When I am king, you will be first against the wall.
No, not you guys. You're great. Let's share some correspondence, shall we?
Alex from Cincinnati writes: Will somebody please make the case that an undefeated Cincinnati team deserves a spot in the BCS title game over an undefeated Texas? The computers have Cincy way ahead of Texas, and if they win out they will have victories over four ranked teams, including the increasingly impressive road win over Oregon State. Texas has an impressive win over a Dez Bryant-free Oklahoma State and an ugly win over a bad Oklahoma team without Sam Bradford. I know Texas gets the benefit of the doubt because of they have all the tradition, but I think Cincy has a better résumé considering how weak the Big 12 has been (in contrast to the surprisingly good Big East). Isn't all this hype about Texas really just an apology for what happened last year?
Brian Bennett: I get what you're saying, Alex, and believe me, that's something I've been thinking about. The computer rankings speak for themselves. However, let's hold off on this for just a moment. Cincinnati's résumé will be strong after it beats West Virginia and if Pitt can keep winning to force a Top 10 showdown on Dec. 5. If those things happen, someone will make the case that Cincinnati is more deserving than Texas. That someone will be me (even though my boss won't like it).
Dan from Dover, Penn., writes: I know that there hasn't been much talk on the Penn State/Pitt front. But IF Pitt wins the Big East, and wins its BCS game, does that start the talks again from both sides?
Brian Bennett: I actually think the opposite would occur, Dan. It's pretty clear that JoePa doesn't want to play Pitt anytime soon. The last thing, then, that he would want to do is play a surging Panthers team that could beat his Nittany Lions and claim state supremacy. I think you'll just have to wait until Paterno retires. Don't worry. It should only be another 30 years or so.
Mike M. from New Jersey writes: In your Big East stock report post you say that Notre Dame would not be bowl eligible at 6-6. Why is that?
Brian Bennett: It's an NCAA rule, Mike. A 6-6 team can't go ahead of a team with a winning record from the same conference. In this instance, Notre Dame is viewed as part of the Big East. This is why the Irish didn't go to the Sun Bowl at 6-6 last year. Had they been 7-5, they would have gone to El Paso, not Pitt.
Bob from Cincinnati writes: Brian Kelly has announced that Zach Collaros will be starting Friday against West Virginia, but included that Tony Pike would play a role in the game. What's the possibility of seeing the Wildcat formation (which I think should just be called the Bearcat in this case)? How big of a threat would it be to put Collaros in the backfield with Pike under center?
Brian Bennett: I like the thought of that, Bob, and it would be fun to see. But I don't think it will happen, and here's why. With the Wildcat, you're basically putting a running back or receiver under center, bringing the threat of the run to the defense as your quarterback splits out wide from the huddle. Collaros already has the threat of the run every time he's at quarterback, so what would be the point of having him in the game with Pike? You'd basically be taking away an extra receiving or running threat if you split Pike out. And though Collaros can run the ball well, I'm sure Brian Kelly would rather have Isaiah Pead at running back than his other quarterback.
It's a fun idea, though, and I bet Kelly has thought about it at least once.
Nathan from Pittsburgh writes: If both Pitt and Cincy win out, where do you think the two will be ranked when it comes to the Dec. 5 showdown? And what are the chances of Pitt sneaking into BCS title contention?
Brian Bennett: I think Cincinnati's ceiling is No. 4, behind Florida, Alabama and Texas, barring a loss from one of those three. Pitt could climb with wins over Notre Dame and West Virginia, assuming other teams ahead of the Panthers lose. So you could be looking at something like a No. 4 vs. No. 6 situation. I don't see Pitt getting into the title picture. Just too many teams to climb over and not enough marquee wins. The Panthers would need a tremendous amount of chaos over the next couple of weeks to have any shot.
John from Pittsburgh writes: BB, show me a better mustache than than Dave Wannstedt's. I dont think there is one in college football.
Brian Bennett: It's pretty solid. But I'll see your lip fuzz and raise you a full manchu from Pat Hill.
No, not you guys. You're great. Let's share some correspondence, shall we?
Alex from Cincinnati writes: Will somebody please make the case that an undefeated Cincinnati team deserves a spot in the BCS title game over an undefeated Texas? The computers have Cincy way ahead of Texas, and if they win out they will have victories over four ranked teams, including the increasingly impressive road win over Oregon State. Texas has an impressive win over a Dez Bryant-free Oklahoma State and an ugly win over a bad Oklahoma team without Sam Bradford. I know Texas gets the benefit of the doubt because of they have all the tradition, but I think Cincy has a better résumé considering how weak the Big 12 has been (in contrast to the surprisingly good Big East). Isn't all this hype about Texas really just an apology for what happened last year?
Brian Bennett: I get what you're saying, Alex, and believe me, that's something I've been thinking about. The computer rankings speak for themselves. However, let's hold off on this for just a moment. Cincinnati's résumé will be strong after it beats West Virginia and if Pitt can keep winning to force a Top 10 showdown on Dec. 5. If those things happen, someone will make the case that Cincinnati is more deserving than Texas. That someone will be me (even though my boss won't like it).
Dan from Dover, Penn., writes: I know that there hasn't been much talk on the Penn State/Pitt front. But IF Pitt wins the Big East, and wins its BCS game, does that start the talks again from both sides?
Brian Bennett: I actually think the opposite would occur, Dan. It's pretty clear that JoePa doesn't want to play Pitt anytime soon. The last thing, then, that he would want to do is play a surging Panthers team that could beat his Nittany Lions and claim state supremacy. I think you'll just have to wait until Paterno retires. Don't worry. It should only be another 30 years or so.
Mike M. from New Jersey writes: In your Big East stock report post you say that Notre Dame would not be bowl eligible at 6-6. Why is that?
Brian Bennett: It's an NCAA rule, Mike. A 6-6 team can't go ahead of a team with a winning record from the same conference. In this instance, Notre Dame is viewed as part of the Big East. This is why the Irish didn't go to the Sun Bowl at 6-6 last year. Had they been 7-5, they would have gone to El Paso, not Pitt.
Bob from Cincinnati writes: Brian Kelly has announced that Zach Collaros will be starting Friday against West Virginia, but included that Tony Pike would play a role in the game. What's the possibility of seeing the Wildcat formation (which I think should just be called the Bearcat in this case)? How big of a threat would it be to put Collaros in the backfield with Pike under center?
Brian Bennett: I like the thought of that, Bob, and it would be fun to see. But I don't think it will happen, and here's why. With the Wildcat, you're basically putting a running back or receiver under center, bringing the threat of the run to the defense as your quarterback splits out wide from the huddle. Collaros already has the threat of the run every time he's at quarterback, so what would be the point of having him in the game with Pike? You'd basically be taking away an extra receiving or running threat if you split Pike out. And though Collaros can run the ball well, I'm sure Brian Kelly would rather have Isaiah Pead at running back than his other quarterback.
It's a fun idea, though, and I bet Kelly has thought about it at least once.
Nathan from Pittsburgh writes: If both Pitt and Cincy win out, where do you think the two will be ranked when it comes to the Dec. 5 showdown? And what are the chances of Pitt sneaking into BCS title contention?
Brian Bennett: I think Cincinnati's ceiling is No. 4, behind Florida, Alabama and Texas, barring a loss from one of those three. Pitt could climb with wins over Notre Dame and West Virginia, assuming other teams ahead of the Panthers lose. So you could be looking at something like a No. 4 vs. No. 6 situation. I don't see Pitt getting into the title picture. Just too many teams to climb over and not enough marquee wins. The Panthers would need a tremendous amount of chaos over the next couple of weeks to have any shot.
John from Pittsburgh writes: BB, show me a better mustache than than Dave Wannstedt's. I dont think there is one in college football.
Brian Bennett: It's pretty solid. But I'll see your lip fuzz and raise you a full manchu from Pat Hill.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
BIG EAST SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 11/21
Final Louisville 22 South Florida 34 Final/2OT Connecticut 33 Notre Dame 30 Final 25 Rutgers 13 Syracuse 31
BIG EAST TEAM COVERAGE
