2010 Big East Fearless Predictions
Week 2 ... Sept. 11, Part 2
Big East
Cincinnati
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Connecticut
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Louisville
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Pittsburgh
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Rutgers
South
Florida |
Syracuse
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West
Virginia
Fearless Predictions
- Sept. 11 (WVU at Marshall)
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Sept. 4
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Sept. 4, Part 2
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More College Football Picks (and NFL, too)
New Hampshire (1-0) at Pittsburgh (0-1) Sept. 11, 1:00 ET, ESPN3.com
Here’s The Deal … It wasn’t as painful as last December’s one-point heartbreaker at the hands of Cincinnati, but it was close. For the fifth straight game dating back to last year, Pittsburgh was embroiled in a nailbiter, dropping the opener at Utah, 27-24, in overtime. Although it was a valiant effort in the face of a brutal road environment, it also didn’t have to end in with a defeat. The Panthers were driving toward the game-winning score before settling on a field goal, and a pick in the extra session basically sealed their fate. Since all of the 2010 goals remain intact, the key for the program will be to move on from the loss as quickly as possible. Ninth-ranked New Hampshire opened the season with a comfortable 33-3 home rout of Central Connecticut State. The Wildcats defeated Ball State a year ago and have made six straight playoff appearances, testaments to the job perennially done by head coach Sean McDonnell.
Why New Hampshire Might Win: This is one the nation’s better FCS programs, one that won’t make many mental mistakes or cower in front of a large crowd. It’s battle-tested. It also has a nice mix of talent on offense to challenge a Pitt D that showed cracks in the opener with Utah. R.J. Toman is a veteran under center, with enough experience and poise to keep his teammates from becoming unnerved if the Wildcats fall behind. He also has a new weapon in the backfield, sophomore Dontra Peters, the hero of Saturday’s win. In the most significant action of his career, he went for 197 yards and two scores on 19 carries, allowing co-captain Sean Jellison to continue resting a foot injury.
Why Pittsburgh Might Win: New Hampshire’s two biggest concerns entering the season, pass protection and stopping the run, are going to get exposed at Heinz Field. After being quieted by Utah’s tackles on Thursday, ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard will be looking for their pound of flesh this weekend. A second straight game without a sack is highly unlikely. On offense, the Panthers will move the ball liberally on the ground with Dion Lewis and Ray Graham. Lewis, in particular, will revel in the opportunity to roam free after being bottled up for much of the first game.
What To Watch Out For: Although it wasn’t a banner performance, Pittsburgh QB Tino Sunseri played with plenty of poise and maturity in his first start, especially in the waning moments of a close game. He’ll be fine as he gets more snaps and experience. The opener did afford him an opportunity to build rapport with top receivers Jon Baldwin and Mike Shanahan, huge targets who’ll enjoy a considerable size advantage on the New Hampshire defensive backs.
What Will Happen: By Colonial Athletic Association standards, New Hampshire is a solid squad. The Big East, with all of its flaws, is not the CAA. And Pitt will come out well-rested and with something to prove. Having put the opener in the rear view mirror, the Panthers will control the Wildcat offense and the clock with 150 yards and two scores on the ground from Lewis.
CFN Prediction: Pittsburgh 42 … New Hampshire 13 … Line: No Line
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … 1.5
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Eastern Kentucky (0-1) at Louisville (0-1) Sept. 11, 3:30 ET, ESPN Gameplan
Here’s The Deal … The Charlie Strong era is off and running in Louisville, though not the way the coach would have liked. The Cardinals fought hard on Saturday, especially in the second half, but couldn’t rally versus Kentucky, losing the Governor’s Cup for a fourth consecutive year. While there’s no quick-fix for the program’s modest talent, the staff is determined to make sure the kids execute better with each passing week. Eastern Kentucky considers itself an improving program out of the Ohio Valley Conference after going 5-6 a year ago. You wouldn’t know it based on the opener. The Colonels were dominated by Missouri State last Friday, squandering an early lead and falling 31-9.
Why Eastern Kentucky Might Win: Louisville has issues on defense that the Colonels will look to exploit. The Cards miss too many tackles and are thin on the first line of defense. Eastern Kentucky will counter with QB T.J. Pryor, a mobile athlete and an improving passer. He can break a defense down with his feet and connected with seven different receivers, finding Tyrone Goard and Orlandus Harris five times apiece. If Louisville continues to give up too much ground, Pryor is going to make it pay.
Why Louisville Might Win: The Cardinal defense may be a work-in-progress, but comparatively speaking, the Colonels are a reclamation project. They’re especially soft in the red zone, area that’ll be worked by RB Bilal Powell, the player Strong has tabbed as the face of the program. The senior began his final year by busting loose for 153 yards and an 80-yard scamper for six on just 16 carries. With Louisville unlikely to be down early, he’ll be used on a more regular basis from start to finish. As dynamic as Pryor can be, he also tends to be erratic with his throws, gift-wrapping balls for opponents.
What To Watch Out For: Pryor will learn early on to avoid No. 19, CB Johnny Patrick, Louisville’s most advanced defensive player. The senior had five tackles in the opener, and has the cover skills to cut off half the field for the other team’s passer. He’s thinking NFL after this season, and could use Saturday to bolster his number of picks and batted balls.
What Will Happen: For a team like Louisville, which won’t be favored often in 2010, this is a critical game on the schedule. It affords the Cardinals an opportunity to build some confidence, smooth out some wrinkles on both sides of the ball, and hand Strong his first win with the program. They’ll ride a deep backfield and a physical line, getting ample production on the ground from not just Powell, but also shifty Victor Anderson.
CFN Prediction: Louisville 34 … Eastern Kentucky 13 … Line: No Line
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … 1
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Syracuse (1-0) at Washington (0-1) Sept. 11, 7:00 ET, FSN
Here’s The Deal … While certainly not must-win territory, Washington had an awful lot to gain in last week’s trip to Provo. It fell short of the goal, losing to a rebuilding BYU team, 23-17, and continuing its woes away from home. The Huskies still have a ton to gain this season, returning back to Seattle determined to build some momentum and not let this promising season slip away. Syracuse enters Week 2 with an entirely different mindset. The Orange impressed in its opener nearly pitching a shutout and never getting challenged on the road. Sure, it was visiting a bad Akron team, but at a program with such a poor recent history, it’s progress in Doug Marrone’s second year. With an upset on Montlake, Syracuse can seriously start thinking about that long-awaited return to the postseason.
Why Syracuse Might Win: Yeah, the competition is about to get tougher, but the Orange looked an awful lot like a complete team in the opener. It ran the ball effectively with Delone Carter and Antwon Bailey, got a player of the week effort from QB Ryan Nassib, and yielded just 166 total yards. Syracuse is growing in confidence, and with DE Chandler Jones and linebackers Derrell Smith and Doug Hogue patrolling the front seven, will continue to be difficult to run on.
Why Washington Might Win: Husky QB Jake Locker has a lot to prove after failing to elevate his team in last week’s pivotal game at BYU. Don’t expect him to fall short for a second straight week, especially against a Syracuse defensive backfield that remains a weak link. He has plenty of weapons to test the Orange secondary, including Jermaine Kearse, Devin Aguilar, James Johnson, and TE Chris Izbicki. The Syracuse offense lacks the firepower to keep up in a high scoring game, scoring just one touchdown in the first 52 minutes of last week’s game.
What To Watch Out For: The game-within-the-game when Washington is running the ball ought to be fantastic and play a big role in the final score. On one side, the Huskies will feature Locker and RB Chris Polk. On the other, the Orange will counter with Smith and Hogue, who go sideline-to-sideline as well as anyone in the Big East. If U-Dub gets rolling between the tackles, Syracuse’s chance for the upset shrinks considerably.
What Will Happen: Syracuse is not the pushover it was at the end of the Greg Robinson era. Marrone has the school pointed in the right direction. Still, it’s asking a lot for the Orange to go out to the Pacific Northwest and pick off an angry Washington team. The Huskies will get an inspired effort from Locker, pulling away from an average and inconsistent Syracuse offense.
CFN Prediction: Washington 30 … Syracuse 16 … Line: Washington -13
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … 2.5
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Rutgers (1-0) at Florida International (0-0) Sept. 11, 8:00 ET, ESPN Gameplan
Here’s The Deal … In opening with a 31-0 whitewash of Norfolk State, Rutgers raised more questions than it answered last Thursday night. To say that the Scarlet Knights were lackluster, leading just 6-0 midway through the third quarter, would be putting it delicately. It was an ugly performance that could have had a different outcome had the opponent not been an FCS member. For the third straight year, Rutgers needs to overcome a slow start, especially as it travels to Miami, which has become a pipeline to Piscataway. Florida International is one of a small handful of programs that was idle on the opening weekend. The Golden Panthers begin their fourth year under Mario Cristobal with visions of turning the corner and authoring that coveted first winning season. Last fall was a disappointment for the program, slipping from five wins to three, but a visit from a Big East foe affords an opportunity to make a statement and capture that first signature win.
Why Rutgers Might Win: The Scarlet Knights’ edge in depth and talent will be most glaring at the point of attack. While Florida International has O-line issues, exacerbated by an injury to starting G Kevin Van Kirk, Rutgers is loaded with playmakers up front. With a constant push from the likes of Alex Silvestro, Jonathan Freeny, and Scott Vallone, the Knights will make sure the Panther running game remains impotent and Mississippi State transfer Wesley Carroll can’t set his feet in the pocket. Rutgers has problems of its own on the offensive line, but FIU will struggle to expose them, allowing RB Joe Martinek to open with his second straight 100-yard game.
Why Florida International Might Win: The Golden Panthers know they can’t win a brawl with the Scarlet Knights. Instead, they’ll pin they’re hopes on their playmakers and finesse on both sides of the ball. On offense and special teams, WR T.Y. Hilton is a legitimate game-changer, who’s has the explosiveness to keep the home crowd engaged for all four quarters. His presence will open things up for Greg Ellingson, Wayne Times, and Jason Frierson, the complements to an underrated receiving corps. On defense, Anthony Gaitor is one of the Sun Belt’s best corners, and the choice to blanket Mohamed Sanu all night. If he can keep No. 6 quiet, there aren’t any other slam-dunk options through the air for Tom Savage.
What To Watch Out For: Greg Schiano has anointed a complement to Martinek in the backfield, tabbing true freshman Jordan Thomas as the backup. Even at 6-1 and 205 pounds, he has the burst of speed and giddyup that the Rutgers ground game has been lacking in recent years. After debuting with 13 carries for 47 yards and two catches for 19 more, he’ll continue to be gradually infused into the Knight attack.
What Will Happen: Rutgers is a work-in-progress, but having already played a game is a huge plus compared to this week’s host. The Knights have absorbed contact and have had 60 minutes to smooth out some wrinkles. It’ll show. While Hilton will bring the crowd to its feet at least once, it won’t be nearly enough to compensate for a Florida International D prone to getting bullied and push back on its heels.
CFN Prediction: Rutgers 31 … FIU 13 … Line: Rutgers -19
Must See Rating: Boardwalk Empire – 5 … Going the Distance - 1 … 1.5
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