BCS Buster: Week 10 Preview

Game of the Week - Virginia Tech @ East Carolina

The Hokies are looking to rebound after losing two-straight and having their national title hopes dashed. They haven’t lost three in a row since dropping their final two regular-season games and then losing to Cal in the 2003 Insight Bowl. One must remember that the Hokies were 5-3 at this point last year, but went on to end the season 10-4 and win the ACC Championship. East Carolina upset Virginia Tech last season on its home turf and will look to do it again.

Both quarterbacks have been struggling of late and have leaned on their ground game for success. The Hokies average 190 yards rushing per game thanks in part to running back Ryan Williams, who has 930 yards and 10 touchdowns on 163 attempts (5.7 yards-per-carry). The Pirates have a solid ball-carrier as well, Dominique Lindsay, who has rushed for 570 yards and three scores on 99 attempts this season despite missing two games (5.8 yards-per-carry). Look for both teams to focus on their run games come Thursday.

Tyrod Taylor and Patrick Pinkney are both trying to turn their seasons around with solid performances. Taylor has completed just 56 percent of his passes to date, but does have a silver lining as he’s only thrown three interceptions. Pinkney, on the other hand, has thrown nine interceptions and only eight touchdowns, a ratio no quarterback wants to see. With the game being nationally televised and both teams trying to make a statement, this should be an exciting game to watch.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 24; East Carolina 13

Players to Watch: ECU: QB Patrick Pinkney; RB Dominique Lindsay; WR Dwayne Harris; DB Van Eskridge; DL Linval Joseph; Virginia Tech: QB Tyrod Taylor; RB Ryan Williams; WR Jarrett Boykin; DB Rashad Carmichael; DL Jason Worilds

Other Games to Watch

Western Michigan @ Michigan State
In-state battles are always fun to watch and this game will be no different, especially with the Spartans having already lost at home to a non-BCS school in the state of Michigan (Central Michigan). Prediction: Michigan State 20; Western Michigan 10

BYU @ Wyoming
With the Cougars coming off of a bye, look for quarterback Max Hall and the offense to come out with guns blazing in this conference match-up. Prediction: BYU 40; Wyoming 23

Houston @ Tulsa
Both teams can score in bunches and have porous defenses, so there should be points a-plenty. We know Houston quarterback Case Keenum will come to play, but will Tulsa’s G.J. Kinne show up to the party? Prediction: Houston 41; Tulsa 28

Fresno State @ Idaho
With both teams trying to keep their conference championship hopes alive, this is an intriguing contest. Idaho is still trying to find their identity after giving up 70 points to Nevada two weeks ago and squeaking out a win at home against Louisiana Tech this past week. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs seemed to have found their swagger, winning four straight games after dropping their previous three. Prediction: Idaho 23; Fresno State 20

Photos Courtesy of East Carolina University Athletic Media Relations, University of Wyoming Photo Service

Big East - Week Two Preview

By CHRSTOPHER MOGOLLON - BIG EAST INSIDER

This week’s theme for the Big East is re-matches–four teams are playing out of conference opponents that they played a year ago. For Connecticut, Syracuse and West Virginia it’s an opportunity to avenge losses. Still, with conference play weeks away, the majority of this Saturday’s games will be tune-ups.

West Virginia 32, East Carolina 21: There’s no doubt the Mountaineers will be looking for revenge this week at home after last year‘s beat down at East Carolina. Motivation and Morgantown aside, Noel Devine will be too much for the Pirates defense in the end. East Carolina’s offense, led by senior quarterback Patrick Pinkney, will put up some points…but not another upset.

North Carolina 23, Connecticut 14: It’s no secret that Connecticut has an aggressive rushing attack led by sophomore Jordan Todman. But the Tar Heels will be gearing up to stop the run and force Huskies quarterback Zach Frazer to beat them, and he won’t. North Carolina has some quarterback questions themselves, but their talented defenders will secure victory in East Hartford.

Penn State 36, Syracuse 20: It’s nice to see this rivalry renewed—it’s just too bad it comes during the dark days of Syracuse football. Sure, there were some positives from last week’s loss to Minnesota but the same problems on the offensive line and a lack of offensive skill players leaves them with little chance of seeing the light in Happy Valley. Watch how Syracuse’s defensive line plays against the fifth-ranked team in the country, especially pro prospect Arthur Jones and the new kid on the block, true freshman Brandon Sharpe. If they are able to hang around in this one, it will be the Orange’s defense that allows them to do so.

Pittsburgh 32, Buffalo 14: The match-up between Buffalo wide-out Naaman Roosevelt and Pittsburgh’s Aaron Berry will be more compelling then the actual game. Last season Roosevelt finished with more receptions than Michael Crabtree, more yards than Jeremy Maclin, and more touchdowns than Marshawn Gilyard. This will be a great battle between two pro prospects. Player Spotlight: With Jonathan Baldwin’s size, how can he not have a big game in Buffalo?

South Florida 28, Western Kentucky 7: The Hilltoppers are currently on a nine-game losing streak and haven’t defeated a FBS school since 2007. The Bulls could drop the ball, look ahead, or not show up and still win this week. Freshman Watch: Lindsey Lamar is a speedy all-purpose back who sees action both as a running back and receiver. A breakout game versus Western Kentucky is not out of the question.

Cincinnati 64, SE Missouri State 14: And you thought Cincinnati looked good last week? Yikes, this one will get ugly.

Rutgers 38, Howard 7: This is a good chance for Rutgers to get last week’s loss out of their heads and out of the minds of the Scarlet Knights faithful. A blowout win is always the best way to turn the page. True freshman quarterback Tom Savage makes his debut as a starter.

Last Week’s Record: 7-0 (kind of, I had Cincinnati only winning by three)

Photos Courtesy of WVU Sports Communication

BCS Busters Week Two Preview

Game of the Week: East Carolina @ West Virginia

The first test for the Pirates will be a hard one. Morgantown is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney needs to get over his week one performance and play the way a veteran quarterback of his caliber can play if ECU is to beat a good West Virginia team. They will also need to stop the Mountaineers’ potent rushing attack led by running back Noel Devine, who rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown on just 17 attempts against Liberty. Mountaineer quarterback Jarrett Brown will be hard to contain due to his ability to get out of the pocket and run. He rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown while going 19-of-26 for 243 yards. If they can contain these two playmakers of West Virginia and limit their turnovers on offense, they should leave Morgantown with a win.

Players to Watch: East Carolina: QB Patrick Pinkney, RB Dominique Lindsay, DE C.J. Wilson

Players to Watch: West Virginia: QB Jarrett Brown, RB Noel Devine, CB Robert Sands

Prediction: West Virginia 27, East Carolina 20

Other Games to Watch:

TCU @ Virginia: The Frogs get a lowly ACC opponent in Virginia who is coming off a loss to William & Mary. This should be a good way for the Frogs to get into the swing of things to start their season. Look for Jerry Hughes to get into the backfield and disrupt the offense of Virginia.
Prediction: TCU 24, Virginia 17

Fresno State @ Wisconsin: Fresno State is coming off an offensive outburst against UC Davis, led by a number of backs who are able to carry the ball effectively. They now have to get the ground game going against a much tougher Wisconsin defense if they want to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Fresno State 21

Colorado @ Toledo: After carrying the ball only 22 times and throwing 69 times against Purdue, the Rockets will need to find their run game if they are to have a chance against Colorado.
Prediction: Colorado 39, Toledo 14

Kansas @ UTEP: The Miners will need to slow down the Jayhawks’ offense and succeed in their balanced attack—as they did against Buffalo—in order to come out of this one with a win.
Prediction: Kansas 31, UTEP 20

Photos Courtesy of East Carolina University Athletic Media Relations, TCU Athletics Media Relations

Liberty Bowl: East Carolina vs. Kentucky

By J.J. PESAVENTO

Memphis, TN * January 2, 2009 * 5:00 PM * ESPN

The East Carolina Pirates began the season 3-0 and in the process knocked off a pair of bowl teams in Virginia Tech and West Virginia. But they lost their next three games before winning six of their final seven contests including an upset win over Tulsa to win the Conference USA title and finish 9-4 on the season. Kentucky also got off to a fast start by winning their first four games but then faced a losing battle - SEC play. The Wildcats went 2-6 in against conference foes and dropped their final four to finish 6-6 on the season.

When the Pirates Have the Ball

East Carolina will throw a two back attack at Kentucky with Norman Whitley and Brandon Simmons doing the work. Whitley led the club in rushing yardage with 667 yards (four touchdowns) and Simmons led the team in rushing touchdowns with six. The pair will be running behind an offensive line that is led by Sean Allen, an All-Conference performer this season. The Pirates don't run the ball exceptionally well but they ran more than they threw during the season. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney will lead the passing attack after throwing for 2,379 yards and 12 touchdowns during the season. His primary targets during the season were Dwayne Harris (who missed the last three games of the season), Davon Drew and Alex Taylor. Simmons also plays a key role in the passing attack as he is third on the team in receptions (24) and tied for the team lead with three touchdown receptions (three) with Drew and Jamar Bryant. While their record doesn't show it, Kentucky has a better than average defense. Linebackers Micah Johnson, who led the team in solo tackles (57) and tackles for loss (11.5), Braxton Kelley and defensive lineman Myron Pryor lead the defense. The Wildcats also possess two fine defensive backs in Trevard Lindley and Marcus McClinton, each of who have four picks on the season and have combined for 19 pass breakups.

When the Wildcats Have the Ball

The Wildcats are not a juggernaut on the offensive ball to say the least. Their leading rusher, Tony Dixon, had 341 yards this season. Dixon and quarterback Randall Cobb (316 yards) each scored seven rushing touchdowns to lead the team. Cobb had taken over the duties at quarterback but is doubtful for the bowl game after undergoing knee surgery following the Tennessee game. This means Mike Hartline, who started the first eight games for the Wildcats, will get the call for Kentucky. Hartline threw for 1,462 yards with eight touchdowns. The Kentucky offense may not be threatening, but they do protect the quarterback well, allowing only 12 sacks all season to lead the SEC. This is good considering they will be facing an East Carolina defense that had several players receive all conference honors in 2008. Defensive lineman C.J. Wilson led Conference USA with 18.5 tackles for loss. He also led his team with 10.5 sacks. Linebackers Pierre Bell and Nick Johnson and defensive back Van Estridge all were around 90 tackles this year. Estridge and super freshman Emanuel Davis both had four picks with in 2008 and each returned one for a touchdown.

Final Analysis

This game will likely be a battle of two defenses. Neither team has a great offense as both Kentucky and East Carolina average around 23 points per game. One difference is that Kentucky does not allow many sacks, whereas East Carolina ranks around the middle of the pack. Kentucky also has an edge on punt returns but they will be facing Matt Dodge, who is one of the best punters in the country for East Carolina. The Pirates are coming in sky high after winning their conference title and in the end, they'll be the better team.

CFI Prediction: East Carolina 24, Kentucky 17

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, East Carolina University Athletic Media Relations

CFI Radio: Player Spotlights: Bowl Special

January 1, 2009 * 10:00 A.M.

CFI Co-Founder DANIEL MOGOLLON talks football and life with three of the top senior college football players in the America.

*** CLICK TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD **

Mississippi's MICHAEL OHER is an All-American Tackle who's off-field story is so compelling, he is the focus of "The Blind Side", a New York Times best seller written by Michael Lewis. Oher is playing the in the Cotton Bowl on January 2.

Georgia's MOHAMED MASSAQUOI is looking to break 1,0000 yards when his Dawgs take the field against the Michigan St. Spartans to break in the New Year. The son of Liberian immigrants talks about maturing as a leader during his time in Athens.

ECU's PATRICK PINKNEY has overcome two shoulder surgeries to earn the starting quarterback for the Pirates, leading East Carolina to a Conference USA Championship.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

EAST CAROLINA IS TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - With their 24-3 win over 8th-ranked West Virginia, the East Carolina Pirates (2-0) are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for games of the weekend of Sept. 6.

Patrick Pinkney completed 22-of-28 passes for 236 yards and a score and Jonathan Williams had two short touchdown runs as the Pirates won their third straight game vs. a ranked opponent.

East Carolina closed the 2007 season by beating then-No. 22 Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl and opened the 2008 campaign with a 27-22 win over then-No. 17 Virginia Tech last week.

Entering Saturday's game, East Carolina had lost seven straight to West Virginia and had won just twice in 19 tries in the series.

Other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Sept. 6 included:

· Middle Tennessee (1-1): Joe Craddock threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns as the Blue Raiders defeated Maryland, 24-14, to register their first-ever win over an ACC team.

· Vanderbilt (2-0): The Commodores upset South Carolina for the second straight season, 24-17, marking their first home win over a ranked team since 1992.