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

Deep Thoughts, WVU Style

I hate Tampa. I hate everything about playing at USF. Of course it doesn't help that WVU hasn't won there since 2005. It's always a struggle against the Bulls. The game is normally full of mistakes, with WVU usually dealing with an uphill battle early-on. It's critical for the Mountaineers to get off to a solid start. But, considering WVU has only played one good 1st quarter all year, I won't be holding my breath.

Tavon Austin got all the attention at the beginning of the season, and for good reason. The Junior has torn it up, but the big play star moving forward seems to be Stedman Bailey. It's incredible to watch him play. Bailey is a threat anytime he catches the ball. In fact, 18% of his 60 receptions are touchdowns. That's a pretty solid number. So, look for Bailey to continue to get better. And, don't worry about Austin. He'll put up close to 100 receptions next year as well. Not a bad one-two.

Jabarie Hinds is the real deal. What he did to Akron the other night was simply nasty. Hinds is starting to find the confidence that he needs to help lead the backcourt into the Big East schedule. He leads the team in assists and steals already, and also is shooting 60.5% from the field. Just like the rest of the freshmen, he needs to let the game come to him a little bit more. But, overall this kid is maturing nicely.

I keep thinking what the next school to have an abuse scandal is going to be. Should we be concerned that it could be WVU? I have no reason to believe it would be, but you could say the same thing about Syracuse and Penn State fans. Sadly, some type of abuse probably happens everyday on college campuses nationwide. It's prevalent, and the best way to deter it is to make it public. So, if something has happened in Morgantown, I hope it does go public. Nobody should have the live in fear and shame. And, who cares what the fallout will be. Humanity before athletics.

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.

It's Gameweek! Week 14 Primer

Matchup: West Virginia at South Florida

When: Thur, 8p, ESPN

Line: WVU -1

West Virginia Players to Watch:

Geno Smith, QB: 3,741 yards, 25 TD, 5 INT

Tavon Austin, WR: 82 rec, 2,086 all-purpose yards, 6 TD

Stedman Bailey, WR: 60 rec, 1,117 yards, 11 TD

Bruce Irvin, DE: 24 total tackles, 13.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 2 FF

South Florida Players to Watch:

Bj Daniels and Boby Eveld, QB: 2,713 combined pass yards, 18 total TD, 10 combined INT

Darrell Scott, RB: 722 yards, 6 total TD, 5.2 YPC

Sterling Griffin, WR: 40 rec, 493 yards, 2 TD

DeDe Lattimore, LB: 87 total tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF

Storylines:

The BCS mess continues into the final week for the Big East. What needs to happen for WVU? First thing is a win. The Mountaineers can't afford to look past this game. A win gives them a chance to go BCS bowling. A loss puts them in Charlotte. Yes, they have to rely on Cincinnati to win, but the Mountaineers need to bethinking about one thing only this week: South Florida.

Tampa hasn't been kind to WVU. The Mountaineers have only won once at USF since the Bulls joined the conference. That one time was WVU's first conference trip back in 2005. There have been some disappointing losses that mostly have to do with lots and lots and lots of mistakes. WVU has to play more fluid and confident if they want to roll out of Tampa with a win.

Will B.J. Daniels be back? That's the big question going into Thursday night. Daniels posses a major threat against WVU. He is a duel-threat that has had success against the 3-3-5 defense in the past. Bobby Eveld is capable of winning, but is certainly not the talent that Daniels is. Either way, WVU needs to keep the pressure on. Look for Jeff Casteel to dial up the four-man rush with a linebacker joining the front to go after whoever is in the game.

What will the crowd look like? I imagine it will look much better than what we saw Friday against Louisville. The stadium was practically empty. But, it was the day after Thanksgiving so many were home for the holidays. But, still...that was weak. It looked like a Temple home game. Thursday night, with the students back should be much better. Plus, WVU should have a solid base of fans as well. Thursday night is going to be fun.

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 Power Rankings, Week 11

1. West Virginia (7-3, 3-2 in conference): After a win over Cincinnati, the Mountaineers find themselves back on top of the poll. Next Step...Bye Week.

2. Cincinnati (7-2, 3-1): The Bearcats still control their own destiny, but now have to do it with a backup quarterback. Next Step...road game at Rutgers.

3. Rutgers (7-3, 3-2): A solid win over Army have the Knights bowl-bound and ready for the final few games. Next Step...Huge home game against Cincinnati.

4. Pittsburgh (5-5, 3-2): The Panthers have been playing better, and put it all together in a solid win over Louisville last week. Next Step...Bye Week.

5. Louisville (5-5, 3-2): The Cardinals blew a huge opportunity to win this conference with a loss last week to Pittsburgh. Next Step...Regrouping at Connecticut.

6. Connecticut (4-5, 2-2): The Huskies took the week off, and now look to get one step closer to bowl eligibility. Next Step...Hosting Louisville.

7. South Florida (5-4, 1-4): The Bulls finally found a way to win in the conference last week in the Dome. Next Step...Non-conference game hosting Miami.

8. Syracuse (5-5, 1-4): Have been absolutely shambolic since beating West Virginia. Next Step...Much needed bye week.

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.

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.

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

Big East Preview, Week 7

A mix of league and non-conference games make up the week for the Big East. A few more chances for teams to make statements, especially Rutgers. The Knights were left for dead by the media, but could be one step closer to the post season after Saturday. USF and Pitt also get the chance to get back on track, following terrible losses.

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 29-11

Bye Week: Syracuse, West Virginia

Louisville at Cincinnati: The Bearcats are quietly putting together a good season. And this team is much more balanced than many people think. We know how good the offense is, but the story has been the defense. Cincy is 15th in the country in points against, and have only allowed over 14 points once. This is a fantastic matchup for the Bearcats, considering Louisville has one of the worst offenses in the nation. The Cardinals will have Will Stein back from injury, but Teddy Bridgewater is far from the problem. The offensive line continues to be shambolic, the play calling is a disaster, and the ground game just can't get going. This means the Louisville defense is going to have to keep them in the game...again. The Bearcats are just going to have too much in this matchup. Even with an outstanding performance by the Cards' D, the offense just isn't potent enough.

Prediction: 31-10 Cincinnati

South Florida at Connecticut: The Bulls have had two weeks to think about their terrible performance against Pitt. This should be a better team than what was seen that Thursday night. They now get a chance to turn the season around against the weakest team in the Big East. The Huskies are reeling, just giving up way too much in the pass game. UConn can run the ball, but just too much inexperience in the passing game makes them too one-dimensional. Look for the Bulls to stack the box, and force Johnny McEntee into 3rd and long situations. It's eventually what buried UConn last week. On the other side, look for B.J. Daniels to stay in the pocket a bit more than usual. The depleted Husky secondary will get rocked once again.

Prediction: 34-20 South Florida

Utah at Pittsburgh: The Panthers continue to be the bipolar team of the conference. They hammer South Florida, only to back it up with a dismal performance at Rutgers. Todd Graham just can't find an offense to stay consistent. His biggest problem has to be his quarterback. Tino Sunseri just can't figure out the new system, and it may be time to look behind him. Or, just give the ball to Ray Graham 50 times, especially against a struggling Utah team. Look for Pitt to run as much as possible to try to gain the momentum back. The Panthers' defense should also have success, considering the Utes lost their starting quarterback for the season. It's already been a struggle for Utah to score, and now losing Jordan Wynn is a big hit. Pitt will go after the quarterback all day long. Look for the Panthers to pull away in the second half.

Prediction: 29-14 Pittsburgh

Game of the Week: Navy at Rutgers: It's always a good time trying to stop the triple-option. The Knights get the task this weekend against Navy. Rutgers is proving a lot of people wrong this year with the fast start. Already 4-1, the Knights get a chance to show some people what they have against the Midshipmen. After a solid game against Pitt, Gary Nova will get the start at quarterback. His completion percentage needs to improve, and probably will against Navy. Look for the Knights' dynamic receivers to have a field day on Saturday. There's no doubt Rutgers will be able to move the ball, but will the defense be able to stop Navy? The Knights are only allowing 15 points per game, but haven't faced an offense like this. Navy will move the ball, but look for Rutgers to clamp down when the field shortens. The Middies have played opponents tough this year, so expect this game to be close. However, the Knights' receivers will be too much of a mismatch. Look for Nova to hit a couple big plays in the second half to pull away.

Prediction: 30-20 Rutgers

Big East Power Rankings, Week 6

1. West Virginia (5-1, 1-0 in conference): The defense and special teams rose to the occasion to bail out a slow starting offense against UConn. Next Step...Boring Bye Week

2. Cincinnati (4-1, 0-0): Looking to keep the momentum going from before the bye week. Next Step...Hosting a reeling Louisville.

3. South Florida (4-1, 0-1): Looking to rebound from a disappointing loss two weeks ago to Pittsburgh. Next Step...Roadie to UConn.

4. Rutgers (4-1, 2-0): The surpass team of the conference is coming off a dismantling of Pitt. Next Step...Getting ready to stop Navy's option.

5. Pittsburgh (3-3, 1-1): The Bipolar Panthers backed up a solid win over South Florida by not showing up against Rutgers. Next Step...Back to the drawing board against Utah.

6. Syracuse (4-2, 0-0): A solid first half against Tulane helped the Orange hold on for the win. Next Step...Still looking for a complete four quarters as they hit the bye week.

7. Louisville (2-3, 0-0): It's painful to watch this team on offense. This team needs to find some creativity. Next Step...Tough road game at Cincinnati.

8. Connecticut (2-4, 0-1): Mistakes and injuries are a bad combination. The Huskies are in full skid mode. Next Step...Tough home game against USF.

Big East Preview, Week 6

The Big East is coming off a dreadful week, where we saw two teams fall to non-AQ's, and just a lot of poor football. Conference realignment talk continues to overshadow the play, which may be a good thing, considering the play had been mostly marginal. As we get more into conference play, we'll see what teams truly belong at the top, and what teams are already thinking about next year. To the picks!

Last Week: 2-4

Overall: 26-10

Bye Week: South Florida, Cincinnati

Syracuse at Tulane: It's a battle in the Bayou of two sputtering teams. Syracuse comes in after a dreadful overtime loss to Rutgers. Once again, too many mistakes buried the Orange in what really should have been a win. Meanwhile, Tulane only has one win over an FBS opponent, and got killed by Duke. Yes, Duke. Both teams offensive stats are nearly identical. The Green Wave will rush the ball with more effectiveness. Syracuse will show more in the pass game. The Orange do have an edge in defense, especially with a few faces coming back from injury. Look for a close game early on, but if Cuse can hold on to the ball(and I know that's asking a lot) they should pull away. Look for the Orange defense to push the momentum into Cuse's favor in the second half, and help the Orange to a semi-comfortable victory.

Prediction: 34-24 Syracuse

Connecticut at (16) West Virginia: The Mountaineers open Big East play with a balanced attack...finally. It took five games to find it, but the rushing attack has opened up. The Huskies have struggled out of the gates, and were embarrassed last week by Western Michigan. UConn will have to cause havoc to disrupt Geno Smith, who is clicking right now. The Mountaineer defense looked better last week, and will play aggressively against an inexperienced quarterback. WVU should win confidently. Full preview tomorrow.

Prediction: 38-20 West Virginia

Pittsburgh at Rutgers: Both teams are coming off conference wins. Pittsburgh turned on the switch last week, and pummeled South Florida. Rutgers played terribly, yet still beat Syracuse in overtime. Two teams going in the right direction, but Pittsburgh should have the upper hand. The offense is in better shape, and the defensive unit is growing in confidence. Todd Graham finally has his kids buying into the new system, so we may see a different Pittsburgh team from now on. However, Tino Sunseri will have to stay more consistently. He has yet to have a solid performance, and the same can be said for Rutgers' Chas Dodd. The Knights' starting quarterback is coming off an ugly performance last week, will have to be relied upon this week. Pitt will undoubtedly stack the box to make Dodd work. It's just not a good matchup for Rutgers. Dodd can't win them a game right now, and won't do it this week. Look for another steady dose of Ray Graham, and the Panthers controlling for the majority.

Prediction: 24-13 Pittsburgh

Game of the Week: Louisville at North Carolina: Yes, kind of a weak "Game of the Week", but it's a pretty sorry week of games. The Cardinals just don't have anything offensively. Whether it's Teddy Bridgewater or Will Stein, it seems the bigger problem may be scheme. The offense has been stagnant for just too long. There is no excuse to lose a low scoring game to Marshall. Louisville isn't even averaging 20 points a game. Meanwhile, UNC shook off the distractions and are off to a nice start in the post-Butch Davis Era. Both defensive units have played well, so expect a bit of a defensive affair. The Tarheels have been a bit mistake-prone, which may may keep the Cardinals in the game early. However, if Bryn Renner can hold on to the football, UNC should win the time of possession battle. Winning TOP in an ugly offensive matchup like this will be key. Louisville will keep it close, especially if they can get a quick hitter or two early-on. A close game than most expect, but Louisville just doesn't have the offensive horses to keep them in late.

Prediction: 24-17 North Carolina

Big East Power Rankings, Week 5

1. West Virginia (4-1, 0-0 in conference): Dominant performance over Bowling Green. Also found a balanced attack. Next Step...Hosting Connecticut in conference opener.

2. Cincinnati (4-1, 0-0): Have rebounded nicely from earlier loss to Tennessee. Rolling into the conference schedule. Next Step...Bye Week

3. Pittsburgh (3-2, 1-0): The Panthers seem to finally be putting it together. A solid win over ranked South Florida puts Pitt back up with the big boys. Next Step...On the road at Rutgers.

4. South Florida (4-1, 0-1): Choked once again in Big East play. And, choked once again on a Thursday night. Next Step...Bye Week to get back on track.

5. Rutgers (3-1, 1-0): It was an awful game against Syracuse, but a win is a win. Plus, the defense played respectably. Next Step...Hosting Pittsburgh.

6. Syracuse (3-2, 0-1): Mistakes continue to kill this team. The Orange have to wake up before it's too late. Next Step...Looking for four good quarters of football at Tulane.

7. Louisville (2-2, 0-0): Early candidate for the Big East Bipolar Award. Simply inexcusable to come off a bye week and lose to Marshall. Next Step...Tough roady at UNC

8. Connecticut (2-3, 0-0): A slow start to the year continues for the Huskies, following a loss to Western Michigan. Paul Pasqualoni is already feeling the heat. Next Step...Road game in Morgantown.