Durzblog

As the out of conference portion of the schedule is wrapping up (thanks be to God!) and we get into league play, we do appear to be looking at a highly competitive Big East race this fall. The league is taking some lumps for its poor early play, deservedly, and is now quietly rebounding with a few OOC opportunities still left to try and save some face. I guess aside from the WVU loss to ECU and RU laying eggs, the first few weeks cannot be considered all that surprising or noteworthy. USF did have a nice win last weekend at Kansas and WVU has a chance tonight at Colorado to kick start their campaign. Whatever happens this weekend and in the few other games later on this year (i.e. WVU and Auburn/Pitt and ND) -- this should be an exciting year in Big East play -- with a bunch of clubs having a legit shout at a BCS birth.

Lets breakdown what has happened thus far (the bad and some bright spots as well), take some inventory and make a few predictions. Starting at the bottom...

Syracuse, Miserable, in a word. Losses to Northwestern and the Zips of Akron are followed by a pants-ing by Penn State. How low can they go? We'll see as the Huskies of Northeastern invade the Carrier Dome on Saturday. Prediction 2-10 (1-6) -- Robinson fired at end of season.

Pitt, figured to lose an OOC game or two with ND and Iowa on the schedule, but did NOT need to lose to Bowling Green. 4-8 (2-5) and Wanny barely survives the heat, but maybe not for long. LeSean McCoy is the real deal, not enough for the Panthers... Would really like to be wrong here....

Rutgers, gets waxed by Fresno and UNC. RU is perhaps the most over hyped team in the country -- they absolutely have the most over hyped coach in the land. Should rebound and win the next two lay-ups v Navy and Morgan and add a win over Army in November. They will need to go 4-3 in BE play to get to a bowl, league schedule is not kind. Teel is good, but was much better with the Ray Rice fellow. Prediction 5-7 (2-5) -- Schiano "turns down" the Giants in the off season.

Cincinnati, Getting slapped by Oklahoma is not really the end of the world and we have seen worse beatings for sure. They are a talented club and are well coached, but the QB position is not a great place to be vulnerable at. A soft rest of the OOC schedule has the Bearcats set-up nicely for an attractive bowl record. 8-4 (4-3), International Bowl.

Uconn, still without a blemish, albeit barely vs Temple -- we'll blame it on the rain for now, especially after the pounding handed to UVA. A split with Baylor and UNC and a couple of close wins in East Hartford led by Donald Brown and a good running attack should have the Huskies fighting in the top half and bowling again. 8-4 (4-3), Pappajohns.com Bowl.

Louisville, got off to a tough start against rivals Kentucky -- but did rebound nicely against K-State last night and Victor Anderson sure looked good. They are a tough out in league play and get into the bowls, 7-5 (4-3), St. Petersburg Bowl.

West Virginia, the schedule is aggressive and the loss to ECU was a bitter pill for the league to swallow, the Neers and Pat White will need to bounce back this week and win in Boulder -- as they figure to have some trouble with Auburn (Oct. 23). Still are one of the more talented teams in the league. Another 8-4 club (5-2), Meineke Car Care.


South Florida, along with Uconn are the only other undefeated BE club, sporting the league's best win over Kansas, they will roll through the next couple of weeks...Should not have much problem getting to the December 6th game with West Virginia with at most two losses. USF beats WVU and goes to the BCS Sugar Bowl, 11-1 (6-1).

Predicted Final Standings
USF -- 11-1, 6-1
WVU -- 8-4, 5-2
L'Ville -- 7-5, 4-3
Uconn -- 8-4, 4-3
Cinci -- 8-4, 4-3
Rutgers -- 5-7, 2-5
Pitt -- 4-8, 2-5
Cuse, 2-10, 1-6

This weeks' games:
Wednesday
Louisville beat Kansas State, 38-29

Thursday
West Virginia at Colorado

Friday
Connecticut vs Baylor

Saturday
Pittsburgh vs Iowa
Rutgers at Navy
Cincinnati vs Miami (Ohio)
South Florida at Florida International
Syracuse vs Northeastern

6-2 at worst, if Pitt pulls the upset the BE could run the table...

--BD