Big East Football Week 2 Breakdown
The Big East had their signature win with a South Florida win over Notre Dame that pushed them up to a national ranking of 22 in the AP Poll. The Big East now boasts two nationally ranked teams.
Lock of the week: Norfolk St at West Virginia
The Mountaineers enjoyed a 34-13 victory over Marshall despite several weather delays last week. This week they are hosting Norfolk State and look to keep rolling. West Virginia had a perfect balance on offense last week, attempting 26 rushes and 26 passes. The passing offense was more explosive as quarterback Geno Smith threw for 249 yards and two scores. The Mountaineers will likely continue their domination, as Smith will lead them to another victory. Keep an eye on sophomore wide receiver Stedman Baily who reeled in five balls for 79 yards and a touchdown last week. He is the early favorite target for West Virginia. Freshman running back Andrew Buie will look to have a better week after struggling in his first career start, averaging only two yards per carry on 15 attempts.
West Virginia 45 Norfolk State 17
Upset Alert! Rutgers at North Carolina
Rutgers has a lot of talent at the skill positions, and sometimes in college football that is all you need to win. North Carolina has way more talent and many future first round draft choices in the NFL, but in one game anything can happen. This game could be a lot closer than many people expect. Quarterback Chas Dobb is talented, and has solid weapons around him like WR Mohamed Sanu. Freshman running back, Savon Huggins scored two touchdowns last week, despite averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. He will need to run wild if Rutgers has a chance to win this football game.
Game of the Week: Ball State at South Florida
South Florida is fresh off an upset win against Notre Dame and is now hosting a Ball State team that picked up its first win of the year in their first contest as well. They are inspired under new head coach Pete Lembo and this game should be a good battle. South Florida beat Notre Dame despite long weather delays. They were carried by their defense that forced three interceptions. Offensively South Florida was able to grind the clock with their talented running game, relying on backs Demetris Murray and Darrell Scott as well as quarterback B.J. Daniels. This combination, coupled with solid defense, will lead South Florida to their second win.
South Florida 31 Ball State 24
Best of the Rest:
Florida International at Louisville
Louisville beat Murray State soundly, 21-9, to open their season. Junior quarterback Will Stein played great, tossing two scores and racking up 226 yards. He will likely have similar numbers again this week. Another player to keep an eye on is running back Victor Anderson, who scored once and averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Louisville will run away with this game early and never look back.
Louisville 31 Florida International 10
Maine at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh rolled over Buffalo last week, 35-16, and look to do the same damage to Maine. Junior running back, Ray Graham, carried the team last week, racking up over 200 yards and three scores. He averaged an outstanding 6.8 yards per carry on an overwhelming 29 attempts. This will be the same story against Maine.
Pittsburgh 42 Maine 10
Cincinnati at Tennessee
This should be an entertaining game to watch, as both offenses should explode. Cincinnati hung 72 points on Austin Peay in week 1 and is travelling to a tough Tennessee team this week. The Bear Cats will be lead by senior quarterback Zach Collaros who tossed four touchdowns on just 12 attempts last week. This game will be a high scoring affair, but Cincinnati and Zach Collaros will get the job done on the road. Anthony McClung, a sophomore wide receiver, caught two scores last week so watch for him to add a few more this week.
Cincinnati 44 Tennessee 37
Rhode Island at Syracuse
The Orangemen won the game of the week last week, led by senior quarterback Ryan Nassib who threw for three touchdowns and completed 20 of his 28 attempts. Running back Antwon Bailey, also a senior, contributed in a big way, carrying the ball 25 times for 114 yards and two scores. That combination will overwhelm Rhode Island and ‘Cuse wins in blowout fashion.
Syracuse 42 Rhode Island 10
Connecticut at Vanderbilt
Connecticut ran all over Fordham last week and hope to do the same against Vandy. I wouldn’t expect the same ease of domination but still expect Connecticut to run wild. Freshman Lyle McCombs burst onto the college football scene, carrying the ball 24 times for 141 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, and most importantly, crossing the end zone four times. He even tacked on two catches for 17 yards. He is the guy to keep an eye on as Connecticut beats Vanderbilt on the road.
Connecticut 31 Vanderbilt 20
Lock of the Week 1-0
Game of the Week 1-0
Football Week 2 Breakdown Page
