Big East Thread Week 2

[ScottVib]

UConn 22 - Duke 20

UConn plays poorly, but squeaks out a win in a game where both teams special teams weren't the good kind of special. UConn misses a chip shot FG and an XP, while Duke misses a 36 yarder that could have won it. A bad spot by ACC officials hurts UConn on what turned out to be the game winning drive or else it could have been 6 points (no UConn kick should be assumed).

Louisville 52 - Army 21

Louisville rolls against Army in Bobby Ross' coaching debut. Louisville has looked impressive this year in what should be a very competitive C-USA race.

Cincinnati 45 - Miami (OH) 26

Coach Dantonio gets his first win as the Bearcats roll over one of their rivals. A nice way to bounce back for Cincy after the loss to Ohio State last week.

South Florida 21 - Tennessee Tech 7

Well its a win... but Tennessee Tech is a 1AA team that kept it within 14 in Tampa. But then again its better then losing....

New Hampshire 35 - Rutgers 24

Embarrassing. Looking like they finally "turned the corner" the Knights lay an egg and embarrass themselves, while helping to reinforce the thoughts of "the same old Rutgers" and the Big East's impending "mid-major" status. New Hampshire's Redshirt Freshman, back up QB throws for almost 400 yards; while New Hampshire holds the Knight's star running back (Leonard) to just 87.

Syracuse 37 - Buffalo 17

Another sloppy game, but Syracuse is able to get a win in a game that featured one "true" offensive TD. A whopping 450 yards of offense TOTAL for both teams in the game. Syracuse still needs help on the passing game... without it the Bulls were able to hold Walter Reyes to just 50 yards on 17 carries.

Maryland 45 - Temple 22

Well it's Temple... you couldn't expect much.

Pittsburgh 24 - Ohio 3

The Panthers open the season on the right foot with a win. Kirkley goes for 101 yards to lead the Panther O. However Pitt's only able to muster 48 yards in the air. 3 Ohio Turnovers help the Panthers.

West Virginia 45 - Central Florida 20

The Mountaineers look to clearly be the class of the league at this point. Rasheed Marshall goes over 200 yards and factors in 5 td; Jason Colson goes over 100 yards on the ground. However the Mountaineers lost RB Kay-Jay Harris to an injury early, while it doesn't sound serious, losing him would be a huge blow to the Mountaineers hopes of making noise on the national stage.

Boston College 21 - Penn State 7

BC looked fairly good with their 3rd string RB Callender going for 100 yards. As of right now they still look to be the #2 team in the league, but Friday night's game with UConn will really help to sort out the pecking order behind WVU in the Big East race.

Coming up:

Friday:
UConn @ Boston College
Saturday:
Maryland @ WVU
Cincinnati @ Syracuse
Florida A&M @ Temple
Nebraska @ Pittsburgh
Kent State @ Rutgers
South Florida @ South Carolina
Louisville @ Tulane

Next week is a Big weekend for the 2005 Big East alignment. UConn, WVU, Pittsburgh, and South Florida all have a chance to pull off victories against BCS opposition. Syracuse-Cincinnati is a future conference clash, while Rutgers hopes to right the ship against Kent State. Louisville faces Tulane in a C-USA matchup. Temple has a shot at its first victory of the year vs. the Rattlers of FAMU.

[Swaggs]

WVU still hasn't played its "A" game. They have had over 100 yards in penalties in their first two games and had turnover problems in both, as well. Maryland is a team they should beat this season, but they could very well lose. I think if WVU beats Maryland, they will justify their top 10 ranking.

Rutgers losing to New Hampshire is a pretty huge disappointment for the Big East. I think most of us were hoping they could elevate their program to a level where they could at least become a consistent .500ish team, with the occasional stronger team. Losing to a non-D1 team, kind of knocks them back to square one. Hopefully they can turn it around, but if they are capable of losing to NH, there are not a lot of teams you can look at on their schedule and favor them over.

UCONN/BC is a big benchmark game for the Huskies, I think. With a win over BC, I think they can establish themselves from a borderline bowl team into one of the top couple positions in the league. As a program, getting off to a great start and finishing this season in the top 3 in the Big East will do a lot for recruiting and speed up their building process.

This could be a nice prestige week for the Big East if we can beat teams like Nebraska, Maryland, and South Carolina.

[Logan]

while New Hampshire holds the Knight's star running back (Leonard) to just 87.

See, this is the problem. While Leonard is great, he shouldn't be a featured back, and that is how Schiano is using him.

Justise Hairston only had 5 carries, and that can't happen.

[Neuqua]

Look at the bright side, atleast you guys aren't the MAC. They just had a horrendous OOC performance this year.

[lynchjm24]

Embarrassing.

Friday:
UConn @ Boston College
Saturday:
Maryland @ WVU
Cincinnati @ Syracuse
Florida A&M @ Temple
Nebraska @ Pittsburgh
Kent State @ Rutgers
South Florida @ South Carolina
Louisville @ Tulane



Embarrasing pretty much summed up the week.

I know it's early, but Friday's winner has a huge head start for second in the conference (I can't see any of these teams beating WVU). Thankfully I feel like I can throw out the week to week results when trying to assess what I'm seeing.

I think Boston College will find a way to beat Connecticut. I'll be in Section 15 if anyone else is going.

West Virginia needs that game against Maryland. The Big East needs that game very very badly.

I'd be suprised if Syracuse doesn't get beat.

Temple I think is actually better then Syracuse at this point and I feel like they will suprise at least one week this season. Of course, the suprise this week would be a loss to FAMU.

A nice effort from Pittsburgh would be appreciated, a win there isn't out of the realm of possiblity, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Probably aren't any Rutgers fans left after yesterday... they need this one badly before the wheels fall off.

I think USF has a shot against USC. I do think they will lose, but at least give them a game.

Lousiville should cruise....

Good thing there is a conference game this week. At least the league will get one win next week :).

[lynchjm24]

Syracuse still needs help on the passing game... without it the Bulls were able to hold Walter Reyes to just 50 yards on 17 carries.



The only question at Syracuse is if the coaching staff is around in November. Buffalo holding your star RB to 50 yards on 17 carries is condemning.

[Swaggs]

Woohoo!

WVU is #7 in the latest AP poll and #8 in the latest USA Today/ESPN poll. I really, really hope we can beat Maryland this week now. :)

[SirFozzie]

Right now I see it as a two horse race between WVU and the winner of BC/UConn. I THINK it'll be BC, but can't say for sure (it is at BC). The thing is.. there will be a lot of HATE in this one, as UConn took the BC exit to the ACC very very personally

[wade moore]

FWIW, New Hampshire is one of the top 25 I-AA teams out there. They are conference foes of ours (W&M) in the Atlantic-10 and they have a scary offense. They upset the defending I-AA Champions (Conference foe Deleware) last week in impressive fashion.