The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville senior quarterback Dave Ragone doesn't hesitate when asked whom he considers the Cardinals' most bitter rival in Conference USA.

It isn't TCU, the team that's routed the Cardinals twice in the past 11 months.

It isn't Southern Mississippi, the team that won three of the first four C-USA championships before Louisville seized control of the league in 2000.

In Ragone's mind, it's Cincinnati, even though the Bearcats have lost the last four games in the series.

"They're a team that really does not like us. They probably hate us as much as Southern Miss does," Ragone said.

The Cardinals (5-3, 3-1) will have plenty at stake when the teams meet again Thursday night. A loss would likely doom Louisville's bid to win a third straight league championship.

"We have a lot to play for now. We control our own destiny, and that's the way you want it. When we play Cincinnati, they're in our way," said Ragone, who leads the league in total offense and pass efficiency.

The Bearcats (3-5, 2-2) have little left to do but aim for bowl eligibility. But that's what scares Louisville coach John L. Smith, who's 4-0 against Cincinnati.

"Any time you're in a situation like they are, maybe not having the year you would've liked, this is big. It's like the Super Bowl for you," Smith said. "It gives you the opportunity to make not such a great year, a great year."

The game will match the league's two most productive quarterbacks. Cincinnati sophomore Gino Guidugli leads the league in passing yardage (271 per game), and Ragone is second (251 per game). Guidugli, the league's freshman of the year last season, is second to Ragone in total offense, averaging 269 yards per game.

The Bearcats lead the league in total offense (419 yards per game) and pass offense (278 yards per game).

"Gino's a year older, more comfortable," Smith said. "They throw it around, they go with the quick game, they're doing a good job with it."

Both teams had last week off following impressive wins. Cincinnati forced a season-high six turnovers in a 48-10 victory over Memphis. Louisville amassed 556 total yards in a 44-20 win over East Carolina.

Ragone had his best game of a difficult season against the Pirates, throwing for 352 yards and a career-best five touchdowns.

Opponents have preyed all season on Louisville's inexperienced offensive line, pressuring Ragone and shutting down the Cardinals' running game, which is averaging a league-worst 115 yards per game. Ragone has also struggled to find dependable targets outside of senior tight end Ronnie Ghent, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Memphis on Oct. 8.

Louisville went to its own quick-hitting, short-passing game against the Pirates and Ragone went 23-of-32, completing a school-record 18 straight passes in one stretch.

"They're hitting their stride right now, knowing what their personnel on offense are and what their strengths and liabilities are, and how to go to them," Cincinnati coach Rick Minter said.

If the quarterbacks cancel each other out, the Cardinals have an apparent edge on special teams.

Louisville leads the nation with seven blocked punts - four shy of the NCAA Division I-A record for a season - and rank 12th in the nation with 509 yards in punt returns. The Cardinals have scored five touchdowns off three blocked punts, a punt return and a kickoff return.

The Bearcats rank 107th in the nation in punting average (30.6 yards) and 83rd nationally in punt-return average (8.8 yards).