Big East Week 8 Breakdown
The Big East only showcases three games this week with two of them on Friday, which is nice for some national exposure. We all know every week in college football is huge, and week 8 is no different. Rutgers appears to be a team to keep an eye on, as they are the second team in the Big East that might be able to slide into the top 25. Thanks to only playing three games, finding the lock of the week, upset alert, and the game of the week were more challenging this week, but bring it on!
Lock of the Week: Rutgers at Louisville
This is a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions. Rutgers is a team that is consistent and getting better each week. Louisville is a team that is plagued with up and down play. Louisville has now dropped three straight games, and is looking to stop the bleeding at home this week. Rutgers is riding a four game winning streak and looking to keep rolling. Rutgers’s stingy defense has been the key to their success so far this season, giving up only 16 points per game, good for 12th in the nation. The offense is led by quarterback Chas Dobb whose favorite target is clearly the talented junior wide out Mohamed Sanu. Sanu has already caught 55 balls this season, including three double digit reception days. In a game against Ohio he reeled in 16 balls, for 176 yards and two scores. This is clearly a guy that Louisville will need to keep in check to win this contest. Look for Rutgers to continue to play great defense, and make just enough offensive plays to win this game handily.
Rutgers 27 Louisville 10
Upset Alert! West Virginia at Syracuse
Syracuse has posted a solid 4-2 record so far this year. Their two losses came at the hands of USC on the road, and at home against Rutgers in double overtime. We all know about that crazy call that cost the Orangemen the win, but they have moved past that and so should we. Syracuse needs to make a statement this year, and there is no better way to do so than toppling the best team in the conference. Despite having a winning record, Syracuse scores fewer points than they give up on average. Usually that is a formula for a long season. Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib will need to continue his smart play, as he has tossed 11 touchdowns to only four picks for Syracuse, to be in this game. West Virginia and their explosive aerial assault, led by junior signal caller Geno Smith, averages 380.5 passing yards and 40.8 points per game. These are eye popping numbers and Syracuse will have their hands full. Sophomore wide receiver Stedman Bailey has emerged as the favorite playmaker, catching a team high five touchdown strikes. To counter the great offensive attack of West Virginia, expect Syracuse to try to run the ball and grind the clock to keep the game close throughout then hope they can make the last play to put them over the top. But if Geno Smith and the rest of the talented Mountaineer offense have anything to do with it, they will not let Syracuse win this football game.
Game of the Week!
Cincinnati at South Florida
The Bearcats are 5-1, and 1-0 in Big East play, South Florida is 4-2 and has yet to win a Big East game in their two attempts. Cincinnati has put up some impressive numbers, averaging 41.7 points per game (11th in the nation) and giving up just 16.5 points per game, which is good for 15th in the nation. However, in Cincinnati’s only real test they were pummeled by Tennessee. This is a great game for them to go out on the road and prove they belong with the rest of the Big East. To walk away with a victory they will need to not only keep up their stingy defense, but continue their great rushing attack. Senior halfback Isaish Pead will have to shoulder the load for the Bearcats to win this game. He has rushed for 624 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season, all while averaging an insane 6.8 yards per carry. South Florida is looking for its first win, after falling in their last two contests, and losing their national ranking. This game would be a great way for them to get back on track. They will need to have a great defensive effort, as well as continuing to have great success running the football. They will need junior running back Darrell Scott to continue to play at a high level if they are going to win this game. Coming into this contest Scott has scored five times and averages 6.2 yards per carry. Interestingly, all five of his touchdowns have come at home, where he is averaging an even more impressive 7.7 yards per rush. South Florida will have their offense clicking, and start to turn their season around with a big win in this game.
South Florida 27 Cincinnati 24
Game of the Week Record: 5-2
Lock of the Week Record: 6-1
