three games, and can become eligible for a bowl appearance by winning two of the next three.
"The fact that we're 4-4 and this is a televised game and more importantly a game that could put us in a next tier in terms of bowl pictures, that's what makes it exciting for us," Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio said. "I think our attitude will be good again."
It should be better than the last time they played on a Wednesday night. The Bearcats seemed star-struck during a 44-16 loss at Miami (Ohio) Sept. 28, when their lack of experience showed.
"Obviously it didn't work out the way we wanted it to," junior linebacker Kevin McCullough said. "So we get another chance to prove to everyone that was watching that game -- we get a chance to prove them wrong about who they thought we were."
Not the same team
They're not the same team. Redshirt freshman quarterback Dustin Grutza has become more consistent, and a defense that starts five first-year freshmen has figured things out.
"We were a young defense," McCullough said. "I don't think we're a young defense anymore. The first few games, people were nervous out there and thinking too much. Now people are just playing. They know what to do and they're able to play fast and get the job done."
They have no fear of West Virginia. Two years ago, the Bearcats went to Morgantown and pulled off a 15-13 upset for their first victory in 13 games against the Mountaineers, a moment they haven't forgotten.
"That was probably one of the best moments of my career here," senior offensive lineman Ryan Brown said. "That's a great place to play, a great atmosphere, and their fans were great. They were all loud and when we left there, you could hear a pin drop. So it was pretty fun."
Freshman to start
West Virginia plans to start redshirt freshman Pat White at quarterback for the second consecutive game, filling in for Adam Bednarik. White was 7-of-16 in a victory over Connecticut and ran for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
Bednarik has recovered from a variety of injuries and is available to play in coach Rich Rodriguez's two-quarterback system.
"If you are going to run that guy a good bit, which we like doing, you'd better have another guy ready," Rodriguez said.