ESPN College Football

Yesterday, I gave you my choices for the top current and all-time villains for every Big East school. You had a lot to say about it as well, and now it's your turn to sound off about those who done you wrong.

Take it away, readers ...

Heldon from Warren, Ohio, writes: I live in Ohio but grew up in West Virginia and think you overlooked Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech on your rivalry list for the entire Big East. What they tried to do to our conference was plain horrible and watching them all go downhill until last year when BC and Tech were decent (hopefully, one-year fluke) has been almost as much fun as watching the Big East hold its own without them.

Brian Bennett: Well, I didn't do a villains list for the Big East as a whole, but that terrible troika would certainly form a strong candidate.

Mike from Pittsburgh writes: Pitt's current Villain: Matt Cavanaugh. Pitt fans love the offense juggernaut we were while he was offensive coordinator (3-0 Oregon State). We also love the quarterbacks he has produced (see Bill Stull and that 5-star stud recruit that is Pat Bostick).

Brian Bennett: I understand some of the frustration with Cavanaugh. Out of fairness, I must point out that Pitt led the Big East in scoring during the regular season.

John A. from Atlanta writes: West Virginia villain: Marvin Graves, Syracuse QB. He started a bench-clearing brawl on the West Virginia sideline by throwing the ball into the back of a West Virginia player's helmet. Fifteen minutes later, half the WVU defense is thrown out of the game and Graves is still playing. Talk about living by the feud, my father STILL hates Syracuse for that reason all these years later!

Brian Bennett: Old grudges die hard.

Adam from Pittsburgh writes: I may be from Pittsburgh, but I'm writing this on behalf of all fans of Big East teams. Our greatest villains over the last several years are the referees. On numerous occasions games have literally been stolen away from each team in this conference by the referees. I'm not even going to list the more obvious gaffes. I know they've talked about seriously addressing the issue -- and maybe they have -- but I pull my hair out over some of the calls that are made. This caliber of officiating wouldn't be tolerated in any other BCS league or the NFL. I know we can all come together on this one. Right?

Brian Bennett: I'm sure you'll find unity. What fan doesn't hate the refs?

Rick from Trinity, N.C., writes: The biggest villans for Louisville have been Big East officials in kicking situations ... onside kick at West Virginia and the UConn "UNfair Catch" Maybe even add the Rutgers FG offside call (which they probably got right). Might as well add Edsall and Schiano for good measure.

Brian Bennett: See?

Karen from Minneapolis writes: I don't think there's any question that the biggest villain for WVU is Rich Rodriguez. Sure, WVU students burn couches, but Rodriguez can incinerate a couch just by looking at it. As I've heard it explained several times, "It's not that he left ... but the way that he didn't." Now, I'm not saying this turncoat is actually the devil, but I happen to live in Minneapolis and last fall, Michigan played the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Metrodome ... and there was the distinct stench of brimstone in the air the entire time Rodriguez was in town.

Brian Bennett: Wow, and here I thought people from Minnesota were supposed to be nice.

Joe from West Virginia writes: Here's a little help on villiains... In my opinion, the biggest villain to Big East football would have to be Notre Dame. Considering that they involve themselves in everything Big East except football, where they not only remain independent but actually "rob" Big East teams from bowl games (when ND is coached by someone other than Weis that is), they have became a common enemy for just about every Big East team. I am a huge WVU fan, and Pitt is hard to root for, except when they play Notre Dame. I can honestly say that I have no problem rooting for anyone playing Notre Dame any given week. Also, my favorite moment last year (outside WVU) has to be Syracuse beating the Irish in South Bend.

Brian Bennett: I'm guessing you're not Catholic, Joe.

Ryan from Tampa writes: For South Florida, my vote goes to WVU. Playing WVU has real bowl implications for the Bulls and we seem to go back and forth every year. The atmosphere here at USF for game night -- home or away -- is intense. Second choice is Rutgers, as they sure are a thorn in our side every year.

Brian Bennett: Third choice, Cincinnati. Fourth choice, Louisville. Fifth choice, Pitt ...

Tom M. from Higganum, Conn., writes: As a long time UConn fan and season ticket holder, the number one villian of the football program is clearly (Boston College athletic director) Gene DeFillippo.

Brian Bennett: I'll make sure he takes you off his Christmas card list.

Robert the Rug Guy from Wendell, N.C., writes: Bruce Carter of North Carolina invades UConn on Sept. 13. Last year at Chapel Hill, Carter was credited with blocking three consecutive UConn punts. Bruce Carter an early-season villain for UConn!

Brian Bennett: Somebody should block that guy.

Darien C. from Syracuse writes: For Syracuse University's villain, how about Paul Pasqualoni/George DeLeone and the 3-And-Out Offense they ran the last four years of their tenure? If not him, then maybe the old Penn State or SU/Colgate rivalry.

Brian Bennett: Putting the hate on Colgate. I was always more of a Crest guy, anyway.

Dan L. from Lynchburg, Va., writes: Rutgers villain: The Star-Ledger. Nothing makes this newspaper happier than to write long reports on how corrupt Rutgers football is. They also love to see Rutgers lose.

Brian Bennett: Ouch. There are a lot of really fine journalists at that paper. And Tony Soprano read it daily. Ought to count for something.