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A LOOK AHEAD TO WEEK #11 IN BIG EAST FOOTBALL

Last gasp for the Mountaineers in Big East race?

By Raphielle Johnson

West Virginia (7-2, 3-1) may be just one game behind Big East co-leaders Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, but their game on Friday night against the Bearcats is likely their final chance at being a player in the conference title race. By no means were the Mountaineers impressive in their 17-9 win over Louisville last weekend, even losing Noel Devine to a sprained ankle. But he’ll be ready to go in the Queen City where they hope to move the ball on a defense that struggled last weekend.

Cincinnati (9-0, 5-0) remained undefeated with a 47-45 win over Connecticut thanks to 711 yards of offense, but the defense definitely left something to be desired. They were unable to force any turnovers and had a hard time dealing with the Huskies’ power run game. The Bearcats have been best challenged by teams (Fresno State and Connecticut) who can line up and pound the ball, taking advantage of the Bearcats’ 3-4 scheme. Going against spread looks has helped Bob Diaco’s defense lead the nation in tackles for loss to this point in the season, but this may be the most versatile version that they’ll see.

Jarrett Brown also has his ankle issues to deal with but should be ready to go on Friday night as well. And you have to wonder if there are some lingering effects from the concussion suffered early in the win over Marshall for the fifth-year senior. Before the injury Brown completed 68.8% of his passes; after he’s completed just 57.9%. He’s got to be accurate in the passing game if the Mountaineers are to entertain thoughts of winning; Cincinnati leads the Big East with fourteen interceptions.

The biggest news in regards to this game has been the health of Tony Pike, who will get some reps while Zach Collaros gets the start and the lion’s share of the reps. It’s a good problem to have if you’re Brian Kelly, but they’ll be forced to work by a defense that has allowed opponents to complete just 52.1% of their passes. West Virginia ranks sixth in pass defense but third in pass efficiency defense, ranking second in the conference in interceptions (12).

If the Mountaineer defense can control threats such as Mardy Gilyard, Armon Binns and D.J. Woods through the air they’ve got a shot. Backs Jacob Ramsey and Isaiah Pead offer up their own set of challenges but you’re much rather those two be left to beat you instead of the other way around. West Virginia’s fleeting Big East title hopes will depend upon their defensive success.

The remainder of the Big East schedule for Week 11:

South Florida (6-2, 2-2) @ Rutgers (6-2, 1-2) (Thursday 8 PM on ESPN)

Bowl eligibility is on the line in Piscataway when the Bulls visit the Scarlet Knights; both have played two FCS opponents so they need seven wins. Rutgers may be the most confounding 6-2 team in America; their best win came over a Connecticut team that’s 4-5 so we’re going to find out a lot about this team on Thursday. The offensive line that was built up as the best in the Big East when the season began will have its hands full with the likes of Jason Paul-Pierre, George Selvie and Aaron Harris. Look for the Knights to hit USF with a heavy dose of backs Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks in hopes of loosening things up for Tom Savage through the air.

Whether or not the Bulls win on the road will depend upon the accuracy of USF QB B.J. Daniels, who has completed just 52.5% of his passes this season. He completed half of his pass attempts in the 30-19 win over West Virginia on October 30th while also rushing for 104 yards, and head coach Jim Leavitt will need a similar effort (with more accuracy through the air) if the Bulls are to pick up their third conference win of the season. Two of the Big East’s top three defenses will be on display and Rutgers may have the advantage in the turnover department with their +18 turnover margin.

Rutgers needs a win for validation at this point but win or lose we should come away with a more definitive answer in regards to who they are and who they can eventually be.

Syracuse (3-6, 0-4) @ Louisville (3-6, 0-4) (Noon on Big East Network)

You can’t put Notre Dame on regional television so this is the “Big East Network Game of the Week”. At least it sets up to be a competitive game; how pretty this will be remains to be seen. Both have issues at quarterback in regards to production but at the least Doug Marrone is staying with Greg Paulus as his guy. Steve Kragthorpe, on the other hand, went with the diminutive Will Stein last week but list both Adam Froman and Justin Burke ahead of him on the depth chart this week.

These are two of the three worst teams in the conference in turnover margin, another reason why this game could be a bit ugly. Louisville actually ranks fourth in pass defense and fifth in pass offense, meaning that players such as Scott Long and Trent Guy could be the ultimate difference-makers. Being a first-year coach Doug Marrone has time on his side; a loss for Kragthorpe could be the beginning of the end of his tenure in the Derby City.

Notre Dame (6-3) @ Pittsburgh (8-1, 5-0) (8 PM on ABC)

This is a bigger game for the Irish in regards to the direction of their program but it also means a lot to the Panthers on two levels. First there’s the opportunity to knock off a “name brand” opponent on national television while maintaining their BCS Top 10 ranking. Secondly, and possibly more importantly for the conference as a whole, is the matter of the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. The reps of the game haven’t made it a secret that they’d like Notre Dame in the last year of their agreement with the Big East.

But a win by the Panthers, especially an impressive one, would make it extremely difficult for the bowl to take the Irish over the Big East #2 since a BCS at-large selection is highly unlikely. The question will be whether or not the Irish can slow down Pitt’s rushing attack led by freshman Dion Lewis; they had numerous breakdowns against Navy last week and the same could happen here. There’s also the passing game and playcalling of offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. that Notre Dame will have to deal with, and the signs aren’t looking good for them.

Notre Dame will be without TE Kyle Rudolph due to injury but they’ve still got receivers Michael Floyd and Golden Tate for Jimmy Clausen to look to. The question will be how well their line plays against a Pitt front four that has proven to be one of the nation’s best this season. Greg Romeus is an outstanding player at defensive end and one could make the argument that DT Mick Williams is a possible All-American inside. Pitt won last season’s meeting in overtime and many are expecting the Panthers to take care of business at Heinz Field.

Bye: Connecticut (4-5, 1-4). The Huskies will visit Notre Dame on the 21st.