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A LOOK A WEEK #1 IN THE BIG EAST

Conference clash highlights opening weekend of football in the Big East

By Raphielle Johnson

Opening the season with a conference game is hardly the preferred start to a season, but that’s exactly what the defending Big East champion Cincinnati Bearcats will have on their plate when they visit Rutgers on Monday (4 PM on ESPN). While there is familiarity it does change the nature of fall camp; both Brian Kelly and Greg Schiano have noted that it’s tougher to get everyone reps in that situation. It also doesn’t help either team that they’ve got some significant changes to negotiate.

Much has been made about the Bearcats losing ten starters on defense, but they’re also adjusting to a switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. The switch makes Cincinnati more versatile in their personnel, meaning that there won’t be as many hectic moments making substitutions in order to deal with the influx of spread offenses. At least Coach Kelly has an offense that returns eight starters, led by QB Tony Pike and one of the more prolific receiving corps around.

Speaking of receivers, the Scarlet Knights could use a few with the loss of Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood. Tim Brown and Mason Robinson are two of players who will need to increase their production in 2009. Rutgers will also have to deal with the prospect of replacing Mike Teel with either Domenic Natale or true freshman Tom Savage. Savage has been around the program and the grasp of the system may have him in the driver’s seat for the opener.

Savage should also see time either as the starter or the number two. He and Natale had separated that much from Jabu Lovelace and DC Jefferson (now a tight end), and this day in age if you’re not going to redshirt a guy you’ll give him snaps. Coach Schiano may know who his guy is…but he’s not telling anyone. Both teams have questions to answer, but who doesn’t? It just so works out that the major questions (Cincinnati’s defense and Rutgers’ offense) will be on the field at the same time on Monday afternoon.

Week 2 Opponents

Cincinnati: Southeast Missouri State (9/12)

The Redhawks host Quincy University (Illinois) on Thursday night, and while many may think of an NAIA school like Quincy as cannon fodder…not so fast. Quincy beat Indiana State last week, and although it didn’t send shockwaves through the college football world it should have put SEMO on notice.

Rutgers: Howard (9/12)

The Bison are off this week with their trip to Rutgers serving as the season opener. They’re a very young team with just five seniors on the preseason two-deep, so head coach Carey Bailey has his work cut out for him.
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Here’s a breakdown of the other games involving conference teams this weekend, along with a quick look at what their Week 2 opponent is up to.

Minnesota @ Syracuse (Saturday at Noon on ESPN2)

The first game of the Doug Marrone era is upon us, and it coincides with Greg Paulus’ first competitive football game since his senior year at Christian Brothers Academy. Coach Marrone made the decision to hand Paulus the keys to the offense based on the feeling that Greg gave them the best chance to be successful right now. Getting hit in practice and scrimmages is one thing; those are by and large controlled and the number of shots the defense can get in are severely limited. But “live fire” is an entirely different situation.

However Greg will not have to carry the Orange due to the talent they’ve got back at running back. Delone Carter is healthy for the first time in two years, and the prevailing wisdom is that four different players (Carter, Averin Collier, Antwon Bailey and Mike Jones) will see time. And if Mike Williams can play well after missing 2008 due to academics there will be a playmaker at wide receiver to go along with a senior in Donte Davis and youngsters Alec Lemon and Marcus Sales.

The defense was usually solid under Greg Robinson, and that shouldn’t change for Syracuse. But the progression of the offense will be key if they want to make a move up the Big East standings. As for their opponents, Minnesota returns eighteen starters (ten on offense) to a team hoping to improve on its sixth-place (tie) finish in the Big Ten a season ago.

QB Adam Weber completed 62.2% of his passes for 2,761 yards and fifteen touchdowns, with WR Eric Decker catching eighty-four passes to lead the Golden Gophers. But looking at the statistics the Gophers were fortunate to go bowling in 2008, finishing tenth in the Big Ten in both total offense and total defense. The reason for the success: a turnover margin (+ 0.92) that ranked behind only Ohio State within the league. Syracuse must be efficient if they’re to knock off Tim Brewster’s team and not lose the turnover battle.

Week 2 Opponent

Penn State (9/12)

The Nittany Lions absolutely blitzed Syracuse in the Carrier Dome last season, and even with the loss of their top three receivers Joe Paterno’s team is expected to contend in the Big Ten again due to the return of QB Daryll Clark, RB Evan Royster and a very good linebacking corps. The Nittany Lions open with Akron this Saturday.
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Liberty @ West Virginia (Saturday at Noon on Big East Network (local))

The Mountaineers begin the post-Pat White era with a FCS team that went 10-2 in 2008. Jarrett Brown, who is 2-0 in his West Virginia career as a starter, takes the reigns and will be surrounded by some talented athletes. RB Noel Devine can break a long run on a moment’s notice, and the receiving corps will be bolstered by the return of Jock Sanders. Sanders had some off-field issues and was suspended from the team for a couple of months but he’s eligible to play on Saturday.

But there was a development in fall camp that made for an interesting read, with true freshman Geno Smith beating out redshirt freshman Coley White for the backup job. One or both will likely see action against a Liberty squad looking to replace running back Rashad Jennings, quarterback Brock Smith and more than a few other key players. The Flames will go the route of FBS and junior college transfers in filling those holes, handing the keys of the offense to former South Carolina QB Tommy Beecher. There is some talent on the roster, but how much of a challenge will it pose for the Mountaineers?

Defensively West Virginia returns eight starters if you include linebacker Reed Williams, who sat out 2008 due to a shoulder injury. The fifth-year senior was named the Defensive MVP of the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, won by the Mountaineers 48-28 over Oklahoma. The line should also be strong with the return of Scooter Berry and Chris Neild. This is a game the Mountaineers will likely win by a comfortable margin, eventually making it more about fine-tuning things and avoiding any major injuries.

Week 2 Opponent

East Carolina (9/12)

Things got out of hand in Greenville last year, with the Pirate defense dominating play in a 24-3 ECU victory. The Pirates open with Appalachian State, who will be without the services of QB Armanti Edwards due to a foot injury. The reigning Walter Payton Award winner, Edwards could have been just the guy to give Skip Holtz’s defense fits.
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Youngstown State @ Pittsburgh (Saturday at 1 PM)

The Panthers open with the Penguins of Youngstown State, the school where Jim Tressel enjoyed so much success before moving on to Ohio State. The last time these two programs met the Penguins didn’t offer up much resistance, falling 41-0 at Heinz Field. The same is likely to happen on Saturday, leaving the Panthers to work on certain aspects of their offense.

The receivers are among the best in the Big East, and tight end Nate Byham is among the best at his position as well. But what about the man with the responsibility of getting those playmakers the football? Bill Stull performed well in spring and fall camp, earning the starting job, and he’ll be backed up by redshirt freshman Tino Sunseri. The quarterback position had its spurts in 2008 but you can get away with that when you’ve got LeSean McCoy (and LaRod Stephens-Howling) at running back.

Due to the youth at running back (freshmen Dion Lewis and Ray Graham are listed as the starter and backup on the depth chart) Stull may be asked to do more, but Lewis and Graham are extremely talented backs. A game like this allows a number of players to get their feet wet in a game setting, although the opponent may not pose the same level of challenge as a conference game later in the season. Defensively the Panthers will get used to life without Scott McKillop in the middle, but with seven starters back Pittsburgh should be solid on that side of the football thanks to a solid line and a very good secondary.

Week 2 Opponent

Buffalo (9/12)

The defending MAC champion Bulls will have to replace QB Drew Willy (graduation) and RB James Starks (injury), but they’ve still got enough talent to contend within their league. Buffalo visits UTEP on Saturday night in what could be a high-scoring affair. WR Naaman Roosevelt will test Pitt corner Aaron Berry next weekend in what should be one of that weekend’s better individual matchups.
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Connecticut @ Ohio (Saturday 7 PM on ESPN360)

This is a dangerous opener for the Huskies, who have some large holes to fill while getting acclimated to a new offensive system. New offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead runs a no-huddle look, and given the fact that he was at Akron last season he’ll be quite familiar with the Bobcats. Even with the loss of RB Donald Brown the question mark for Connecticut is their passing game. The lack of playmakers at wide receiver was compounded by poor play under center in 2008; Husky quarterbacks combined for five touchdown passes and seventeen interceptions.

Zach Frazer won the starting job in the spring, and Cody Endres will be his primary backup. Head coach Randy Edsall would like to redshirt freshman Mike Box, but it remains to be seen if they can afford that luxury. Running backs Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon will split the majority of the carries, and while the receivers may be more explosive than in years past they’re also very young. Youngsters such as Dwayne Difton, Mike Smith and Kashif Moore are just three of the faces you will likely see on the field Saturday.

Defensively the Huskies have one of the best units in the conference, including a trio of linebackers that can control the flow of a game. They’ll need to exercise some discipline due to the style of offense that Frank Solich prefers. Both Bobcats quarterbacks, Boo Jackson and Theo Scott, will play on Saturday. It may be somewhat tough to get a read on Scott since he played sparingly last season due to a broken collarbone. Ohio will keep the ball on the ground more often than not, so UConn could be in business if they force the Bobcats into long-yardage situations.

The main focus will be Connecticut’s passing game and how the new offensive system looks. With more playmakers all over the field it may be a better fit in regards to getting guys out in space, taking advantage of one-on-one matchups. The Huskies should win, but Ohio will be no pushover. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the Bobcats stuck around for all four quarters.

Week 2 Opponent

North Carolina (9/12)

The home opener for the Huskies is a rematch of a game that got out of hand in Chapel Hill last season. Bruce Carter blocked three Desi Cullen punts in the 38-12 win, but T.J. Yates and company will have to replace receivers Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate and Brooks Foster. North Carolina hosts The Citadel on Saturday night.
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Wofford @ USF (Saturday 7 PM on BHSN)

The Terriers aren’t likely to offer much of a challenge to the Bulls, but USF can use this as an opportunity to fine-tune their offensive line. They have to replace four starters up front and the better the linemen play the better the entire offense will be. QB Matt Grothe is an exciting player to watch, but you want to keep his moments of wild scrambling to a minimum. Jeremiah Warren and Sampson Genus were two of the better performers up front in fall camp, and they’ll lead the way in 2009.

The Bulls are loaded with playmakers at receiver and running back, which should turn the season opener into a field day for Grothe and company. Don’t expect to see many of the number ones on the field in the second half, and George Selvie could rack up multiple sacks. Wofford will be without running back Jeremy Marshall, which makes the task all the more difficult. Watching the Bulls, the aforementioned offensive line and a few linebacker and secondary slot will be the areas to follow closely on Saturday.

Week 2 Opponent

Western Kentucky (9/12)

The Hilltoppers, beginning their first season as a football-playing member of the Sun Belt, open their season at Tennessee on Saturday. WKU finished 2008 with a record of 2-10, with both wins coming against FCS opponents.
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Indiana State @ Louisville (Saturday 7 PM on Big East Network (local))

The Sycamores made some headlines last week, dropping their season opener to Quincy University (an NAIA school) last week. If this doesn’t set up as a perfect opportunity for new QB Justin Burke, who will be making his first start for the Cardinals, then I don’t know what will. RB Victor Anderson could be in for a big day, as should skill position players such as Bilal Powell, Doug Beaumont, Trent Guy and Scott Long. Louisville will also be working on their defense, which was one of the Big East’s worst units in 2008.

The defense returns six starters from 2008, led by linebackers Jon Dempsey and Antwon Canady. The defensive line, which is young and lacks experience, can get its collective feet wet in a season opener that likely won’t pose much of a challenge. There’s a lot of work to be done, and with the season opener followed by a bye week Louisville will have ample time to work out the kinks before visiting Kentucky on the 19th.