Post by elp525 on Oct 7, 2010 7:39:25 GMT -5
October 6, 2010
The Big East is the only league yet to start conference play.
By Mitch Vingle
The Charleston Gazette
The Big East is the only league yet to start conference play.
That changes Friday, however, when Connecticut visits Rutgers for a 7:30 p.m. ESPN game and Syracuse returns from a bye to visit South Florida at noon Saturday.
The most important game to the league, however, could again be a non-conference matchup: Pittsburgh at Notre Dame at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
After going 4-1 (albeit a rather nondescript 4-1) last week in the final full set of non-conference games, the Big East is 19-14 in all games, 10-14 against FBS opponents, 2-10 against teams from BCS leagues and 0-5 against Top 25 teams.
In other words, the Big East will take what it can get, even if the Fighting Irish are but 2-3.
Of course, the Pitt-Notre Dame game also has a twist. The Fighting Irish coach is Brian Kelly, who led Cincinnati to two Big East titles in his three years in the conference. By knocking off the struggling Panthers, the league's preseason favorite, Kelly could once again make waves.
"Notre Dame is a very talented team," said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt. "I know Brian Kelly from being in the league and, schematically, there are a lot of similarities offensively, defensively and in special teams. It's a big game for us, going on the road."
Both teams are coming off victories, but 2-2 Pitt's was over Florida International, while Notre Dame's was over Boston College.
nn
The league's other conference matchup sets up as a test between two 3-1 teams, Syracuse and South Florida.
Syracuse coach Doug Marrone, however, is undertaking the part of the underdog coach.
"Since arriving in the Big East, South Florida has really dominated us," Marrone said. "[USF coach] Skip Holtz knows how to win and has an all-star staff. Plus, they are coming off their best game of the year."
He's correct in that USF has dominated. The Bulls have won all five meetings. Also, Syracuse is an 8-point underdog. The Orange may have developed a nice connection between quarterback Ryan Nassib, ranked first in the Big East in pass efficiency, and receiver Van Chew, but the Bulls have the league's top pass defense.
nn
When Memphis visits Louisville it will be a matchup between a Conference USA team (the former) and a former C-USA team (the latter).
Louisville, a Big East team that once soared before crashing of late, is 2-2 after turning in its best offensive performance of the season last week in a 34-24 win at Arkansas State.
Memphis is 1-4. The Tigers dropped back-to-back games for the second time this season after losing to Tulsa 48-7 last Saturday. Quarterback Ryan Williams was also knocked out and suffered a mild concussion. Coach Larry Porter, however, has not ruled out his QB for this non-conference game.
nn
Rutgers is continuing to monitor quarterback Tom Savage, who suffered an injury to his throwing hand in his team's loss to Tulane. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano called it a "game-time decision for sure." The Scarlet Knights also suffered a blow when fifth-year senior linebacker Jim Dumont suffered a freak injury in practice Monday and was declared out for the season.
nn
If it's serious tradition you want, check out Cincinnati's home game against Miami, Ohio, Saturday night.
The teams will be playing for the Victory Bell, which commemorates the oldest non-conference rivalry in college football.
A sidelight is the presence of first-year Cincinnati coach Butch Jones, the former coach of Central Michigan, Miami's Mid-American Conference peer.
"I have great knowledge and respect for the Mid-American Conference," Jones said.
Might be a good thing for Cincinnati. The RedHawks enter the game 3-2, while the Bearcats enter at 1-3. Cincinnati, however, should be well rested after playing just once since Sept. 16. Also, Cincy played its best game of the season in a 31-29 loss to Oklahoma at Paul Brown Stadium.
nn
The Big East may be struggling for positive press, but it can lay claim to two of the nation's top four rushers.
A 277-yard outburst by Pitt back Ray Graham, playing in place of last season's Big East offensive player of the year Dion Lewis, lifted him to third among this week's national rushing leaders. He only trails Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson and Oregon tailback LaMichael James and is averaging 164 yards a game. Expect, however, Lewis to start against Notre Dame.
Connecticut's Jordan Todman, meanwhile, is fourth nationally, averaging 159.5 yards. Todman ran for 190 yards - two fewer than his career best - against Vanderbilt after sitting out the prior week with a hyper-extended left elbow.
nn
There's one other positive the Big East office can accentuate. Many in the league have been defensive, but they can point to defensive excellence.
West Virginia is ranked eighth nationally in total defense, allowing an average of 249.25 yards. In scoring defense, Rutgers is fourth, allowing an average of 12 points. Connecticut, meanwhile, is tied for seventh in interceptions (nine) and ninth in tackles for loss (8.2 per game).
The Big East is the only league yet to start conference play.
By Mitch Vingle
The Charleston Gazette
The Big East is the only league yet to start conference play.
That changes Friday, however, when Connecticut visits Rutgers for a 7:30 p.m. ESPN game and Syracuse returns from a bye to visit South Florida at noon Saturday.
The most important game to the league, however, could again be a non-conference matchup: Pittsburgh at Notre Dame at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
After going 4-1 (albeit a rather nondescript 4-1) last week in the final full set of non-conference games, the Big East is 19-14 in all games, 10-14 against FBS opponents, 2-10 against teams from BCS leagues and 0-5 against Top 25 teams.
In other words, the Big East will take what it can get, even if the Fighting Irish are but 2-3.
Of course, the Pitt-Notre Dame game also has a twist. The Fighting Irish coach is Brian Kelly, who led Cincinnati to two Big East titles in his three years in the conference. By knocking off the struggling Panthers, the league's preseason favorite, Kelly could once again make waves.
"Notre Dame is a very talented team," said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt. "I know Brian Kelly from being in the league and, schematically, there are a lot of similarities offensively, defensively and in special teams. It's a big game for us, going on the road."
Both teams are coming off victories, but 2-2 Pitt's was over Florida International, while Notre Dame's was over Boston College.
nn
The league's other conference matchup sets up as a test between two 3-1 teams, Syracuse and South Florida.
Syracuse coach Doug Marrone, however, is undertaking the part of the underdog coach.
"Since arriving in the Big East, South Florida has really dominated us," Marrone said. "[USF coach] Skip Holtz knows how to win and has an all-star staff. Plus, they are coming off their best game of the year."
He's correct in that USF has dominated. The Bulls have won all five meetings. Also, Syracuse is an 8-point underdog. The Orange may have developed a nice connection between quarterback Ryan Nassib, ranked first in the Big East in pass efficiency, and receiver Van Chew, but the Bulls have the league's top pass defense.
nn
When Memphis visits Louisville it will be a matchup between a Conference USA team (the former) and a former C-USA team (the latter).
Louisville, a Big East team that once soared before crashing of late, is 2-2 after turning in its best offensive performance of the season last week in a 34-24 win at Arkansas State.
Memphis is 1-4. The Tigers dropped back-to-back games for the second time this season after losing to Tulsa 48-7 last Saturday. Quarterback Ryan Williams was also knocked out and suffered a mild concussion. Coach Larry Porter, however, has not ruled out his QB for this non-conference game.
nn
Rutgers is continuing to monitor quarterback Tom Savage, who suffered an injury to his throwing hand in his team's loss to Tulane. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano called it a "game-time decision for sure." The Scarlet Knights also suffered a blow when fifth-year senior linebacker Jim Dumont suffered a freak injury in practice Monday and was declared out for the season.
nn
If it's serious tradition you want, check out Cincinnati's home game against Miami, Ohio, Saturday night.
The teams will be playing for the Victory Bell, which commemorates the oldest non-conference rivalry in college football.
A sidelight is the presence of first-year Cincinnati coach Butch Jones, the former coach of Central Michigan, Miami's Mid-American Conference peer.
"I have great knowledge and respect for the Mid-American Conference," Jones said.
Might be a good thing for Cincinnati. The RedHawks enter the game 3-2, while the Bearcats enter at 1-3. Cincinnati, however, should be well rested after playing just once since Sept. 16. Also, Cincy played its best game of the season in a 31-29 loss to Oklahoma at Paul Brown Stadium.
nn
The Big East may be struggling for positive press, but it can lay claim to two of the nation's top four rushers.
A 277-yard outburst by Pitt back Ray Graham, playing in place of last season's Big East offensive player of the year Dion Lewis, lifted him to third among this week's national rushing leaders. He only trails Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson and Oregon tailback LaMichael James and is averaging 164 yards a game. Expect, however, Lewis to start against Notre Dame.
Connecticut's Jordan Todman, meanwhile, is fourth nationally, averaging 159.5 yards. Todman ran for 190 yards - two fewer than his career best - against Vanderbilt after sitting out the prior week with a hyper-extended left elbow.
nn
There's one other positive the Big East office can accentuate. Many in the league have been defensive, but they can point to defensive excellence.
West Virginia is ranked eighth nationally in total defense, allowing an average of 249.25 yards. In scoring defense, Rutgers is fourth, allowing an average of 12 points. Connecticut, meanwhile, is tied for seventh in interceptions (nine) and ninth in tackles for loss (8.2 per game).
