Quarterback Zach Collaros will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against West Virginia on Friday night, with Tony Pike expected to play as well for the first time since he hurt his non-throwing arm.

Coach Brian Kelly announced Collaros will be his starter Tuesday. The sophomore backup has played spectacularly and kept the Bearcats (9-0) in the national title conversation while Pike heals from surgery to replace a metal plate in his left forearm.

Collaros threw for 480 yards _ the second-highest total in school history _ during a 47-45 win over Connecticut on Saturday night. Pike warmed up before the game, but didn't play. Kelly said the senior will run some plays against West Virginia (7-2).

The Bearcats have a bye next week, giving Pike a couple more weeks of practice to sharpen his skills after so much missed time. Pike is expected to start against Illinois on Nov. 27 in Cincinnati.

"Zach will start this Friday night against West Virginia," Kelly said. "Tony Pike is expected to play, and we are really focusing on the Illinois game for Tony's first start back from the injury."

Pike's injury and Collaros' remarkable job as the fill-in presented a conundrum for Kelly. Pike was one of the nation's top passers before he got hurt, earning mention as a long shot for the Heisman Trophy. Collaros has won his first three collegiate starts, bringing a new element to the spread offense with his mobility.

Now, Kelly has to choose between them with a second straight Big East title on the line. If he goes ahead with his plan to start Pike against Illinois, he'll be benching a quarterback who threw for 480 yards in a big game.

"That's new territory for me," Kelly said. "I can't say that in 19 years of being a head coach that I've had that kind of a dilemma, if you will. Again, the nice part about it is that our football team has absolutely no concerns over who's leading them, if it's Zach or Tony. That's a great thing to have.

"Where controversies come in is when your room is split. There is no split. They know they can win and win at a high level with both these guys. That's a very unique circumstance."

Pike is more of a pro-style passer, 6-foot-6 with a strong arm. Collaros is barely 6-feet tall and much more adept at running the ball. Both have flourished in Kelly's no-huddle offense.

Leading receiver Mardy Gilyard said Tuesday that both quarterbacks have done so well the players have equal confidence in them. Gilyard has given both of them nicknames.

"Zach has moves, so I call him the joystick," Gilyard said. "And I call Tony the pistol. I think the names fit. Zach's a little wiggly guy, a little squirty guy back there, sort of like a joystick (in a video game). Of course, Pike has the cannon, so that's why I call him pistol." Continued...