">
Week One Predictions
Week One is almost upon us. Everyone has a clean slate. Finally months of speculation can be replaced with tangible proof on the gridiron. I’m going to try and fill this space every week with some predictions on how the Big East teams will fair. No fancy simulators involved, no NCAA ’10 as fallback, just pure predicting prowess from what will most assuredly look foolish once the week is over. All odds listed will be the line from the day of the write-up here. Should be a pretty straight forward few weeks in the conference as most teams will be feasting on FCS or lightweight FBS schools. Let’s have some fun with this, here we go!
Last week: N/A Overall: 0-0
Saturday, Sept. 5
Minnesota at Syracuse (ESPN2, Noon): Line - Minn -6.5;O/U 47. Obviously a game of intense local interest. I won’t divulge my pick until the preview tomorrow – sorry about that! Stay tune for the indepth preview.
Connecticut at Ohio: Line – UConn -3.5;O/U 47. The Huskies hit the road for the opener, in a rare BCS team traveling to a non BCS opponent. First chance to see how the new no huddle operates. I say they limit their overall packages based on this opponent. The spread is surprisingly close for a 4-8 MAC foe. Take the Huskies 31-17.
Youngstown State at Pittsburgh: Line – none available. Should be an easier opener for the Panthers than the Bowling Green debacle last year. All eyes will be on Bill Stull who Wanny didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement at QB. Take the Panthers 38-10.
Liberty at West Virginia: Line – none available. Again another tepid opening game opponent. WV runs the 2nd unit liberally in the second half. Mountaineers roll 48-14.
Wofford at South Florida: Line – none available. Wofford is actually a winning program of sorts in the FCS, expected to be fodder to USF. Bulls big 56-17.
Indiana State (0-1) at Louisville: Line – none available. Boy UofL really reached for this opener. ISU couldn’t even subdue an NAIA opponent in their opener last week. The Cards will look like world beaters in this one. Cardinals 70-3.
Monday, Sept. 7
Cincinnati at Rutgers (ESPN, 4 p.m.): Line – Rutgers -5.5;O/U 48.5. Marquee game of the week. We get a good idea right off the bat how the Big East race will shape up. Brian Kelly has been down playing the offense of Cincinnati and boosting the prospects of the defense. Greg Schiano has refused to name the starting qb, although he has named the starter. Should be a packed house in the expanded Piscataway arena. I think the game will come down to who can play mistake free. I am going with Bearcats based on the inevitable pressure that either Natale or Savage will face at QB. Bearcats 24-17.
