ESPN College Football

There weren't a lot of letters from Big East fans after Saturday's games. Maybe they're in hiding.

BJ from Tampa writes: Brian, in a football world where parody is more evident everyday, we see teams like East Carolina beating Virginia Tech and WVU, App State beating Michigan, Boise State beating Oklahoma etc. So although it may have not been too impressive, why do the USF Bulls drop 2 spots in the rankings for WINNING a close game at last year's C-USA champion UCF Knights? Last year's game was not a good indicator of what caliber team UCF was, and I think fans were expecting another blowout, but that shouldn't be the case...And if the Bulls pull out a win vs. Kansas this friday, do you see them jumping up in the polls, or do they need a convincing win to move anywhere?

Brian Bennett: Unfortunately, I think the Bulls fell victim a little bit to the Big East's horrible start, which is more parody than parity. Guilt by association, if you will. I agree that people may have underestimated how tough that game was, on the road against a fired-up and scorned rival. But the rankings aren't that important right now. And if the Bulls beat Kansas, which is No. 13, they'll move right up and be in a favorable spot.

John from Palm Bay, Fla., writes: Everyone is writing off WVU after being stomped by a good ECU team. What do you think their chances of winning the Big East are now?

Brian Bennett: I'm not as high on them as I was when I picked them to win the league in the preseason. I think South Florida is the team to beat now. But really, this league race still looks wide open, and assuming the Mountaineers can fix their defensive issues and figure out their offensive identity (where's Noel Devine?), they will have a lot to say still. Don't forget that South Florida has to go to Morgantown in December.

J Miller from Seattle writes: Randy Edsall probably never played sports before. That or his parents would beat him for playing as a kid. Does he want the players to be emotionless? My brother and I were jumping around my living room when Jake crossed the goal line. I am suprised the Pac 10 officials did'nt move them back further because Husky fans may have been celebrating at home. We were discussing whether we should go for two or not and then saw the referees marching us back 15 yards. I did'nt know what happened. I thought I missed a fight or something. Baffling call.

Brian Bennett: I like Randy Edsall a lot. I happen to disagree with him here. He is right that the rule is clearly stated and that it's a point of emphasis this year. I just don't think it should be called. I hate the very idea of celebration penalties. Flag someone for obvious, unsportsmanlike conduct. But let players have fun and show their emotion. That's what I love about college sports, and let's not legislate the passion out of them.

Matt from Saratoga, N.Y., writes: Big East! Rocks! But don't you think the Big East needs another contender or a pretender with a big name? With WVU being embarrassed by ECU...I think we need some more teams. Notre Dame should join the conference, lose their independence and get it on with South Florida, WV, UConn and others just like in Basketball. We would have a stronger conference and get more TV dollars.

Brian Bennett writes: Did you see the San Diego State game, Matt? I'm not sure adding Notre Dame would help the Big East's problems right now.

JME from Parts Unknown writes: Go ahead and jump off WVU's bandwagon, just like EVERYONE else. We had an off game, lost a lot of players and WILL be back. Pat White will not have a losing senior season. BLOG THAT.

Brian Bennett: I don't think anyone believes the Mountaineers will have a losing season. But the national title dream is on life support.

Steve from Minot writes: A little early to count the Big East out. Don't be surprised when this season turns around for several Big East teams. Pitt is going to be much better in October and WVU and South Florida can run with anybody on most days. Early season upsets are not as big a surprise as they once were. The Big East might be the worst conference right now but there is still time.

Brian Bennett: I agree. The first two weeks will all be forgotten if South Florida can beat Kansas, West Virginia can beat Colorado and Auburn, Pittsburgh beats Iowa and Notre Dame, etc. I wouldn't bank on all those, though. The Big East needs another strong bowl season, too.

Fadi from Oklahoma City writes: Tim Griffin said on his Big XII blog that he recommended Johnnies Charcoal Broiler to you. Two questions... 1. Did he take my advice and recommend other local places in Norman?? Johnnies is alright, but it's no J-Pats Burgers 2. How often do you guys actually read these messages you get from people? Nice articles by the way on the OU-Cincinnati game.

Brian Bennett: Fadi, I ended up staying in Oklahoma City because of a lack of full-service Marriotts in Norman, and I enjoyed myself in Bricktown. I was too busy on Saturday to see a lot of Norman, but the campus and the stadium were quite nice. Next time I'll take your suggestion. Oh, and I can only speak for myself here, but I read every message that comes into my mailbag and try to respond to as many as I can, either here or through e-mail replies.

Miller from Las Vegas writes: Why didn't WVU throw the ball down the field? Total change from one week ago.

Brian Bennett: Part of it was the East Carolina defense was a whole lot better than Villanova. I was more disappointed in the running game. Seemed like a lot of Pat White on his own, instead of the devastating option-read from years past.

Dion from Temple City, Calif., writes: I enjoy your work. You said that it is too early to get excited about anybody. Yes. Oklahoma looked good considering the 1st team D only gave up two scores to a good offensive squad. But don't you agree that the pollsters and coaches got a little too excited about USC over Virginia? I mean can the average Joe name a Virginia player?

Brian Bennett: I've heard a lot of questions about how USC jumped Georgia in the polls after the first week. Here's my take (and no, I don't have a vote in the polls): Preseason ballots were due in early August. After that, Georgia had some injuries, including losing its left tackle. I believe if the poll was done in late August, USC probably would have been No. 1. Add to that a very impressive opening performance, on the road vs. an ACC team, and there you go. But USC's game against Ohio State is the key test.

Jennifer from Parts Unknown writes: Just a note on the "not" out of bounds call during the 1st quarter of the WVU/ECU game...OK, so if Pat White's right hand being out of bounds doesn't make the ball out of play because he's a left handed QB, does that mean he can also be considered still inbounds if he steps out with his right foot? After all, if he's left handed, doesn't that make him left footed also? What a joke!

Brian Bennett: Bad call, I agree. I saw a similar one in the Oklahoma-Cincinnati game, and the officials got it right after a review. But, the score was 24-3. One call doesn't change that outcome.

Russ from Atlanta writes: I need a ticket to the Louisville/WVU game, can you help me out?

Brian Bennett: R
uss, I think ticket prices dropped Saturday afternoon.

Andrew from Hartford, Conn.: You said that "Even Randy Edsall admits Connecticut is not the flashiest or the most talented team in the Big East. Nothing wrong with that. I can't make much of a judgment on UConn from a game against Hofstra. And really, you want to use Temple as a measuring stick?" I read your blog almost daily, and its seems you either don't like/respect UConn all too much or they just aren't "flashy" enough to talk about. Now I would agree that they aren't flashy, but with so many returning starters, a SMART QB (who contrary to last weeks showing usually doesn't throw many INTS), two great RB's with different styles, and a very solid defense (Which should be ranked higher than 3rd in conference, see our runs allowed and turnover ratios from last year), shouldn't last years results be a decent measuring stick for how they will perform this year? I personally feel as though a reliance on your offense and passing game in particular is more inconstant than a team that pounds the ball and doesn't allow many runs. So what will it take for UConn to earn your respect???

Brian Bennett: Andrew, I have tons of respect for UConn. Yes, they win a lot of close games that sometimes aren't pretty, but you know what? Teams that keep doing that aren't lucky. They're just good. I really admire what Edsall has been able to accomplish there without a natural recruiting base. Does that mean I think Connecticut is a Top 15 team? Not really. But I did rank them second in my Big East power poll this week. Look for a story on Donald Brown in the next day or two. He's off to a fantastic start.

K Lawless from Chicago writes: What I want to know is, how come UConn seems to be lauded for a nine win season last year, when TWO of their games were handed to them by the officials? Temple and Louisville were NOT games that UConn one, they were HORRIBLE CALLS - I think this needs much more attention - UConn is WAY over rated - they can not play with the big dogs yet... Your thoughts on this?

Brian Bennett: Easy there, K. You're going to make people think we don't respect the Huskies.

Poca from Parts Unknown writes: WVU over ECU 31-24? Come on show some respect. WVU gets no credit from the ESPN people. They have one of the best offenses in the nation. You say less passing lanes for Pat White. Well, who cares that means more running room for him and Devine. Devine put up small numbers last week as you said but only because Villanova was playing 8 or 9 in the box. Va Tech was over rated they have a hugh QB issue and we all know you cant win football games unless you have a solid QB, which by the way WVU has. Show some respect!

Brian Bennett: I love it. I pick West Virginia to win a game in which they got crushed (at least I got the 24 right), and I'm accused of not giving the Mountaineers enough respect. The streak lives!

Ben from Raleigh, N.C., writes: Hi Brian, I think East Carolina is the best choice for the 9th Big East team. Some of the reasons; a great fan base who travels (they brought 30,000 to Charlotte last weekend when they beat the ACC Champs Va Tech). They have a higher attendance that many of the current BE schools. They would give the BE a footprint in ACC territory. ECU has a great AD and coach who understand the importance of football. This is a football first school. ECU has established some good rivalries with many of the BE schools over the years. Their geography is a perfect fit between Florida and the Northeast. The Pirates are on the rise and would love to join the BE. The BE would be wise to make the move and add another quality team to the football side.

Brian Bennett: Hey, Ben, wouldn't the Big East be a step down for the Pirates right now?