Big East Preview, Week 2

The season is off and running with few surprises so far. The Big East is finally represented in the top 25 with Cincinnati, and others may join the Bearcats soon. This week is highlighted by an important ACC/ Big East showdown. He are the picks.

Last Week: 6-1

Overall: 6-1

Bye: Louisville

Howard at Rutgers: Well, the Knights are not exactly off to the best start. However, this should be a bounce-back weekend against mighty Howard. Rutgers has plenty of issues to work on, and expect four quarters of work, while never worrying about actually losing. Domenic Natale was downright brutal, and makes one wonder if Tom Savage is now the starting quarterback for the Knights. But Rutgers also needs to find some intensity, a consistent defense, an offensive line that doesn't resemble Swiss cheese...like I said a lot of issues. Too bad the Bison didn't start the season in Jersey...they may have beaten that Rutgers team. That will not be the case this weekend.

Prediction: 34-10 Rutgers

Southeast Missouri State at (23) Cincinnati: Both teams come in off of major blowouts. However, only one of them was a blowout against an FBS opponent. Actually...only one of them was against an NCAA opponent. Newly ranked Cincinnati sent a message Monday by hammering Rutgers in Jersey. The Bearcats already look to have the most dynamic offense in the conference…and defensively, so far so good. The ‘Cats managed to keep Rutgers under 300 yards of total offense, and ended up with three interceptions. Are we talking trap game this week with the monster win over Rutgers, and a feeble opponent coming in? Um...no. The Redhawks did win 72-3 last week...however it was against NAIA foe Quincy. Expect a thrashing.

Prediction: 56-10 Cincinnati

South Florida at Western Kentucky: The Bulls were pretty solid in week one. WKU was hideous. The Hilltoppers managed just 83 total yards against Tennessee. Not good considering South Florida brings a solid defense to the table. The Bulls shutdown Wofford in week one...limiting the Terriers to just 211 total yards. Matt Grothe will once again lead the Bulls offense through the air and on the ground...especially with the suspension to starting tailback Mike Ford. Grothe should have quite a bit of success doing both against a very shaky WKU defense. This game should be over early.

Prediction: 42-9 South Florida

Pittsburgh at Buffalo: When first looking at this matchup one would think it's one-sided. However, looking at how Buffalo has been playing over the last year (as well of the fact that Pitt nearly lost to the Bulls at home last year) this could be a solid football game. Buffalo had a decent road win at UTEP to kick off the year. Meanwhile, Pitt knocked the dust off with a drubbing of Youngstown State. Panther frosh tailback, Dion Lewis was electric in his debut...going for over 120 yards with three total touchdowns. The Bulls will have to slow Lewis down to stay in the game. Expect Pitt's defense to overpower the Buffalo line, and put tons of pressure on Zach Maynard. This game may be close early, but the Panthers will be too balanced for Buffalo to keep up.

Prediction: 29-14 Pitt

Syracuse at (7) Penn State: The Gophers were who Cuse thought they were...and they let them off the hook (slams table and leaves...) Greg Paulus and company had them. They were decent enough on both sides of the ball to bring it home...and also make me look like a genius for picking it...but it was mistakes in the end that killed them. However, a mistake is much better than an ineffective ball club, and the Orange were not ineffective. They will be this week though. Penn State will kill them.

Prediction: 45-10 Penn State

East Carolina at West Virginia: This is a revenge game for the Mountaineers after getting embarrassed by the Pirates last year. Patrick Pinkney and ECU owned West Virginia last year, and look to do it again with an experienced and balanced attack. However, the Pirates have to remember that a college football game is 60 mins, not 30...after nearly blowing a large lead against FCS opponent and noted FBS killer Appalachian State. Too many mistakes nearly led to a monster upset. The Mountaineers slept walk through a win against Liberty. Nothing was too impressive throughout the entire game, with the exception of new kicker Tyler Bitancurt, who was 4-4 for field goals. Field goals aren't enough against ECU, who will have some success against the inconsistent West Virginia defense. Expect more intensity out of WVU this weekend, as they look for sweet revenge. The Mountaineers should take control in the second to remain undefeated in the young season.

Prediction: 31-21 West Virginia

Game of the Week: (19) North Carolina at UConn: This is a very important game for the conference. The Huskies have an opportunity to take down a pretty good ACC team. If UConn wins, expect Carolina to drop from the polls…which could get another Big East team in. It should be a good battle, with both teams looking to establish the ground game early. North Carolina’s Shaun Draughn and UConn’s Jordan Toddman were the stars for their respective teams in week one. However, the Huskies were far from dominant against a weak opponent in Ohio. If UConn is looking to make a statement, it starts with Toddman and ends with a young defense stepping up. However, the experienced ‘Heel offense should have success. The Huskies will have a good team this year, just not good enough to deal with Carolina.

Prediction: 24-19 North Carolina