Draft Watch: Sugar Bowl

Here are the following players to keep your eye for the 2010 NFL Draft in the SUGAR BOWL.

Cincinnati Bearcats:

QB Tony Pike - Pike is a pocket passer, who needs to get stronger, but could end up being a starting quarterback in the NFL. Right now he has a 2nd round grade.

WR Mardy Gilyard – Gilyard is a physical big play receiver who lacks great straight line speed, but seems to make plays whenever he gets his hands on the ball. Right now has a 2nd round grade.

DE Alex Daniels – Daniels should play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive, he has good size at 6'3" and 259 pounds and is a good overall athlete who can rush the passer. Right now has a 6th round grade.

Florida Gators:

QB Tim Tebow - Tebow is one of the best college football players of all time, but NFL teams have mixed reviews on his skills for the next level. His grade right now is a 2nd round grade.

WR Riley Cooper - Cooper is a solid all-around football player and will make a good third or fourth receiver at the next level. His grade right now is a 5th round grade.

TE Aaron Hernandez (JR) - Hernandez is a very good receiving tight end, but needs to improve his blocking. Most likely will declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. His grade right now is a 2nd round grade.

C Maurkice Pouncey (JR) - Pouncey is an impressive athlete with good strength and the ability to the next level with his blocks. His grade right now is a 2nd round grade.

OG Michael Pouncey (JR) - Pouncey isn’t the athlete that his bother Maurkice is, but is still a very good offensive linemen. His grade right now is a 4th round grade.

CB Joe Haden (JR) - Haden most likely will declare and be the first cornerback drafted in the 2010 NFL Draft. He has very good ball skills and is a willing tackler. His grade right now is a 1st round grade.

DE Carlos Dunlap (JR) - Because of a DUI ticket he received he not play in the SEC Championship game. Dunlap has all the physical tools to be a great defensive end in the NFL, but just needs to be more consistent. His grade right now is a 1st round grade.

DE Jermaine Cunningham - Cunningham is a good pass rusher and is a good overall athlete which some think that he could be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. His grade right now is a 3rd round grade.

LB Brandon Spikes - Spikes is a very good tackler and has the ability to make plays all over the field. His grade right now is a 1st round grade.

S Ahmad Black (JR) - Black does a very good job of supporting the run and there is some thought that he will declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. He doesn’t have great size but is a productive player. His grade right now is a 4th round grade.

S Major Wright (JR) - Wright is a very good free safety and has the ability to play the run as well as cover a receiver man to man. His grade right now is a 4th round grade.

For more NFL, NFL Draft news, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jvanfulpen

Photo Courtesy of Dennis Hubbard, College Press Box

Big East Power Rankings & Preview Week 12

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

1. Cincinnati Bearcats 10-0, (6-0): Last week: Won vs. West Virginia 24-21 - Survive and advance. It wasn’t exactly the most impressive victory, but the Bearcats found away to shake off two early turnovers by running the football successfully, and the defense stepping up when it counted. Big days for sophomore running back Isaiah Pead and Andre Revels. Pead rushed for a career-high 175 yards averaging an outstanding 9.7 yards a carry, meanwhile senior linebacker Revels continues to be one of the fiercest tacklers in the conference, he recorded 13 total in the game.

Up next: Idle - Decisions, decisions, decisions. Certainly the offensive playbook can be more diverse with quarterback Zach Collaros in the game because his running ability adds a different dimension. Plus, his threat alone has contributed to recent big games by Bearcat tailbacks. However, Tony Pike looks as if he will be healthy and ready to play in the final two contests. With a week off to think about it, the question remains will head coach Brian Kelly go with the strong-armed Pike, choose Collaros’ duel threat ability or will he dance with the devil and use the two-quarterback system?

2. Pittsburgh 9-1, (5-0): Last Week: Won vs. Notre Dame 27-22 - You may not realize it by looking at the score but Pittsburgh was in control of this game from the start. The defense played a fantastic first half holding Jimmy Clausen and the Irish offense to just field goal. And offensively the stars shined on primetime once again, freshman Dion Lewis rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown and receiver Jonathon Baldwin earned himself Big East Player of the Week honors for his five-catch, 142-yard performance.

Up Next: Idle - Why on a critical third down with timeouts remaining and up only five, is Bill Stull rushing to snap the ball before the play clock runs out rather than using a TO? With a week off it’s not just the players that have to practice, because if they don’t have things all together they can say good-bye to the BCS.

3. West Virginia 7-3, (3-2): Last week: Lost at Cincinnati 24-21 - It was a real tough loss to swallow, a call here, a caught pass there and WVU easily they could have come out victorious. Quarterback Jarrett Brown was efficient completing 68 percent of his passes, and it was great to see a glimpse of what could be a future into Mountaineer football when freshman Ryan Clarke busted loose for a big 37-yard touchdown run. But it’s tough for this team to win when Noel Devine is not 100 percent.

Up next: Idle - An opportunity to get Devine healthy. If he does the junior could add on to his legacy when the Panthers come into town.

4. Rutgers 7-2, (2-2): Last week: Won vs. South Florida 31-0 - Talk about domination. It may be hard to believe but this score could have been worse, the Scarlet Knights could have dropped a 50-spot on the Bulls. The Rutgers defensive line is what anchored the blowout. They recorded seven sacks and six quarterback hurries. Big nights for defensive ends George Johnson and Antonio Lowery. Johnson, who is quietly having a superb senior season, had three tackles for losses and Lowery forced a fumble to go with his three tackles for a loss.

Up Next: at Syracuse - Expect more the same. This young Rutgers team is rolling and there’s not much a dismantled Syracuse squad can do about it. The mismatch lies when the Orange offense is on the field: they’ve given up 25 sacks this season and that number is sure to grow after facing this pass rush. Look for Rutgers' wide outs Mohamed Sanu and Tim Brown to break free once or twice for big scores and solidify the road win. Prediction: Rutgers 29, Syracuse 14

5. South Florida Bulls 6-3, (2-3): Last week: Lost at Rutgers 31-0 - B.J Daniels had his worst game of the season. He only completed 7-of-17 passes, threw two dreadful interceptions and was held to 11 yards rushing. An understandable game from the freshman considering how badly his offensive line protected him. Add three more turnovers and this game got out of reach early.

Up Next: At Louisville - When the Bulls are clicking they look like they could be a serious conference contender, but in their two blowout losses to Pittsburgh and Rutgers they’re offense staggered so badly they played as if they didn’t even deserve to play in a bowl game. Nevertheless, this week has blowout written all over it. The one thing they do consistently well is rush the quarterback, and against a team that has already given up a remarkable 32 sacks a shutout could be in the works. Prediction: South Florida 30, Louisville 10

6.Connecticut 4-5, (1-4): Last week: Idle - The Huskies are still two wins away from becoming bowl eligible, considering they finish the season at home against Syracuse, a win over Notre Dame on the road won’t only be a memorable moment for the program but a leap closer to another post-season.

Up Next: at Notre Dame - It’s not a secret that the Irish like to throw the ball, and Connecticut's pass defense has struggled giving up an average of 232 yards a game through the air. What they can do successfully this week is pound the football. Their line has proved they can win the battle up front and with Jordan Todman running the football the ground game surely can keep the game close. If they win the turnover battle and prevent Golden Tate from making any big plays they should be in it with a chance to come out on top in the fourth quarter. Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Connecticut 17

7. Louisville 4-6, (1-4): Last week: Won vs. Syracuse 10-9 - Trent Guy is the MVP of this football team. Not only did his punt returns give the Cardinals good field possession numerous times during the game but his 36-yard catch was the key play made on the game-winning touchdown drive. It was Josh Chichester who caught the 15-yard touchdown delivered from Adam Froman. The 6-8 sophomore Chichester has size that’s for sure, and is a guy that could be major part of a bounce back Louisville team next year.

Up Next: vs. South Florida - This is not a good match-up for Louisville. Speed is their biggest disadvantage and it just so happens South Florida is one of the fastest teams in the Big East. Keep an eye on freshman Darius Ashley. The Bulls haven’t had a good history facing off against physical running backs. Prediction: South Florida 30, Louisville 10

8. Syracuse 3-7, (0-5): Last week: Lost at Louisville 10-9 - It may be unfair to be too harsh on a team who’s not that good to begin with and is now having to deal with injuries, stars quitting and suspensions. But there’s only one thing this team really knows how to do well...and that’s lose. It seems on a weekly basis only one player has a positive game on offense and that’s running back Delone Carter who rushed for 129 yards. If you watch the Orange then you’d know his numbers would be a whole lot better if he were breaking tackles down field rather then behind the line of scrimmage.

Up Next: vs. Rutgers - This team makes way too many unforced errors for anyone to be confident in them to get a win. Prediction: Rutgers 29, Syracuse 14

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Photos Courtesy of University of Pittsburgh, Tom Ciszak Rutgers Athletics, UConn Athletic Communications

Big East Power Rankings & Preview Week 10

1. Cincinnati Bearcats 8-0, (4-0): Last week: Win at Syracuse 28-7- The offense did have some trouble running the ball and capitalizing on good field position at first, but eventually passing efficiency prevailed. Backup quarterback Zach Collaros made it look easy completing 22-of-28 passes and throwing for 295 yards, four touchdowns.

Up next: vs. Connecticut - The passing leader in the Big East is back, Tony Pike makes his return after missing the last two and half games. With a game against West Virginia just under a week away the Bearcats focus will be tested.

Prediction: Cincinnati 31, Connecticut 20

2. Pittsburgh 7-1, (4-0): Last Week: Idle - The Panthers are moving up in all the polls and currently stand ranked number 13th overall in the BCS Standings.

Up Next: vs. Syracuse: The key to this game is focus. Before Pitt takes on Notre Dame and Cincinnati they have to play against staggering Syracuse. The Panthers might have some trouble running the ball, so they should take advantage of their big wide outs versus the inexperience and vulnerable Orange secondary. This game shouldn’t be close.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 28, Syracuse 14

3. South Florida Bulls 6-2, (2-2): Last week: Win vs. West Virginia 30-19 - Nothing gets a team over a two-game losing streak faster then a big win at home. B.J Daniels continued his development into stardom and the defensive line led by George Selvie was stellar again. During the bye week the Bulls have a lot to work on, specifically where some more yards are going to come from other than the arm and legs of their freshman quarterback.

Up Next: Idle

4. West Virginia 6-2, (2-1): Last week: Lost at South Florida 30-19 - It seems like West Virginia never matches up well against South Florida. The Mountaineers shouldn’t panic just yet, it was only their first conference loss of the season and they still control their destiny for a title.

Up next: vs. Louisville: Earlier this season when West Virginia came off a loss they bounced back with a home victory over Colorado in which Noel Devine rushed for 220 yards on 15 carries. Expect something similar to that this week in the box score and on the scoreboard.

Prediction: West Virginia 29, Louisville 13

5. Rutgers 6-2, (1-2): Last week: Win at Connecticut 28-24 - Tim Brown is making a case for himself as the top wide receiver in the Big East. He leads the league in yards with 811 and is averaging 21.9 yards a catch, which was boosted by his 81-yard game-winning touchdown grab to beat the Huskies.

Up Next: Idle

6.Connecticut 4-4, (1-3): Last week: Lost vs. Rutgers 28-24 - Just another heartbreaking loss for the Huskies. A tremendous job by their offense to putting together a 87-yard drive that was capped off with what should have been the game winning score by Jordan Todman.

Up Next: At Cincinnati: At quarterback will be Zach Frazer. He was 21-of-46 last week throwing for a career 333-yards, if he can put up those same type of numbers and Todman or Andre Dixon can burst out for a couple of long runs this game might be closer than the experts thing.

Prediction: Cincinnati 31, Connecticut 20

7. Louisville 3-5, (0-3): Last week: Win vs. Arkansas State 21-13 - It was the newcomers leading the way. Redshirt freshman quarterback Will Stein threw for 232 yards and junior tailback Bilal Powell rushed for a season high 93 yards on 17 carries.

Up Next: at West Virginia: The Cardinals rank at the bottom the Big East in stopping the run and they have given up a total of 14 touchdowns already this season on the ground…so facing off against Devine this week spells trouble.

Prediction: West Virginia 29, Louisville 13

8. Syracuse 3-5, (0-3): Last week: Lost vs. Cincinnati 28-7 - Another game, another loss and another disgraceful performance by the Orange offense.

Up Next: at Pittsburgh - It has been a very odd week for the Syracuse football team: several players are suspended for the game due to an incident involving a car accident late last Saturday night and star wide receiver Mike Williams quite the football team without dismissal. Now with the media swirling around head coach Doug Marrone for answers, this could be an emotional contest for the Orange. Do they band together or give up?

Prediction: Pittsburgh 28, Syracuse 14

Photos Courtesy of University of Pittsburgh, Tom Ciszak Rutgers Athletics

Big East Power Rankings Week 9

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

1. Cincinnati Bearcats 7-0, (3-0): Last week: Win vs. Louisville 41-10 - Instead of taking the conservative route, like most offenses would do with their back-up quarterback starting, Cincinnati played aggressive with Zach Collaros under center and took advantage of his running ability. He rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries last week, which helped opened the running game. On shotgun formations the Louisville defense was conscious of Collaros and had to account for his legs, so on handoffs the Cardinals were a little slower to react to when a running back got the carry. It’s a different look Cincinnati can bring when their back up is playing. Sophomore Isaiah Pead ran for two touchdowns including a 67-yard run on a draw play. But Collaros was also impressive through the air completing 15-of-17 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. The receiving core also had a fantastic game led by Marshwan Gilyard who caught four balls for 82 yards and a touchdown. Junior Armon Binns continues to step up as the team’s number two wide out and as scoring threat, he made a tremendous touchdown catch in the back of the end zone and finished the game 75 yards. Binns has reeled in 12 catches and four touchdowns in the last three games and has made a handful of tough catches look easy. His development is an important component for the offense to take the next step and take some heat of Gilyard who’s constantly seeing double-teams.

Up next: At Syracuse - Another game without Tony Pike shouldn’t be a problem...the offense hasn’t missed a beat so far and it won’t be the Orange defense that takes them out of rhythm. It’s important for the Bearcat defense to have another big game. The defensive line has been playing well and did a lot of disrupting in their previous two games versus Louisville and South Florida, expect more of the same against a banged up offensive line. Andre Revels is playing like an all-conference linebacker; he will be a key to shut down the Syracuse running game.

Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Syracuse 14

2. Pittsburgh 7-1, (4-0): Last week: Win vs. South Florida 41-14 - Why have the Panthers moved up a spot? Their route of USF is part of it, but in terms of the big picture the answer is quarterback Bill Stull. Talks have to start for Stull as conference player of the year–he’s thrown for 1, 654 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions and against South Florida he starting out completing his first 11 passes and completed 72 percent of his passes. He’s no longer a liability; Stull is playing like a star. When their quarterback is on top of his game this offense is dangerous. With his 111 yards from this weekend freshman running back Dion Lewis eclipsed the century mark once again, bringing his season total to 1,029. He ranks second in the nation in rushing, Lewis isn’t just the freshman of the year in the conference, he’s the most dynamic newcomer in the country. Against the Bulls they played a perfect game–was it a one time thing or just the start to an incredible run?

Up Next: Idle

3. West Virginia 6-1, (2-0): Last week: Win vs. Connecticut 28-24 - The 56-yard touchdown run that saved the day by Noel Devine is all you need to see to know what an amazing running back he is. When he burst down the sideline it looked as if he would be pushed out of bounds at around the 30-yard line, but remarkably he kept his balance and his feet from touching the sideline, and eventually took it to the house for a score. Playing a close game at home against the Huskies isn’t something to panic about; they’re a gritty football team. But overall Pittsburgh has been playing better football, close calls aren’t a problem-but getting quarterback Jarrett Brown in sync is.

Up next: At South Florida - This is certainly a game West Virginia has to be eerie of. First of all, recent history. The Bulls have taken two of the last three from the Mountaineers and are one of the only defensive units that thrive at stopping mobile quarterbacks and lateral runners. If Brown doesn’t play a crisp game, it will be another close call for West Virginia. There will be a lot of pressure on the defense to stop South Florida’s duel-threat quarterback, B.J. Daniels–they may force him to throw a little bit more then he would like but he’s got the arm for big plays.

Prediction: West Virginia 27, South Florida 23

4. South Florida Bulls 5-2, (1-2): Last week: Lost at Pittsburgh 41-10 - The Bulls are sputtering. The last two years this football team has collapsed down the stretch and after back-to-back losses including a spanking in Heinz Field there’s panic. There is a lot of worry when this defense, what is supposed to be the backbone of the team, is dominated for 486 yards, 214 on which came on the ground. At this point they can’t recruit a giant nose-tackle to solve their woes, it’s time for the staff to make adjustments and utilize their athleticism in a different way. Offensively, this team is expected to struggle a little bit. With a freshman quarterback and inconsistent receivers it was bound to happen, however they can’t let up or it’s going to be three mid-season collapses in a row.

Up Next: West Virginia - This is perfect timing. With the team moral low, what better way to boost it back up again than with a big home win? And the West Virginia is a good match-up for them. Even though they struggle against the run, they have the hard nose tacklers to limit Devine from running over people and the speed to contain him on the outside. A lot of pressure for senior George Selvie to step up, he hasn’t been himself lately. But the Bulls won’t win this game unless a receiver steps up, the quarterback can’t just run the offense alone. Will this be the game Carlton Mitchell or Sterling Griffin breaks out?

Prediction: West Virginia 27, South Florida 23

5.Connecticut 4-3, (1-2): Last week: Lose at West Virginia 24-28 - No shame in losing the way they did to West Virginia last week...a tough loss for an emotionally charged unit. Right before Devine made his legendary run, Connecticut had a magical touchdown score of their own. After a fumble recovered on an interception return allowed the Huskies to retain possession, quarterback Cody Endres hit Marcus Easley from his own 12-yard linea cross midfield that the wide out took the rest of the way for the score. It was a magical moment in a game that had a lot more meaning than just a win or a loss. The Huskies remain at the same spot despite a loss.

Up Next: Rutgers - It will be another emotional scene in Storrs as the football team returns to play their first home game since the death of teammate Jasper Howard. This very big game for Connecticut. A loss would put them in a position where they will have to fight for bowl-eligibility but a win could propel them to have a shot for a better bowl game. The offense has looked more and more balanced each week, and against Rutgers, expect plenty of deep balls again. What gives the Huskies the edge is their defense. Other than stellar backs Lewis and Devine, Connecticut hasn’t had trouble stopping anybody and they will be geared up to stop the run and make the freshman quarterback beat them.

Prediction: Connecticut 25, Rutgers 17

6. Rutgers 5-2, (0-2): Last week: Win at Army 27-10: A win is a win; even if comes against one of the worst teams in college football. Rutgers dominated this contest, more than the score will even tell you. The triple-option was no problem to defend and any time Army had an opportunity to take advantage, the Cadets would shoot themselves in the foot with a fumble or a dropped pass. There’s not a whole lot to learn about Rutgers from this game. Joe Martinek rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Up Next: At Connecticut - This is a chance for Rutgers to prove themselves. They have no signature wins, unless you count the victory at Maryland (you shouldn’t) and this is a big game. It’s a big game because they come in as heavy underdogs to a team that’s not that much more talented then they are. But all the things that Rutgers does to hurt themselves like committing too many penalties, sloppy quarterback play or inconsistent tackling...Connecticut does well. Both teams run the ball pretty well and can defend it too, so the key to the game is who is a better through the air. Does Tom Savage finally break out in a conference game?

Prediction: Connecticut 25, Rutgers 17

7. Syracuse 3-4, (0-2): Last week: Win vs. Akron 28-14 - Finally this team blocks for their talented tailback. Delone Carter broke free for 170 yard rushing and three touchdowns and was given the opportunity to do what he does best. He’s one of the toughest backs to take down on first contact; the problem is that contact usually comes behind the line of scrimmage. It’s great for Carter and Syracuse fans to see what the former Mr. Ohio can do when he has the chance. Mike Williams was suspended for violating team rules, but sophomore receiver Marcus Sales stepped up with six catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. Senior linebacker Derrell Smith continues to have a tremendous season. Against Akron he recorded three tackles for a loss including two sacks, and was in on forcing a fumble. He leads the team 64 tackles and 10 for a loss; he’s been one of the most improved players on this defense over the last two years. Special note in the game, Dashan Miller of Akron who set a school record of 191 kickoff return yards, on four returns.

Up Next: Cincinnati - The Biletnikoff semifinalist, Williams, will be back for the game versus Cincinnati and boy do they need him. The only way Syracuse pulls off the upset is if quarterback Greg Paulus limits his turnovers and gets Williams the ball. The secondary has been spotty to say the least, so they catch a break not facing Pike. The defensive line has been playing well and they might give Collaros a challenge. Defensive tackle Arthur Jones has been hungry for a big win on a big stage.

Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Syracuse 14

8. Louisville 2-5, (0-3): Last week: Lost at Cincinnati 10-41 - No surprise that this team was spanked on the road. There’s a lot to be concerned about. The secondary has been horrific all season, the offensive line is in shambles and the running game has all but vanished.

Up Next: Arkansas State - This game is the season. Coming into the year it was expected the Cardinals would finish at or near the bottom of the division and loss here would be truly rock bottom. They already manhandled Indiana State in their opener and took care of Southern Miss, but they cannot lose to the 2-4 Red Wolves out of the Sun Belt. Running back Victor Anderson will likely get the ball a lot in this game, and versus a poor run defense it should mean good things for Louisville.

Prediction: Louisville 36, Arkansas State 20

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Photos Courtesy of University of Pittsburgh, USF Athletics Communications, Tom Ciszak Rutgers Athletics

Big East Week 8 Preview

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON

South Florida 26, Pittsburgh 23

Tune in to watch two very talented defensive lines, both with more than one future NFL prospect, most notable are Greg Romeus and George Selvie. This is a difficult game to call because both teams are very similar. Each have tremendous pass rushes, hard nosed linebackers but have offenses that are prone to stalling. An important match-up in this game will be the South Florida secondary versus the Pittsburgh receivers. Last week Jonathan Baldwin was held to only one catch and others like tight end Dorin Dickerson picked up the slack. South Florida has one of the Big East's top cornerbacks in Jerome Murphy, who had his ups and downs against Cincinnati a week ago. Keep an eye on the Murhpy-Baldwin battle. Two key difference makers are freshmen Dion Lewis from Pittsburgh and USF's B.J Daniels. The talented Daniels had his freshman moments against Cincinnati, but don't be surprised if the quarterback has a breakout game this week. The Pitt defense might not do as well against the scrambling youngster. Lewis, who leads the Big East in rushing, will test the Bulls' rush defense.

West Virginia 25, Connecticut 17

The Huskies are always a tough opponent. They’re gritty and possess a consistent rushing attack. With all that has happened this week there’s going to be a little extra fight in them. The status of quarterback Jarrett Brown, who suffered a concussion from last week’s game, is critical to the Mountaineers success. He’s likely to start but his status is a game-time decision. This game will probably close up to the very end but the difference maker is Noel Devine.

Syracuse 33, Akron 21

This is a huge game for this Syracuse football team. Last year they dropped a home game versus the Zips and it was the low point of the season. It’s a must win, not only to spare the embarrassment to losing two in row to Akron but to turn around the season. After a two-game winning streak the Orange followed up with a sloppy performance against South Florida and contest against West Virginia where everythign went wrong. Off a bye week, the team should be prepared for this one. Mike Williams is quietly having an All-American caliber season leading the conference with 712 yards and 45 receptions and won’t face a defender who can cover him in this one. The defense has done a lot of shuffling especially on the defensive line, so it should be interesting to see how some of the lineup changes affect the unit plays.

Cincinnati 26, Louisville 14

Last year Cincinnati snapped a five-game losing streak to the Cardinals. Look for Cincy to make it two in row in this battle of former Conference USA programs. Defensively, the Bearcats has improved and are continuing to get better each week. Linebacker Andre Revels and cornerback Drew Fey have been playing well of late with senior safety Aaron Webster. Quarterback Tony Pike is questionable but that shouldn’t stop the Bearcats from remaining undefeated, at least not this week.

Last week: 3-1, Season 35-6

Photos Courtesy of USF Athletics Communications, Syracuse University Athletics

Big East Power Rankings Week 8

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON

1. Cincinnati Bearcats 6-0, (2-0): Last week: WOn at South Florida 34-17 - Talk about an impressive victory. With their starting quarterback Tony Pike out for the entire second half with a shoulder injury, the offense managed to put up 17 points in the second half and secured a victory on the road. Back-up quarterback Zach Collaros only completed four-of-seven passes, but on a key third and long it was his 75-yard designed run for a touchdown that was the back breaker in the game—an outstanding call to take advantage of the over pursuit of the South Florida blitz. Coaching, advantage Brian Kelly. But what was most impressive about the win was the play of the defense. The big play: on the first play of the second quarter safety Aaron Webster turned the game around with an interception in the red zone that was returned 83 yards to set up a touchdown, at least a ten point swing. Closing Out: In the second half they held the Bulls to three total first downs and forced five three-and-outs. This team seems to have that special element that equates to victories. Some how, some way they get it done. Up Next: vs. Louisville

2. West Virginia 5-1, (1-0): Last week: Win vs. Marshall 24-7 - It took a second half surge to put away their in-state rival, but don’t get down on the Mountaineers. An early injury to quarterback Jarrett Brown caused the offense to get out rhythm. His replacement, freshman Geno Smith was four-of-eight in the first half but didn’t complete a pass over ten yards until midway through the third quarter. His longest pass was a 33-yard touchdown connection with Alric Arnett late in the third. It was Noel Devine leading the way as usual. Up Next: vs. Connecticut

3. Pittsburgh 6-1, (3-0): Last week: Win at Rutgers 24-17 - Another week, another close call. They handed Rutgers several chances to take this game-fumbles on special teams, missed field goals and costly penalties. But the end result was a win. Most of the credit goes to the front seven on the defense and freshman phenom Dion Lewis. The linebacking play was tremendous, Max Gruder is is a star of tomorrow in the Big East. The defensive line was spectacular again, not giving any room for Rutgers' ball carriers to do a thing (38 yards total rushing). However there is a vulnerable spot on this defense. With cornerback Aaron Berry out for the game with a shoulder injury the secondary was ineffective. Lewis is third in the nation in rushing and was clutch last Friday, which included a 58-yard touchdown run was the biggest play of the game. On the Panther’s final drive that melted the clock it was Lewis gaining chunks of yards on all seven touches he had. There’s a lot of promise for this team, they possess enough talent to take the conference but one has to wonder not if, but when will this sloppy play catches up to them. Up Next: vs. South Florida

4. South Florida Bulls 5-1, (1-1): Last week: Lost vs. Cincinnati 17-34 - This defense can put the heat on the quarterback but when it counts, they struggle to stop the run. Cornerback Jerome Murphy had a disappointing game committing two personal foul penalties and was beat more than once on key plays. However, the panic button shouldn’t be pressed just yet, but the way this team has collapsed in seasons past, a win at Pittsburgh is badly needed. The key for the next game and for how successful this team can be this season is the play of freshman quarterback B.J Daniels. Up Next: @ Pittsburgh

5.Connecticut 4-2, (1-1): Last week: Win vs. Louisville 38-25 - It was all about airing it out, well at least for UConn's standards. Quarterback Cody Endres threw for a career-high 273 yards and a touchdown. Not to say the reliable running game wasn't there, Andre Dixon rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns. He’s quietly having a fantastic senior campaign. The story was the defense, perhaps one of the most underrated units in the league. They are an aggressive bunch-forcing four turnovers and some big stops when it mattered most. Up Next: @ West Virginia

6. Rutgers 4-2, (0-2): Last week: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 17-24 - Bad. That’s basically how Rutgers has played in their two Big East games this year, and if wasn’t for Syracuse and Louisville, the Knights wouldn’t be this high. Luckily a gift turnover that led to a touchdown avoided a near touchdown-less game. Not much positives to take from this game. Up Next: @ Army

7. Louisville 2-4, (0-2): Last week: Lost at Connecticut 25-38 - They have one of the worst defenses of any team in the BCS conferences and have already allowed over 30-plus points four times this season. The Cardinals are likely to be visiting the bottom sometime very soon. Up Next: @ Cincinnati

8. Syracuse 2-4, (0-2): Last week: Bye - Can’t move a team up after a bye, but a win against the Akron Zips could get them out of the basement for a week. Two weeks ago Greg Paulus was benched for the second half in the team’s loss to West Virginia. It will be interesting to see how he responds and how the fans react; they will get on the former Duke point gaurd if the Orange fall behind early. Up Next: vs. Akron

Photos Courtesy of University of Pittsburgh, Tom Ciszak Rutgers Athletics

Big East Power Rankings Week 7

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON

1. Cincinnati Bearcats 5-0, (1-0): Last week: Bye - They’ve been the most impressive team in the Big East so far. They haven’t just padded their record either, wins over Rutgers, at Oregon State and versus Fresno State are all looking more and more like quality wins. The offense has been by far the most consistent in the conference averaging 42 points a game. The quality of the passing game led by quarterback Tony Pike and wide receiver Marshwan Gilyard can be thanked for that. Up Next: @ South Florida


2. South Florida Bulls 5-0, (1-0): Last week: Bye - Talk about no respect. It wasn’t until last week that they cracked the coaches and AP poll. Sure, they’re schedule has had a lot of soft spots and every time Florida State loses it makes their victory in Tallahassee look less appealing, but this team is the real deal. I know...doesn't someone say that every year just around this time? But so far their defense has been utterly dominate, allowing an average of 9.4 points a game, and they have completely shutdown the opponent's passing game. What has stood out has been the pass rush and how well the team has responded when quarterback Matt Grothe went down with a season-ending injury. Watch out...here comes South Florida, again. Up Next: Cincinnati

3. West Virginia 4-1, (1-0): Last week: Win at Syracuse 34-13 - If it wasn’t for an awful fourth quarter by Jarrett Brown at Auburn, the Mountaineers could easily be undefeated. The bright side is since then, the senior has been much better throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions. The offense has looked real sharp. They dominated every aspect of the game at the Carrier Dome last week and show no signs of slowing down. Up Next: Marshall

4. Pittsburgh 4-1, (1-0): Last week: Win vs. Connecticut 24-21 - Inconsistency is the issue in Western PA. There’s no question they’re a talented bunch but too many times this season their offense stalls or the defense gives up to many big plays. It happened again in their last game versus the Huskies, forcing Pitt to overcome a 21-6 lead due sloppy red zone execution and giving up big pass plays. Quarterback Bill Stull turned it around and their pass rush came alive in the fourth quarter leading them to a big come from behind victory. Even though they didn’t play perfect football, it was an impressive win. They kept fighting and won the type of game they have lost all too often. Don’t forget about Pittsburgh in this conference race, they have the most underrated receiving core in the Big East. Up Next: @ Rutgers

5.Connecticut 3-2, (0-1): Last week: Loss at Pittsburgh 21-24 - The main reason why Connecticut lost last week, as well their first loss against North Carolina is their one-dimensional offense. When the game was close, Pittsburgh was able to just gear up to stop the run and force the Huskies to beat them in the passing game. The defense may have given up a key touchdown and the drive that led to the game-winning field goal, but it’s tough to blame them considering how much time they spent the field in the second half. This is a bowl quality team but unless the defense completely dominates, they won’t beat too many of the top tier teams. Up Next: Louisville

6. Rutgers 4-1, (0-1): Last week: Win vs. Texas Southern 42-0 - Despite having a better record the Scarlet Knights sit below Connecticut. Since they were blown out by the Bearcats on college football's opening weekend, they’ve rolled off four straight wins including a road victory at Maryland. But two of those wins have come against FCS schools and another against a Sun Belt foe. Fans have to be excited with the play of their freshman quarterback Tom Savage, but the real test will come Friday night at home against Pittsburgh. They’re offensive line has been a bit shaky and are likely to have trouble protecting the quarterback against Pitt's pass-rushing book ends. Their defense has been a force creating turnovers, already 12 on the young season. Up Next: Pittsburgh

7. Louisville 2-3, (0-1): Last week: Win vs. Southern Miss 25-23 - Things are far from being righted at Louisville, but any win is a good win for this program. Even though it was against a Conference USA team that was without their starting quarterback, it was still a nice victory over a solid football team. Heroics by quarterback Adam Froman and wide receiver Scott Long led to a game-winning field in the final seconds. Up Next: @ Connecticut

8. Syracuse 2-4, (0-2): Last week: Loss vs. West Virginia 13-34 - Both the ‘Cuse and Louisville will probably be flip-flopping the bottom two spots in the conference all year, but for now it’s the Orange who belong at the bottom. After a two-game winning streak they have responded with two home loses where they turned the ball over too often, among a bevy of mistakes. Their starting quarterback Greg Paulus is tied for interception lead in the nation. The offensive line the line needs to regroup and get healthier before they send the team into a tailspin. Up Next: Bye

Photos Courtesy of Tom Ciszak Rutgers Athletics, USF Athletics Communications

Big East: Week 5 Preview

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

West Virginia 38, Colorado 20

Get ready for a Buffalo beat down. Three weeks ago when Colorado faced Toledo, the Buffaloes could not stop the run or the pass allowing 624 yards in the loss, including two 100-yard rushers. They could not defend the mobile quarterback Aaron Opelt, so don’t expect them to have any less trouble containing Jarrett Brown. Despite coming off of a four-interception game against Auburn, the turnover bug won’t bite the Mountaineers this week. Expect a big game from Brown and look for him to hit receivers Alric Arnett and Jock Sanders for a couple of long pass plays early.

Pittsburgh 26, Louisville 14

Both teams come into this contest off a loss. The Pittsburgh defense has been in shambles, especially the secondary. They gave up a ton of yards through the air last week against NC State and looked overmatched blowing a 14-point lead. However, don’t worry about the unit in this one. Expect cornerback Aaron Berry to have a bounce back game. Defensive end Mick Williams is coming off a performance in which he had 4.5 tackles for a loss, combined with Greg Romeus, gives them a powerful defensive line. The Panther’s D will have their strongest performance yet this Friday under the lights leading the way for the victory.

South Florida 22, Syracuse 14

It’s the prototypical sandwich game. After last week’s inspiring victory over instate goliath Florida State in Tallahassee, the USF Bulls might be looking ahead to their game next week against conference favorite Cincinnati. However, a trip to the Carrier Dome resides between the team’s two biggest games of the early season. From top to bottom, it’s clear Syracuse isn’t as talented as the Bulls, but there are a couple reasons why they’ll hang around. Arthur Jones and brother Chandler Jones have been relentless up front and linebacker Derrell Smith has been a sure tackler and outstanding on run blitzes. Syracuse receiver Mike Williams is a game changer, he’s always in the mix on any Syracuse scoring drive. Williams is tall and has fantastic hands. What makes him even more difficult to defend is how many different routes he can run. He’s not a one trick pony. The problem for the Orange is that none of the names mentioned can help protect the quarterback. If South Florida’s defensive line can dominate in the trenches against a good FSU offensive line what are they going to do against Syracuse? The answer is easy…manhandle them. The crowed may be in favor of the Orange, but the field turf won’t be. Players like Craig Marshall and George Selvie are explosive and will take advantage. They and the rest of the deep defensive line will be in the face of quarterback Greg Paulus all game long. The only way Syracuse pulls off the upset is if their secondary can limit their mistakes and force a couple of key interceptions by freshman B.J. Daniels. But don’t count on it. Bank on Daniels being the leading rusher in the game and South Florida pulling out a fifth straight victory.

Cincinnati 45, Miami (Ohio) 26

It’s the battle for the victory a bell, a rivalry trophy that has not been secured by Miami since 2005 and don’t expect that to change this Saturday. Even though the Bearcats put up a ton of yards against Fresno State last week their offense stalled a bit. Don’t expect that to happen against a Red Hawks defense that has been struggling against the pass. Tony Pike and Cincinnati win in a rout.

Photo Courtesy of WVU Sports Communication

Big East Week Four Review

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

The Big East went 5-2 this weekend lifting the conference’s season out of conference record to 21-7. Let’s take a look at some of the top individual performances, which include a breakthrough win, as well as a defense that is surprisingly struggling.

South Florida 17, Florida State 7
No Grothe No Problem – South Florida defense leads the Bulls to the biggest of wins

A ton of credit needs to be given to South Florida’s quarterback B.J. Daniels. Anytime a freshman makes his first start on the road at a place like Doak Campbell Stadium and comes out with a victory it’s impressive. He only completed 8-of-21 passes and threw two interceptions, but Daniels displayed scrambling ability, arm strength and relentlessness. On the ground, he rushed for 126 yards on 23 carries and when the Tallahassee native did connect through the air, he made it count. Daniels completed a 77-yard pass to Theo Wilson and a 73-yard touchdown connection to Sterling Griffin. But more than anywhere else, the Bulls won this game because of their defense, specifically the front four. They took down Seminole quarterback Christian Ponder five times and held Florida St. to only 19 yards rushing. The defensive line of South Florida is an extremely deep unit as they mixed in eight different players throughout the game. Defensive ends Craig Marshall and George Selvie led the bull rush. Marshall recorded two sacks and recovered a fumble, while the two-time All-American Selvie was on Ponders’ tail every step of the way. There were a total of four turnovers forced by South Florida—all coming by way of the fumble—including a couple in the red zone. Ultimately, that was the story of the game. Any time FSU would get close to scoring they would turn the ball over, either on a fumble or on downs. A third defensive end, Jason Pierre-Paul, picked the perfect time to have a breakout game. The 6’ 6” junior had three tackles for a loss and had a key forced fumble to seal the deal in fourth quarter earning him Big East defensive player of the week honors.

Cincinnati 28, Fresno State 20
Pike to Gilyard – Bearcats survive upset bid and gain more national attention

Another win for Cincinnati and another big game for wide receiver Marshwan Gilyard. The senior extended his streak to six games with at least one touchdown reception dating back to last year, as he snagged two in the team’s win over Fresno State. His 177 yards and nine receptions leaves him atop the conference leader board in both categories. However, it was fellow receiver D.J. Woods who had the catch of the game bringing down an outstanding one-handed grab. The 6’ 1” sophomore is coming along nicely and developing into a solid number two target, giving the ‘Cats yet another weapon. Despite quarterback Tony Pike’s 300 yards and three touchdowns through the air, the offense stalled a bit after a quick start and needed the defense to survive the upset scare. Linebacker Craig Carey made a key interception that set up a Cincinnati touchdown early in the fourth quarter and on Fresno State’s final drive (which reached the Cincinnati 38-yard line), it was Aaron Webster who broke up a pass on fourth down to clinch the win.

North Carolina St. 38, Pittsburgh 31
What happened to the defense?

Nobody was more disappointing out of the Big East than the Pittsburgh defense in week four. They were supposed to be the strength of the team, but the defense was pushed around in Raleigh and a blew a 31-17 lead allowing three consecutive touchdowns by North Carolina St. late in the game. Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 322 yards and for the third straight game, four touchdowns. NC State gained a total of 530 yards and dominated when it came to moving the chains, converting 27 first downs compared to Pitt’s 11. This isn’t the first time this season the Panthers’ secondary has given up big yards through the air, they allowed 433 against Buffalo. Senior cornerback Aaron Berry was supposed to be the team’s lock down corner and one of the best in the Big East, but he allowed to many big plays and drew too many flags. Wilson showed no hesitation throwing the ball to his side. Cornerback Ricky Gray was also burned two times for long strikes, including a touchdown. Even after the comeback, Pittsburgh was given a great opportunity to force overtime when they recovered a botched snap on the North Carolina State eight-yard line. Four plays and zero yards later they were done. The closest they came to a tie came on a nice third down throw by Bill Stull, but Wolfpack safety Brandan Bishop knocked the potential touchdown out of the hands of tight end Dorin Dickerson. Running back Dion Lewis continues to be a freshman standout rushing for 95 yards and two early touchdowns on the day. The Panthers’ loss prevented a clean sweep of the ACC for the Big East.

Rutgers 34, Maryland 13
Here comes Rutgers..

It hasn’t exactly been against the best competition, but following their season-opening loss, Rutgers finds themselves on a three-game winning streak. The defense forced five turnovers, as linebacker Antonio Lowery had an interception and led the team with eight tackles. The player of the game was tailback Joe Martinek who rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns versus the Terps.

Syracuse 41, Maine 24
Taking care of business

A second-half surge gave the Orange a big win. Delone Carter led the ‘Cuse with four touchdowns, three on the ground and one through the air, while senior quarterback and former Dukie Greg Paulus continues to prove his transition to football was worth it, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns.

Connecticut 52, Rhode Island 10
Taking care of business – the sequel

The passing game has usually been a problem for the Huskies, but this week quarterback Cody Endres led the way throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

Utah 30, Louisville 14
Cardinals fail to soar

It didn’t take long for Utah to grab hold, as the Mountain West school jumped out to a 14-0 lead. Louisville could not stop the run allowing a total of 214 yards on the ground, as Utah running back Eddie Wide led all ball carriers with 129 yards. The Cardinals couldn’t run the ball with any success, as star tailback Victor Anderson was held to 22 yards.

Photos Courtesy of USF Athletics Communications & Brian Utesch/NC State

Big East: Week Three Preview

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

If you can imagine the college football season as an academic year, then week three is like mid-term week in the first semester. This Saturday will tell us whole lot about where some Big East teams stack up against the rest of the country, and how good they could be in 2009. Let’s take a look at the syllabus and see which tests are slated for this weekend:

Philosophy: If a team plays well but doesn’t get a win, do they still get any love? After just two games there has been more optimism and attention around the Syracuse football program then there has been in the past two or three years. But the ‘Cuse are 0-2 and are not earning any bowl births with moral victories. This week they play their third straight Big Ten opponent hosting Northwestern at the Carrier Dome.

The Prediction: Syracuse 26, Northwestern 21 - Head coach Doug Marrone gets his first win. The star of the game will be senior defensive tackle Arthur Jones with his first breakout game of the season.

History: A Cincinnati football team has not played a road game against a Pac-10 opponent since 1976, a win over Arizona State. Playing a road game across the country can sometimes take a toll on a team and sway the game one way or another. This week the Bearcats play at Oregon State, and as well as the 'Cats' defense played in week one at Rutgers, they didn’t have to defend a dynamic player like Jacquizz Rodgers.

The Prediction: Cincinnati 41, Oregon State 30 – Expect to see Tony Pike early and often. The Bearcats will jump out to a fast start and never relinquish the lead. Oregon State has had some offensive line troubles, which could allow Cincinnati seniors Curtis Young and Ricardo Matthews to have big days pressuring the quarterback.

Geography: The Mountaineers have been on a groove against the SEC, representing the Big East against what is widely considered the top conference in the country. In the past four seasons they’ve gone 4-0 including a win over Auburn last year, 35-17. The game will be a test for the WVU offense playing against a very talented and athletic Tiger defense. Watch for the play quarterback Jarrett Brown, he’s athletic like Patrick White but can be the winner that White was?

The Prediction: Auburn 21, West Virginia 16 - Both of these teams are underrated and the speed alone is a reason to watch. In the end, the Tigers’ home crowed and better defensive play propels them to a win as WVU fails to capture the South.

Nautical Studies: Pittsburgh has won comfortably in their first two games. However, the Navy triple-option can always throw a team off guard and translate into an upset. This will be the third straight year these two schools have squared-up, the road team has won each battle so far.

The Prediction: Pittsburgh 28, Navy 20 - I just have a feeling that Navy will keep it close, I don’t know if it’s because the Panthers have a history of playing to their competition or the scare that the Midshipmen delivered in Columbus. For the second straight week I have high expectations for Pittsburgh receiver Jonathon Baldwin to have a big game, he will not disappoint.

Psychology: Talk about a Freudian slip-up. Last week Connecticut collapsed and lost on a safety by ways of a hold in the end zone. Can UConn recover from blowing a 10-point second-half lead to North Carolina? They’re going to have to bounce back at Baylor without their starting quarterback Zach Frazer. this is a good test for this blitz-burg defense against a star in the making—Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin III. The offense will need someone to lean on.

Prediction: Baylor 23, Connecticut 14 - It’s another bad match-up for the Huskies. The offense has not shown that they can do anything consistently. A turnover or two lead to a couple of easy Baylor scores.

Architecture: How can Louisville rebuild their program? For starters, not losing to Kentucky again. A loss would make it three wins in a row for the Wildcats, something that has not happened since the two schools starting playing regularly in 1994. How well Lexington native and Cardinal quarterback Justin Burke plays will be the key in this one. Keep this match-up on your radar: (CB) Trevard Lindley, Kentucky vs. (WR) Doug Beaumont, Louisville.

Prediction: Kentucky 27, Louisville 13 - A real underrated rivalry game. I’m seeing big things for quarterback Mike Hartline.

Recess: It will be walk in the park for Rutgers and South Florida. Rutgers tries to make it two in row hosting Sun Belt foe Florida International, while the Bulls play Charleston-Southern. Remember them? They lost to Florida 62-3.

Prediction: South Florida 48, Charleston Southern 6 - Start planning for next week and the team’s trip to Tallahassee.

Prediction: Rutgers 33, Florida International 14 - Next week at Maryland is a road game that could swing the Scarlet Knights’ season. This is will be just a tune-up for the Terps.

Last week: 7-0; Season: 14-0

Photo Courtesy of Syracuse University Athletics & University of Pittsburgh

Big East Week One Review

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

Best game: This one wins by default–considering the week consisted of mostly blowouts, Minnesota’s overtime victory over Syracuse was by far the most competitive contest. Greg Paulus played a sound game under center in his collegiate football debut, going 19-for-31 with a touchdown, a strike which found a wide-open Mike Williams late in the first quarter. More impressive was how he and the Syracuse team responded after the first snap of the game sailed over Paulus’ head and was recovered by Minnesota deep in Orange territory. Despite renewed spirit and improved play, the story didn’t have a happy ending: it was Paulus’ interception, thrown in the team’s first series in overtime, which led to the Gophers’ 23-20 victory. The turning point of the game was Syracuse’s inability to move the ball on offense after halftime. They did not score any points and only managed a total of 38 yards in their six second-half possessions.

Team of the week: It was about midway through the first quarter when Cincinnati emerged as the conference favorite once again. Getting ahead of ourselves? Perhaps, but the Bearcats looked that good in their manhandling of Rutgers in a 47-15 romp. Quarterback Tony Pike was perfect on the team’s first drive, leading them 81 yards down the field for a touchdown. He and the Cats never looked back. Pike finished the game with 362 yards passing and three touchdowns. The offense was running on all cylinders, from the line to the wide-outs. Most impressive were Marshwan Gilyard, who pulled down eight receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore D.J Woods, who posted a career-high 71 receiving yards and made an outstanding reaching grab to set up the team’s first touchdown. For a defense that had a ton of question marks, Cincinnati made a lot big plays against the run and picked off three Rutgers passes. Senior Aaron Webster had one of those interceptions and laid the hit of the week on Rutgers receiver Tim Brown. It’s way too early to crown anyone just yet, but Cincinnati couldn’t have started their quest in more impressive fashion.

Laying an egg: For Rutgers, the season opener was a chance to start off a promising season with a conference victory while they unveiled their newly-renovated stadium…but they were flat-out humiliated. The team looked unprepared and out-coached—on the opening drive the Scarlet Knights’ defense played like they had never seen a no-huddle offense before. The quarterback play was just awful and the offensive line, the unit that was supposed to be the most stable on the team, didn’t provide space for the running backs to shine. It was an all-around disaster.

Freshman Watch: Pittsburgh isn’t ready to anoint Dion Lewis the next LeSean McCoy just yet, although the 5’ 8” tailback surely looked like an all-conference player in week one, propelling the Panthers to a 38-3 victory over Youngstown State. On 20 carriers he rushed for 129 yards and his two touchdowns in the first half put the Penguins away early.

The one bright spot for Rutgers in week one was the play of freshman Mohamed Sano. The 6’ 2” receiver showed good hands and size and caught a couple of tough throws in traffic. The freshman from New Jersey finished with ten total catches for 101 yards. Sano also caught a two-point conversion thrown from fellow freshman, quarterback Tom Savage. This glimpse into the future of Rutgers’ offense was the lone positive in the game for the Knights.

Best player you never heard of: Last year, Connecticut defensive end Lindsey Witten was limited because the Huskies rotated their defensive ends. Now the team is relying on the senior to step up, and he didn’t disappoint in the team’s opener—he was a playmaker, recording two sacks and a safety in Connecticut’s 23-16 win. Expect him to be among the conference’s sack leaders by year’s end.

Photo Courtesy of the University of Cincinnati

Big East Week One Preview

By CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON

Week one in the Big East-on the slate are mostly pre-season games for the conference’s best, a new era begins for Syracuse, and two conference contenders face off on Monday in an early season battle.

Minnesota 31, Syracuse 21

Head Coach Doug Marrone and quarterback Greg Paulus make their Syracuse debuts. With the spotlight on the Carrier Dome for probably the only time this season, expect a strong effort from the Orange. Unfortunately their offensive line isn’t looking strong and if they get into a shoot-out versus Gopher quarterback Adam Weber, the ‘Cuse are in trouble. Player Spotlight: When Mike Holmes played cornerback he showed skills playing the ball as well athleticism, but he was pushed around by bigger receivers. The speedy junior makes his first start at free-safety for the Orange.

Connecticut 35, Ohio 14

Sure, opening the year on the road is always tough but there is no upset alert here. Ohio doesn’t have the athletes to win this game and aren’t exactly an intimidating MAC team. The Huskies are breaking in a new quarterback and running back, so count on a strong UConn defense to lead the way to victory. Head Coach Randy Edsall has yet to lose versus a MAC opponent (7-0).

South Florida 51, Wofford 10

The Bulls usually start of the season strong, lighting up the scoreboard against lower-level competition. It’s important that the USF receivers display ability and execution as they are a young group. Matt Grothe is likely to outscore Wofford and their wacky formations by himself—this game won’t be close.

Louisville 41, Indiana State 21

This is a good game for the quarterbacks to get in sync before the schedule gets tough for the Cardinals. Don't be surprised to see more than one quarterback, with Justin Burke getting the starting nod. Player Spotlight: Cards wide receiver Doug Beaumont is going to have a big opener—consider it the opening act for his break-out season.

Pittsburgh 28, Youngstown State 3

Anything but a blowout for Pittsburgh would be a disappointment. The Panthers are debuting two new top freshman tailbacks, Dion Lewis and Ray Graham, and both have been raved about all summer. But it’s their defense that gives this group of Penguins no chance in Pittsburgh.

West Virginia 32, Liberty 14

It might as well be the New York Liberty visiting Mountaineer Stadium—this is nothing more than a tune-up for the Mountaineers’ rematch versus East Carolina next week. Jarrett Brown begins his campaign as the new leader at WVU.

Cincinnati 26, Rutgers 23

Are you ready for some football? That’s right, some Monday Afternoon Football—Big East style. Cincinnati begins their quest to defend the conference crown but it won’t be an easy task, especially for a season opener. They’ll be relying on a completely new defense and there’s no telling how they’ll respond in a nasty environment. The Scarlet Knights offense is likely to start out slowly, breaking in a new quarterback, but the points will come—they have skill players. But in the end, it will be Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard leading the Bearcats’ late rally.

Photos Courtesy of WVU Sports Communication & UConn Athletic Communications

Fan's Weekend Guide

Conference Pride Is on the Line When...Oklahoma St. hosts Georgia (September 5, 3:30, ABC): The last time Okie State had an out of conference foe ranked as highly as Georgia make the trip to Stillwater was sometime in the 1970s. If the Big XII wants to say they have passed the SEC, this is the type of game they need to win. Oklahoma St. has the best group of triplets in the nation with Zac Robinson at quarterback, Kendall Hunter at tailback, and Dez Bryant at receiver. They come into this one with heavy expectations. Georgia, on the other hand, is living life under the radar after going into 2008 as the number one team in the country. The Dawgs have been road warriors and will pull of the upset, allowing the SEC to do some chest thumping—as if they needed a reason. (Note: There will be no pre-game handshake for fear of a pre-game scuffle)

The Conference Title is on the Line When ...Cincinnati visits Rutgers (September 7, 4:00, ESPN): There are five teams who can compete for the Big East conference title—West Virginia, Pittsburgh, South Florida, and of course Rutgers and Cincinnati. How these teams fare in the head-to-head contests will decide the conference, and it starts in week one. The Bearcats are coming off their first Big East title, something the Scarlet Knights are still searching for. Tony Pike to Mardy Gilyard is the most dangerous combo the Big East has to offer, but the ‘Cats must replace virtually their entire defense. Rutgers will look to pound away behind a big offense line and power runners Jourdan Brooks and Joe Martinek. The Knights are banged up as their leading returning rusher Kordell Young and defensive leader Ryan D’Imperio are fighting injuries.

The Team on the Cusp is....Illinois (vs. Missouri, September 5, 3:40, ESPN): The Fighting Illini are 27th in the AP poll, so if one or two teams get knocked off, they are primed to jump into the top 25 with an impressive showing against their border rivals from the Show Me state. Everyone knows with Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn they will have one of the more explosive offenses in the Big Ten, but will the defense play like they did during their Rose Bowl run in 2007 or disappoint as they did a year ago when they went home early? We will learn a lot about the 2009 version by how the handle Mizzou’s spread attack.

Don't Call it an Upset When…Baylor visits Wake Forest (September 5, 3:30, ESPN360): The Demon Deacons have become a perennial bowl team under headman Jim Grobe, while the Bears haven’t made a bowl in…let’s just say it’s been a while. But this could be the year Baylor makes it back as Art Briles is in the midst of his own resurrection project. The Deacs’ defense will be adjusting to life without Aaron Curry and Alphonso Smith, allowing the dynamic Robert Griffin III to dominate with his arm and legs.

Three More to Watch

Minnesota @ Syracuse (September 5, 12:00, ESPN2): One of, if not the, biggest storylines of this contest will be former Duke University basketball player Greg Paulus lining up under center for the Orange. First-year head coach Doug Marrone has named Paulus the starting quarterback and wiped the slate clean by installing new offensive and defensive schemes for Syracuse. Look for the Gophers’ defense, which ranked No. 11 in the nation in turnovers last season, to put pressure on Paulus and test the Orange offense.

Super Senior: Lee Campbell, LB, Minnesota

Star of Tomorrow: Michael Holmes, FS, Syracuse

Maryland @ Cal (September 5, 7:00, ESPN2): In the first-ever meeting between these two squads last year, the Terrapins defeated the Bears, 35-27. With a pre-season ranking of No. 12, Cal should be champing at the bit for a little revenge, but after going 4-1 against top-25 ranked teams last season, don’t expect Maryland to roll over. Look for the Bears to hand the ball to standout junior running back Jahvid Best early and often.

Super Senior: Chris Turner, QB, Maryland

Star of Tomorrow: Jahvid Best, RB, Cal

Miami @ Florida St (September 7, 8:00, ESPN): In what used to be one of the best rivalries in college football, the 18th-ranked Seminoles take on a young Hurricanes squad. Look for the Florida State defense to pay close attention to Miami’s athletic quarterback Jacory Harris, to try and keep him contained in the pocket. They’ll also need to shutdown running backs Craig Cooper and Javarris James to force the young Canes’ receiving corps to make plays.

Super Senior: Dekoda Watson, LB, FSU

Star of Tomorrow: Sean Spence, LB, Miami

Photos Courtesy of SEC Sports Media & Syracuse University Athletics