Big East schedule preview: Week 12

“Players lose confidence, coaches might panic and burn redshirts and go for quick-fix solutions with junior-college signees, and recruiting suffers. In some ways, it's much easier to tear down a championship program than it is to build one.”—Brian Bennett, ESPN.com blogger (Sept. 17th, 2010)

Crunch time for the Big East football teams starts in mid-November, and week 12 could be the pivotal week in separating the contenders from the pretenders. All eight Big East teams lock horns in conference play on the penultimate week of November. Take a look at the week 12 schedule.

Week 12 Big East schedule
Sat. Nov 20-Louisville vs West Virginia
Nov 20-Cincinnati vs Rutgers
Nov 20-Syracuse vs Connecticut
Nov 20-USF vs Pittsburgh

AN: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights came in to Nippert Stadium in 2006 ranked No. 7 in the AP polls, and looking to remain perfect. In front of 27,804 fans, including your favorite blogger and my guest, the Bearcats defeated Rutgers 30-11. That game has been circled by many as the proverbial domino that led to Brian Kelly ending up in Cincinnati.

Let’s follow the events: Mark Dantonio leads UC to victory over Rutgers on ESPN, he takes the job at Michigan State a few weeks later, and Brian Kelly gets hired to take over at UC. The rest is history. BK leads UC to two straight Big East titles and jets for Notre Dame and Butch Jones takes over for Kelly at UC.

The last time Rutgers beat UC was in 2005. With UC reeling from three straight conference losses, and with the Bearcats needing a win to stay alive for a bowl (who thought three months ago we’d be saying that?) this truly is a must-win for head coach Butch Jones and the Bearcats.

Even with all the playmakers UC has on offense, injuries have bitten the two-time defending conference champions. Zach Collaros, Vidal Hazleton, Isaiah Pead, Darrin Williams, and Ben Guidugli have all missed games at some point this season, contributing to a sputtering offense and a now 3-6 record.

Rutgers hasn’t been much better, dropping an embarrassing game in Piscataway to Tulane, and they’ll come into Cincinnati also riding a three-game conference losing streak. Something’s gotta give, and given Rutgers’ troubling offense, this might be the day that the Bearcats break out of their slide, and finally (again, never thought I’d be saying this) finally get a win.

We’re like the Bee Gees, “Stayin’ Alive.” Jake, your thoughts on Pitt’s travels to warmer Tampa Bay?

JM: Well Pitt took a major step back last week against UConn, playing terribly and turning the ball over multiple times en route to a crushing loss. Pitt still controls its own destiny in the Big East, and this week’s game may very well decide who represents the conference in the BCS.

Last time Pitt made the trip to Raymond James stadium, USF was a top-10 team and the Panthers were in the midst of a nine-win season. Now, USF is surging late and Pitt continues to struggle with consistency.

I’ve said all along that USF would be much better off under Skip Holtz than under Jim Leavitt, and the improvement is beginning to show. Unlike Leavitt’s teams which would start hot before going into a late season tailspin, this year’s Bulls squad has continued to improve and is playing some of its best football right now. I still favor Pitt in this one, but in a nailbiter.

AN: Honestly, other than the Pitt-USF showdown, the other two matchups in week 12 don’t impress me much, and yes, I did just quote Shania Twain.

JM: Hilljack.

AN: Yes, I love NASCAR and country music. Deal with it. As unimpressive as it may have looked before the season, the second best matchup on the schedule might be West Virginia and Louisville, but I feel UC gave West Virginia just the kickstart that the Mountaineers needed to get back on their horse. Anything looking interesting to you, Jake, as we get into week 12?

JM: Well, I guess I’m stuck with Syracuse-UConn. UConn stayed alive by beating Pitt last week, and Syracuse has been the surprise team in the Big East (at least on the positive side) and one of the bigger surprises in all of college football. I think Syracuse delivers the final blow to UConn’s Big East hopes and puts itself in position to maybe end up in a solid bowl game.

AN: Thanks for joining us, and as always enjoy your Big East football this week (unless you’re a fan of Cincinnati or Rutgers, in which case it could be painful)