ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

You've got (Big East) mail.

Greg J from Washington, D.C. writes: I'm a big fan of the blog. I'd like to see some more questions fielded about Syracuse, so here are a few I hope you'll answer. Despite staggering to an 0-2 start, the same record as this time last year, there's a prevailing sense among Syracuse fans that this team is far improved on last year's unit. But we know that won't matter much if the Orange doesn't turn that into wins, which is hard to do when the offense can't produce. The Orange offense was pretty nonexistent on Saturday in Happy Valley, but how much of that can be chalked up to inherent flaws and how much to the superior Penn State defense? What do you see as the key factors that need to come together for this unit to produce against Northwestern? Finally, how much would a win on Saturday mean to this program? Merely a good start, or a much-needed confidence booster? Thanks for your responses and keep up the good work!

Brian Bennett: Always happy to talk Syracuse, and luckily there is renewed interest in the program now that Doug Marrone was in charge. As far as the offense goes, yes, it has been struggling. Marrone said after the Penn State game that his goal was to keep things conservative, run the ball and try have a chance in the fourth quarter of a low-scoring game. That didn't quite work.

The Orange offense is being led by a quarterback with no college experience, the offensive line is not great and there are no real playmakers at receiver right now other than Mike Williams. As Greg Paulus learns more and more, more possibilities will open up for the offense. But this is a young team that's just going to need time to grow. I'm not sure it's going to be a high-scoring attack at any point this year. The good news is that the defense is surprisingly solid.

Marrone has talked about simplifying things for this weekend against Northwestern, and I think that's a good idea. He's got two good backs in Delone Carter and Antwon Bailey, so let them go to work and take an occasional shot downfield. If the Orange can get the win, I think it would be a good momentum builder, because this is the start of a long homestand. I do believe they will surprise a team or two in the Big East this season.

Bern from Marietta, Ohio, writes: Hey, I love the blog and I check it everyday. OK now that youu have heard that for the millionth time I have three questions. Do you now think the Big East is much better than the ACC? Two, who is your favorite for the Big East now? Three is, who do you think is the most underrated team in the Big East. I think either UConn or WVU. WVU is getting at least some votes but they should be ranked. Sure they have a lot of kinks, but Jarrett Brown and Noel Devine can't be stopped, knock on wood, and UConn almost beat UNC and should have. They are a lot better than anyone gives them credit for.

Brian Bennett: Three for the price of one, eh Bern? I like your moxie.

Is the Big East "much better" than the ACC? I wouldn't say that. I think the two leagues are pretty even, for the most part. The ACC is deeper from top to bottom, but it also has four more teams. Those at the bottom, like Duke and Virginia, are bad and would be bad in the Big East. Those at the top, like Virgnia Tech and Miami, would probably be lading candidates to win the Big East. We're going to get some more Big East/ACC matchups next week, with Rutgers at Maryland, Pitt at NC State and South Florida at Florida State, so stay tuned.

As far as my favorite for the Big East, Cincinnati is clearly the team to beat simply because it is 1-0 right now. But West Virginia and Pitt are right there as well, in my opinion. And underrated teams? I'd have to go with West Virginia. The Mountaineers aren't getting talked about a lot nationally, but they have the potential to be really good. Speaking of which ...

Chuck S. from Fredericksburg, Va., writes: I sent you a message yesterday with Jarrett Brown's numbers and asked why WVU gets no national love. JB seems to be replacing Pat White just fine so the argument that we had to replace him to be any good seems moot now. ... When he beats Auburn this weekend will you and your buddies at ESPN show WVU and JB some love?

Brian Bennett: Hey, I've been aboard the Jarrett Brown train since the spring. I've done nothing but shower him with compliments and have always said quarterback would not be a problem for West Virginia this year. So I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about, because Brown has gotten plenty of "love" from this corner. He's starting to get a lot more notice nationally as well, which will only increase if he has a big game at Auburn. And pro scouts are noticing too. This kid has a bright future.

Steven S from Bloomington, Ind., writes: I know this is some serious dreaming, but let's say IF Cincinnati can somehow run the table this season and go undefeated, hypothetically would the Cats get a shot at the BCS Title game or would they get the shaft like Utah last year since Cincy is in a weaker conference?

Brian Bennett: I get emails like this all the time, from fans of all schools, so let me just point something out here. I know we all like to daydream and play the what-if scenarios, but it's Week 2. If you want to start talking about going undefeated when your team is 7-0 or maybe even 6-0, then fine. But not 2-0. Only two teams in the entire country went undefeated in the regular season last year; it's really hard to do. The Big East is so balanced that it's going to be very difficult for any team to go through it unscathed. So just cool your jets on that talk for now, and enjoy the journey.

Mike from Spencer, W.Va., writes: WHY is it the Big East is 7-2 against the SEC and we still don't get respect?

Brian Bennett: Not sure what time frame you're using for that record there, Mike, but I do know this: the Big East's recent wins over SEC teams have mostly been against teams like Auburn (twice), Mississippi State (twice) and Kentucky. The biggest wins were West Virginia's over Georgia in the 2006 Sugar Bowl and South Florida's at Auburn two years ago. You're not going to turn a lot of heads or change opinions unless you're taking on Florida, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee and the like.

Chris M from Toronto, writes: Hi, Brian. Big Rutgers fan up here in Toronto. I have attended all three International Bowls to date (including the one with RU!). It sounds like Toronto might be dropped (over the Papa John's Bowl?) in the new Big East bowl line-up. Any chance the International Bowl can retain its status by hosting a team from the MAC and a team from the Big Ten?

Brian Bennett: Hey, Chris. Save a Molson for me. I have to confess ignorance on what the International Bowl is going to do, but you're right that the Big East is pulling out. I would have liked it if the Big East got out of both the International and Papajohns.com bowls, but at least the Birmingham game may keep an SEC opponent on the other side. Playing a MAC team in Canada in January just doesn't do much for the Big East, though I hear nothing but wonderful things about Toronto.

Ian from Pittsburgh writes: Can Pitt ever make a run at the national title like WVU did in '07? Does their pro-style offense hinder that possibility? The majority of the schools at the top of the polls every year seem to run a version of the spread that make Pitt look pedestrian.

Brian Bennett: Ever? Sure. There can be a magical year here or there. I don't think the style of offense is a problem. Alabama runs a pro-style offense, and it does all right. USC basically does, as well. Ohio State won a national title this decade without the spread, and LSU isn't exactly wide open on offense. As always, it's the players, not the scheme.

Ryan W from Cincinnati writes: Do you sleep?? Just wanted to say that following your blog has been great, keep up the great work ... Following every team in the conference that in depth, writing these stories, responding to posts, and all the while balancing the coverage pretty well can't be easy.

Brian Bennett: Sleep is for the offseason.