Big East Preview: Belk Bowl

Louisville v NC State:  The Cardinals are looking to finish off what ended up being a successful season.  Sure, there is some disappointment in not reaching the BCS, but after starting 2-4 finishing the season in a solid bowl game is a good season.  Much can be said for NC State as well.  After a late season loss to lowly Boston College, the Wolfpack turned it around with wins over Clemson and Maryland.  The Pack should also have a solid crowd, considering the campus is just a few hours from Charlotte.  Both teams have offenses that have awoken lately.  Teddy Bridgewater has had a nice freshman campaign...one that shows his future is brighter than the North Star.  Look for Louisville to go right to the ground.  The Pack allowed nearly 200 yards on the ground the last game, so they may have to stack the box early.  If this happens, look for Bridgewater to then go to the air.  While the Cards' offense has done better lately, the defense has been one of the best all year.  Louisville will force tough 3rd downs and mistakes that could become the difference late in this game.  Expect a close one early, especially if Mike Glennon can play mistake-free.  But, the difference will be the Louisville defense late, which will create the opportunities the offense needs to close it out.

Prediction:  27-20 Louisville

Flying Dub-V Postseason Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia. It was an epic season for Geno, as he broke nearly every single-season passing record in Morgantown. He was 7th in the nation in passing yardage, and finished first in the conference in passing efficiency, completions, and touchdowns.

Honorable Mention: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati and Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Defensive Player of the Year: Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati. It was an outstanding season for Wolfe, who led the Bearcat's defense that played exceptionally well. Wolfe finished with 9.5 sacks, 19.5 TFL, and three forced fumbles. More importantly he anchored an offensive line that was very god against the run.

Honorable Mention: Khasseem Greene, LB, Rutgers and Kendall Reyes, DL, UConn

Coach of the Year: Butch Jones, Cincinnati. There are great arguments for both Louisville's Charlie Strong and Greg Schiano of Rutgers, but Jones led a fantastic turnaround that nearly ended in a BCS bid. He also had to deal with losing his star quarterback and still found a way to win a share of the conference. From 4-8 to 9-3 in just one year...not bad, Butch.

Honorable Mention: Strong and Schiano

First Year Player of the Year: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville. It was a completely different team after Bridgewater took over for the Cardinals. Yes, it too a few weeks, but once the kid was comfortable, Louisville took off and nearly get a BCS-bid. He had respectable numbers as a freshman, finishing with 12 touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 66. More importantly, he proved he can lead this team to potentially big things.

Honorable Mention: Lyle McCombs, RB UConn and Michaelee Harris, WR, Louisville

Special Teams Player of the Year: Tavon Austin, RS, WVU. The all-purpose beast for the Mountaineers had a very solid season returning kicks for WVU, including two touchdowns. He was also one of the leaders in punt return yardage, which included a long of 64. The triple-threat player seems to have a bright future in front of him.

Honorable Mention: Dave Teggart, K, UConn and Jeremy Deering, RS, Rutgers

Big East Power Rankings, End of Regular Season

1. West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 in conference): After another close win, things fall into place for the Mountaineers to get the BCS tiebreaker. Next Step...Taking on Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

2. Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2): Outstanding turnaround this season for the Bearcats. Probably BCS-bound if Zach Collaros stayed healthy. Next Step...Facing Vanderbilt in the Liberty Bowl.

3. Louisville (7-5, 5-2): From 2-4 to nearly reaching the Orange Bowl, 2011 was a wild one for the Cards. Next Step...a tri to Charlotte for the Belk Bowl against NC State.

4. Rutgers (8-4, 4-3): The Knights proved the critics wrong this year, fighting for the championship and reaching a bowl. Next Step...Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa State.

5. Pittsburgh (6-6, 4-3): Not a true season to remember for the Panthers, who sputttered all year. Next Step...Compass Bowl, again, facing SMU.

6. Connecticut (5-7, 3-4): The Huskies struggled to find consistency all year on offense. Having the one of the worst secondaries in the nation didn't help either. Next Step...Basketball season.

7. South Florida (5-7, 1-6): Started 4-0, finished 1-7. The Bulls just completely fell off the horse. Next Step...Beach season.

8. Syracuse (5-7, 1-6): Successfully lost five straight to end the season. What looked promising, turned to hell. Next Step...Basketball season

Big East Preview, Week 14

A lot still to figure out as we head to the final week. WVU, Cincinnati, and Louisville are all still alive for the BCS bid. None of the three actually control their own destiny, so it should an interesting weekend to say the least. Meanwhile, four other teams look to become bowl eligible. UConn, Pitt, USF and Syracuse are all looking for that elusive sixth win. To the Picks!

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 41-24

Regular Season Over: Louisville, Rutgers

Syracuse at Pittsburgh: Both are seeking possible bowl eligibility with a win. Both are also looking for consistency as the season runs out. The Orange are also seeking their first win since Oct 21st. It's truly amazing to see what happened to this team. Syracuse seemed to have turned the corner with their win over West Virginia, but have been shambolic the last month. Meanwhile, the Panthers have been ravaged by injuries and poor quarterback play. Pitt has done a better job lately defensively. They should be able to put a lot of pressure on Ryan Nassib, and force the Orange into tough situations. Syracuse will have to play mistake-free, which just won't be the case. This will put a lot on the back of the Orange defense, a group that has struggled over the last month. The Panthers need a better game from Tino Sunseri, especially for the fact that they may be down to their third string running back. Expect some mistakes early-on, with neither team taking control. Pitt should get a grasp of this one late to hold on.

Prediction: 27-21 Pittsburgh

West Virginia at South Florida: It's a must-win for both teams. WVU needs to win to keep their BCS hopes alive. Meanwhile, the reeling Bulls need to win for bowl eligibility. Everything on paper tells you WVU wins tonight. But, that's paper. The Mountaineers haven't won in Tampa since 2005. They actually play quite horribly there. The first 15 minutes will be so crucial for a team that is known for coming out like garbage. They will deal with a tough defense to crack. USF has solid players up front, and will stay back to eliminate the big play. Look for the Mountaineers to try to establish a ground game early. The Bulls' D should keep it tight early, but Bobby Eveld will have to do more at the quarterback position if they want to win. B.J. Daniels has been ruled out, so expect a lot of running to set up some potential big passes. This game will be close early-on due to WVU's inability to play well in Tampa and in first halves, but look for too much firepower as the Mountaineers pull away late.

Prediction: 34-24 West Virginia

Game of the Week: Connecticut at Cincinnati: Well, whats the scenario? UConn gets bowl eligible with a win. Cincinnati either sends themselves or WVU to the BCS with a win. If they lose, then Louisville is on their way. So, a lot is riding on this one, folks. Most would say it's a no-brainer win for the Bearcats. That is certainly not the case. The Huskies have played better lately, including blowing Rutgers out last week. And, don't forget...Cincy is playing without Zach Collaros. However, Munchie Legaux did play well last week in a Bearcat win over Syracuse. Isaiah Pead will be looked to do a lot against a very good run defense. If he has some early success it will certainly take some pressure off the young quarterback. The Bearcats should be able to move the ball, as long as they hold on to the ball. Their biggest problem is finishing drives. Unlike last week, field goals will have to turn in to touchdowns. The Huskies can have some success defensively, but the offense is another story. They face a very stout defense that will look to shut down their run. Even if UConn is slowed just a bit, it's asking a lot for their young quarterbacks to keep them in a game. The Huskies haven't won on the road all year in the conference, and it doesn't come this weekend.

Prediction: 30-17 Cincinnati

Big East Power Rankings, Week 13

1. West Virginia (8-3, 4-2 in conference): Squeaked out a win in the Backyard Brawl, and seem to be in a good place to get BCS bid. Next Step...MUST WIN at South Florida.

2. Louisville (7-5, 5-2): Outstanding turnaround for the Cardinals this season. The Cards won five of their last six. Next Step...Hoping Cincy loses.

3. Cincinnati (8-3, 4-2): The Bearcats had a great win over Syracuse, keeping their hopes alive for the BCS. Next Step...Need to beat UConn, and WVU to lose.

4. Rutgers (8-4, 4-3): Not really sure what happened last week in Storrs, but a fine season nonetheless. Next Step...Awaiting bowl bid.

5. Pittsburgh (5-6, 3-3): A very disappointing loss last week in Morgantown. They really gave it away. Next Step...Hosting Syracuse for a chance at a bowl bid.

6. Connecticut (5-6, 3-3): The Huskies dismantled Rutgers last week in what was their finest win of the season. Next Step...Looking to get bowl eligible in Cincinnati.

7. South Florida (5-6, 1-5): The Bulls just didn't have the horses to stay with Louisville last week. t's just been that kind of year. Next Step...Possible bowl bid with win over WVU.

8. Syracuse (5-6, 1-5): A year to forget for the Orange. Still looking for their first win in over a month. Next Step...Final chance in Pittsburgh.

Big East Preview, Week 13

It's a holiday edition of the picks, so I don't have a ton of time to get in depth. Hope everyone out there has a wonderful Thanksgiving! To the picks...

Last Week: 2-1

Overall: 38-23

Bye Week: None

Rutgers at Connecticut: The Knights are still holding on to BCS hopes after a great win last week over Cincinnati. Meanwhile, the Huskies are fading back into oblivion with no quarterback, and an inconsistent defense. Expect the Knights to have much success through the air, which should open the run just a bit. Rutgers should be able to score enough to keep ahead of the Huskies, who will probably make enough mistakes to take them out of the game.

Prediction: 23-16 Rutgers

Cincinnati at Syracuse: This is a dangerous time for the Bearcats. The offense was awful with Munchie Legaux, and one more loss will surely kill their BCS hopes. Fortunately for them they play a Syracuse team that hasn't one since Oct 21st. The Orange have been wretched the last month, and nothing truly tells you that it will turn around. This game will be ugly.

Prediction: 17-14 Cincinnati

Louisville at South Florida: The Cardinals should win their final game of the season, which will put them in the best spot for the BCS bid. B.J. Daniels is probably out this week, which means Bobby Eveld takes the starting responsibilities for the Bulls. Look for Louisville to bring some serious pressure. This will burn USF, as the Cards finish up a good regular season with a big win.

Prediction: 28-20 Louisville

Game of the Week: Pittsburgh at West Virginia: The Mountaineers will look to dismantle their rival in what could possibly be the final Backyard Brawl. Expect some serious points going up in this one. However, the Panthers just don't have the firepower to stay with WVU. Full preview tomorrow.

Prediction: 34-24 West Virginia

Big East Power Rankings, Week 12

1. West Virginia (7-3, 3-2 in conference): Two must-wins left if they want to be BCS bowling. Next Step...Backyard Brawl on Friday.

2. Louisville (6-5, 4-2): The Cards still have a great chance to get the BCS bid, and have the tiebreaker over WVU in a head-to-head macthup. Next Step...on the road to South Florida

3. Rutgers (8-3, 3-2): A great win over Cincinnati still has the Knights believing in winning the conference. Next Step...Road game in Storrs.

4. Cincinnati (8-3, 4-2): Need to find ways to win with new quarterback, Munchie Legaux, or BCS chances disappear. Next Step...In the Dome taking on Syracuse.

5. Pittsburgh (5-5, 3-2): The Panthers have been playing better, and still have a shot at the BCS. Next Step...In Morgantown for the Backyard Brawl.

6. Connecticut (4-6, 1-4): The Huskies have no consistency, and need to find an offense heading in to the offseason. Next Step...Looking to spoil Rutgers' season.

7. South Florida (5-5, 1-4): The Bulls are just looking to finish the season at this point...especially after losing to Miami 6-3 last week. Next Step...Looking to spoil Louisville's BCS hopes.

8. Syracuse (5-5, 1-4): A very disappointing season continues for the Orange, who haven't won since the big game over WVU. Next Step...Facing a vulnerable Cincinnati team.

Big East Preview, Week 11

Shockingly, there is football this week. With the Penn State scandal going on it does seem like there is anything else going on. Important games this week, especially for Cincinnati and Louisville, the league's front-runners. To the picks!

Last Week: 1-3 (nice)

Overall: 35-19

Bye Week: Connecticut.

Rutgers vs Army: The Knights became bowl eligible last week, surprising many a critic. This was a team that was expected to finish dead last in the conference, but Rutgers has responded well by just finding ways to win. They now face an Army team that will be looking to run, run, run. The Black Knights will struggle to match up against the Red Knights, but it's always tough to slow down the old school option. Rutgers will undoubtedly stack the box, and try to force Army to throw the football. It will also be a big game for Chas Dodd, who has won back the starting quarterback job. If he can find some consistency, look for Rutgers to roll offensively. The Knights have seen a better version of Army's offense this year while playing Navy, and ended up winning. But, don't be surprised if the Cadets keep it close.

Prediction: 31-20 Rutgers

South Florida at Syracuse: Well, something has to give in this Friday night battle. South Florida hasn't won a game since September, and Syracuse has dropped two straight. As far as I know, someone has to win. Hard to pick South Florida until they actually win again. B.J. Daniels and the offense have just made too many crucial errors, and have also struggled to finish drives. The defense has been hit and miss. One week they look all-world, the next they look like WVU. Just no consistency. Speaking of consistency, Syracuse could use some. The offense just isn't very explosive for four quarters, and the stalling has killed them. The defense is doing enough, but may struggle to slow down the Bulls. Expect a back and forth game early, but the Dome should be rocking on a Friday night, which should help the Orange. Look for more crucial mistakes from USF to burn them in the second half.

Prediction: 29-24 Syracuse

Pittsburgh at Louisville: The Cardinals are coming off a fantastic performance, winning in Morgantown. The offense has taken some great steps forward, and will be ready to take on a depleted Pittsburgh team. Louisville did allow a ton of yardage last week, but should seal back up against the Panthers. Pitt has lost a lot of balance with the injury to Ray Graham, and Tino Sunseri has wilted against good defenses. Meanwhile, Teddy Bridgewater continues to mature. Look for the Cards to pass off the run, and find success against an inconsistent defense. If the Cards play their game, it should be a comfortable second half.

Prediction: 27-20 Louisville

Game of the Week: West Virginia at (23) Cincinnati: The Bearcats look to keep ahead in the chase for the BCS with a win over a shaken West Virginia team. The offenses should be out in force on Saturday, with nether defense slowing their opponent down. Cincinnati will have the edge considering WVU's defense will be the worst unit out there this side of WVU's Special Teams. Full preview tomorrow.

Prediction: 38-31 Cincinnati

Big East Power Rankings, Week 10

1. Cincinnati (7-1, 3-0 in conference): Another close win have the Bearcats in the poll position for the BCS invite. Next Step...Hosting WVU

2. Louisville (5-4, 3-1): Another solid win, this time in Morgantown. May be the hottest team in the conference. Next Step...Home game against Pitt

3. West Virginia (6-3, 2-2): Another pathetic team effort last week in loss to Louisville. Another season lost. Next Step...On the road at Cincinnati

4. Rutgers (6-3, 3-2): The Knights bounced back well with a win over reeling South Florida. Next Step...Non-conference game against Army.

5. Connecticut (4-5, 2-2): Good win over Syracuse moves the Huskies up the list, even though they shouldn't be. Next Step...Bye Week.

6. Pittsburgh (4-5, 2-2): I have no idea how to evaluate this team. What a strange year for the Panthers. Next Step...At the 'Ville

7. Syracuse (5-4, 1-3): They have been dreadful since beating WVU. Again, should be much better. Next Step...Hosting South Florida on Friday night.

8. South Florida (4-4, 0-4): The Bulls have just decided to take the conference year off. Next Step...On the road in Cuse.

WVU-Louisville Preview

The Mountaineers return home for the first time in three weeks to face rival, Louisville. WVU does control their own destiny, and it continues with what should be a solid chess match early on against a stingy Cardinal defense.

Offense:

West Virginia: The Mountaineers are coming off a game that showed they have the ability to be balanced. The team rushed for nearly 200 yards, while Geno threw for over 200. Granted, it was a snowstorm, but the Mountaineers have now shown a few times that you can run the football out of this scheme. Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin continue to be huge matchup problems for secondaries. Bailey is on pace to break the WVU single season record for yardage, and Dana Holgorsen is now looking for ways to get Austin the football more consistently. The big story will certainly be the offensive line. Louisville has a very good defense, and will be looking to blow up the WVU bigs. The Mountaineer line will have to play big for 60 mins.

Louisville: Freshman, Teddy Bridgewater leads the way for a Cardinals' offense that is getting stronger by the week. Bridgewater is coming off his most efficient game, and it was against a pretty good defense in Syracuse. He has some solid receivers to throw to as well. Michaelee Harris, Josh Chichester, and Eli Rogers will tough matchups for the WVU backers and secondary. A plethora of different running backs may get a chance to star as well. There is no doubt that Louisville will want to keep the ball away from WVU as much as possible.

Defense:

West Virginia: The Mountaineers are truly inconsistent. One minute the unit looks incredibly efficient. The next, well, they look dreadful. Bruce Irvin just hasn't been able to find space to get going. However, it was nice to see the line get going in the second half last week. The boys up front still need to do a better job in clogger the rush lanes, and trying to get to the quarterback. Bridgewater will pose a tough matchup, considering his athleticism. As for the linebackers, they did better in coverage last week, but are still not where they need to be. Look for that group to be used in some rushing, but have to keep an eye on Chichester. The secondary may see changes. Expect to see Broderick Jenkins on the field even more this week. The secondary better be ready for the deep ball, because Louisville will certainly be taking some shots.

Louisville: This unit is the best in the conference, and really one of the best in the nation. They are holding opponents under 100 yards rushing a week, and under 17 points a game. The front seven has done a nice job in creating pressure. Dexter Hayman leads the way, and will more or less be seen all over the field. The Cards have about four legitimate quaterback killers, so the WVU line will be in for a long day. The Mountaineers will have to keep a running back home to help block. The secondary will be in for a tough day. Hakeem Smith and the boys will look to play physically against the talented WVU wideouts. The Cardinals need to slow down the passing game to have any chance in beating the Mountaineers.

Special Teams:

West Virginia: Tyler Bitancurt struggled kicking last week, but it was a snowstorm. Expect him to clean it up. Mike Molinari continues to strive in the punting game. Brad Starks has proven to be a good number two return man alongside Tavon. The coverage was better last week, but still far away from what you can call consistent. Again, the goal for this unit should be to not kill the rest of the team.

Louisville: They are solid in the kicking game with Chris Philpott. The coverage is very good as well. Jeremy Wright, Eli Rogers, and Scott Radcliff all have the ability to destroy the WVU kick coverage.

Overall:

The Mountaineer offense is in for a great battle. It will certainly be tough if Louisville is able to make WVU one dimensional. But, the Mountaineers were able to break the LSU defense, so they should have success this weekend. The bigger story may be how Bridgewater does against the WVU defense. The Cards are still only averaging 17 points a game, and even a little more than that may not be enough. Expect the Mountaineers to pull away in the second half.

Prediction: 30-19 West Virginia

Big East Preview, Week 10

Everyone is in action this week, with plenty on the line. Can Cincinnati stay ahead of the class, or will Pitt and WVU get back in the mix? Can Syracuse take down their former coach? And, will it be Rutgers or USF waking back up? It should be a fun weekend. To the picks...

Last Week: 2-1

Overall: 34-16

Bye Week: None

South Florida at Rutgers: The Bulls need to turn things around asap. They face a team that is also on a losing streak, and prone to the mistake. There's really no excuse that USF hasn't won a game since September. Each loss has had its own theme to it. However, they just need to execute, which they should be able to do with their experience. As for Rutgers, they just need to hold on to the damn ball. The Knights are turning the ball over at an alarming rate, and face an opportunistic defense yet again. Gary Nova may be in for another long day if he can't find Mohamed Sanu. But this team needs more playmakers. One receiver isn't enough. Look for the Bulls to double Sanu, and go after Nova. On the other side, B.J. Daniels needs to take this team by the scruff and just ball. If he does, they should put up enough points to pull down the victory.

Prediction: 31-20 South Florida

Syracuse at Connecticut: This game should be the battle for the Pasqualoni Cup! Though, I'm not sure anyone really wants a trophy with Paul's likeness on it. Both teams have had very interesting years. Syracuse can't maintain momentum, and UConn can't maintain anything. This game has all the makings of a classic! Ryan Nassib and the passing attack will blister the Husky secondary. Why? Because everyone does. Watching UConn's secondary is like watching a MAC team play the pass. That should open things up for Antwon Bailey, and a whole load of scoring for the Orange. As for the Husky offense, Johnny McEntee is still the starter...which means UConn will continue to struggle. Look for the Orange front line to make a long day for McEntee. Syracuse should pull away in the second half, with Nassib leading the way.

Prediction: 29-13 Syracuse

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: The Bearcats are the lone team without a loss in the conference, and have a very favorable schedule left. It starts with taking on a beat-up Pittsburgh team that lost Ray Graham for the season last week. The Panthers now will rely on Zach Brown. The senior is averaging 3.1 yards a carry, so he will need to step it up. Tino Sunseri did step it up last week, and will need to continue to play at a high rate if they want a shot at taking down the Bearcats. Cincy's defense has been stingy this year, but did finally show some weaknesses last week against USF. Look for Sunseri to go to the air again to try and exploit the Bearcat secondary. Meanwhile, Cincy continues to cruise on offense. Pitt's defense is going to be in for a battle. They will need to slow down the ground attack to have any chance. Look for Zach Collaros and company to spread things out early and attack the corners with speed. The Bearcats should have enough success against the inconsistent Panther defense. However, Collaros needs to protect the ball much better if he wants to ensure victory this weekend. If Sunseri can pay well again Pitt will keep it close. But the Bearcats are just too powerful, and the Panthers too beat-up.

Prediction: 34-24 Cincinnati

Game of the Week: Louisville at (24) West Virginia: What a great battle this should be. The league's best defense against the league's best offense. However, the big story may be how the young Louisville offense does against the inconsistent Mountaineer defense. Expect a tight game early on, but WVU should be able to figure out the stingy Louisville defense enough to give them a comfortable lead by the second half. Teddy Bridgewater can't afford to make mistakes, and that's a lot to ask a freshman quarterback on the road. Full preview tomorrow.

Prediction: 30-19 West Virginia

Big East Power Rankings, Week 9

1. Cincinnati (6-1, 1-0 in conference): It's their conference to lose at this point. The only team without a loss in the Big East. Next Step...At Pittsburgh

2. West Virginia (6-2, 2-1): Bounced back in the snow last week to take down Rutgers. Next Step...Rivalry game against Louisville.

3. Louisville (4-4, 2-1): Two straight wins has this team moving up the ranks rapidly. Next Step...Trying to prove that the Big 12 chose the wrong team in Morgantown.

4. Syracuse (5-3, 1-2): Backed up a strong week with a rough performance against Louisville. Next Step...Traveling to take on a former coach at UConn.

5. Pittsburgh (4-4, 2-1): Solid win last week, but comes at a huge cost with the los of Ray Graham for the season. Next Step...Hosting top team, Cincy.

6. Rutgers (5-3, 2-2): Losers of two straight, the Knights are starting be who we thought they were. Next Step...Hosting South Florida.

7. Connecticut (3-5, 1-2): A tough outing last week at Pittsburgh, as the Huskies still look for consistency at many positions. Next Step...Hostin Syracuse.

8. South Florida (4-3, 0-3): Still looking for their first win September. Next Step...A roadie to Rutgers.

It's Gameweek! Week 10 Primer

Matchup: West Virginia v Louisville

When: Saturday, 12:00p, Big East Network

Line: WVU -13

West Virginia Players to Watch:

Geno Smith, QB: 2715 yards, 20 TD, 5 INT

Dustin Garrison, RB: 517 rush yards, 141 pass yards, 5 TD

Tavon Austin: 56 rec, 1239 all purpose yards, 5 total TD

Stedman Bailey, WR: 43 rec, 815 yards, 7 TD

Louisville Players to Watch:

Teddy Bridgewater, QB: 1029 yards, 7 TD, 6 INT

Michaelee Harris, WR: 26 rec, 356 yards, 2 TD

Dexter Heyman, LB: 55 total tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT

Hakeem Smith, S: 43 total tackles, 4 TFL, 8 PB, 1 FF

Storylines:

How do these rivals respond on and off the field following a bitter battle to get into the Big 12. WVU ultimately got the spot, but it wasn't pretty. Look for Louisville to play with a bit of a chip on their shoulder, trying to prove that the Big 12 took the wrong program. As for the fans? Well, expect a lot of talk going both ways. It will be eventful, though I'm sure WVU officials are happy that it wasn't Louisville who got it over WVU...or this weekend could have been really ugly.

It's a battle of the best offense and the best defense in the Big East. Something has to give, right? WVU's offense will certainly go right at the best defense in the conference, but can they survive another slow start? Will Louisville look to cut off the run, or go right after Geno Smith? How about the Louisville offense against the WVU defense? Can Teddy Bridgewater do enough against an inconsistent unit? A lot of questions to be answered on Saturday.

WVU once again controls their own destiny. And you wonder if this team is going to get back to playing on a high level following the second half of the Rutgers' game. The team stepped up after six quarters of mediocre play. Whatever that lapse was, it was quickly forgotten with how the Mountaineers did in that second half. WVU has plenty of tough games left, but if they play to potential they should fare well.

Will we see changes on the defense? Specifically at the cornerback position. Broderick Jenkins ended the game with two picks, but more importantly just flat out played better than Pat Miller. Miller had another tough game, which included two pass interference calls. He has made some nice plays this year, but has been inconsistent at best. Jenkins may have earned himself more playing time. We'll see on Saturday.

Conference Realignment 2011: The WVU, Big XII Timeline

In case you missed anything from the last two days, here is an attempt to try to timeline everything that has happened.

TUESDAY:

-New York Post first broke the news that WVU was set to leave for the Big XII.

-Several media outlets started to pick up the story, including CBS Sports. Brett McMurphy reported the same thing, that WVU was in if Missouri was out. This certainly felt concrete, considering McMurphy has been all over realignment from the start.

-Pete Thamel of the New York Times followed that with the news that WVU "applied and was accepted" to the Big XII.

-Later in the day the news came out that it was essentially a "done deal", and that a press conference was scheduled for Wednesday.

-And then all hell broke loose. Starting with the statement from WVU Athletics that there would be no press conference on Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY:

-WVU fans woke up to disturbing news. The Dominion Post was reporting that Louisville made a late push, and the Big XII basically told WVU to sit tight.

-Later in the morning, wvmetronews.com used the Post article, and went further saying that the Big XII "needed more information".

-The opened up a whole pile of rumors, many saying that Sen. (and Louisville Grad) Mitch McConnell (R-Ken) had influenced the Big XII's decision in some way. However, there were no concrete stories to prove this, until...

-Pete Thamel of the New York Times dropped a bomb regarding the situation, and said it's "too close to call" between WVU and Louisville. He also wrote that numerous sources claim that McConnell had contacted OU President, David Boren, a former senator, and others to "push" the Louisville cause.

-Well, you knew the WV senators wouldn't let that go, so statements from both Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, as well a Rep Shelly Moore Capito were released condemning the alleged actions of McConnell. Manchin took it a step further by even suggesting an investigation! You can find all the statements on wvillustrated.com

-Rockefeller ended up speaking to Boren and others about the situation, while Manchin took to the mic to voice his concern.

-Numerous tweets throughout the night gave WVU the lead, while others said Louisville. However, the most interesting may have come from Chuck Charlton from the Dallas Morning News, who tweeted "Because of the messy, awkward situation, two sources say Big 12 might consider Louisville and WVU together as a compromise."

THURSDAY:

-This morning has been relatively quiet, but it's early.

-USA Today is reporting that WVU may still be the frontrunner, with a decision possibly coming before the weekend.

-Brett McMurphy also laid out how close WVU was to already being a member of the Big XII. And, yes...very close.

-Jenn Menendez of the PPG writes about Manchin's appearance on MSNBC this morning. Manching said it "was a "done deal" before the move stalled."

-According to Dennis Dodd(CBS), all three senators have been lobbying their fight to Boren for weeks.

-Stay Tuned...much more to come!

Conference Realignment 2011: A Sad Day For College Sports

Where to begin...

It's amazing how pure joy can turn to utter madness in the span of about 24 hours, but that's exactly what happened to the Mountaineer faithful. Tuesday was one of the better days in recent memory, when we were told that WVU had been accepted to the Big XII and a press conference was scheduled for Wednesday. Unfortunately, it all came crashing down starting Tuesday night with the news that the presser was postponed, and by Wednesday morning all hell broke loose.

Yesterday essentially turned into one of the most absurd days in recent memory...one that makes you embarrassed by sports and the human race. The stories of political influence started to take over, with seemingly everyone having their own take of what the outcome may look like, and how much influence is coming from both sides.

It's absolutely sick, really. Nobody wants congress getting involved...I'm certain that's the last thing we need.

Is Louisville to blame for all of this? Of course not! They are just doing what WVU would be doing if this was turned the other way. Louisville understands how important it is to get out of the sinking Big East. And, I hope the Big XII eventually invites them too. It would be a short trip for WVU fans, and an ongoing rivalry.

The major blame has to go the Big XII's way. If you believe that all the reports were true that WVU was verbally accepted and a presser was scheduled (and I do believe it considering nobody denied anything on Tuesday), then this is all on the leadership of a conference that really can't afford to be unstable. The last thing the Big XII needs is more dissension moving forward, considering some of those schools could still take off on the drop of a dime.

Even with this instability I certainly hope WVU gets in. The Big XII chaos still pales in comparison to what is happening in the Big East. It would just feel a bit better if WVU felt a little more welcome. But, at this point I guess beggars can't be choosers.

Big East Preview, Week 9

A shakeup last week has some new teams looking to stay on top. Can Syracuse keep the momentum going, can WVU and Rutgers get back on track? And, Pitt and UConn may be playing for that final bowl spot. Great storylines as we head deeper into the season. To the picks!

Last Week: 1-2

Overall: 32-15

Bye Week: South Florida, Cincinnati

Connecticut at Pittsburgh: Huge game for both of these teams tonight. The Huskies are looking to build on some momentum from before the bye. Meanwhile, the Panthers are trying to kick the tires of a stalled offense. Tino Sunseri just hasn't given Pitt what they need, but Todd Graham will stick with him...for now. The Panthers will concentrate on the ground game, which may be tough to get going, since UConn is one of the best teams in the country against the run. This means Sunseri has to show up. Fortunately for him, the Huskies are terrible against the pass. Expect Pitt to have open receivers throughout the game. UConn will give up some pints, so Johnny McEntee needs to be efficient. If the Huskies are sloppy early, they could be out of this one quickly. Look for Pitt to bring the pressure early to get to McEntee. If they can cut off the run, and make McEntee uncomfortable, the Panthers should win somewhat comfortably.

Prediction: 27-17 Pittsburgh

Syracuse at Louisville: The Orange are flying high after dismantling WVU last week. The offense was fluid, the defense was punishing, and special teams had a big score. It was the first time this season that Syracuse played a full game. Louisville also had a solid weekend, taking down Rutgers in a tight contest. The Cardinal defense continues to play well, while the offense tries to figure it out. This is an interesting matchup. If the Orange play like they did last week, then they will cruise. However, we have only seen that once in seven games. Expect the Orange to have to rely on the pass quite a bit. Louisville's the kind of defense that can make you one dimensional. It's also a defense that is much more opportunistic than WVU. If the Cardinals can win the turnover battle early they will have a chance...not a huge one though. With Chandler Jones back for Cuse, Louisville's offense is going to be in for a long day. It should be a close game, but Louisville is just not strong enough offensively to pull this off. Syracuse does enough to continue the winning.

Prediction: 24-20 Syracuse

Game of the Week: (25) West Virginia at Rutgers: The Mountaineers come in off one of the worst losses in recent memory, and better not show any hangover. If they do, the season is probably over. Meanwhile, Rutgers is struggling to find players to step up offensively. Gary Nova is making too many mistakes, and Mohamed Sanu is the only playmaker on the team. The Knights will have to rely on the defense to get the job done this week, and it's hard to think WVU will struggle two weeks in a row. If the Mountaineer defense can just play respectable, WVU should win comfortably. Full preview on Friday.

Prediction: 34-21 West Virginia

Big East Power Rankings, Week 8

1. Cincinnati (6-1, 2-0): Got a major scare at South Florida, but pass the test. Now the team to beat in the Big East. Next Step...Bye Week for the bowl eligible team.

2. Syracuse (5-2, 1-1): Deserve to be in the second spot this week after an impressive thrashing of WVU. Now have a great chance at the BCS. Next Step...Trying to avoid a letdown at Louisville.

3. West Virginia (5-2, 1-1): Pathetic performance at Syracuse has WVU asking a lot of questions this week. Next Step...Trying to regroup at Rutgers.

4. Rutgers (5-2, 2-1): Not a great performance last week in Louisville. The offense needs more than just one person to step up. Next Step...Hosting West Virginia.

5. Pittsburgh (3-4, 1-1): This is probably too high, but the rest of the conference is a crap shoot right now. Next Step...Hosting UConn tonight.

6. Louisville (3-4, 1-1): A nice win over Rutgers may jumpstart Louisville's season. Next Step...Big home tilt against Syracuse.

7. Connecticut (3-4, 1-1): Still has time to sure things up a bit to make make a run at a bowl. Next Step...Roadie tonight in Pittsburgh.

8. South Florida (4-3, 0-3): The wheels have completely fallen off in conference play. Next Step. A much-needed Bye Week.

Big East Preview, Week 8

We have a good crop of important conference games this week in the Big East. The top teams all hit the road for tough road matches. Will all keep on trucking at the top, or will the second tier close things up moving forward? To the picks...

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 31-13

Bye Week: Pittsburgh, Connecticut

Rutgers at Louisville: This is an interesting matchup. Rutgers comes in 5-1, but will be the underdog against the reeling Cardinals. The Knights did win a close game against Navy last week. Rutgers may only have one loss, but haven't exactly blown the doors off of people with their offense. The Knights did compile over 400 yards against Navy, but still turned the ball over numerous times and needed a blocked field goal to pull it out. Freshman quarterback Gary Nova has played pretty well, but will have a major test this weekend against the Louisville defense. The Cardinals did lose last week, but the defense did hold one of the best offenses in the nation to just 25 points. Louisville may only have two wins, but it's a team that has been in every game. The offense showed a little more last week, and should keep pace with the Knights. This game may come down to who is more mistake-prone. Give the edge to the Cardinals. A combination of a home crowd, night game, and offensive improvements will give them the slight edge over Rutgers.

Prediction: 24-21 Louisville

Cincinnati at South Florida: How about those Bearcats? Following a miserable season, Cincy is now just one win away from bowl eligibility. Meanwhile, South Florida has completely fallen apart in Big East play. Now 0-2 in the conference, the Bulls can pretty much forget about playing in a BCS bowl already. However, USF is finally back home, where they play a much different brand of football. Look for B.J. Daniels and the Bulls to aggressively attack the Bearcat defense. The passing game will be used, with Daniels running draws out of that. Cincinnati's defense has been very good this year, but can be susceptible to a quarterback like Daniels. On the other side, the Bearcats will have to get off to a better start than the last few weeks. The Bulls are not a team that will let them off the hook. Look for a lot on the ground from the Bearcats with Zach Collaros and Isaiah Pead. The Bulls have been miserable against the run, and will have to stack the box to slow it down. Of course, this will open door for the Bearcat passing game. It seems that this game could be a fun one, with these mismatches. Expect a close game late into the second half, with Daniels willing his team to victory. South Florida should be a good enough team to not lose three straight games.

Prediction: 31-30 South Florida

Game of the Week: (15) West Virginia at Syracuse: The Mountaineers invade the dome on a random Friday night to seek revenge. Syracuse had an outstanding win last year in Morgantown, and look to pull off an even bigger upset. WVU is a much better team than last year. Geno Smith has the passing game on cruise control, and the running game is starting to come around as well. The defense is gaining more confidence, and even the special teams has awoken for a five year slumber. Meanwhile, the Syracuse offense has looked much better the last few weeks, and Ryan Nassib is progressing well. The defense will finally get Chandler Jones back to help the line, but the secondary will have to step up. Expect a fired up Orange team early, maybe even taking a slight lead. But, like in most games, too much Geno and company throughout will give WVU the edge by the final whistle. Full preview tomorrow

Prediction: 38-27 West Virginia

Big East Power Rankings, Week 7

1. West Virginia (5-1, 1-0 in conference): Spent the bye week gearing up for a run at the BCS. Next Step...Seeking revenge in the dome

2. Cincinnati (5-1, 1-0): The Bearcats won a close, tough game over Louisville, and continue to surprise many people. Next Step...Tough roady at South Florida.

3. Rutgers (5-1, 2-0): Talk about surprises, the Knights just continue to roll on. Yes, they were picked to finish last. Next Step...road game at Louisville.

4. South Florida (4-2, 0-2): This team is in total dissaray. Two straight conference losses have the Bulls searching for answers. Next Step...Hostin Cincy in a must-win.

5. Syracuse (4-2, 0-1): Well, the Big East isn't deep this year, considering an inconsistent Syracuse falls in as the 5th best team tis week. Next Step...Proving me wrong against WVU.

6. Pittsburgh (3-4, 1-1): Hard to believe that this team was once considered good. It just goes to show how important a quarterback is. Next Step...Much needed bye week.

7. Connecticut (3-4, 1-1): A nice win over South Florida have the Huskies believing again. Next Step...Bye Week for the boys.

8. Louisville (2-4, 0-1): Not a bad game against Cincinnati last week, but no moral victories in football. Next Step...Big matchup up against Rutgers

Conference Realignment 2011: ESPN Report says WVU and Louisville are Two of the Top Choices for Big 12

West Virginia and Louisville are two of the top candidates to replace Missouri, if the Tigers indeed depart for the SEC. That's the word from ESPN's Andy Katz.

Katz writes...

A source with direct knowledge of the Big 12's expansion panel's plans told ESPN.com's Andy Katz that if Missouri departs, the Big 12 still must decide if it wants to go to 10 or 12 members. The source said Louisville and West Virginia are two of the top candidates to replace Missouri if it leaves.

Not a huge surprise. Both schools have a solid resume for athletics, fanbase, and television ratings. Louisville has the edge in geography, but WVU has the more suitable program. It may not matter if the Big 12 goes back to 12 teams, because both schools would probably be in.

The bigger question is what happens to the Big East? The conference surely can't keep it's AQ status if they lose two or three more schools. Hell, they may not even have a conference left.

Missouri is expected to meet later this week about its invitation to the SEC. This means we could start hearing more information about WVU and/or Louisville in regards to their future with or without the Big 12 soon.