Big East Football Week #6 Preview

It’s hard to believe, but as we approach Week 6, some teams are already closing in on the half way point of their season.

Here is what we know to this point:

• UConn and South Florida are the class of this league, as each sits at 5-0 with each coming off impressive road victories in Week 5.
• West Virginia and Rutgers have both been wildly disappointing through four games, as they prepare to face each other this weekend. Both showed signs of life in wins a week ago, and their match-up this weekend will tell us a lot about what we can expect from each for the remainder of the season.
• Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are both 3-1, but have gotten there in completely different ways. The Bearcats are as resilient as any team in the country, as they have now lost their top two quarterbacks- but keep winning. Cincinnati’s only defeat was at Oklahoma-which stands right now as the No. 1 team in the country. Pittsburgh on the other hand has yet to really impress in any game, but stands at 3-1 after wins over Buffalo, Iowa and at Syracuse. We will learn much more about the Panthers this weekend when they play at South Florida.
• Louisville is an interesting team, because of how much they’ve improved from their opener to now. Don’t let their 2-2 record fool you - this team can beat anyone in the Big East.
• And then there’s Syracuse. We all know the negatives about the Orange - and there are many- but much like their soon to be terminated coach, they just won’t quit. Syracuse had Pittsburgh on the ropes for all four quarters in Week 5, but just couldn’t seem to the big plays down the stretch. Mark my words, the Orange will surprise someone by the end of the year.

With only four games on the Big East schedule this weekend (Syracuse and Louisville have off) lets get to this week’s picks:

Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1, 1-0 Big East) @ #10 South Florida Bulls (5-0, 0-0 Big East)

Thursday, October 2- 7:30 p.m. ESPN

When the Big East schedule was released in the spring, this match-up was expected to have major impact on the race for the conference championship. While things haven’t worked out quite as planned to date, the implications remain the same. The winner of this one has an upper hand on the Big East championship race, and the loser has a lot of catching up to do.

We all know that Pittsburgh doesn’t always play up to its potential, but no one expected the season to unfold as it has for the Panthers. Pittsburgh opened the season at home as a heavy favorite against the Bowling Green Falcons, only to lose by two scores. The Panthers have bounced back nicely however, winning their last three games, albeit over Buffalo, Iowa and Syracuse.

Pittsburgh has also re-established its power running game the last few weeks, much to the delight of head coach Dave Wannstedt. LeSean McCoy who rushed for over 1300 yards a year ago, had his first 100 yard rushing game against Syracuse, carrying the ball 28 times for 149 yards. Junior LaRod Stephens-Howling has also gotten touches this season, and both with have the benefit of running against a depleted South Florida front seven, which may be without defensive linemen George Selvie and Terrell McClain as well as linebacker Brouce Mompremier.

The Bulls on the other hand enter this game after arguably their most impressive win of the season. Despite being down several starters including Selvie and Mompremier, the South Florida controlled the ball on offense and dominated on defense, out gaining North Carolina State 520 yards to 265, in a 41-10 win.

If the Panthers expect to win this game, they must stop South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe. The junior has been absolutely phenomenal this season, having already thrown for over 1000 yards and eight touchdowns. Whether the Panthers can contain Grothe will determine whether they are in this game or not.

For South Florida, their biggest test will be to control the lines of scrimmage. The offensive line has done an excellent job of allowing Grothe plenty of time to throw, and it doesn’t seem to matter who’s at running back for the Bulls, they always get their yards. The bigger question remains if their defensive front seven is able to fill gaps as Pittsburgh will try to overpower South Florida in the running game.

This game will be closer than expected, but you’ve got to like the 5-0 team at home. It doesn’t seem to matter who he is playing against, Grothe continues to make plays behind an offensive line with five experienced starters. While receivers A.J. Love and Taurus Johnson will be going against the best defensive secondary they’ve faced to date, if their quarterback is given enough time, he will be able to find them. Even if they don’t get open, Grothe will pick up yardage with his feet.

As for Pittsburgh, it’s hard to imagine that they won’t be successful in the running game against an injury-depleted South Florida defense. Here is my concern however. This offense is not made to come back from big deficits. Everything is fine for the Panthers as long as their defense can keep the game low scoring. But what happens if South Florida puts up two quick scores? Pittsburgh’s offense is about ball control and clock control, if they get themselves behind early, it isn’t easy to pile on points. We know they were able to come back against Syracuse, but playing in Tampa this weekend will be a whole other situation. The Panthers won’t be able to simply flick a switch when they feel like it, which is what they did against the Orange.

And what about quarterback Bill Stull? He is reminiscent of some other Midwestern quarterbacks like Todd Boeckman at Ohio State and Allen Evridge at Wisconsin. They are great when their only responsibility is to hand off to the running backs, make short throws and “manage,” the game. But none- Stull included- have proven the ability to put a team on their back and carry them on scoring drives when needed. The only time Stull was really needed to make big plays this year was against Bowling Green down the stretch, and he was unable to, leading to an eventual loss.

Look for McCoy and Stephens-Howling to get their yardage, but the Bulls have too many weapons on offense to lose this one at home. Grothe will do what he does, as South Florida opens Big East play with a victory.

South Florida 28 - Pittsburgh 20

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Cincinnati Bearcats (3-1, 0-0 Big East) @ Marshall Thundering Herd (3-2, 2-0 C-USA)

Friday, October 3 - 8:00 p.m. ESPN

When Cincinnati travels to Marshall this weekend, it will certainly be a case of recent history repeating itself. The Bearcats hit the road for the second week in a row against a small conference opponent, while the Thundering Herd face a Big East foe on consecutive weekends. Cincinnati- which it has done so often in the Brian Kelly era- will be ushering in a new quarterback.

With previous starters Dustin Grutza and Tony Pike now on the shelf, it is expected that both Zach Collaros and Chazz Anderson will share the reins of the offense. Not even the most knowledgeable Bearcat fans knew much about either coming into the season, but after two injuries in three games, the Bearcats now turn to the two red-shirt freshmen.

Although Collaros is expected to get more playing time, don’t look for too much responsibility to rest in either players hands. Cincinnati runs the spread offense to perfection, and it seems that as long as Dominick Goodman and Mardy Gilyard are healthy at receiver and running backs John Goebel and Jacob Ramsey continue to run the ball effectively it doesn’t matter who is under center.

Expect short, quick passes to keep the chains moving and the pressure (literally and figuratively) off the two new quarterbacks.

Defensively, it has to be assumed that the Bearcats will follow West Virginia’s game plan from a week ago. The Thundering Herd have weapons on offense- primarily receiver Darius Passmore (30 receptions, 502 yards) and Darius Marshall (462 yards) at running back. However, West Virginia held the Marshall offense to just three points a week ago by continually getting pressure on quarterback Mark Cann. The freshman had by far his worst collegiate game, completing only 41 percent of his passes and throwing an interception. Look for Cincinnati to use the same tactics and try to force Cann out of his comfort zone.

As was previously stated, it doesn’t seem to matter who Cincinnati plugs in at quarterback, they keep winning. It wasn’t pretty a week ago- hanging on for a 17-15 win at Akron. But a win is a win, and this Bearcats team seems to thrive when everyone else begins to doubt them. Marshall will benefit by playing at home, but not enough to spring an upset.

Cincinnati 34 - Marshall 21

#24 Connecticut Huskies (5-0, 1-0 Big East) @ North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1, 1-1 ACC)

Saturday, October 4- 7:00 p.m. ESPN2

No it’s not a Final Four basketball match-up, but the intrigue is just the same, as the undefeated and No. 24 ranked UConn Huskies travel to Kenan Stadium to battle the North Carolina Tar Heels.

What is so fascinating about this game is that both teams enter as mirror images of each other. Each is coming off an enormous confidence boosting road win (UConn at Louisville and UNC at Miami). And both had to do so with their starting quarterbacks injured on the sidelines.

First, the visitors from Connecticut:

All the credit in the world needs to go to coach Randy Edsall for keeping his team focused after losing quarterback Tyler Lorenzen in the first half of the Louisville game. After falling down by two scores in the middle of the third quarter, backup Zach Frazer began making plays and the Huskies defense stepped up with two late interceptions- including a Lawrence Wilson take away which he returned for the game winning score. Running back Donald Brown continued to make his claim for Big East player of the year (as well as the Heisman Trophy), with 190 yards and a touchdown.

The following day, North Carolina had a follow-up act that few could have expected. The Tar Heels too were without their starting quarterback- after T.J. Yates got injured a week earlier against Virginia Tech. Juggling back-ups Cameron Sexton and Mike Paulus, the Tar Heels overcame a 17-7 halftime deficit, winning 28-24. The final twist came on the final play of the game, when Trimaine Goddard intercepted Miami’s last pass attempt to hold onto to the victory.

Now these two teams- which must be watching the others highlight tapes and thinking it’s their own- battle in Chapel Hill.

Although the Huskies have been able to run the ball against everyone they’ve faced so far, don’t expect Donald Brown to get his yards this week. The Huskies- whose offensive line have been so good in 2008- will face their biggest challenge this season. The Heels rotate a bevy of talented youngsters on the defensive line, highlighted by former high school All-American Marvin Austin. The linebacking corps is led by Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter.

Offensively the Tar Heels appeared to find their groove late against Miami. Expect both Paulus and Sexton to play, and they will both be helped by two star wide receivers- Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nicks, who are currently first and second respectively in ACC receiving yards. Tate is a threat every time he touches the ball, as he averages a staggering 25 yards per reception and is also a special teams superstar- returning a punt 82 yards for a touchdown in Week 1.

If you have a free moment Saturday evening, sit down and watch this one- both teams are better than people realize, and I’d argue each is among the 25 best teams in college football.

Although UConn is undefeated (and I’ve picked them every week), I’m taking the home team in this one. Both are coming off emotionally charged games, so each will likely start off slow. But when the game picks up, the Tar Heels will control UConn’s running game, and Frazer- making his first career start- will have to shoulder the load on offense. Tate will run wild for the Tar Heels, and they’ll improve to 4-1 with ACC play picking up in the coming weeks.

UConn suffers its first loss, as North Carolina wins in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina 31 - UConn 19

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-3, 0-0 Big East) @ West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2, 0-0 Big East)

Saturday, October 4- 12:00 p.m. ESPN Gameplan

Two years ago, these two teams met in the last game of the season, under the lights in Morgantown to decide the Big East championship. West Virginia ultimately won, split the conference with Louisville, while Rutgers completed their dream season at 10-2 and would go on to win the Texas Bowl.

My how times have changed.

Each team now enters this game desperate for a win to turn around what has been to this point, a very disappointing season.

What is there to say about the Rutgers Scarlet Knights that already hasn’t been said on this website? They are right in the conversation with Clemson, Tennessee and their opponents on Saturday, as one of the most underachieving teams in college football.

Rutgers entered the year as a fringe Top 25 team, but have looked anything like it through four games. Fifth year senior Mike Teel has bee abysmal at quarterback, throwing only two touchdowns in comparison with seven interceptions. He has been long on his deep balls, unable to convert on third downs and too often left his receivers out to dry when throwing over the middle.

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Rutgers defense- which has always been this teams strength under coach Greg Schiano- has been just as bad. Open receivers and missed tackles have plagued this team, but what has been more concerning is at times this unit has appeared to quit. Even in the Scarlet Knights dark years when Schiano first took over this program and there was no talent, we never saw this team give up.

As for West Virginia, it’s hard to believe, but their strength has actually been its defense. Despite losing several starters off last years team, the unit has responded nicely, giving up only two field goals in the last seven quarters of play. Playing in their trademark 3-3-5 defense, the Mountaineers have been led by cornerbacks Brandon Hogan and safety Quinton Andrews.

Offensively, it will be curious to see the health of quarterback Pat White. The senior left last Saturday’s game against Marshall with an injured thumb on his non-throwing hand. Coach Bill Stewart has already stated that White will play. He has a bevy of talent at the skill positions, led by running back Noel Devine and wide receiver Jock Sanders.

Every time that it seems either of these teams has turned a corner, they seem to stumble. That is what makes this game so interesting. But of the two, it seems West Virginia has made more progress.

Lets be honest, Bill Stewart isn’t Rich Rodriguez, but give him credit, he seems to know his limits and his shortcomings. Since losing to East Carolina in Week 2, he continues to tweak this offense, getting the ball in the hands of his best skill position players. We’ve seen third string quarterback Bradley Starks line up at wide receiver and Jarrett Brown (White’s primary back-up) play both fullback and running back. Sanders gets carries out of the backfield and Devine gets passes in the flats.

Stewart knows that the offense needs to improve for this team to defend its Big East championship, and it’s a work in progress. But there’s improvement. I see nothing of that nature at Rutgers. Teel is entrenched at quarterback and unfortunately there appears to be no alternate solution. If West Virginia shut down Colorado’s Cody Hawkins for most of their match-up, and Teel couldn’t even complete passes against Navy, what kind of afternoon will he have Saturday in Morgantown?

West Virginia picks up the win at home. Remember the Big East championship still goes through the country roads of Morgantown, and the Mountaineers are adjusting to their new head coach and getting a little better each week.

West Virginia 34 - Rutgers 16

> Also read our WVU Mountaineers Correspondent's preview of Rutgers @ WVU!

By Aaron Torres
BigEast-fans.com Staff Writer