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A LOOK AHEAD TO WEEK #10 IN BIG EAST FOOTBALL

Contenders look to avoid the upset as stretch run approaches

By Raphielle Johnson

Week 10 in the Big East has worked out (in regards to the schedule) to provide three games matching contenders for the conference title with teams looking to reverse their fortunes. All three contenders will be at home this weekend with #5 Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0) taking the prime-time stage (8 PM on ABC) against Connecticut (4-4, 1-3) at Nippert Stadium. As of right now QB Tony Pike, whose forearm has been improving, is questionable to play on Saturday night. But if he were unable to go Zach Collaros would get the start, and there hasn’t been much of a drop (if any) in production with the sophomore in the lineup.

On the other side of the field will be a Connecticut football team that’s been through a three-week stretch that shouldn’t be wished upon anyone. The death of Jasper Howard has been followed up by back-to-back losses by the same score (28-24), with both results coming by way of a late touchdown. Two issues that have been a problem for the Husky defense all season long, tackling in space and coverage breakdowns in the secondary, are two areas that the Bearcats can exploit with punishing regularity.

Mardy Gilyard has received the majority of the attention at wide receiver because of his big-play ability on both offense and special teams, but there’s another weapon to be concerned about. Armon Binns has taken advantage of the attention shown to Gilyard and D.J. Woods in recent weeks, and be it Binns or any other Cincinnati wideout the Bearcats can take advantage of mismatches should UConn cover the slot with a linebacker or safety.

The Bearcats are also one of the leading teams in the conference in sacking the quarterback, something that’s of added importance to their opponents this week due to the loss of QB Cody Endres (shoulder) for the remainder of the season. Zach Frazer, who entered the season as the starter before injuring his knee against North Carolina, threw four interceptions against Rutgers last week but did lead the two drives that ultimately gave the Huskies a 24-21 lead with 38 seconds remaining.

The Notre Dame transfer has been turnover-prone throughout his two years at Connecticut and another game similar to last week’s performance could get the Huskies blown out. The good news for Frazer is that the Huskies have a pair of capable backs in Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman, and they’ll likely see a lot of work with the goal being to keep the Bearcat offense off the field.

But what does the presence of Frazer mean to the growth of receivers Marcus Easley and Kashif Moore, both of whom came on strong with Endres in the lineup? If Frazer is accurate and can hit his receivers in stride they’ll have a puncher’s chance at the upset. But the most important question to be answered is just how much Randy Edsall’s team has left in the tank.

The remainder of the Saturday slate:

Louisville (3-5, 0-3) @ West Virginia (6-2, 2-1) (Noon on Big East Network)

At one point in time this had the makings of a major rivalry with conference title implications for both teams being an annual subplot. But things have gone downhill in the Derby City and due to injuries the likely starter at quarterback will be walk-on Will Stein. Offensive consistency has been an issue all season for the Cardinals and they’re going to need a big game on the ground from RB Victor Anderson if they’re to have any shot of beating the Mountaineers.

Anderson has been banged up for much of the season but with Bilal Powell out for the season he’s likely going to be more of a workhorse this weekend. West Virginia’s issue hasn’t been moving the football; they can do that with the best of them. Rather it’s been turnovers, something that did them in at USF last Friday night. Bill Stewart’s team has gotten away with turning the ball over in many of their games but the combination of that with the Bulls taking away Noel Devine played a large role in the 30-19 result.

If the Cardinals can not only win the turnover and special teams battles but also capitalize in the way of points they’ll have a chance. But given the separation in regards to talent it would be a very slim one at that.

Syracuse (3-5, 0-3) @ Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0) (Noon on ESPNU)

It hasn’t been the best of times in Syracuse with turnovers at the worst possible times dooming the Orange in their 28-7 loss to Cincinnati serving as an appetizer of what was to come on Monday. Head coach Doug Marrone offered up an emotional defense of QB Greg Paulus, who has been criticized in recent weeks with many calling for redshirt freshman Ryan Nassib to take over the role. Then there was the decision of WR Mike Williams, an NFL-caliber talent who was also their best playmaker, to quit the team.

Williams had been suspended for the Akron game for a violation of team rules but was back on the field against the Bearcats. Coach Marrone has the policy of not discussing players who are no longer on the team and Williams has yet to speak, so it’s anyone’s guess as to why the decision was made. Not exactly the best way to hit the road to take on the first-place Panthers, who have been successful at moving the ball on the ground and through the air all season long.

RB Dion Lewis is the most productive freshman running back in the country with his average yards per game ranking in the top five nationally. He gets the bulk of the load but when he takes a break Ray Graham has been an adequate runner. The emergence of these two, along with multiple options in the passing game, has helped senior QB Bill Stull become a far more efficient quarterback, so much so that he was named a semifinalist for the O’Brien Award.

And the return of Pittsburgh native Frank Cignetti Jr. has been a huge addition to the coaching staff; the offensive coordinator has pushed all the right buttons this season. The Orange will have to worry about Jonathan Baldwin and “hybrid” Dorin Dickerson, who’s too fast to cover with a linebacker and too big for most corners. It could be a long day at Heinz Field for the Orange, who will hope that they can keep pass rushers such as Greg Romeus away from Paulus while getting increased contributions from Delone Carter and Marcus Sales with Williams now off the team.