CINCINNATI -- Brian Kelly's future as the coach at Cincinnati has become a topic of national discussion, adding another layer of intrigue to an undefeated season and the prospect of a BCS bowl berth.

As the country's fifth-ranked team prepared to face Illinois Friday at noon, Kelly employed two methods to address the issue of his burgeoning popularity.

First, a promise to be completely truthful.

Second, a bit of comedy.

Kelly joked this week at his press conference that he wouldn't be able to work anywhere that doesn't have Skyline Chili, a famous Cincinnati eatery. So, he inquired about college towns that have the restaurant and was told there is one near the University of South Florida.

"So I have a shot at the USF job," he said. "Write that down. If that opens up I'm pushing for the South Florida job."

Someone added Louisville.

"Then the Louisville job, too. Throw that in," he said.

In truth, Kelly is being connected to a much higher profile job. He has become the unofficial favorite to take over at Notre Dame if Charlie Weis is not retained. In fact, one online sports book has actually made him the favorite with 3-2 odds.

The Irish name doesn't hurt, an his Midwest-based recruiting is also a big attraction. The last time a coach at Cincinnati became a hot prospect, Michigan State scooped up Mark Dantonio.

Now comes Kelly, who is 32-6 in three seasons with three consecutive 10-win campaigns. He led the Bearcats to their first Big East championship in 2008 and an appearance in the Orange Bowl. They have followed with a 10-0 start.

This year they're holding out hope of sneaking into the national championship picture. But Kelly said the rumors about his future are not an issue that could derail the team.

"I can only be honest with them. This is the silly season," he said. "We've been having this conversation the last two years. This isn't new. This happens every year and will continue to happen while I'm at Cincinnati because no one thinks that Cincinnati is a destination job."

That is starting to change. After playing Illinois, the Bearcats will travel to Pittsburgh for a game that will decide the Big East championship.

They have done it with a lethal offense that not only survived the loss of quarterback Tony Pike for part of the season, but thrived with his understudy, Zach Collaros, running the show.

Pike was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate when he was sidelined with an injury to his non-throwing arm. He will return to start against the Illini.

Pike and Collaros have combined to throw for 3,083 yards and complete 68 percent of their passes with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions.

"The biggest thing this past week was getting Tony Pike back under center and getting him some continuity," Kelly said. "I felt (Monday) was the first day where there was a smooth continuity with Tony. You could see the little things coming back to where he was before he was injured."

Pike will play with a cast. Collaros could also see playing time as a change of pace because he is more of a running threat.

"It's two different mindsets," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "Pike is in there to throw the ball while Zach is in there to run. We have to be very aware of who is in the game."

The Bearcats are averaging 38.4 points (No. 6 in the country), 478 total yards (No. 3) and 314.3 passing yards (No. 7). But they have been challenged in recent games, escaping with a 24-21 win over West Virginia and 47-45 win over Connecticut before a bye week.

Nevertheless, after entering the season unranked, they have made the national picture more interesting in 2009. And by doing so, Kelly has seen his profile increase further.

"I guess it's better than being on the other side of that," he said. "They're talking about Charlie Weis, Mark Mangino (Kansas), Les Miles (LSU). To give due respect to all of the coaches that are supposedly on the hot seat ... I don't want to be one of them because that really hurts your recruiting."

 

Looking for an upset

Illinois at Cincinnati

Time: Friday, 11 a.m

Broadcasts: ABC, WTRX-FM (93.7)