Big East Fearless Predictions, Oct. 11

Previews and Predictions for the Week 7 Big East Games

Big East 
Cincinnati | Connecticut | Louisville | Pittsburgh | Rutgers
South Florida | Syracuse | West Virginia

Big East Fearless Predictions Aug. 30 | Sept. 6 | Sept. 13 | Sept. 20
- Sept. 27 | Oct. 4

How are the picks so far? SU: 26-11 ... ATS: 10-20

Big East Game of the Week

Rutgers (1-4) at Cincinnati (4-1), 12:00 EST, ESPN GamePlan
Why to watch: The Big East’s version of Oregon, Cincinnati is enduring despite some of the worst quarterback luck in the country. With Chazz Anderson, their third different starter in five games, under center, the Bearcats got help from the defense and the running game in a 33-10 rout of Marshall. They open the Big East portion of their schedule this week knowing that the conference title is waiting to be plucked by any team that gets hot for the next two months. Rutgers’ season-long problems continued over the weekend with a 24-17 loss to West Virginia in Morgantown. While the Knights had their best showing of the year on defense, the offense sputtered on third down and in the red zone. Whatever postseason margin of error is left for the program will be gone if it can’t win its first road game of the season.
Why Rutgers might win: Yeah, Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith are still playing in the Queen City, but the Cincy pass defense has been surprisingly vulnerable this fall. Other than Connor Barwin, no one is getting to the quarterback, and the defense has allowed 10 touchdown passes and 241 yards a game. Even a struggling Mike Teel will be able to capitalize by playing catch with top receivers Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood, and Kevin Brock. Britt, in particular, is coming off his best game of the year, catching a dozen passes for 151 yards at West Virginia.
Why Cincinnati might win: The silver lining to the Bearcats’ quarterback problems is that it’s forced the program to concentrate more on the running game. Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel have responded to the increased responsibility, rushing for 155 yards combined last weekend. They’ll continue to be the focal point of an offense that wants to run straight at a Rutgers defense that’s been abused between the tackles all year. Even freshman Isaiah Pead got in the act against Marshall, rushing 11 times for 59 yards in an impressive debut.
Who to watch: No matter who is taking snaps, the Cincinnati offense keeps getting the job done, throwing 12 touchdown passes to just three interceptions. Part of the success belongs to WR Mardy Gilyard, who has 28 receptions for a team-high 465 yards and five touchdowns. Also one of the nation’s top kick returners, he combines with Dominick Goodman and Marcus Barnett to give the Bearcats one of the Big East’s most explosive corps of pass-catchers.
What will happen: Teel must shudder at the thought of having to face Cincinnati one final time. He’s been fleeced by the Bearcats in each of the last two years, a trend that’ll continue Saturday at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats will turn three interceptions into short-field opportunities that the offense will punch in for the decisive touchdowns.
CFN Prediction: Cincinnati 24 … Rutgers 17 ... Line: Cincinnati -9
Must See Rating: (5 The Girls Next Door: Season 5 - 1  2008 Chicago Cub Playoff Highlights) … 2
 - Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections

 Saturday, October 11

Louisville (2-2) at Memphis (3-3), 8:00 EST, ESPN, Friday, October 10
Why to watch: A pair of old rivals will be hooking up in Tennessee with the same goal, nudging above .500 and a step closer to bowl eligibility. Louisville will be looking to bounce back from a devastating loss to Connecticut two weeks ago, a game it appeared to have sealed until the Huskies rallied in the final quarter. The Cards have done some good things since getting torched in the opener with Kentucky, but their disappearing act at the end of last week’s game was evidence they still must learn how to win close games under Steve Kragthorpe. After struggling out of the gate, Memphis is hot, winning its last three games, including a last-second thriller over UAB. The Tigers have located a running game at a most opportune time, giving the offense another dimension to go along with the passing attack.
Why Louisville might win: Although the Memphis offense presents challenges, the Cards will be up to the task. First-year defensive coordinator Ron English has done a marvelous job with the personnel he’s inherited, turning a big question mark into the ninth-ranked unit in the country. They’ve been particularly stout against the run, controlling the line of scrimmage with a veteran front led by Earl Heyman, L.D. Scott, and Adrian Grady. On offense, RB Victor Anderson will enhance his position as the Big East’s premier freshman, slicing through a Tiger D that ranks 86^th against the run.
Why Memphis might win: As good as the Louisville front has been at stopping the run, it has only produced four sacks in the first four games. When given time, something he’s had plenty of lately, Arkelon Hall and Conference USA’s deepest set of  receivers can hurt a defense through the air. The Tigers are the most balanced offense the Cardinals have faced this season, which will test whether they’re truly improving or a product of average competition.
Who to watch: Louisville is expecting a double-dose of good news on the injury front. QB Hunter Cantwell’s tweaked ankle won’t prevent him from playing and WR Scott Long is expected to see his first action of the year. When healthy, Long is the program’s best receiver, a big and physical athlete who’s capable of stretching a pedestrian Memphis secondary. The Cards need more than just Doug Beaumont at the position if Cantwell is going to finish the season stronger than he’s started it.
What will happen: Memphis yielded 220 rushing yards to UAB a week ago, a troubling sign with Louisville coming to town. The Cardinals won’t need to get too creative to wear out the Tiger D, running Anderson, Bilal Powell, and Brock Bolen behind one of the Big East’s more physical offensive lines. Memphis will have some success on offense, but not enough to deliver the upset.
CFN Prediction: Louisville 34 … Memphis 24 ... Line: Louisville -7
Must See Rating: (5 The Girls Next Door: Season 5 - 1  2008 Chicago Cub Playoff Highlights) … 2.5
 - Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections

Syracuse (1-4) at West Virginia (3-2), 2:00 EST, ESPNU
Why to watch: Slowly but surely, West Virginia is regrouping, winning back-to-back games over Marshall and Rutgers after losing two straight against East Carolina and Colorado. A visit from Syracuse should help the Mountaineers to two games over .500 before Auburn visits for a key showdown following a bye week. Although QB Pat White was shaken up in the win over Rutgers, he is expected to play this Saturday. It’s a good thing, too, because the offense has been a shell of its former self during the first half of the season. Syracuse will be looking to build on its improved play in the two weeks leading up to a bye. The Orange earned its first win against Northeastern on Sept. 20 and led league-leading Pittsburgh through three quarters before fading in the final 15 minutes. For a fourth straight year, there’ll be no postseason for the program, but every Saturday represents a chance to ruin someone else’s year.
Why Syracuse might win: It used to be that West Virginia could simply run weaker teams out of the building with its speed and offensive firepower, but not anymore. As hard as it is to imagine, the Mountaineers haven’t scored more than 27 points during a four-game stretch that included games with East Carolina, Marshall, and Rutgers. The Orange has a chance in a low-scoring game, especially if RB Curtis Brinkley can remain hot and keep White & Co. off the field. The senior is a candidate for comeback player of the year, churning out 100-yard games in each of the last two games.
Why West Virginia might win: Although losing LB Reed Williams for the rest of the year is a tough blow for the ‘eers, the league’s top-ranked scoring defense is deep enough to endure, especially this weekend. After Brinkley, the Orange offers very little from an offense that ranks last in the Big East. The defense is also in the league basement, which means White and RB Noel Devine will be running through bigger holes than they’ve seen in recent weeks. Once West Virginia jumps out to a lead, Syracuse won’t have the weapons to mount a comeback.
Who to watch: Now that Williams has succumbed to intense shoulder pain, sophomore Anthony Leonard is getting a chance to end the revolving door at middle linebacker for the Mountaineers. In his first career start, he led the team with nine tackles and was rarely caught out of position. He has plenty to learn from Williams, but that first performance is sure to earn him another start this weekend.
What will happen: With their fractured egos slowly healing, the Mountaineers will keep the momentum going with an easy win against an overmatched Syracuse squad. West Virginia will jump out to an early first-half lead, getting Jarrett Brown on the field in place of White as soon as the margin is comfortable enough.
CFN Prediction: West Virginia 34 … Syracuse 17 ... Line: West Virginia -23.5
Must See Rating: (5 The Girls Next Door: Season 5 - 1  2008 Chicago Cub Playoff Highlights) … 2
 - Click here to receive ATS Consultants FREE selections