By Raphielle Johnson

While there are three conference games on the schedule for the final Saturday of the regular season there’s only one that matters nationally. #5 Cincinnati (11-0, 6-0) takes its high-powered offense on the road to take on a Pittsburgh team (9-2, 5-1) coming off of a loss to bitter rival West Virginia. The winner (Noon on ABC) lands the Big East’s BCS bid, with the Bearcats winning the conference outright with a victory while the Panthers would share the trophy but not the most important spoils.

The question for the Bearcats: can they stop the run? It’s been an issue in victories over Fresno State, Connecticut and Illinois and they’re going to have their hands full with the freshman tandem of Dion Lewis and Ray Graham. Not only is Lewis a virtual lock to win the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award but a case could be made for him being Offensive Player of the Year. He leads the Big East in rushing and his emergence has taken some of the pressure off of QB Bill Stull, who’s had a banner 2009 despite his struggles last week.

The problem with first-year defensive coordinator Bob Diaco has been opponents’ ability to run between the tackles against the three-man front. Add to this a Pittsburgh offensive line that many consider to be the best in the conference and this could end up being a costly issue for the Bearcats. But if Cincinnati can take a page out of West Virginia’s book and force Stull into rushed decisions they could end up with the upper hand via turnover margin even if Lewis and Graham combine for a big afternoon.

As for the Cincinnati offense, Tony Pike returned to the full-time starter role last Friday and posted a record-setting performance, throwing six touchdown passes in the Bearcats’ 49-36 win over Illinois. But he and the rest of this explosive unit will have its hands full with the conference’s best defense. The Panthers have gotten the job done with their front seven, led by defensive tackles Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas, and DE Greg Romeus. They can get to the quarterback, leading the Big East in sacks as a team, and watching Romeus battle Cincinnati LT Jeff Linkenbach will be a treat for enthusiasts of line play.

Sixth-year senior Adam Gunn spearheads the linebacking corps, and the Panthers will need to hit Pike early and often if they’re to entertain thoughts of slowing them down. The Pitt secondary has been a bit banged up this season but they should be ready for the likes of Mardy Gilyard, Armon Binns and D.J. Woods. Isaiah Pead, who has proven to be a dangerous factor out of the backfield on the ground as well as in the passing game, will also need to be accounted for.

The Bearcats will likely enjoy an edge in special teams due to the presence of Gilyard, and if the Panthers decide to kick to him “gap discipline” will be crucial. One mistake and the senior from the Sunshine State could go the distance. Time of possession won’t be key unless the Panthers can also keep Cincinnati off of the scoreboard; the Bearcats rank dead last nationally in that statistic due to their explosive nature. Lastly, will the playing surface be a factor? The Bearcats have played on grass just once (at USF), and although they won 34-17 the climate in Tampa is far different from the Steel City. It could be a “mudder’s track”, which may favor the Panthers.

Other Games in the Big East:

West Virginia (8-3, 4-2) at Rutgers (8-3, 3-3), Noon on ESPN

The Mountaineers could very well be playing for a Konica Minolta Gator Bowl spot (against former WVU head coach Bobby Bowden no less) while the Scarlet Knights will also look to improve their bowl standing. How good is Rutgers? Eleven games into the season and one could argue that we still don’t know; they haven’t beaten a team ahead of them in the conference standings and they also own a bad loss at the hands of Syracuse. This is their final chance, in front of a national audience, to impress the bowl executives who tend to go with known quantities in selecting attractive matchups.

Offensively the Scarlet Knights are going to look for a variety of ways in which to get freshman WR Mohamed Sanu the football. Sanu at quarterback was a success against Louisville last week but he’ll have a tougher time against one of the conference’s more opportunistic defenses. Something must be said for Jeff Casteel’s defense; any other unit could have caved from the pressure heaped upon it by an offense that’s been far too charitable with the football this season. Rutgers will need a good day from Joe Martinek on the ground in order to keep the pressure off of Tom Savage in the passing game.

West Virginia has the athletes to be an explosive offense, and that’s been the case at times with RB Noel Devine and WR Jock Sanders leading the way. But the key will be QB Jarrett Brown, a dual-threat signal-caller who has to avoid bad decisions against a defense that leads the Big East in both turnovers forced (30) and turnover margin (+20). If he can do that and not give the ball away to the likes of CB Devin McCourty the Mountaineers could be well on their way to yet another victory over Rutgers.

South Florida (7-4, 3-3) at Connecticut (6-5, 2-4), 8PM on ESPN2

The final game of the Big East football season matches two teams seemingly heading in opposite directions. The Huskies have clinched bowl eligibility with back-to-back wins over Notre Dame and Syracuse while you have to wonder how much motivation the Bulls will have. USF was supposed to be ready for Miami last week; their chance to stake the claim that the Sunshine State has the “Big Four”. All the Bulls did was show up flat, falling behind 21-3 in what would become a 31-10 loss.

B.J. Daniels has been inconsistent for the Bulls since taking over for the injured Matt Grothe, alternating performances worthy of a seasoned vet with showings that remind you that’s he’s just a redshirt freshman. But this could be a good matchup for USF’s offense given UConn’s issues at times with tackling in space and the loss of MLB Greg Lloyd Jr. due to a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. Mike Canales’ offense will have to take care of the football, something that’s been an issue in a number of their games this season. If they do that and show up ready to play, look for the Bulls to score some points.

As for the Connecticut offense, they didn’t necessarily rack up the yards against Syracuse but they did account for forty-two of the Huskies’ 56 points (special teams and defense accounted for the other fourteen) in the 56-31 triumph. Backs Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon have played well, with Todman eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark last weekend and Dixon within striking distance of that number. UConn has also been helped by the growth of the passing game under offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead; QB Zach Frazer has limited his turnovers and receivers Marcus Easley and Kashif Moore have increased their production.

Look for the Huskies to be fully motivated on Senior Day, a final chapter in what has been an emotionally draining season. Whether or not the Bulls rise to the challenge will determine the direction of the game.

By Raphielle Johnson

One of the fiercest rivalries in the game will be played on Friday night (7PM on ESPN2) in Morgantown and it would be a conservative statement to say that these two schools don’t like each other. The Panthers (9-1, 5-0) return to Morgantown for the first time since their upset of the Mountaineers in 2007, a result that knocked West Virginia (7-3, 3-2) out of a possible national title berth and could be seen as a program-changing result for both.

West Virginia did go on to win the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl with a dominant performance over Oklahoma, but that result changed the atmosphere surrounding Dave Wannstedt’s program. The Panthers won nine games last season and have followed that up with one of their best seasons as a Big East football member. Bill Stull, inconsistent throughout his career in the Steel City, has played the best football of his career due to improved decision-making and the presence of offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr.

The Pittsburgh native calling the plays has done a masterful job of using the run (backs Dion Lewis and Ray Graham) and the pass (Jonathan Baldwin, Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham) all season long and if not for a defensive letdown in the second half at NC State the Panthers are undefeated. The match of wits between Cignetti Jr. and West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel will likely determine the outcome in Morgantown. As for the West Virginia offense, their explosive playmaking ability has sometimes been short-circuited by their propensity to turn the ball over.

The Mountaineers rank seventh in the conference in giveaways (22), a stat that bears watching on Friday night when they take on the Big East’s best defense. Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas will need to win the battle inside while the Panthers’ defensive ends, led by Greg Romeus, will need to duplicate their performance against USF in which they kept contain and made plays behind the line of scrimmage for sixty minutes. If Noel Devine and Jock Sanders can find open spaces look out. Both, along with freshman receiver Tavon Austin, have the speed to turn a routine play into something special.

The last two years it’s been Pittsburgh who has won the turnover battle and thus the game. West Virginia needs to at the least break even if they’re to gain the upper hand on their bitter rivals.

Other Games in the Big East:

Rutgers (7-3, 2-3) @ Louisville (4-7, 1-5) (Friday, 11AM on ESPN2)

The Cardinals may be closing in on the final days of the Steve Kragthorpe era while Rutgers looks to bounce back from an embarrassing performance in their loss to Syracuse last week. Neither offense is going to light up the scoreboard on its own accord and that likely means that the Rutgers defense will have the edge going into Friday’s contest. The Scarlet Knights are second in the conference in total defense while the Cardinals are seventh, which could mean opportunities for receivers Mohamed Sanu and Tim Brown. With running back Victor Anderson out and an offense that has struggled all season long you have to wonder what Louisville will bring to the table in the final chapter of what has been a frustrating campaign.

The same could have been said about Syracuse last week but all they did was dominate the Scarlet Knights behind one of the best individual defensive efforts in recent Big East history (LB Doug Hogue). The Cardinals have a consistent defensive presence in LB Jon Dempsey but there have been far too many holes in the unit this season, especially when considering that anemic offense. If Rutgers shows up for the early start ready to play they should win but you never know.

Illinois @ #5 Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0) (Friday, Noon on ABC)

Tony Pike returns to the starting lineup on Senior Day at Nippert Stadium in a game that could prove tricky for the Bearcats. Illinois has been one of the biggest disappointments in college football but there is individual talent that can burn you if they show up to play. Juice Williams returns at quarterback for the Illini after sitting out last week due to injury and WR Arrelous Benn is one of the more physically gifted receivers in the nation. But Illinois also runs a spread option attack that plays right into the hands of a defense that ranks among the nation’s best in tackles for loss.

As for the high-powered Bearcat attack they’ve got a pair of quarterbacks who bring different skill sets to the table, a fast receiving corps and a running back in Isaiah Pead who gets overlooked yet has the ability to make plays on the ground as well as in the passing game. About the only thing that can stop Cincinnati on Friday would be turnovers and the Illini haven’t been the best at forcing miscues or slowing teams down period. If things go according to plan the Bearcats may find themselves in “style points” mode when it comes to the BCS Standings.

Syracuse (4-7, 1-5) @ Connecticut (5-5, 1-4) (Saturday, Noon on Big East Network)

The Orange have no shot at getting to a bowl game but their season finale will likely qualify as such due to the presence of an emerging rival. Connecticut finally got that close win last week, beating Notre Dame in double overtime to breathe life into their bowl hopes as well as possibly preserving all Big East bowl tie-ins for Big East members. The Huskies are moving the ball more effectively thanks to the running back tandem of Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon and an improved passing attack, but they’ve had issues when it comes to stopping teams.

Traditionally one of the tougher defenses in the Big East to move the ball on, Connecticut is last in the conference in total defense. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t players for the Syracuse offense to worry about. The linebacker triumvirate of Greg Lloyd Jr., Lawrence Wilson and Scott Lutrus is one of the better units that the conference can offer and DE Lindsey Witten leads the conference with 11.5 sacks. The secondary is where the issues lie but they performed much better in the second half of their win last week. Youngsters Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz are growing more confident by the week and that should serve them well against a Syracuse passing game that relies on quick timing routes to move the ball through the air.

Greg Paulus and Ryan Nassib are at the stage where they’re splitting reps for Doug Marrone and they can be effective so long as they take care of the football. Mike Williams quit the team a couple of weeks ago but Syracuse does have a pair of solid running backs in Averin Collier and Delone Carter. The question mark for the Orange: an offensive line that’s been porous for much of the season. Defensively Syracuse is solid if not spectacular, although Doug Hogue had a performance for the ages last weekend in their 31-13 pasting of Rutgers with 6.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.

What’s said for the Orange quarterbacks can also be said for Zach Frazer: take care of the football and the Huskies are in business. Look for a low-scoring affair at The Rent with a turnover or special teams play (where both have struggled although Syracuse’s issues may be considered worse) deciding the outcome.

Miami @ South Florida (7-3, 3-3) (Saturday, 3:30PM on ABC)

It’s been said all week that this is the kind of game that Jim Leavitt doesn’t have to worry about firing up his kids for. While that statement may be true it may also be indicative of why the Bulls have yet to break through and win a Big East title. But that discussion is for another day and both teams need this win for their seasons never mind the possible recruiting ramifications. Miami QB Jacory Harris has been banged up in recent weeks, injuring his throwing hand two weeks ago against North Carolina.

The problem for Randy Shannon has been there all season: his only backup is true freshman A.J. Highsmith. If Harris goes down or struggles with turnovers he’s essentially got nowhere else to turn but the Hurricanes have plenty of young weapons at the skill positions. Backs Graig Cooper, Damien Berry and Javarris James can all tote the football while there’s also a young corps of receivers to get the ball to through the air. The key for Miami will be to keep Harris’ jersey clean with bookends George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul being two of the better pass rushers in the Big East.

USF’s offense has also had issues with turnovers, handing the ball over to the opposition nineteen times but their ability to get the ball back (+2 turnover margin) has served them well and could again this week. The Hurricanes are also still in the “considered” lot for a BCS at-large selection even though their blowout loss to Virginia Tech (also in the mix) would make it a tough sell. The motivation of breaking into Florida’s “Big Three” will play a role in the Bulls’ performance and with both teams ranking at or near the bottom of their respective conferences in penalties who can keep their emotions in check will likely win this game.

By Raphielle Johnson

Saturday’s game with #19 North Carolina brings about the opportunity for Connecticut to see where they stand right now and how good they could become this season. Butch Davis’ team will be a significant test for a team that didn’t look too impressive in their 23-16 win over Ohio last weekend. The primary issue according to head coach Randy Edsall was consistency, or the lack thereof. The Huskies didn’t take advantage of positive gains in momentum, allowing the Bobcats to stick around via turnover or missed assignment. Mistakes such as those will get UConn beat and beat badly, which is what happened in Chapel Hill (38-12) last season.

But the task is not impossible. The Tar Heels took care of The Citadel last weekend by the final of 40-6, but things were by no means perfect. QB T.J. Yates completed fewer than half his passes and threw an interception in the win, with the running game and defense providing the deciding blows. Have the Huskies learned from their mistakes on special teams in last year’s meeting? The “little things” will make a big difference one way or the other on Saturday. Below is the North Carolina depth chart for Saturday’s game.

QB 13 T.J. Yates (Jr.)

14 Braden Hanson (RFr.) -or-

7 Mike Paulus (So.)

RB 20 Shaun Draughn (Jr.)

32 Ryan Houston (Jr.)

FB 4 Bobby Rome (Sr.)

6 Anthony Elzy (Jr.)

The running game got the job done last weekend, but don’t expect the Huskies to allow Yates’ performance (9-20, 114 yards, 2 TD 1 INT) to lull them into a sense of security when defending the pass. Carolina didn’t have to show much against The Citadel, so they simply relied on the tandem of Draughn and Houston (163 combined yards and two touchdowns on the ground). Draughn is the feature back with Houston being the goal line battering ram. Bobby Rome is one of the better fullbacks in the ACC, but neither he nor Elzy is a player the Heels look to feed the ball to on a regular basis. Neither had a carry in the season-opening win.

WR 8 Greg Little (Jr.)

34 Johnny White (Jr.)

WR 3 Joshua Adams (Fr.)

82 Todd Harrelson (RFr.)

TE 17 Zack Pianalto (Jr.)

80 Ed Barham (Jr.)

H 33 Christian Wilson (So.) (for formations requiring an H-back)

80 Vince Jacobs (Jr.)

The receivers were an area of concern once the 2008 season ended. Yes, Brandon Tate had gone down early with an ACL tear so the Heels were used to not having him. But to replace him in the return game, along with the dynamic Hakeem Nicks and the dependable Brooks Foster was an arduous task for North Carolina. This is the time for junior Greg Little to make the progression many pictured for him as a high-touted recruit. He’s gone from receiver to running back and back due to the logjam of talent at the position in recent years. He’s got the body and the speed to be a serious threat that Connecticut will have to account for.

On the other side is freshman Josh Adams, who has the size (6-3) and speed to be an impact player throughout his career in Chapel Hill, and junior Johnny White was also champing at the bit for his opportunity. What this group lacks in playing time they can make up for with skill, and tight end Zack Pianalto is a credible threat in the passing game as well.

LT 72 Kyle Jolly (Sr.)

67 Greg Elleby (Jr.)

LG 64 Jonathan Cooper (RFr.)

74 Sam Ellis (Jr.) -or-

62 David Collins (Fr.)

C 69 Lowell Dyer (Sr.)

65 Cam Holland (So.)

RG 70 Alan Pelc (Jr.)

76 Travis Bond (Fr.)

RT 66 Mike Ingersoll (Jr.)

73 Brennan Williams (Fr.)

The line is an experienced group that did a very good job last week of run blocking (261 yards). They’ll outweigh the Connecticut line across the board, and given the play of Draughn both last week and in last season’s meeting (109 yards and one touchdown) look for a heavy dose of the run on Saturday. Dyer began his career as a walk-on and ends it as a scholarship starter on the Rimington Award Watch List, and Jolly is the most experienced player up front. Pelc and Jolly may be the best two on a solid offensive line.

Defense

LDE 92 E.J. Wilson (Sr.)

90 Quinton Coples (So.)

LDT 9 Marvin Austin (Jr.)

91 Tydreke Powell (So.)

RDT 93 Cam Thomas (Sr.)

97 Aleric Mullins (Sr.)

RDE 42 Robert Quinn (So.)

94 Michael McAdoo (So.) -or-

98 Donte Paige-Moss (Fr.)

The Carolina front four will represent a substantial upgrade to what the Huskies saw from Ohio last Saturday. Austin’s likely the best known of these four, and registered a pick-six in last season’s meeting. McAdoo (2.5 TFL, 1 sack) and Quinn (1 TFL, 1 sack) stood out against The Citadel, but the primary job of the defensive line is to occupy blockers for the linebackers. This is a group that has the size and speed to disrupt the Connecticut running game should the Husky offensive line not take care of business.

WLB 47 Zach Brown (So.)

48 Kevin Reddick (Fr.)

MLB 52 Quan Sturdivant (Jr.)

36 Kennedy Tinsley (Sr.)

SLB 54 Bruce Carter (Jr.)

57 Dion Guy (RFr.)

Sturdivant led the team with seven tackles on Saturday, and he plays a role similar to that of Mark Paschal and just about every other middle linebacker who’s played the position under Coach Davis. The action gets funneled to him (and the other two linebackers) and it’s his job to make the tackles. Bruce Carter, whose name should be quite familiar to Husky fans (three blocked punts last year) starts at the SAM (strong side) position and sophomore Zach Brown is the WILL.

CB 12 Charles Brown (Jr.)

23 Jordan Hemby (Sr.)

1 Gene Robinson (Fr.)

SS 21 Da’Norris Searcy (Jr.)

28 Jonathan Smith (Jr.)

FS 27 Deunta Williams (Jr.)

10 Melvin Williams (Sr.)

29 Brian Gupton (So.)

CB 16 Kendric Burney (Jr.)

37 LeCount Fantroy (So.)

26 Mywan Jackson (Fr.)

The secondary gets a lot of work, with the expectation that they handle their responsibilities in the passing game while also supporting against the run. Burney is one of the best corners in the ACC, if not the country, and classmate Charles Brown isn’t too bad on the other side himself. Those two combined for nine tackles last weekend, and they’ll be prepared to go up against a receiving corps that projects to be better than the outfit they saw in 2008.

The safeties are solid as well, with Deunta and Melvin Williams (not related) being good options at free safety. Deunta picked off two passes last week and with Zach Frazer throwing three interceptions in last year’s meeting they’ll be ready to help him duplicate that dubious distinction. Da’Norris Searcy is the strong safety; overall this is a talented and experienced group that can make Connecticut pay should their passing game lack consistency.

Special Teams

K 11 Casey Barth (So.)

19 Trase Jones (Jr.)

P 39 Grant Schallock (Jr.)

30 C.J. Feagles (Fr.)

KR 34 Johnny White (Jr.)

8 Greg Little (Jr.)

PR 21 Da’Norris Searcy (Jr.)

16 Kendric Burney (Jr.)

DS 69 Lowell Dyer (Sr.) PATs & FGs

51 Trevor Stuart (Jr.) Punts

Holder 19 Trase Jones (Jr.)

Not sure if the Tar Heels will be as lethal when it comes to blocking kicks, but they will have some players to take notice of in the return game. Searcy returned a punt for a touchdown last week, and if you have to focus too much on punt protection your coverage could suffer as a result. Receivers White and Little handle the kick return duties for Carolina, but Charles Brown also got to return a kick last weekend. Casey Barth made both of his field goal attempts but there was also a missed extra point. Grant Schallock punted three times in the opener with an average of forty-one yards per punt. The Tar Heels are very good when it comes to special teams; they will offer a true test as to whether or not the Huskies have improved in that area since their last meeting.

By Raphielle Johnson

Week two of the college football season will bring about a different challenge for the Big East. The first weekend was primarily about avoiding the embarrassing defeat, and the conference was able to do that with the lone loss being Syracuse falling to Minnesota in overtime. The one conference game was Cincinnati visiting Rutgers on Labor Day, and the defending champions made quite the statement in front of a sold-out crowd and a national television audience.

The second weekend will bring about a couple of challenging games for teams favored to finish in the top half of the Big East standings. Pittsburgh will visit the defending MAC champion Buffalo Bulls, who are coming off of a solid win at UTEP. West Virginia has a score to settle with East Carolina visiting Morgantown. While those are both games that can be lost the two Big East members need to win from a national perception standpoint. Connecticut and Syracuse will play ranked teams on Saturday; the Huskies host #19 North Carolina while the Orange visit #9 Penn State.

To say that these two are playing with “house money” would be going too far, but they’ll be underdogs nonetheless. A win by either (or both) would be a boost to the Big East, but both need to avoid a blowout at the very least. Below is a breakdown of each game involving Big East schools this Saturday, along with a peek at what their next opponent has going on.

#19 North Carolina @ Connecticut (Noon on ESPNU)

Responsibility number one for the Husky special teams: block Bruce Carter. The UNC linebacker blocked three punts in last year’s meeting, which was also the first career start for Zach Frazer. The 38-12 Carolina whipping was a night to forget for Frazer and the rest of his teammates, a night on which Connecticut’s lack of a passing game was exploited by Butch Davis’ defense. The passing game was cited to be a key to the Huskies’ season ever since spring camp and the initial returns were not as good as hoped last weekend.

Three interceptions in the win at Ohio, a combination of suspect reads by Frazer and a bad case of the “dropsies” for a few receivers contributed to the effort. Luckily the running back tandem of Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon was able to make up for the turnovers, with both backs rushing for at least 100 yards on the night. The Tar Heel defense is more seasoned than last year’s outfit so it may be tough sledding for the rushing attack. Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead will be looking for more out of the passing game.

When Carolina has the football they proved to be stronger on the ground than through the air in beating The Citadel last weekend. Backs Shawn Draughn and Ryan Houston both played well, making up for an uneven game through the air. But that’s to be expected, given what the Heels lost at wide receiver. Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate (missed most of 2008 with a knee injury) and Brooks Foster comprised one of the best groups in the ACC last season, and their best receiver coming into 2009 spent last season as a running back (Greg Little, but to be fair he was a WR as a freshman and one of the best recruits at the position coming out of high school). Scott Lutrus (stinger) is expected back in the lineup this week, but Sio Moore (hamstring) is unlikely to play. The Huskies have a chance to beat North Carolina but will need more from their passing game if they’re to do so.

Week 3 Opponent: Baylor (1-0). On the heels of their impressive win at Wake Forest, Robert Griffin III and company have this weekend off.
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Syracuse @ #9 Penn State (Noon on Big Ten Network)

Greg Paulus was solid in Syracuse’s loss to Minnesota, even with the ill-fated pass in overtime. The question now: how will he play on the road in front of some 106,000 people? Happy Valley is not a “regular” college football experience, and the key for Paulus and company will be keeping their composure. Similar to Minnesota there could be some opportunities in the short passing game (press coverage from a secondary is rare in the Big Ten), although you have to expect Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley to look at that tape are resolve to take away the bubble screen.

The Syracuse defense, which was solid in the defeat, will have to figure out a way to slow down QB Daryll Clark and the Penn State offense. Clark is a championship quarterback who seldom makes the mistake that kills his team, and as soon as you focus solely on him there’s RB Evan Royster to make you pay. Even with the loss of their top three receivers from 2008 the Nittany Lions have options on the outside, notably Derek Moye and Chaz Powell. Syracuse will have their hands full and then some on Saturday afternoon.

Week 3 Opponent: Northwestern (1-0). The Wildcats should be 2-0 when they visit the Carrier Dome next weekend; Pat Fitzgerald’s team hosts Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
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Pittsburgh @ Buffalo (Noon on ESPN GamePlan/ 360; WTAE Channel 4 in Pittsburgh)

Despite the fact that the Panthers won last season’s meeting and the Bulls have both a new quarterback and a new running back; this is a dangerous football game. Dion Lewis was sensational for the Panthers against Youngstown State, and the passing game was adequate considering the opponent. Pitt can rely on Lewis and Ray Graham, along with other options, to control the game on the ground but they’ll need to further establish the passing game against the Bulls.

Just like Pittsburgh, Turner Gill will look to establish the running game by committee due to the loss of James Starks (torn labrum). Brandon Thermilus finished the opener with twenty-five carries and Mario Henry had eleven, but while there is a noticeable division in the number of carries both will get ample opportunities to make things happen. QB Zach Maynard is more of a game manager at this point, but the presence of WR Naaman Roosevelt makes the Buffalo passing game a credible threat. Roosevelt going up against Aaron Berry could be the individual matchup of the weekend in games involving Big East teams.

If the Panther defense can make the Bulls one-dimensional (YSU finished with forty-six yards rushing on thirty-five carries) they’ll be in good shape; it’s still unknown whether or not Maynard can win a game with his arm. If Buffalo is forced to find out it could be a long afternoon for the home team.

Week 3 Opponent: Navy (0-1). The Midshipmen open their home schedule with Louisiana Tech this weekend. Navy gave Ohio State all it wanted and then some in a 31-27 loss in Columbus.
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Howard @ Rutgers (3:30 PM on ESPN GamePlan/ 360; SNY)

This game is more about the Scarlet Knights than the Bison; if Howard should pose a serious threat we’ll know that there are far more issues for Rutgers to address than what was exposed on Monday. Tom Savage was handed the keys to the offense in the second half and it’s tough to see anyone other than him starting on Saturday. Howard provides a good opportunity for Savage to establish an in-game chemistry with his entire receiving corps; either Mohamed Sanu (10 catches against Cincinnati) was that good or the rest of the group was that bad on Monday.

Also on the agenda is improvement to the pass defense. Seemed like whenever the Bearcats wanted to the area in the middle of the field right behind the linebackers was wide open. Howard’s passing game is nowhere near that of Cincinnati’s so it’ll be tough to truly gauge the changes/improvements. More than anything, Howard offers Rutgers an opportunity to fine-tune fundamentals; competitively they won’t get much out of the matchup.

Week 3 Opponent: Florida International. The Golden Panthers were off this past weekend, and the extra week of preparation could be a good thing. Mario Cristobal’s team visits Alabama on Saturday.
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East Carolina @ West Virginia (3:30 PM on ESPN 360)

This is the game of the day within the conference, with the Mountaineers looking for some payback following last year’s embarrassing effort in Greenville. There were turnovers, penalties and missed assignments in the 24-3 West Virginia loss, issues that Coach Stewart will likely touch on during their preparation during the week. Neither team was too impressive in wins against FCS opponents, but at least the Mountaineers didn’t have to survive a late rally.

Patrick Pinkney struggled through the air for ECU, completing just twelve of twenty-seven pass attempts and throwing two interceptions in the 29-24 win over Appalachian State. ECU ran for 189 yards on the ground, with Dominique Lindsay leading the way with 105. Lindsay missed all of last season (torn ACL), and given a small number of carries throughout his career it may be difficult at the start to get a read on his running style. The Pirates will look to get things done on the ground by committee; if Reed Williams and company can force Pinkney to go to the air West Virginia could force a few turnovers.

West Virginia was more balanced in their win over Liberty, with Noel Devine and Jarrett Brown both having good days for the offense. It also helped matters to have Jock Sanders back; the receiver who was suspended from the team for off-field issues had eight catches against the Flames. If West Virginia can stop the run and maintain their own offensive balance, they could match the margin of victory in avenging last year’s loss.

Week 3 Opponent: Auburn (1-0). The Tigers open SEC play this weekend, hosting Mississippi State in the second of four straight games at Jordan-Hare to begin the season.
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USF @ Western Kentucky (7 PM on ESPN GamePlan/ 360; BrightHouse Sports Network)

The Bulls were rather sloppy in the first half of their opener against Wofford on Saturday night. That being said, the Terriers may be a better outfit than the Western Kentucky team they’ll visit. In their first game as a full-time FBS member the Hilltoppers were tuned by a young Tennessee team 63-7. Coach Leavitt will have the opportunity to work in a number of players, although not as many as a home game due to rules regarding the number of players allowed to travel. The key for USF: stay sharp and don’t get sloppy. That can happen when playing against a team with inferior talent; guys walk out onto the field thinking they can simply show up.

Similar to Rutgers they won’t face a strenuous test this weekend. But unlike the Scarlet Knights the Bulls visit a team celebrating its first home game as an FBS member. Quickly taking care of that emotion can make all the difference between a routine game and a contest that requires unexpected “heavy lifting”.

Week 3 Opponent: Charleston Southern (0-1). Charleston Southern, who lost to Florida on Saturday, visits Wofford this weekend.
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Southeast Missouri State @ #23 Cincinnati (7:30 PM on Fox Sports Ohio)

The Bearcats were clicking on all cylinders Monday afternoon, and the goal against Southeast Missouri State is to keep the ball rolling and not get anyone hurt. Many players will get the chance to play on Saturday night, including quarterbacks Chazz Anderson and Zach Collaros, and that could be an asset should something happen to Tony Pike. The defense looked solid, playing well in Bob Diaco’s 3-4 scheme. It helps matters than seven of the ten new starters are seniors, meaning that they’ve been on the field in the past…they just haven’t had the distinction of being a “starter”.

One of Coach Kelly’s issues with the 4-3 was that too many substitutions were required, not allowing for flexibility of the personnel on the field. Therefore a lot of the guys who were slept on nationally in the preseason have a good idea as to what they’re doing. The Bearcats will learn a lot more about themselves the following weekend when they take on Oregon State in Corvallis.

Week 3 Opponent: Oregon State (1-0). The Beavers head to Las Vegas to take on UNLV.
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Louisville: Bye week

The Cardinals weren’t the most impressive team in their win over Indiana State, but they averted total disaster simply by winning the game. The bye week comes at a time when there’s an awful lot to work on. One constant: RB Victor Anderson. Louisville will face in-state rival Kentucky (1-0) next Saturday.

By Raphielle Johnson

Below is the Ohio depth chart (from the Ohio game notes) for Saturday’s game against the Connecticut Huskies, along with a little information on each unit. Ohio will give the Huskies a variety of looks when on offense in hopes of springing a few big plays. Their passing game ranked in the middle of the pack within the MAC last season. However the Bobcats struggled on the ground last season, ranking tenth in the MAC in rushing offense. On offense Ohio will line up in a spread formation with three receivers, a tailback and a tight end. Defensively Ohio runs the 4-3 scheme.

OFFENSE

QB 3 Theo Scott

8 Boo Jackson

Both will play on Saturday, and they’ve got similar skill sets. Scott was the starter heading into 2008 before a broken collarbone in the second game of the season at Ohio State ended his campaign. Jackson set school records in touchdown passes and total yards in Scott’s stead last season, but ironically his own nicks in the fall resulted in Scott winning back the job. Coach Solich said in Monday’s teleconference that both quarterbacks will see time on Saturday however, so the Huskies will prepare for both.

RB 2 Chris Garrett

26 Vince Davidson

21 L.J. Flintall

28 Donte Harden

None of the top four backs on the Ohio depth chart weigh in at more than 190 pounds, and they all seem to be cut out of the same mold. Each can be characterized as a speedy back that can find the hole and hit it quick and can also help out in the passing game. There’s not much separating the four heading into the opener, so expect to see them all on Saturday. In terms of big play ability, keep an eye on Garrett and Flintall, who were two of the best kick returners in the MAC last season.

X-WR 23 Taylor Price

11 Terrence McCrae

16 Jerry Gross

F-WR 15 Riley Dunlop

87 Steven Goulet

17 Bakari Bussey

Z-WR 7 LaVon Brazill

87 Steven Goulet

24 Gary Fortune

TE 88 Jordan Thompson

38 Adam Olsheski

The top two receivers from 2008 return in Price (51 catches, 694 yards) and Brazill (34 catches, 384 yards), as does redshirt sophomore Riley Dunlop. The two leaders are on the outside while Dunlop works out of the slot. There are a number of unproven options within the passing game, but the Huskies had better be on the lookout for Price and Brazill. As for the tight ends, neither had a catch in 2008 (Thompson redshirted) and the top two receiving options at the position last season are gone (Andrew Mooney and David Carter) so it remains to be see what the production will be.

LT 57 Chris Rodgers

66 Jonathan Lechner

LG 64 Vince Carlotta or

50 Dustin Laudermilch

C 58 David White

68 Alex Mitchell or

65 Skyler Allen

RG 77 Eric Herman or

53 John Flowers

RT 60 Cole Bunner or

78 Joe Flading

The Bobcats are young up front with Rodgers and White being the lone seniors. There are just two returning starters (White and Bunner), and a unit that looked to be one of the older lines in the MAC took a hit with the losses of Michael Philibin and Gary Schussler. They had their fair share of issues in 2008 ranking tenth in the MAC in sacks allowed (23), and the rush offense was nothing to write home about either. The Bobcats also finished last in the conference in red zone offense, a tell-tale sign that you’re having problems up front.

DEFENSE

DE 51 Dak Notestine

36 Stafford Gatling

NG 62 Marcellis Williamson

93 Neil Huynh

DT 95 Ernie Hodge

89 Carl Jones

DE 54 Kris Luchsinger

92 Conor Reilly

The front four took a hit with the loss of Curtis Meyers to a knee injury. While Meyers is expected back, possibly for their next game, he won’t be on the field Saturday. Luchsinger and Reilly are the only two seniors on the line’s two-deep, and Luchsinger led those who are available with twenty-one tackles last season. None of these players will rack up the tackles, and truth be told the Bobcats don’t need them for that purpose. Tying up blockers is their main job, freeing up a solid group of linebackers to make plays.

WLB 32 Lee Renfro

30 Erik Benjamin or

44 Chad Clemens

MLB 47 Noah Keller

55 Melvin Payne

SLB 27 Erik Ejike

46 Alphonso Lewis or

34 Jelani Woseley

Keep a close eye on Keller, who is one of the best middle linebackers in the MAC. Keller finished 2008 with a team-high 104 tackles, followed by weakside linebacker Lee Renfro who finished with eighty-three stops. The issue for the Bobcats is experience beyond the starters (two seniors and a junior). Chad Clemens is the only other underclassman listed on the depth chart, with the majority of the backups being either redshirt or true freshmen. Benjamin is the unit’s lone sophomore, and after the aforementioned Keller and Renfro Erik Ejike’s thirteen tackles are next in line for the returnees. Ohio cannot afford an injury to either of the two stalwarts, although the youngsters do have the ability to make plays.

CB 4 Idris Lawrence

9 Julian Posey

FS 42 Steven Jackson

29 Donovan Fletcher

SS 20 Patrick Tafua

13 Gerald Moore

CB 12 Thad Turner

22 Shannon Ballard

The secondary has a chance to be solid with the return of Jackson and Turner. However, they do have to account for the graduation of safety Michael Mitchell, who was drafted by the Raiders in April’s NFL Draft. Also lost was corner Mark Parson, who led all Ohio corners with forty-six tackles and two interceptions. The Bobcats ranked fourth in the conference in pass defense, allowing 191 yards per game.

Outside of Moore (redshirt freshman) the secondary is made up entirely of upperclassmen, so they should be able to adjust well to life without Mitchell and Parson. But this is not a defense that generates a plethora of turnovers; the Bobcats had nineteen takeaways in 2008. If the offense, which turned the ball over thirty-two times last season, can’t take care of the football it could be a long day for the Ohio defense.

SPECIALISTS

K 49 Matthew Weller

P 43 Matt Schulte

KR 2 Chris Garrett

21 L.J. Flintall

PR 2 Chris Garrett and/or

7 LaVon Brazill

The positions to watch on Saturday will be placekicker and long snapper, as the other roles are filled by upperclassmen. Waller is a redshirt freshman who hasn’t attempted a kick at the collegiate level, and he replaces a solid kicker in Barrett Way. Long snapper Jeremy LaVoie is a sophomore who beat out senior Kyle Robbins for the job in fall camp.

Garrett and Flintall ranked third and fourth respectively in the MAC in kick return average, and both had 97-yard touchdowns to their credit last season. Garrett only returned two punts last season but Brazill averaged over sixteen yards per return (one touchdown) on punts. Schulte averaged just over thirty-eight yards per punt with a long of fifty-eight and managed to drop fifteen punts inside of the twenty yard line.

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.