Big East Fearless Predictions, Nov. 1

Previews and Predictions for the Week 10 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 | Oct. 11 | Oct. 18 | Oct. 25

How are the picks so far? SU: 32-16 ... ATS: 15-25-1

Big East Game of the Week

West Virginia (5-2) at Connecticut (6-2), 12:00 EST, ESPN GamePlan
Why to watch: With a West Virginia rally over Auburn and a Pittsburgh loss to Rutgers, the world seems right again in the Big East. The Mountaineers are alone atop the conference. To stay there, however, they’ll need to go on the road and beat a feisty Connecticut team looking to avenge last year’s 66-21 debacle in Morgantown. While West Virginia has won four in a row, there’s still a hint of doubt whether the offense has gotten out of its September funk. Forget that the ‘eers are down a little bit. This is a huge weekend for the Husky program, especially after it was dressed down in this game last fall. Nothing will scream progress for Randy Edsall more than a win over the defending champs and the one league member with a national image. The winner of this game will start November as the favorite for a BCS bowl berth.
Why West Virginia might win: Weapons. No, this is not the same explosive Mountaineer offense we’ve grown accustomed to, but it still has plenty more options than Connecticut. Pat White is 19^th nationally in passing efficiency and sixth in the Big East in rushing, and is surrounded by gamebreakers, like RB Noel Devine and WR Jock Sanders. Yeah, the Huskies have RB Donald Brown, but that won’t be enough against the league’s top scoring defense. West Virginia will be able to stack the box and take its chances with QB Zach Frazer, who’s trying to bounce back from a concussion, or freshman backup Cody Endres.
Why Connecticut might win: The running of Brown, the nation’s leading rusher, and the play of the defense continue to put the Huskies in a position to win every game, especially at Rentschler Field. Brown is a workhorse, who’s yet to be held under 100 yards in a game, and can wear down the West Virginia D with 30 or 35 carries. The defense is among the stingiest in the Big East, ranking second in both total defense and scoring defense. The Mountaineers’ desire to throw the ball will be thwarted by the pass rush of ends Cody Brown and Julius Williams, and one of the nation’s toughest pass defenses.
Who to watch: The Mountaineers were supposed to miss LB Reed Williams from the middle of the defense when he was lost for the year. It hasn’t happened. Sophomore Anthony Leonard has stepped up in a big way, racking up 33 tackles over the last three games. Against a Connecticut team that clearly wants to establish the ground game, he’ll have a chance to match last week’s career-high 16 stops in the win over Auburn.
What will happen: This game will look nothing like last year’s blowout. Connecticut has the staying power and right formula to be in it for 60 minutes. However, delivering the upset will be a different story. In a game of this magnitude, it’ll help to have White at quarterback, who’ll have a huge edge over whoever takes snaps for the Huskies. He’ll make the plays in the second half that allow the Mountaineers to escape East Hartford with a hard-fought victory.
CFN Prediction: West Virginia 24 … Connecticut 17 ... Line: West Virginia -4
Must See Rating: (5 RocknRolla – 1 High School Musical 3: Senior Year) … 3
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Thursday, October 30

South Florida (6-2) at Cincinnati (5-2), 7:30 EST, ESPN, Thursday, October 30
Why to watch: Coming off awful weekends, South Florida and Cincinnati are in dire need of a victory if either plans to remain relevant in the Big East race. The Bulls were sloppy in their loss at Louisville, making a ridiculous amount of penalties and failing to get the job done on the offensive line. Fading fast in their quest to represent the conference in January, they’ve got to win the next four games and then scoreboard watch. The Bearcats hung with Connecticut for three quarters before collapsing in the final 15 minutes of a 40-16 loss. Their situation at quarterback remained muddled after Tony Pike returned from a broken left forearm, only to miss the second half with numbness in his hand. If he can’t go on Thursday, Chazz Anderson will get the ball from Brian Kelly.
Why South Florida might win: The Cincinnati offense is in a state of chaos. Not only is the quarterback situation unsettled, but the line isn’t blocking, and the unit is turning the ball over too often. The Bulls will capitalize with a clear edge in talent and speed from their defense. The nation’s No. 8 run defense will keep the Bearcats from establishing any kind of a run game, while the talented front seven torments whoever is taking snaps. Cincy has averaged under 20 points in the last four weeks, which sounds about right against this week’s opponent.
Why Cincinnati might win: Don’t be fooled by the 40 points allowed by the ‘Cats last weekend. This is still a very good defensive unit. With Terrill Byrd and Connor Barwin creating havoc up front, and Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith locking down receivers, Matt Grothe will be forced into the kind of mistakes that cost the Bulls a game in Louisville last Saturday. The young and banged up South Florida line is going to have its hands full keeping the Cincinnati defenders out of the backfield.
Who to watch: For the first time all year, George Selvie looked like George Selvie in the loss to Louisville. As healthy as he’s been since the beginning of the year, he schooled the Louisville offensive line for seven tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. The Bearcat front wall isn’t as good as the Cards, which poses a major problem when trying to handle No. 95.
What will happen: Neither program has been able to tap some of last year’s magic, but South Florida has the edge in overall talent on both sides of the ball. That’s especially true at quarterback, where Grothe will make enough plays through the air and with his legs to build some distance on an inept Cincinnati offense that’ll remain that way on Thursday night
CFN Prediction: South Florida 26 … Cincinnati 17 ... Line: South Florida -3
Must See Rating: (5 RocknRolla – 1 High School Musical 3: Senior Year) … 3
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 Saturday, November 1

Pittsburgh (5-2) at Notre Dame (5-2), 2:30 EST, NBC
Why to watch: While Pittsburgh is getting a brief respite from the grind of Big East play, this week’s trip to South Bend has no less big-picture importance to the program. After being dismantled by Mike Teel and Rutgers, the Panthers need to get back on track, or else a once promising season could start to unravel. Having been down this road before under Dave Wannstedt, Pitt can ill-afford a second straight loss that allows those negative vibes to get back into the locker room. Notre Dame took care of business at Washington Saturday night, picking up its first road win of the season and inching a step closer to the Top 25. While the offense has been progressing throughout the season, the defense has also started making strides, helping pull the Irish to within a game of bowl eligibility.
Why Pittsburgh might win: RB LeSean McCoy is always the focal point of the Panther offense. This week, however, he’ll have to carry the load a little further. Starting QB Bill Still is questionable after suffering a concussion, meaning McCoy will have to soften an Irish defense that’s improved, yet is still vulnerable up front. Notre Dame isn’t getting much of a push at the point of attack, which will allow McCoy to get to the second level without much resistance.
Why Notre Dame might win: After making the Rutgers passing game look like something Mike Leach birthed, things don’t get any easier for the Pittsburgh secondary. The Panthers were exposed for six touchdowns and 371 yards last Saturday on just 15 completions. QB Jimmy Clausen is capable of keeping Pitt reeling by hooking up with his favorite targets, Michael Floyd and Golden Tate. If Stull is a scratch, backup Pat Bostick can’t be counted on to keep the Irish from focus exclusively on corralling McCoy.
Who to watch: The key for a Pittsburgh upset will be getting pressure on Clausen, something that hasn’t happened often this fall. If he gets time to check down, he’ll torch the Panther defensive backfield. The job of keeping ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard from getting into the backfield belongs to tackles Sam Young and Mike Turkovich. If they’re successful, Notre Dame might have this game in hand by the end of the third quarter.
What will happen: Which Pitt team shows up, the one that knocked off South Florida or the one that was shellacked by Rutgers? The latter is more likely. Notre Dame is executing well and growing in confidence with each victory. Plus, the underclassmen don’t look so wide-eyed these days. Clausen will click with his receivers in a comfortable Irish victory, throwing three touchdown passes for the fourth time this season.
CFN Prediction: Notre Dame 31 … Pitt 21 ... Line: Notre Dame -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 RocknRolla – 1 High School Musical 3: Senior Year) … 3
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Louisville (5-2) at Syracuse (1-6), 7:00 EST, ESPNU
Why to watch: Now that Louisville has knocked off South Florida, is it ready to compete for a Big East championship? The Cardinals raised awareness with their upset of the Bulls, getting a solid effort from the defense and some pyrotechnics from the pitch-and-catch combo of Hunter Cantwell to Scott Long. The key for Steve Kragthorpe will be to make sure his kids maintain the same level of intensity for this week’s trip to the Carrier Dome. As the only team in the league with no shot at a title, Syracuse will spend the next five weeks trying spoil someone else’s season. The Orange is mired in a three-game losing streak and fan interest has reached an all-time low. The most interesting topic in Upstate New York these days centers around the replacement for Greg Robinson, who’s likely coaching his final games at the school.
Why Louisville might win: If you take the run away from Syracuse, it’s unlikely to move the ball with the nation’s 108^th-ranked passing game. The Cardinals are capable of neutralizing RB Curtis Brinkley with the No. 5 run defense in the country. New defensive coordinator Ron English is getting maximum effort from a veteran front line led by Adrian Grady, Earl Heyman, and L.D. Scott. The unit is getting a good push at the point of attack and has a dozen sacks in the last four games. On offense, there’s enough balance with the passing of Cantwell and the running of Victor Anderson to burn the Big East’s worst defense.
Why Syracuse might win: It won’t show up in the standings, but the Orange has played competitive football over the last month. It had chances to upset Pittsburgh and West Virginia in consecutive weekends, but just couldn’t deliver late. While the Louisville defense has been air-tight against the run, it’s been vulnerable versus the pass, yielding 231 yards a game and a dozen touchdown passes over the last five games. It’s asking a lot, but it’ll be up to QB Cameron Dantley to have a career day through the air, getting the most from TE Mike Owen and receivers Donte Davis and Lavar Lobdel.
Who to watch: Before the season began, Long was seen as the Cardinals’ best receiver, but then he got hurt and missed the first month. He gradually worked his way back to shape, erupting on a quality South Florida defense for five catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns. A polished and physical receiver, he finally appeared ready to give Cantwell a target that can get deep and outmuscle defenders, and then he tore his ACL and in a weekday practice and is now out for the year. Cantwell relied on Long, and now the senior QB has to be even sharper than he was last week and he has to maintain his focus without his main target.
What will happen: Syracuse hasn’t quit on Robinson, so the Orange will keep things interesting until halftime. Without the ability to run the ball against Louisville, however, it’ll be a bad match up for an upset. The Cardinals will get balanced production from the offense to pull away in the second half for a fourth straight victory.
CFN Prediction: Louisville 28 … Syracuse 17 ... Line: Louisville -14
Must See Rating: (5 RocknRolla – 1 High School Musical 3: Senior Year) … 2
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