Big East Football Week 5 Breakdown
The Big East still boasts two ranked teams and is kicking off their conference openers with a clash between South Florida and Pittsburgh.
Lock of the Week: Bowling Green at West Virginia
West Virginia is coming off a rough loss to LSU at home and is seeking revenge this week. QB Geno Smith has been impressive all year and looks to explode this week. West Virginia’s plethora of WR’s will be too much for Bowling Green to overcome, as the #18 Mountaineers annihilate a 3-1 Bowling Green team.
West Virginia 42, Bowling Green 13
Upset Alert! Western Michigan at Connecticut
Connecticut and Western Michigan are both 2-1 and this is a good chance for the MAC to show that they can keep up with a BCS conference. Western Michigan’s Alex Carder is an outstanding quarterback and Connecticut will have a tough time stopping him and the Western Michigan offense. However Connecticut’s defense is only allowing 13 ½ points per game, but those numbers are a bit skewed, as they only allowed three points in each of their wins against Fordham and Buffalo. In their losses, against Vanderbilt and Iowa State, they have allowed 24 points. Connecticut will try to keep up their balanced offensive attack. Both quarterback Johnny McEntee and tailback Lyle McCombs need to come up big in order to win in front of their home crowd this week. McCombs is a talented freshman who is averaging 3.7 yards per carry and four scores so far this year.
Game of the Week! South Florida at Pittsburgh
South Florida is finding themselves off to one of the best starts in school history at 4-0 and earning a spot in the national rankings. Pittsburgh is looking the opposite, losing in back to back weeks. This game has a must win feel to it for the Panthers, who would be reeling if they lost a third straight. South Florida has one of the nation’s top offenses, averaging 45 ½ points per game, which is good for 10th in the nation. They are extremely balanced, ranking 23rd in passing and 20th on the ground. South Florida is led by dual threat quarterback B.J. Daniels, who is having a great start to this young season. He has surpassed 1,000 yards through the air, thrown eight touchdowns and only one interception. He has been effective with his feet as well, tacking on 215 yards and two scores with his legs. Pittsburgh will be relying heavily on running back Ray Graham to have a great game. He has rushed for six scores and 508 yards so far this year. His running will not only help the Panthers move the ball, but keep the South Florida offense off the field.
Rutgers at Syracuse
Rutgers is 2-1 and have been putting up very good offensive numbers. Quarterback Chas Dodd is having a monster year, throwing for six touchdowns and 588 yards. Rutgers is averaging 36 points per game and will have to light up the scoreboard if they wish to win this game. Mohmaed Sanu continues to be the favorite target of Dobb, so look for that trend to continue. On the other side of the ball, Ryan Nassib has been productive for the Orangemen tossing nine scores. He needs to keep playing solid football for Syracuse to win this game. In the end, Rutgers’ explosive offense will be too much for Syracuse to contain, as the Scarlet Knights race to their first conference victory of the season.
Rutgers 31, Syracuse 24
Cincinnati at Miami (OH)
The Bearcats have started off hot this year, jumping out to a 3-1 start. Their offense has been outstanding, averaging 49.5 points per game. The Redhawks are winless this year and their struggles will likely continue with the Bearcats. Senior quarterback Zach Collaros is having a very effective and outstanding year, throwing nine scores and only one interception. Expect him to have another monster performance against Miami (OH) as the Bearcats coast to victory.
Cincinnati 52, Miami (OH) 27
Marshall at Louisville
Louisville bounced back from their loss to Florida International two weeks ago with a 24-17 win over Kentucky. Quarterback Will Stein is having a big season leading the Cardinal offense and will likely have another big performance to lead them to victory. The Cardinals defense has been playing great and that trend should continue this week as Louisville notches their third victory.
Louisville 37, Marshall 10
Lock of the Week 4-0
Game of the Week 4-0
