Big East Preview, Week 8

This week’s picks are dedicated to Eric LeGrand of Rutgers, who was paralyzed from the neck down against Army last week. We wish Eric the best of luck in this new battle in hislife. Just another reminder about how life can really suck.

Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 34-9

Bye Week: none

South Florida at Cincinnati: The Bearcats needed all of 60 minutes to beat Louisville last week, but it was a win. The offense is running on all cylinders, while the defense could still use some work. However, this is a good match-up for a defense looking for some confidence. South Florida’s offense is a disaster, and BJ Daniels continues to be the conductor. This is an offense that also has no true playmakers, so it’s hard to put it all on Daniels. The Bulls’ defense has kept them in a lot of these games, but will struggle to slow Zach Collaros and the Cincy offense down. The Bearcats are back, and will win their 15th conference game in a row. Time to remember this team was one of the favorites at the beginning of the year.

Prediction: 34-20 Cincinnati

Connecticut at Louisville: The Huskies continue to deal with adversity through what can only be described as a “frustrating” year. Now Connecticut deals with the indefinite suspension of starting quarterback, Cody Endres. Endres has started for two of the three wins for the Huskies this year. They now go back to relying on Zach Frazer, who basically did nothing earlier this season. It will be no surprise that Connecticut will rely on the running game against the Cardinals this weekend. This isn’t a terrible plan considering Louisville struggles stopping the run. Look for Jordan Todman to have a solid day. However, the unbalanced offense could limit the scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, look for Louisville to have a balanced attack against a shaky Husky defense. Connecticut hasn’t lived up to expectations defensively either, allowing over 21 points in each of the last four games. Look for another statement to be made by the Cardinals, lead by Adam Froman and Bilel Powell.

Prediction: 31-21 Louisville

Syracuse at (20) West Virginia: What once looked like a solid match-up lost some luster. The Orange were absolutely plastered by Pitt last weekend, and now come to Morgantown looking for consistency. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers continue to be lead by a stifling defense, and a sophomore QB who is the model of efficiency. Geno Smith continues to be smart with the football, and is going through reads like an upperclassman. The Mountaineers will look to get the ground game going again as well. They have lost some of their balance over the past few weeks. However, this team is truly led by the defense. WVU has been one of the best teams on third down this year, and look for them to put a lot of pressure of Ryan Nassib. It will be key for the Orange to try to get Delone Carter and Antwon Bailey going. It will be a tough task against this defense, but it will be the only way to alleviate the Mountaineer pressure. Look for Syracuse to hang around in this game, due to their defense, and a lack of creativity for WVU on offense. But, at the end of the day, too many solid plays for the Mountaineer defense will key the victory.

Prediction: 28-13 West Virginia

Game of the Week: Rutgers at Pittsburgh: There’s no telling which direction Rutgers may go in following the devastating injury to Eric LeGrand. Are they extra-motivated? Or, will they struggle to get things going? If they struggle to come out you can’t blame them. To try to play at full speed after watching one of their brothers getting paralyzed on the field has to be incredibly difficult. However, I fully expect the Knights to come out balling. They take on a Pittsburgh team that seems to have the mojo back. The Panthers ran and threw all over Syracuse last week, and now look to bring a balanced attack against one of the best defenses in the country. However, this defense really struggled against the run last week, though it was the Army option. Look for the Knights to stack the box and make Tin Sunseri have to beat them. Sunseri had a decent game against Syracuse, but still needs to prove he is legit. This will be a great test for him. Look for Pittsburgh to break the Rutgers’ defense down with quick passes and screens. This should also open up the ground attack. Pitt’s defense should be able to create mismatches as well, and disturb Chas Dodd. This will be a big win either way, but Pitt seems to be the safer pick, as the Panthers try to make everyone remember they were once the conference favorite. Too many breakdowns for that Rutgers defense will make things tough for the young offense to keep up.

Prediction: 33-17 Pitt

Big East Preview, Week 7

The Midway point of the season has been reached, meaning the conference schedule starts to pick up. It’s put up or shut up for some teams, while others try to continue solid play. To the picks!

Last Week: 4-2
Overall: 31-8

Bye Week: Connecticut

Army at Rutgers: The Knights have new life offensively with true frosh, Chas Dodd at QB. Dodd led Rutgers to a huge win over UConn last week. He now faces Army, a team that beat Tulane last week. Let us not forget that this is the same Tulane team that upset Rutgers the week before. However, this is a different team with Dodd…a much more balanced team. The Knights will score, and should make it very difficult for Army to do the same. The 9th ranked defense in the nation will limit the Black Knights, and force them into passing situations. This isn’t good for Army, considering they are last in FBS in passing. Too many 3rd and longs with bury the Knights.

Prediction: 31-7 Rutgers

South Florida at (25) West Virginia: These two have played some doozies over the last few years. However, 2010 looks to be different. The Mountaineers are off and running. The offense has looked smooth. Even deep threat, Brad Starks is starting to get healthy and make an impact. Defensively, they remain solid, especially against the run. South Florida will probably have a long night. BJ Daniels continues to struggle. The passing game is non-existent. The rushing attack will probably struggle to get going. The Bulls will rely on the defense once again. USF should have some success slowing down the Mountaineer attack, but it won’t be enough.

Prediction: 28-13 WVU

Cincinnati at Louisville: This is a huge game for both teams. The Bearcats are looking to get back in the fight for the conference, while the Cardinals are looking for that first statement win under Charlie Strong. Louisville will certainly be tested. Zack Collaros seems to have grasped the Butch Jones’ offense. Plus, the rushing attack has been electric lately. The Bearcats’ defense has played better lately as well. Louisville will have to be at their best to win this game…and that still may not be enough. The Bearcats may just have too much, especially for the young Louisville defense. The Cards will need mistakes, but could gamble too much to try to get them.

Prediction: 34-24 Cincinnati

Game of the Week: Pittsburgh at Syracuse: No way anyone thought this would be the Game of the Week about a month ago. And, no way anyone would have thought that Syracuse would be the favorite. Bottom-line is Syracuse has been the better team. The offense is more balanced. The special teams have been stout. And the defense is one the better groups in the country. So, yes, right now the Orange are a better team. They also have tons of momentum heading into this weekend, as they are coming off their first road win in conference since the Carter administration. Pittsburgh continues to be stagnant on offense. The problem is at the quarterback position. Tino Sunseri isn’t very good, and the coaching staff doesn’t trust him. That’s a deadly combination. They will rely on the rushing attack of Dion Lewis and Ray Graham. Expect Pitt to win the time of possession. This should keep the Panthers close throughout the game. However, the Orange should be able to put enough drives together to win this game. Plus, the atmosphere in the dome will be the best in years, so look for that to be a factor as well.

Prediction: 23-17 Syracuse

Big East Power Rankings, V. 6.0

1. West Virginia (4-1): Took care of business early last week against UNLV. Next Step…first conference game, hosting USF.

2. Syracuse (4-1): Statement win in Tampa as the Orange continue their fine play. Next Step…Another potential statement game, hosting Pitt.

3. Rutgers (3-2): New life for the Knights, as they now rely on a freshman QB. Next Step…Hosting Army.

4. Cincinnati (2-3): The Bearcats are finally looking like they should. Next Step…On the road at upstart Louisville.

5. Louisville (3-2): The Cards continue to play like they belong. Next Step…Big test at home against Cincinnati.

6. South Florida (3-2): BJ Daniels continues to mesmerize with his poor play. Next Step…on the road to face WVU.

7. Connecticut (3-3): The Huskies have absolutely no consistency. Next Step…A much needed bye week.

8. Pittsburgh (2-3): Probably won’t end up being the worst team in this league, but right now tough to put them higher. Next Step…Roadie at Syracuse.

Big East Power Rankings V. 3.0

1. West Virginia (3-0): A better performance this week, but still not playing to potential. Next Step…Tough night game at LSU

2. Pittsburgh (1-1): Still looking for a way to get Dion Lews going, and keeping the defense healthy. Next Step…Huge Thursday night game against Miami.

3. South Florida (1-1): Hopefully using the week off to find some receivers. Next Step...A should-be win over Western Kentucky at home.

4. Rutgers (2-0): Used the bye week to hopefully find an offense. Next Step…Big home game against UNC.

5. Syracuse (2-1): Slow start, but a solid finish for the Orange this week in a win over Maine. Next Step…Another FCS showdown against Colgate.

6. Connecticut (1-2): Another dismal performance in a loss to Temple. Next Step…Trying to find a passing game while hosting Buffalo.

7. Cincinnati (1-2): Inconsistent offense, and a weak defense equal pathetic play. Next Step…Getting smacked around at home by Oklahoma.

8. Louisville (1-2): Respectable loss to Oregon State, but still a step below the pack. Next Step…Bye Week.

Big East Preview, Week 2

Well, last week was ugly. Not the best start for a conference that badly needs a statement or two. This week will give the Big East a few opportunities, but it would take some upsets. As for the rest of the games, a mix of FCS teams and “must” wins. To the Picks!!!

Last Week: 6-2
Overall: 6-2

Bye: None

Indiana State @ Cincinnati: It wasn’t a good week for the Bearcats. Not only did they derail against Fresno State, but number one receiver, Vidal Hazelton was lost for the year after tearing his ACL. Look for Cincy to bounce back this weekend against Larry Bird’s Sycamores, whose one win came against Division 16, Saint Josephs of Indiana. The Bearcats should roll.

Prediction: 43-7 Cincinnati

Eastern Kentucky at Louisville: The Cardinals are simply not a good team. It will be a struggle all season long for Charlie Strong to find hope. Well, hope has a name this week…that name is Eastern Kentucky. EKU was blown out last week by another FCS program, which is certainly good news for the ‘Ville. Look for Bilel Powell to slice up the Colonel defense, and Adam Froman to light up the sky. This should be a nice confidence boost for Louisville moving forward.

Prediction: 31-9 Louisville

Texas Southern at Connecticut: The Huskies were the biggest disappointment in the conference last week. They were straight boat-raced out of Ann-Arbor. The Huskies come home licking their collective wounds, and look for some answers against Texas Southern. It will certainly be a win, but expect many questions surrounding this Connecticut team moving forward. It’s hard to answer a lot against a team that lost to Prairie View A+M.

Prediction: 38-10 Connecticut

UNH at Pittsburgh: Boy, we called that one last week. Hard luck loss for Pittsburgh that came down to inexperience at the quarterback position. However, Tino Sunseri did show a lot of promise at the position moving forward. Pitt now faces an FCS team known for beating FBS opponents, including Rutgers. Though UNH doesn’t have the firepower or defense to handle a team like the Panthers. Expect Dion Lewis to get on track, and the defense to gain confidence this weekend.

Prediction: 44-13 Pittsburgh

Rutgers at Florida International: The Knights were simply dreadful last week. Fortunately, Rutgers was facing a weak FCS opponent. They look to keep the winning going down south against FIU. The Panthers were off last week, so they have had all summer and fall to plan for this game. Will it matter? Doubtful. The Knights should be able to run all night long. FIU gave up more than 230 rushing yards a game against last year. Also look for the stingy defense to continue. The Panthers may believe this is a winnable game, but if Rutgers plays their game it won’t be a contest.

Prediction: 34-17 Rutgers

(23) West Virginia at Marshall: The ole rivalry game that isn’t much of a rivalry. Marshall is still looking for their first ever win against WVU…and it will be a tough task once again this season. The Mountaineers’ defense is already in midseason form, and Geno Smith guided the offense to some nice drives last week. Again, it was against an FCS team, but Smith looked confident and ready to be a starter. The Herd was handled easily by Ohio State, but always play WVU tight. Let’s also not forget that Marshall’s new coach, Doc Holliday was coaching in Morgantown last year. For the Herd to have a chance they need to run the football. The last thing Holliday wants are 3rd and longs against a defense that is far superior to Marshall’s offense. Expect WVU to score early and control the game from there. Too many mistakes will bury the Herd.

Prediction: 38-13 West Virginia

Syracuse at Washington: The Orange hammered Akron on the road last week. The prize? Go even further west to face Jake Locker and the Huskies. This is a winnable game for Syracuse, which makes this the biggest game for the Orange under Doug Marrone so far. Overall, the Orange defense is better and deeper than Washington’s. Syracuse is also better rushing the football. The big difference will be at quarterback. Jake Locker is a Heisman candidate, and played well in a loss at BYU in week one. Ryan Nassib is young, and playing with confidence for the Cuse, but he’s nowhere close to Locker. So, what does this mean? It’s Lockers game to win or lose. If he plays well, the Huskies will handle Syracuse. If I had any stones I would take Syracuse here with the upset, but the long trip out west and Locker steer me towards a UW win.

Prediction: 28-17 Washington

Game of the Week: South Florida at Florida: Too bad this game wasn’t last week...you know when Florida looked like garbage. USF may now have to deal with a team looking to start the dismantling of the schedule. The Bulls weren’t exactly stellar to start the year either, struggling early with an FCS school. Though a win is a win, and now it’s time to face a potentially explosive Gator squad. John Brantley should be nice and comfortable, and should be able to move the ball with the short passing game. The Bulls’ defense isn’t ready to be relied upon, so look for them to play aggressively and try to force turnovers. BJ Daniels will need to play the game of his life as well. If USF doesn’t score early, and relatively often, they have no chance. This will be a closer game then some may expect, but too much time of possession for the Gators, as they control the game from the start.

Prediction: 27-17 Florida

Big East Preview, Week 1

Football is back baby…and what a season it is going to be. The Big East is looking to gain respect back after a marginal 2009 campaign. Some teams waste no time, and will hit the road for big non-conference games. However, there are those teams that rather start the year beating up on the dregs. To the Picks!!!

Last Year: 50-10

Bye: None

Stony Brook at South Florida: A sure fire way to start your tenure off right? Play a Big South team. Skip Holtz’ boys should have no issue with the mighty Seawolves. BJ Daniels (if he plays) should have a nice game to ease back into the swing of things. And the Bulls’ defense, which lost some big time talent, will look to get coordinated against this inferior opponent. Holtz’ cruises to his first victory.

Prediction: 34-10 South Florida

Big East Power Rankings, Week 10

1. Cincinnati (9-0, 5-0): The title-contender had a scare this week, but continue to score at will. Next Step...at home against West Virgina.

2. Pittsburgh (8-1, 5-0): Buisiness as usual over the weekend, as the Panthers head into deeper waters. Next Step...hosting Notre Dame.

3. South Florida (6-2, 2-2): Coming off a bye, the Bulls look to get back to late-season winning. That's something new to the program. Next Step...TOugh road game at Rutgers.

4. West Virginia (7-2, 3-1): Following an uninspiring performance against Louisville, the Mountainees continue to look for consistency. Next Step...On the road at Cincinnati.

5. Rutgers (6-2, 1-2): The Knights are still looking for that marquee win in 2009. Next Step...Hosting South Florida.

6. Connecticut (4-5, 1-2): More heartbreak again this week for the Huskies, as UConn continues to lose close games. Next Step...A much-needed bye week.

7. Syracuse (3-6, 0-4): Another tough week for the Orange, following two more season-ending injuries. What was once a promising season has turned painful. Next Step...Winnable game at Louisville.

8. Louisville (3-6, 0-4): The Cards were respectable against West Virginia, and look to carry a little momentum into this weekend. Next Step...Hoping for win number one in conference against Syracuse.

Big East Preview, Week 10

A slow week in the Big East, with just three games…and three weak matchups. It’s hard to think there will be an upset this week. But, there’s a reason they play the game. On to the picks…


Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 42-8


Bye Week: Rutgers, South Florida


Louisville at West Virginia: A few years ago this was the premier matchup in the Big East. Now it’s just another game. It’s continues to be a tough year the Cards. Just being competitive against a decent team has been a task. Meanwhile, West Virginia is in the doldrums. The Mountaineers are undisciplined and have no sense of direction. Having said all of that I wonder if anyone is actually going to watch this game? Well…I will. Look for the Mountaineers to have a lot of offensive success. The Cardinals’ defense continues struggle, especially on the road. Expect a big day from Noel Devine, as he continues to be the one bright spot for West Virginia. Defensively, the Mountaineers are a train wreck. It will be interesting to see if Louisville can stay in this game early with the pass. Overall, the Mountaineers will be too much, and the Cards will remain winless on the road.


Prediction: 31-13 West Virginia


Syracuse at (13) Pittsburgh: Tough week for the Orange. It started with Doug Marrone having to passionately defend Greg Paulus. That followed by star receiver Mike Williams quitting the team…and now ends with playing one of the hottest teams in the nation. Pittsburgh is firing on every cylinder known to man. The rushing game is explosive, the pass is efficient, and the defense is holding the fort. The Panther’s do control their own destiny in the conference, and shouldn’t have a lot of problems this week. Expect the balanced Pitt attack to break down the ‘Cuse defense early. Bill Stull should have a good pocket to throw in, and should also slice the secondary up. Dion Lewis will have some room to run the ball as well. There is no slowing this Frosh down. Conversely, the Orange offense will struggle, especially without Williams. This is looking like it’s going t be a long day for Syracuse. At least no Dolphins are playing…yeah I went there.


Prediction: 31-9 Pittsburgh


Game of the Week: UConn at (5) Cincinnati: Hard luck continues to Connecticut. Two straight heartbreaking losses is testing this team’s will. However, there is certainly no quit in Randy Edsell-led team. The Huskies will continue to fight. It’s a tough battle this week though, taking on the conference leader on the road. Connecticut did beat Cincinnati last year, so don’t expect the Huskies to be scared. It will be interesting to see how the Connecticut defense responds from the inconsistent play lately. This was a very stingy group earlier this year. No matter who the Cincy quarterback is, they should have some success. The running game may be slowed, but the passing attack will prevail. The Husky offense is playing much better. However, the Bearcats’ defense is one of the most underrated groups in the nation…having only allowed 103 points in eight games. Expect a spirited effort early from UConn, but Cincinnati is just a much better team…and it will show.

Prediction: 28-8 Cincinnati

Big East Power Rankings, Week 9

1. Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0 in conference): Another solid performance with the backup QB at the helm. Next Step...Hosting Connecticut.

2. Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0): The Panthers can't afford a letdown following the bye week. Next Step...Dealing with a struggling Syracuse.

3. South Florida (6-2, 2-2): The Bulls fight is back after dismantling West Virginia. Can the fight stick? Next Step...Bye Week

4. West Virginia (6-2, 2-1): The Mountaineers continue to play undisciplined, and continue to be unimpressive. Next Step...Looking for answers against Louisville.

5. Rutgers (6-2, 1-2): Resilient win at Connecticut gives the Knights win number one in conference. Next Step...Bye Week

6. Connecticut (4-4, 1-3): Heart breaker after heart breaker for the Huskies right now. It's been tough to watch. Next Step...On the road to Cincinnati.

7. Syracuse (3-5, 0-3): Already struggling, the offense now needs to roll without Mike Williams, who quit the team unexpectedly. Next Step...Tough road game at Pitt.

8. Louisville (3-5, 0-3): Hey, Steve Kragthorpe still has a job. Next Step...On the road at West Virginia.

Big East Power Rankings, Week 8

1. Cincinnati (7-0, 3-0 in conference): Pike or no Pike, the 'Cats continue to roll. Next Step...At Syracuse

2. Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0): A fantastic performance against South Florida, as the offense continues to roll. Next Step...Bye Week

3. West Virginia (6-1, 2-0): A dramatic, emotional win over UConn hid many of the problems WVU is still dealing with. Next Step...Friday night in Tampa.

4. South Florida (5-2, 1-2): The midseason collapse continues for the Bulls, after getting pounded by Pitt. Next Step...Huge home game against West Virginia

5. Connecticut (4-3, 1-2): Fantastic effort in a close loss to WVU. This team will not fold after the loss of Jasper Howard. Next Step...Crucial rivalry game at home against Rutgers.

6. Rutgers (5-2, 0-2): Only a win away from bowl eligibility, but can the Knight's beat a legitimate team? Next Step...Road game against a legitimate team in UConn.

7. Syracuse (3-4, 0-2): Got revenge over Akron without Mike Williams in the lineup. Next Step...Tough home game against Cincinnati

8. Louisville (2-5, 0-3): Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Next Step...Trying not to lose to Arkansas State.

Big East Preview, Week 8

Everybody is in action this week, as the Big East rolls into midseason. A few good matchups are sadly overshadowed by the unfortunate death of UConn corner Jasper Howard. We hear at the cmsb send our thoughts and prayers to his family and the Connecticut program. On to the picks.

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 35-6

Bye: None

Rutgers at Army: Trap Game Alert, Trap Game Alert! The Knights travel to take on the…well Knights. Rutgers has to be careful not to get caught early by a much improved Army squad that is thinking bowl game. The West Pointers will look to control the game on the ground, with the 12^th ranked rushing attack in the nation. That is not good news for Rutgers. The Jersey Boys have really struggled against the run, including last week’s debacle against Pitt. Rutgers has to do a better a job in contain. Expect the Scarlet Knights to stack the box, and force Army to throw the football. This will probably be the Black Knight’s downfall. Army is dreadful in the passing game, and could be too one-dimension on Friday. Look for Rutgers to have an easy time moving the football, and success slowing down the Army rushing attack.

Prediction: 27-14 Rutgers

Akron at Syracuse: The Orange look for revenge from an embarrassing loss last year. The Zips are dreadful, averaging less than 20 points a game. Akron is still also looking for win number one against an FBS team. Meanwhile, Syracuse is coming off a bye week, and looking to get back on track after two-straight losses to conference opponents. A big question remains at quarterback, following Greg Paulus’ sub-par play. He is the starter, but you wonder for how much longer Ryan Nassib is ready to go if there is more failure.. Even if Paulus plays well, Nassib should get some time. Look for Syracuse to try to establish a running game that badly needs a solid performance. If the Orange can set up the play-action there’s no way Akron stays in this game.

Prediction: 30-10 Syracuse

Louisville at (5) Cincinnati: No word yet if Tony Pike will be starting for Cincinnati, but it won’t matter. The Bearcats can certainly win with backup Zach Collaros. Actually, the ‘Cats already have. Collaros was brilliant in the second half at South Florida, accounting for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. He is a dual threat, which can’t be good for Louisville. The Cardinals can’t stop anybody on the ground. Cincinnati’s swarming defense will also be a significant issue. Louisville enjoys turning the ball over, including four times on the road last week at UConn. The Cardinals have given fits to ‘Nati lately, but it just doesn’t add up this year. Nothing jumps out at this matchup and says upset…even with Tony Pike possibly not playing.

Prediction: 34-17 Cincinnati

Connecticut at (23) West Virginia: The Huskies come in with heavy hearts, following the murder of cornerback Jasper Howard last Sunday. As hard as this week has been, playing a game may be a welcome distraction. There’s no question UConn will be up for this game. Randy Edsell will make sure of that. West Virginia comes in with some significant storylines as well. Jarrett Brown is questionable for the weekend with a concussion, and two defensive players were arrested this week from separate incidents, affecting the depth chart. WVU will have to rely on the youngsters once again. QB Gino Smith was solid against Marshall, and the defense was even better. Look for a lot of Noel Devine to take some of the pressure off the passing game. UConn will stack the box to counter that. The Huskies should have some success on the ground, but look for the offense to try to exploit the inconsistent WVU secondary. This game may be closer than some expect. UConn should be motivated to play an exceptional game in Jasper’s honor. However, West Virginia just has too much offensively. WVU pulls ahead in the second and won’t look back.

Prediction: 31-21 West Virginia

Game of the Week: South Florida at (20) Pittsburgh: The Panthers are off and running…literally. Dion Lewis has been superb in replacing LeSean McCoy. The freshman is now a dark-horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy. QB Bill Stull continues to play efficiently, and the defense has been good enough. Now the Panthers host South Florida that could be in dire straights. It’s about that time of the year where the Bulls shut it down, and coast. This has been the major criticism of Jim Leavitt. Keeping his team motivated after a loss is not his forte. The Bulls need a better defensive performance than last week, if USF wants to stay in the hunt. It will be tough test though, as Pitt brings a balanced attack. That type of attack should slow down the Bull blitz. From the Bulls to stay in the game B.J. Daniels will have to play mistake-free football. That is asking a lot from a freshman quarterback. This game just doesn’t seem to add up for the Bulls. Pitt is on very good form, and should remain undefeated in conference.

Prediction: 24-13 Pitt

Big East Power Rankings, Week 7

1. Cincinnati (6-0, 2-0 in conference): The Bearcats remain at the top, following a fantastic road win at South Florida. Next Step…Getting Tony Pike healthy for Louisville, and the remainder of the year.

2. Pittsburgh (6-1, 3-0): Offense continues to cruise, while the defense is ratcheting up. Next Step…Huge home game against South Florida.

3. South Florida (5-1, 1-1): Disappointing defensive performance against Cincinnati, especially after Tony Pike left the game. Next Step…Tough bounce-back game at Pitt.

4. West Virginia (5-1, 1-0): Quarterback questions after the injury to Jarrett Brown. Next Step…UConn at home.

5. Connecticut (4-2, 1-1): A nice win, followed by tragedy over the weekend. Jasper Howard was taken away from us way too soon. Next Step…Playing with heavy hearts at WVU.

6. Rutgers (4-2, 0-2): Good effort in a loss against a much better Pitt team. Next Step…Trap game at Army.

7. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2): Much-needed bye week, following two losses. Next Step…Revenge game against lowly Akron.

8. Louisville (2-4, 0-2): You wonder how much longer Steve Kragthorpe has a job. Next Step…Trying not to get trounced by Cincinnati.

Big East Preview, Week 7

Showcase time for the conference, as the two monsters of the Big East battle on Thursday night. Sure, there may be some other games this week, but only one matters to the nation as South Florida hosts Cincinnati. At the end of the week we could see a team in the top-5 and as many as four conference members ranked. On to the picks.

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 32-5

Bye: Syracuse

Marshall at West Virginia: Well it’s rivalry week in the state of West Virginia. The problem is it’s not really a rivalry. Marshall has NEVER beaten the Mountaineers. How can you have a rivalry if it’s so one-sided? But maybe this is the year. The Thundering Herd come in 4-2, probably playing the best football since the rivalry was renewed a few years back. WVU will have to slow down Darius Marshall. The Herd Tailback has been fantastic this year, averaging over six yards per game. Expect the Mountaineers to stack the box, and should be able too, considering Marshall is a one dimensional team. The Herd is averaging less than 180 yards passing. West Virginia has scored over 30 points in every single game this year. That basically means nobody can stop the balanced attack. And now that Jarrett Brown seems comfortable again, expect another big day. Once again what can kill WVU are turnovers, which were a problem last week at Syracuse…again. If the ball is held onto it should be a nice win for WVU.

Prediction: 38-17 West Virginia

Louisville at Connecticut: The Cardinals are looking to make it two-straight as they travel up north to face a team that has to be upset. The Huskies let Pitt off the hook last week, and will look for some answers defensively this weekend. UConn looked susceptible to the run, which bodes well for the ‘Ville. Look for massive use of Victor Anderson to try to control the tempo, and keep the Cards in this game. It may be a bit late for the run to be ultra successful though, considering that is what UConn will be keying in on. The Cards don’t have a solid quarterback to fall back on if the rush is jammed. The Huskies should be able to control the tempo with their two-headed rushing attack. And when a passing play is actually called, Cody Endres will be up to the task. Louisville is just not good enough to stay in this game.

Prediction: 27-17 Connecticut

Pittsburgh at Rutgers: The Panthers are showing why the media had them number one in the conference. With a balanced attack, and what seems to be a new, improved defense, Pitt is playing with very high class. Rutgers is still a mystery. The Knights have spent a lot of time beating up on chumps since opening the season getting blown out by Cincinnati. This is a huge game for Rutgers. The public perception continues to be that the team is middle of the road. A statement win could go a long way for the Jersey Boys. The big question is if the Rutgers defense can contain Pitt. The Knight’s D has been a much better unit since the first week, but hasn’t truly been tested. I just don’t see Rutgers slowing down Dion Lewis and company. Plus, the Pitt defense is in good form, and should handle an inconsistent attack.

Prediction: 28-20 Pittsburgh

(8) Cincinnati at (21) South Florida: This is the first major showcase for the conference this season. The Bearcats will be looking for a statement win to help boast National Title aspirations, as well as Heisman hopes for Tony Pike. South Florida continues the dream season with B.J. Daniels at the helm. All the young quarterback has done is run the offense beautifully, and helped his team win games. The Bulls’ defense continues to be the major story though. George Selvie and company have been lights out this year…and will have to continue the great play to try to slow the Bearcat attack. The Bulls have only allowed two passing touchdowns all season. So look for Cincinnati to try to use a lot playaction. Of course this means the run needs to be successful, and there is no guarantee of that. Look for the USF defense to do enough to keep the Bulls in the game. This means its Daniels to possibly win or lose. Typically USF has a meltdown in the middle of the season. This game could certainly be a catalyst for that. But there is something about Daniels so far that makes me believe this won’t happen. Look for the crowd to motivate the youngster to lead his team to a close victory. Grothe is quickly being forgotten in Tampa.

Prediction: 24-20 South Florida

Big East Power Rankings, Week 5

1. Cincinnati (5-0, 1-0 in conference): Slept walk through a win over Miami of Ohio, and now solidly in the Top-10. Next Step...Bye Week.

2. South Florida (5-0, 1-0): Another fantastic defensive performance for the Bulls, as USF handled a feisty Syracuse squad. Next Step...Bye Week.

3. Pittsburgh (4-1, 1-0): The defense is back and Bill Stull continues to impress. Next Step...Hosting Connecticut.

4. West Virginia (3-1, 0-0): Tried to beat themselves once again after turning the ball over constantly in a win over Colorado. Next Step...Road trip to Syracuse.

5. Connecticut (3-1, 0-0): Looking to keep the momentum going following a bye week. Next Step...On to the 'Burgh to take on the Panthers.

6. Rutgers (3-1, 0-1): The mystery team of the Big East gets back in action after a bye week. Next Step...Should-be laugher over Texas Southern.

7. Syracuse (2-3, 0-1): Tough to win games when you aren't very good, and turn the ball over. Next Step...Battle of turnover teams as they host WVU.

8. Louisville (1-2, 0-1): Still trying to figure out a way to play 60 minutes of football. Next Step...hosting Southern Miss

Big East Power Rankings, Week 4

1. Cincinnati (4-0, 1-0 in conference): Survived a trap game against Fresno, and continues to move up the polls. Next Step...Strange road game at Miami of Ohio.

2. South Florida (4-0, 0-0): So far so good for new QB B.J. Daniels. It was quite a performance against his childhood team, FSU. Next Step...Trap game at Syracuse.

3. Pittsburgh (3-1, 0-0): Ugly second half, in a bad loss to NC State. Next Step...Trying to find a defense before Friday night's game at Louisville.

4. West Virginia (2-1, 0-0): Amazingly the Mountaineers didn't turn the ball over this past weekend. Though it did help that it was a bye week. Next Step...Revenge game against Colorado Thursday night.

5. UConn (3-1, 0-0): Got the job done against a poor Rhode Island team. Next Step...Bye Week

6. Rutgers (3-1, 0-1): Blew out Maryland, after breaking out the offense in the second half. The Knights seem to be heating up. Next Step...Bye Week

7. Syracuse (2-2, 0-0): Less than impressive in a win over Maine. Special Teams a bit of a concern. Next Step...Big home game against South Florida.

8. Louisville (1-3, 0-0): Respectable loss at Utah, but still no end of the doldrums in sight. Next Step...Hosting Pitt Friday night.

Big East Power Rankings, Week 4

1. Cincinnati (3-0, 1-0): Fantastic weekend for the Bearcats, beating a tough Oregon State team in Corvallis. Next Step…A home game against a gutsy Fresno State team.

2. Pittsburgh (2-1, 0-0): Dealt nicely with key defensive injuries, and handled Navy’s option. Next Step…A tough road trip to Raleigh.

3. West Virginia (2-1, 0-0): 500 yards of offense…and a loss? Turnovers are haunting the Mountaineers. Next Step…Bye Week

4. UConn (2-1, 0-0): Huge victory on the road at Baylor. The Husky defense may be the most underrated in the country. Next Step…Hosting Rhode Island.

5. South Florida (3-0, 0-0): The Bulls won this weekend, but lost four-year starting QB Matt Grothe to a torn ACL. The season is now potentially on the brink. Next Step…An instate road game at FSU.

6. Rutgers (2-1, 0-0): Struggled a bit against an FIU team they should have whacked. Next Step…On the road to face a bad Maryland team.

7. Syracuse (1-2, 0-0): The offense has come together, as the Orange win for the first time this season. Next Step…A should-be win against UMaine.

8. Louisville (1-1, 0-0): Not a bad weekend, but mistakes continue to be a storyline. Next Step…Tough road game at Utah.

Maine/Syracuse Monday Media Conferences

Maine football heads off to face Syracuse this Saturday, and The CMSB and The Big Jab will be chock full of coverage for you, which will start off with the Monday morning media teleconferences of Maine head coach Jack Cosgrove and Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone. You can listen to them below. (Thanks to the Big East and CAA football)

Coach Cos


Coach Marrone