BIG EAST PREVIEW: LOUISVILLE VS. UTAH

BY CHRISTOPHER J. MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

8:00 * ESPN 2 * Utah 2-3 (0-2) @ Louisville 3-2 (0-1): The Cardinals bounced back last week nicely with their victory over NC State and will now face the Utes of Utah in Papa Johns Stadium. Utah has struggled all year offensively -- they were held to only one touchdown when they played Oregon State and Air Force and were even shutout by UNLV. They looked their best last week in their 34-18 win over Utah State where Darrell Mack rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Brian Johnson loves to throw the deep ball, it should be something to watch if he can make some big plays against a struggling secondary. Also, keep an eye on Anthony Allen of Louisville, only a sophomore but is second in the conference in rushing yards. This is the first time Utah will be playing a Big East team since they blew out Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl. Tailback George Stripling and receiver JaJuan Spillman will not play due to off the field issues.

Key Match up: Brian Brohm vs. Utah’s Secondary: Do not be fooled by the 2-3 record, this is the same Utah team who spanked UCLA -- 44-6 doing most of the work on the defensive side of the ball. Utah forced five turnovers in the game, including three interceptions and made Ben Olson look just terrible. The Bruins could only convert 5-of-16 third downs in the game. Brian Brohm has been able to dominate each defense he has played -- each week leading the conference in passing yards and touchdowns. Utah has been strong defending the pass all year but they haven't faced a combo like Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia yet. Douglas, who did not play last week, has just been awesome leading the conference in receiving yards. Urrutia was booed last time he played at home, he might make a big statement this week, I don't think Utah has the depth or size to cover the Louisville receivers -- that’s why Brohm should have another big game.

THE BIG EAST REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

Biggest Winners:

South Florida – The Bulls defense proved that they are the real deal, shutting down Steve Slaton and the rest of the West Virginia offense. An unfortunate injury to Pat White helped USF pull off the close victory 21-13 but that doesn't take away how they were able to hold West Virginia to just 188 rushing yards – WVU’s lowest total all season. South Florida scored their first touchdown when linebacker Ben Moffitt took a White pass back for six and the senior finished the game with two interceptions and nine tackles, two of them for losses. South Florida forced a whopping six turnovers, three of those interceptions. South Florida took a 14-0 lead right before the half and it was fitting. Matt Grothe was nearly sacked but the West Virginia secondary thought his knee was down and kind of gave up on the play, this was when receiver Carlton Mitchell was able to get open and catch a 55 yard touchdown. Grothe didn't have a great game -- throwing two interceptions and just 135 yards, but he held on for the win. The speed of the defense is what won the game for the Bulls and ended the national title hopes for WVU. There was a total of ten turnovers in the game.

Cincinnati – With their 52-23 victory at San Diego State, the Bearcats are now 5-0 and they have started to get the attention of the nation. Cincinnati is ranked in both polls, 20th in the AP. This is the first time they have been ranked since 1976. The offense exceeded efficiency with a total of 547 total yards. Ben Mauk continues to play well throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Dominick Goodman caught seven of those passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Marcus Barnett caught two touchdowns both in the 2nd quarter including an 80-yard score. The Cincinnati run defense was very good holding the Aztecs to 65 rushing yards (2.7 per carry).

Back to Losing:

Syracuse – After getting a huge victory over Louisville last week, the Orange were back to their old ways with a 17-14 loss at Miami (OH). The game was very sloppy, combining for a total of 17 penalties and four turnovers. The biggest mistake of the game occurred on a 4th and short -- the Red Hawks were planning on punting the ball back to Syracuse, instead a Syracuse player jumped offsides which gave Miami a first down. Later on that drive that Miami scored a touchdown, which proved to be a big one. Syracuse just could not stop the run, as their linebackers were exposed again allowing 286 yards on the ground. The bright spot was Andrew Robinson who played well, throwing for 236 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The line gave up a couple of big sacks and committed some crucial penalties to hold the Orange to only two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh – When the Panthers got off to a 2-0 start there was a little excitement in Pittsburgh, but after three straight losses, including two blowouts, Dave Wannstedt is back on the hot seat. They were taken behind the woodshed in Virginia losing 44-14. The Cavaliers put up 27 points in the first quarter scoring four touchdowns, two passing and two on the ground. Freshman LeSean McCoy was decent rushing for 85 yards and one touchdown but with no passing attack, it was tough to move the ball. The Pittsburgh defense allowed three touchdowns through the air.

Under the Radar:

Connecticut is 5-0…yeah their football team is 5-0. After dominating Pittsburgh, the Huskies continued rolling by crushing Akron 44-10. They put the game away in the third quarter scoring three touchdowns. Sophomore Andre Dixon rushed for 116 yards averaging a remarkable 9.7 yards per carry. Donald Brown rushed for 65 yards, both Brown and Dixon scored a touchdown.

Back to Business:

Louisville was coming off two loses and took out their frustration on NC State in their 29-10 win. Brian Brohm was 20/33 throwing for 251 yards and a touchdown. Brock Bolen got most of the carries rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown. The secondary allowed 249 passing yards but the Louisville defense forced five turnovers.

Freshman Spotlight: Even though Mike Ford of USF got only five carries he rushed for 42 yards, picking up a big chunk of yards on a crucial 35 yard run. Ford was great in South Florida's win at Auburn rushing for 74 yards and then 83 at home versus Elon. As the season progresses look for Ford to get more touches.

Big East Player of the Year Update: Because of two early losses, Louisville has lost a lot of the attention and hype it was getting before the year. Regardless receiver Harry Douglas just continues to dominate the receiving statistics. Douglas leads the conference in receptions, yards per game and touchdowns. Douglas is averaging 169.8 yards per game and is ahead of Ray Rice for the most all-purpose yards.

STOCK RISING

BY RICK SERRITELLA
NFL DRAFT BIBLE

Despite Louisville’s early season struggles, wide receiver Harry Douglas has been a staple of consistency. Douglas has gained 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in every game this season. Through the first four games he has collected 679 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Having been a manufacturer of producing pro caliber linebackers, J Leman looks to be the next in line to hail from the University of Illinois. Standing in at 6’2, 240-pounds, Leman has the size and lateral speed to be an impact player at the next level. He can also lay the lumber and punishes those who dare to come across the middle.

Boston College cornerback DeJuan Tribble has proved to be a defensive playmaker through the first quarter of the season. The defensive team leader has made a ton of plays and gets his hands on a lot of balls, whether it be via interception or pass deflections. Tribble looks to be headed towards solidifying first-round status.

One player flying under the radar is South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins. Helping South Carolina get off to a 3-0 start, Jenkins helped set up an upset victory over Auburn with a late-game interception a couple of weeks ago. His speed is comparable to any top corner in the ’07 draft and you can be sure that scout’s eyes will be on Jenkins as the Bulls host West Virginia this upcoming week.

Lost amidst the shocking upset over Louisville is the gutsy performance by Syracuse wide out Taj Smith. The speedster from Newark, New Jersey had 4 catches- two of which went for touchdowns and 173 receiving yards. Hailing from a gang-infested community, the senior could have a turn of good fortune, as a few more performances like that and he will definitely be on the NFL Draft radar come April.