Rentschler Field site of final nail in UC’s coffin

They say ‘It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings,’ but on Saturday afternoon in Hartford, Conn., for fans of UC football, it was the sweet sounds of Bing Crosby, crooning the Bearcats to their ultimate demise.
“I’ll be home for Christmas…”

With a 38-17 loss to the Big East leading UConn Huskies, the two-time defending Big East champions are now 4-7 and not eligible to make a bowl game, with only one game left (vs. Pittsburgh, noon on Saturday).

“You can plan on me…”

UConn’s Rentschler Field was once described to me as a pro stadium that was halfway finished, and nothing has changed since my last visit to the northeast. The only thing that made the trip unbearable was the stiff, stiff breeze that made the air temperature hover near or below the freezing mark all game long.

“Please have snow and mistletoe…”

So, nothing out of the ordinary for this final road trip review of 2010. I’m sure I could find more to say, but there’s not much more to say about the Rent. It’s a nice place, and I’m always interested to see the lines of cars out on the old landing strips behind the stadium’s pressbox. It reminds me of a NASCAR race.

The two above photos show the mass of cars and tailgaters near the two (former) runways behind the pressbox area

“And presents on the tree…”

So, even though the trip ending with a loss means I’ll be home for Christmas, there’s one last game to go, one final home game hurrah, and it should be a blast. Check back later this week for more Big East news, including thoughts about TCU joining the conference.

Big East football schedules: Week 11

A lot of fans think that referees like to pander to the best teams in the league to ensure that the best teams in the conference represent the conference in the BCS. Ask West Virginia fans about November 13th 2009, and almost every Mountaineer fan will tell you that referee John McDaid (a favorite of yours truly and my guest blogger) handed a victory to the UC Bearcats by overturning an obvious fumble by Isaiah Pead in the endzone, resulting in six points for the Bearcats.

ESPN replays showed the ball crossing the goal line. Decide for yourself
So, 365 days later WVU fans will get their shot to avenge a loss in 2009, and an overtime loss to the UC Bearcats in 2008. That ’08 game shifted the title of top dog in the Big East to Cincinnati from Morgantown, and now Bill Stewart has his shot to regain the power in the conference from former West Virginia wide out coach Butch Jones, who now leads UC.

Talk about storylines. Here’s week 11:

Week 11 Big East Schedule
Thurs., Nov 11-Connecticut vs Pittsburgh
Sat., Nov 13-West Virginia vs Cincinnati
Nov 13-Louisville vs USF
Nov 13-Rutgers vs Syracuse

AN: As much as I’d love to continue talking about UC and West Virginia, and one of the most dangerous venues in all of sports—Milan Puskar Stadium—I have to turn it over to Jake. Pitt and UConn have similar “pro style” offenses, so on Veteran’s Day in Hartford, Conn., who takes the “W”?

JM: Well, Pitt’s “pro-style” offense has been improving from week to week this season and is starting to get back to the effectiveness that Pitt fans enjoyed last year with Bill Stull at the helm. Meanwhile, UConn’s offense has been a mess all season they’ve gone through several quarterbacks and still cannot find a viable passing game.

UConn can run the ball however with a talented running back, Jordan Todman. The combination of a good night from Todman and a solid performance by UConn’s defense could be enough to beat the Panthers, but I don’t see that happening. Pitt has made too much progress this season and controls its own destiny for a BCS bowl bid.

Honestly, one of my biggest concerns this week is the weather in Hartford. Around this time of year, Connecticut becomes basically a frozen hell, so some intense weather conditions are very possible and could play a major factor in this game.

AN: I look forward to going to Milan Puskar Stadium every other year because it is full of rabid, passionate Mountaineer fans. And as crazy as it sounds, it’s one of the coolest gameday atmospheres I’ve ever encountered (second to Oklahoma and NC State). Last year Isaiah Pead, Zach Collaros and Tony Pike all combined to put UC up 24-14, and a late WVU touchdown made it 24-21, but it was all too little too late for the Mountaineers. UC moved to 10-0, and asserted that the Big East title moves through Cincinnati, not Morgantown.

Speaking of Pead, the then sophomore running back rushed the ball a career high 18 times for 175 yards and one touchdown against West Virginia last year. The 3-3-5 “Stack” defense that Rich Rodriguez made so popular was torched by the UC offense, which never was known for its run game prowess under Brian Kelly.

If anyone knows what the atmosphere will be like in Morgantown, it’s Butch Jones who was the wide receivers coach for Rodriguez in 2005 and 2006. Will that experience translate into a win for UC? With so many injuries on both sides of the ball for the Bearcats, it’s tough to say if it will.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bill Koch, Collaros is expected to start after resting up during the UC bye week last week. A fully healthy Collaros and an offensive line that dominates the questionable scheme West Virginia runs will lead to a Bearcat win. Anything else may effectively end UC’s chances of even going bowling this holiday season.

Jake, I know you’ll have a free Saturday to watch Big East football. What stands out to you?

JM: Rutgers vs. Syracuse stands out to me because the Orange have a chance to lock up their first bowl game bid since 2004. However, the Orange may have seen any hopes of a Big East title go out the window in last week’s loss to Louisville as Syracuse is now a virtual two games back of Pitt.

AN: And beyond our trip to Morgantown, I want to keep my eyes stuck on the Pitt-UConn game on Thursday night. As an Elder Panther football fan from the early part of the decade, I’m used to seeing pound-it-out, power football. Jake, you can attest to the likes of Kyle Koester and Bradley Glatthaar pounding the ball behind those big offensive lines that we had in the early 2000s.

JM: Back in my day, we didn’t have these fancy spread offenses. If you wanted to win, you ran the football. Man, those were the days…

AN: So the “power” rushing attack that both teams will employ may look boring to the fans who love seeing the ball fly through the air, but I’ll definitely tune in to see some old-time football. I’d say the over/under on how many times each team runs “power” is 50. Over or under Jake?

JM: I’ll take the over. We’re in for a little good, old fashioned caveman football.

AN: I do think that the Pitt Panthers have a little more balance on the offensive side of the ball, but I think this game will be an epic Big East battle. Even though West Virginia couldn’t pull it off in Hartford, I believe the Panthers win, and keep the stranglehold on the Big East title.

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.”

Big East football schedules: Week 6-“Opening Week”

Week six is the beginning of the Big East title chase as four Big East schools begin their quest to knock off the Cincinnati Bearcats and become Big East champions.

But it’s also the first Big East test for the two-time defending Big East coach of the year—Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, who welcomes to South Bend the last Big East team he faced, Pittsburgh. I know Jake is itching to talk about his two favorite teams, so here’s the schedule.

Week 6 Big East Schedule
Fri Oct 8-Rutgers vs Connecticut
Sat., Oct 9-USF vs Syracuse
Oct 9-Louisville vs Memphis
Oct 9-Cincinnati vs Miami (OH)
Oct 9-Pittsburgh at Notre Dame
Oct 9-West Virginia vs UNLV

AN: I can already hear the call, “Live from Notre Dame Stadium, fulfilling a lifelong dream, this is WPTS Sports Director Jake Meyer.” Does that sound accurate to you?

JM: Yeah, that’s about right. I’m really looking forward to calling this game and can’t wait for Saturday. This is a very interesting matchup of two of the biggest underachievers in college football so far this year. The Panthers have won the last two meetings between these teams, including a four-overtime win at Notre Dame Stadium in 2008. Pitt’s struggles have been much documented in this forum, and they will face another tough test this week.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame has is still a work in progress. There’s some serious growing pains going on in South Bend as QB Dayne Crist’s play has been inconsistent so far as he learns Brian Kelly’s offense. However, Crist is a very capable passer and has some tremendous targets to throw to in wideouts Michael Floyd, Theo Riddick and T.J. Jones as well as maybe the best tight end in the country in Elder alumnus Kyle Rudolph.

Pitt’s defense is facing its fifth straight opponent who runs some variation on the spread offense and Pitt has struggled to stop the short passing of these teams. The onus in this game will be on Pitt’s secondary, namely cornerback Antwaun Reed and Ricky Gary, with the latter struggling mightily at times. One interesting position of note is the weakside linebacker position, where strong safety Dom DeCicco will get the start for the second straight week.

DeCicco’s presence should provide a boost to a linebacker corps that has struggled in coverage against spread teams and has trouble running with the wide receivers they are often forced to cover. Pitt’s run defense has been solid, but their ineffective pass defense makes it hard for the defense to get off the field. Look for Pitt to try to pressure Crist with Jabaal Sheard into making poor throws.

Defensively, Notre Dame has improved over last season and is a better unit than they are given credit for. The Fighting Irish held a lackluster Boston College offense to 13 points last week, six of which came after the Irish turned it over deep in their own territory. ND’s defense is led by sophomore inside linebacker Manti Te’o, who recorded 21 tackles in a loss to Stanford two weeks ago. Pitt may struggle to run the ball against the Irish defense, despite the presence of your favorite coordinator Bob Diaco and his 3-4 scheme. If Pitt can’t run the ball, Pitt will not win this game. Tino Sunseri has struggled mightily at times, but has also shown flashes of potential. However, at this point, he is not ready to carry the offensive load for Pitt, especially given the shaky pass protection Pitt’s offensive line has provided him.

Since I’m calling the game, I won’t make a prediction on the winner (you know, that whole journalistic integrity thing), but I will give two key matchups. First, it’s Dayne Crist versus the Pitt secondary. Can Pitt cover well enough to break up ND’s passing game? Second, it’s Dion Lewis, who returns after missing last week with an injury, and Ray Graham, who rushed for 277 yards in Lewis’ place last week. Pitt has to get those two guys going early.

Adam, how do you think your Bearcats will fare in the Battle for the Victory Bell?

AN: All in all, it was a little rough for UC last year in Oxford, but there were two shining stars in the Battle for the Victory Bell in ’09. Armon Binns had a coming out party, leading UC with five catches for 83 yards and one score, and Jacob Ramsey became only the second player to rush for over 100 yards in the Brian Kelly era. Ramsey rushed for 103 and three scores on the day, and became the first Bearcat since Butler Benton rushed for 100 plus against SEMO in 2007.

The Battle for the Victory Bell is UC’s first rivalry game of the year, and Butch Jones has made it a point that one of the program’s goals is to, “Beat our rivals.” I have a feeling that only Miami grad Ben Roethlisberger could help the Redhawks in this matchup, and even then it’d be tough for UC to lose.

However, Miami played it close with Florida in week one, and although they got demolished by Gary Pinkel’s Mizzou Tigers two weeks back, they could be a dangerous team. Just not as dangerous because UC will be able to use a loud and raucous crowd to gang up on Miami.

Which game other than the Pitt/ND game do you have circled on your calendar Jake?

JM: Well, it’s not a great schedule in the Big East this week, but the best game on the slat is that Rutgers-UConn game. UConn had very high preseason expectations which have been dampened somewhat after an opening week loss at Michigan. Meanwhile, Rutgers is struggling despite its powder puff schedule, losing at home last week to Tulane. Ouch. Both teams need a win to open conference play. I think UConn wins.

AN: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’m definitely going to tune in to the Panthers and Fighting Irish. As intriguing as Rutgers and UConn could be on a Friday evening, nothing will be better than seeing Dion Lewis make Bob Diaco look silly again. On national TV, too.

Pitt’s power rushing attack made the 3-4 scheme Diaco uses look like Swiss cheese at Heinz Field in early December last year, as we all can attest to. As long as the grass isn’t too high (and with Kelly calling the shots with an uptempo offense, I doubt it will be) at Notre Dame stadium, Lewis and Ray Graham should have a field day. Even though Pitt has struggled this year, and Notre Dame’s defense has looked OK, I’m standing by that statement.

I liked Brian Kelly, but watching the Panthers run rampant on the Fighting Irish in 2010 will be a highlight worth replaying over and over and over again. Hopefully that will happen.

Big East bowl lineup includes UC-Florida

On Monday October 20th I posted that there was a pipe dream shot that the University of Cincinnati Bearcats would end up in New Orleans, Louisiana playing former Bearcat Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators. (http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2008/10/could-this-happen.html)

Fourteen months later, I have a dream come true.

I have so many reasons why this game will be so darn exciting, the least of which is the video tape I have of Meyer proclaiming that UC was a “bull**** program” when he played there. I’m sure Kelly and his staff will use these sound bites as inspiration for a team that is headed to its second straight BCS bowl game.

UC is 0-1 against the Gators all time, losing 48-17 on October 20th, 1984. Yes, that was 24 years before I posted that I’d love to see the matchup. Sometimes even weird things come true. More on this bowl game throughout the month of December.

Other Big East teams going bowling this season include:
-Konica Minolta Gator Bowl: West Virginia (9-3) vs. Florida State (6-6)
I’m thinking West Virginia will be a little bit too much for Florida State, but FSU will be playing in their last game with legendary Bobby Bowden as Head Coach. By the way, for what it is worth, South Florida defeated FSU and West Virginia this season. So in the common opponent theory doesn’t make much of a difference here.

-Meineke Car Care Bowl: Pittsburgh (9-3) vs. North Carolina (8-4)
Pittsburgh—as you may know—was very close to being in the Sugar Bowl yesterday. Unfortunately they’ve fallen to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. This matchup should be an interesting battle between two former pro coaches, and two similar pro offenses.

-Papajohns.com Bowl: Connecticut (7-5) vs. South Carolina (7-5)
UConn might be the story of the year this season and they’ve rallied behind each other since losing corner Jasper Howard midway through the season. They’ll get to play the Gamecocks of the SEC in Birmingham. Everyone who isn’t wearing maroon and white will be pulling for the Huskies in this one, myself included.

-St. Petersburg Bowl: Rutgers (8-4) vs. Central Florida (8-4)
Rutgers got blown out by Cincinnati to start the season and made their way up the ladder from there. Central Florida played Texas, and that’s about all I can tell you about them. This game is early on in the bowl season and Rutgers will look to freshman sensation quarterback Tom Savage to lead them to another bowl victory.

-International Bowl: South Florida (7-5) vs. Northern Illinois (7-5)
USF was looking at a possible BCS berth in early October, as they sat at 5-0 on October 3rd. Then they lost to Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Miami (FL) and UConn. Even though they beat West Virginia and a lowly Louisville team, it wasn’t enough for USF to get a good bowl. Instead the kids from Tampa get a road trip to lovely…Toronto? What should be an easy win could be a tough game for the Bulls who may be less than inspired to be in Toronto.

Bearcats rolled Huskies in 2007

The University of Cincinnati was coming off a huge win down in Tampa, Florida over the USF Bulls and needed to keep up momentum if they wanted any chance of making a good bowl game. Connecticut was undefeated in conference and only lost one game heading into the tilt with the Bearcats in early November.

UConn, a traditional basketball power was in position to win the Big East and go to a BCS bowl game, much in the way that Duke is positioning itself this year. Well, UConn came in to Cincinnati and got rolled.

There’s no easier way to put it.

Ben Mauk accounted for all four Bearcat touchdowns and the ‘Cats moved to 8-2 with a big 27-3 win over the Huskies. Junior wide receiver Dominick Goodman caught one touchdown pass on a double play action where the offensive line gave Mauk an eternity to throw the ball. Goodman had a career day, catching eight passes for 127 yards and that touchdown.

It wasn’t all offense though for Brian Kelly and the ‘Cats. The defense worked to hold UConn to 22 yards rushing. Anthony Hoke totaled three sacks and tipped one pass which was picked off by Adam Hoppel. Current Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown—who terrorized UC last season in Storrs—was held to zero net yards rushing on two runs.

This season has been an absolute roller coaster for the Huskies, who have dealt with the death of corner Jasper Howard. Meanwhile the Bearcats have only had to deal with an injury to their former Heisman hopeful at quarterback, Tony Pike. It all seems insignificant when you look at.

But, as I’ve stated before (back in March to be specific) UConn was the last team to defeat the Bearcats in conference play, and they signify a great threat to down UC tomorrow evening. “They very easily at this time could be 8-0,” said UC head coach Brian Kelly earlier this week. “It’s that close.”

ABC’s “A” team will be broadcasting the game tomorrow night at 8PM. Tune in to Cincinnati’s ABC affiliate WCPO one hour before the game as they feature a special one hour preview to the UC/UConn game named “Bearcat Fever: Climb to the Top”. Join my two favorite local TV personalities, John Popovich and Dennis Janson as they talk all things UC football before the big game on Saturday night.

And until then, I’ll keep on living the dream. (Did you ever imagine a day when ABC would be promo-ing UC football nationwide on commercials? Neither did I…)

Big East predictions: Why they can, why they can’t

With a few days remaining until the college football season kicks off it’s time for us to bat around all kinds of ideas to keep ourselves busy. My idea is to look at each Big East team today and give you a short list of reasons as to why they can win the Big East title and a few ideas as to why they can’t.

Let’s start with the Bearcats of Cincinnati, the team I know the most about, and the team who kicks off Big East play with Rutgers in just six days.

Cincinnati

Why they can: UC returns starting quarterback Tony Pike and wideout/returner Mardy Gilyard. Plus, two time defending Big East coach of the year Brian Kelly is still roaming the sidelines in the Queen City.

Why they can’t: The Bearcats are replacing ten starters on defense, and will employ a new defensive scheme.

The Bearcats were picked to finish third in the conference by the coaches. Most feel that replacing ten starters on defense will hurt the ‘Cats but those same people forget that Brian Kelly started his coaching career as a defensive coordinator in Division 2 where he won two national titles at Grand Valley State. If he can successfully defend the Big East title, it won’t surprise me.

Connecticut

Why they can: They’ll be an underdog in most Big East games, and that will provide some incentive for the 2007 Big East co-champions.

Why they can’t: Donald Brown is in the NFL now

The only team to defeat the 2008 Cincinnati Bearcats were voted sixth by the coaches a few weeks back and Randy Edsall was not happy about it. “We haven't gotten any respect since we've been in the league,” Edsall said. “I mean, really. And that's fine.” Whether they can prove that they deserved a higher ranking is still up in the air. They open Big East play with a trip to Pittsburgh in October.

Louisville

Why they can: They play seven games against Big East foes

Why they can’t: See above, and they have a bad offense, a bad defense, and they’re just bad all around.

Steve Kragthorpe is on the hot seat down in Louisville and a lot of folks expect that seat to melt under a bad Cardinal team. After the 2006 Orange Bowl victory the Cardinals have fallen off the face of the planet. This season should be no different. Kragthorpe is even worried about facing Indiana State this weekend—a team that has won one game in their past 53 tries. “I’ll kind of lay there in bed thinking, ‘Did we cover this enough? Did we cover that enough?’”

Pitt

Why they can: Picked to win it all by the coaches in lateJuly. TJ Porter is going to be good at wide receiver.

Why they can’t: Dave Wannstedt is the head coach, Bill Stull is the quarterback.

As much as WPTS radio personality, and former guest blogger Jake Meyer would like to admit it that Pitt is in the running I have a feeling that Pittsburgh will be held back by Stull’s limited arm and Wannstedt’s coaching. With that said, Wannstedt did allow offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh to go to the NFL, a move that can only help. Look for Frank Cignetti Jr. to try to revamp the Pitt offense. The final game of the year, a home matchup with the UC Bearcats could be another de-facto Big East title game.

Rutgers

Why they can: The Scarlet Knight offensive line is stout, and their stadium expansion will be in full effect against the top four finishers in the Big East last season—UC, Pitt, West Virginia and USF

Why they can’t: Schiano is 0-3 against Cincinnati in his past three tries, including a devastating loss in 2006 when Rutgers was ranked #7 nationally.

Head coach Greg Schiano is keeping his quarterback plans for the opener against Cincinnati under wraps. He names three players—senior Dominick Natale, senior Jabu Lovelace and true freshman Tom Savage—as his starting quarterback, all separated on the depth chart by the big word “OR”. Is this the year Rutgers finally beats the Bearcats and take an early lead in the Big East standings? We’ll know in six more days.

Syracuse

Why they can: Greg Paulus is playing quarterback

Why they can’t: Greg Paulus is playing quarterback

New head coach Doug Marrone has his work cut out for him in his first season back at his alma mater. With former Duke basketball player Greg Paulus making headlines as the starting quarterback, Marrone now must find 21 other guys to play for his team. He’s had quite a few people bail on the new program, and it will most likely take him a few years to get back to winning, but at least he knows he’s got a quarterback for this season.

USF

Why they can: Matt Grothe is back for year four at quarterback, and defensive end George Selvie will cause havoc

Why they can’t: They always seem to tank around mid-October, and I think they’ll lose to UC because Brian Kelly will out scheme his former defensive coordinator Joe Tresey

USF is a popular pick to win the Big East this season because they return Grothe and Selvie, but everyone seems to forget that it’s the same old song and dance year in and year out in Tampa. The Bulls start off hot, beat a few ranked opponents and then fall apart in mid-October. This season their mid-October matchup is a Thursday night duel on ESPN with the 2008 champs, the UC Bearcats.

West Virginia University

Why they can: Jarrett Brown has experience at quarterback and Noel Devine is back at running back

Why they can’t: Bill Stewart can’t manage games

West Virginia has a chance this year to prove that the Big East can play with the biggest boys in college football when they travel to Auburn and play host to Colorado. Last year West Virginia lost to Colorado in overtime when Bill Stewart mismanaged the game late and didn’t allow his senior quarterback Pat White—now with the Miami Dolphins—to lead his team to victory. White’s replacement Jarrett Brown looks to put the Mountaineers back in the national title hunt.

Hopefully you learned a little bit about each team in the Big East by reading my short thoughts on why they can and why they can’t win the conference. Tomorrow I’ll step away from the Big East and look into football the way it used to be played; the flexbone triple option attack that Navy will employ against Ohio State on Saturday in what I consider to be the most awaited game of the weekend. Until then, enjoy your Tuesday.