Anthony Jaskulski

BIG EAST FOOTBALL STOCK REPORT: WEEK #3

By Anthony Jaskulski

1. Pittsburgh 2-0, (0-0), Stock: LEVEL

Last game (2008): W 54-27 at Buffalo

Next game: Sept. 19 vs. Navy

Strong Point: In two games, the best two players for the Panthers have been the guy’s who replaced the best two players from last season. Running back Dion Lewis—Shady McCoy’s replacement—has tallied up over 100 yards a game in both wins, including a 190 yard performance in Buffalo, while linebacker Adam Gunn—Scott McKillop’s replacement—checked in with 11 tackles and three sacks Saturday, earning himself Big East defensive player of the week.

Area of Improvement: Despite annihilating their MAC opponent Saturday, the Panther defense gave up an uncharacteristic 500 total yards and 25 first down’s to Buffalo.

Overall Analysis: So if I told you Pitt’s offense ran up a near 400 total yards on offense and scored 54 points would you believe me? How about if I said the Panther defense surrendered 500 yards on defense? A usual automatic check in at the psych’-ward actually was the truth this Saturday. It’s a bittersweet surprise with the offensive unit. If the defense can string it back together, Panther fans might see one of the more sturdier squads in years.
———————–

Read more

BIG EAST STOCK REPORT: WEEK TWO

By Anthony Jaskulski

*All stats, unless otherwise noted, are from each teams week one performance, and stock report grades the teams on that lone performance this season.

1) West Virginia 1-0, (0-0), Stock: FALLING

Last game: W 33-20 vs. Liberty

Next game: Sept. 12 vs. East Carolina

Strong Point: The Mountaineers looked like a completely different team from a year ago when converting on 3rd down opportunities. They went 6 of 12 on 3rd down vs. Liberty Saturday, with four of those conversions on the ground.

Area of Improvement: Despite throwing for 243 yards, quarterback Jarrett Brown still has plenty of kinks to work out with his offense. The miscommunication in the second half led to just one touchdown, a 24-yard run. Brown’s execution was nearly invisible throughout the final two quarters vs. Liberty.

Overall Analysis: If Saturday is any indication of how West Virginia is going to play football this year, then tears could be the heaviest precipitation in Morgantown over the next few weeks. Liberty, a Subdivision squad from the Big South Conference, tallied up 299 yards and had possession for over 30 minutes on the Mountaineers defense, despite tallying up 80 yards in penalty’s. Being cynical of a teams performance in week one is as silly as putting a slinky on an escalator. But in the same sense, the stress for improvement is still displayed, and WVU has plenty of work to do as their schedule gets closer and closer to Big East play.
———————–

Read more

BIG EAST FOOTBALL STOCK REPORT: WEEK ONE

By Anthony Jaskulski

Welcome to the first installment of the football edition of the Big East Stock Report. Week by week, Anthony Jaskulski will break down a strong point and an area of improvement from each team in the conference, all while ranking them 1 to 8.

*Stats used this week are from the 2008 season unless otherwise noted.

**As the season begins, stats will be from this, the 2009 year.

***Stock for all teams is level before the season starts.

1. West Virginia 0-0, (0-0), Stock: LEVEL

2008 final record: 9-4, (5-2)

Last game: (2008): W 31-30 in Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. North Carolina

Next game: Sept. 5 vs. Liberty

Read more

2009 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PREVIEW: PITTSBURGH

2009 Big East media favorite will rely on a stout defense in effort for BCS bid this season

By Anthony Jaskulski

The last time the Pittsburgh Panthers took the gridiron versus an opponent it was like two trains on the same track, facing each other and heading for sure disaster.

The only problem was both engines were out of gas and moved…nowhere.

That precisely sums up Pitt and their Sun Bowl bout with the Oregon State Beavers, in which the entire Panthers’ fan base scored just as many points as their favorite team, which was inevitably zero.

But much like the ways of David Bowie, Changes are all around the Panthers program for this upcoming 2009 football season.

The only question is: will those changes be for the better or the worse?

Pitt’s biggest task—without any question—is how to replace two of the biggest names from both sides of the ball in running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy and linebacker Scott McKillop; both in the NFL.

Read more