LIVE FROM THE DOME: THE BIG EAST PREVIEW (PART I)

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

7:00 – ESPN: Middle Tennessee State 0-1 (0-1) @ Louisville 1-0 (0-0) - This one has all the makings to be a blow out. In last week’s game against Florida Atlantic, MTSU could not do a thing on the ground only rushing for 18 yards not to mention giving away the ball four times. There secondary wasn’t to strong either giving up a lot of yards up through the air, which is scary to think about when considering they will be trying to slow down Brian Brohm tonight. It should be fun watching Brohm and his NFL receiving core light it up. George Stripling should also have a good game using is athleticism against a Sun Belt opponent, look for back up tailback Anthony Allen to get a lot of carries and make some big runs as well. Allen has superb moves and loves to cut back. With all this talent on one side and MTSU already proving to be turnover prone -- this should be a spanking.

7:30 - ESPN2: Oregon State 1-0 (0-0) @ Cincinnati 1-0 (0-0) - This is a huge game for coach Brian Kelly, the Cincinnati program and the Big East Conference. After a very impressive stomping of SE Missouri State, the Bearcats will see a very different team in the Oregon State Beavers. OSU has a very hard-hitting, hard-nosed defense that comes to rush the quarterback. Cincinnati has a solid O-Line but it will come down to quarterback Ben Mauk in determining the winner of this game. In last week’s match up versus Utah, Oregon State did very well running the ball with Yvenson Bernard leading the way. Star wideout Sammie Stroughter could be making his debut, he has tremendous big play ability both in receiving and special teams, watch for him because when he touches the ball it is electrifying. Oregon State is the better team and will probably win this game, but traveling half way across the country could mean trouble for the Beavers and this may turn out to be an upset.