Big East football schedules: Week 9 and 10

“Bottom line: this just isn't a good year for the Big East and there's no standout team. But if you want to watch a wildly unpredictable league race where things change just about every week, keep watching.”—Brian Bennett, ESPN.com Big East blogger (October 24, 2010)

Week nine and ten are combined here on our look at the Big East football schedules. Week ten is light on play with only half of the conference in play, and one game is a Wednesday night primetime showdown between two teams with a bye in week nine.

The week nine and ten schedules are below.

Week 9 Big East Schedule
Fri., Oct 29-Connecticut vs West Virginia
Sat., Oct 30-Pittsburgh vs Louisville
Oct 30-Cincinnati vs Syracuse

Week 10 Big East schedule
Wed., Nov 3-USF vs Rutgers
Sat., Nov 6-Syracuse vs Louisville

AN: OK, let’s start with week nine where both UC and Pitt are in action. Jake, the last time Louisville visited Pittsburgh, it ended in ugly fashion, with the Panthers winning 41-7. Will this game be any different?

JM: Pitt’s had two straight blowout wins to begin Big East play, beating Rutgers last week and Syracuse the week before. Louisville appears to be a somewhat improved team this year, but Pitt still has much more talent.

After the rough start the Panthers got off to, they have rallied back and have played much better football the last three weeks, beginning with the loss to Notre Dame in South Bend. I like Pitt to win again this week to move to 3-0 in Big East play.

While Louisville has struggled some this year and is probably not headed to a bowl this season, I like the direction of their program. Charlie Strong will have the Cardinals in position to compete for the Big East title in the next few years.

How are your Bearcats going to fare against the resurgent Orange, Adam?

AN: The last time Syracuse visited the Queen City the Big East championship trophy was in the building, and after starting on off on a 7:34 scoring drive, the Bearcats never looked back, and won 30-10. Doug Marrone’s crew defeated West Virginia in Morgantown last weekend but quarterback Ryan Nassib was less than efficient in the win, completing only 5 of his 15 pass attempts.

Even though Pitt is the technical front runner of the Big East conference at this point, Syracuse is the highest rated team (at #29 in the AP Poll). This game is an elimination game of sorts in the conference. Winner lives to fight on, and the loser needs a lot of help to get to a BCS bowl.

With UC’s uncertainty at quarterback (Zach Collaros is being listed as day to day with a leg injury) and already depleted wide receiving corps, this game could be a ball control game. Syracuse would have the edge if that were the case. Their offensive line and running backs Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Prince-Tyson Gulley cold allow the Orange to control the clock and the game.

Jake, a few games to look at here over two weeks, and both UC and Pitt have byes in week ten. Any particular game in this stretch catch your eye as must-see TV?

JM: I’ll be interested in that UConn-West Virginia game. After last week’s crushing loss to Syracuse, the Mountaineers have to right the ship quickly to stay competitive in the conference title hunt. A second straight loss in conference play would really put WVU in a hole, one that will be difficult to dig out of.

UConn was the trendy pick to win the Big East in the last couple of weeks before the season started. I’ve never been particularly high on this team, and they have proved me right so far. In the words of Denny Green, “They are who we thought they were.” UConn still has a shot at the Big East title but really needs a win this week and will have to do it without quarterback Cody Endres, who was kicked off the team this week. Zach Frazer will be back under center, leading an anemic Husky Offense.

Adam, what games are you watching these next two weeks?

AN: I’m honestly going to be watching that Wednesday night game next week between Rutgers and USF. After watching USF methodically dismantle the two-time defending champs in front of my very eyes this past Friday night, I’m interested to see how Skip Holtz and the Bulls rebound. Plus, it’ll be nice watching some TV without political ads for the first time in months.

And honestly, I haven’t seen much of Rutgers, but I watched part of their game against Army, and if USF can stay balanced and run the football, I like Skip Holtz and the USF Bulls to pull off the win. The Bulls need a lot of help to make it to a BCS game, but all they have to do is keep winning.

So just keep watching folks, as Brian Bennett suggested. The Big East is like the box of chocolates that Forrest Gump opines about: “You never know what you’re gunna get.”