Big East: Week 9 picks
Well, now, this is just getting ridiculous.
I haven't missed a game in a month. In the last four weeks, I'm a perfect 17-0. So take these picks, run to Vegas and bet your life savings on them.*
(*Do not, under any circumstances, actually do this.)
Friday
West Virginia 28, South Florida 20: The Bulls have had as much success as anybody in the Big East in slowing down the Mountaineers offense the past few years. But the South Florida defense is a mess right now after allowing 75 points in the last two games. I have a hard time believing it can flip a switch and shut down what has become a very balanced attack by West Virginia. The Bulls are desperate for a win and will be playing at home on Friday night. Yet I think their confidence is shaken right now, and Noel Devine will test their resolve even further.
Saturday
Cincinnati 35, Syracuse 17: Tony Pike or no Tony Pike, the Bearcats shouldn't have to sweat this one. They've averaged 41 points a game against the Orange under Brian Kelly, and that Carrier Dome turf should provide a good track for the athletes in their spread offense. After this win, Cincinnati should only fall another two spots or so in the BCS standings.
Connecticut 20, Rutgers 13: I can't imagine UConn losing this game in its first home appearance since Jasper Howard's death. Rutgers doesn't have the offensive firepower to do much against the Huskies' sound defense, which should stuff Joe Martinek and the running game. UConn's passing game is slowly coming together behind Cody Endres.
Louisville 17, Arkansas State 14: I said all during the preseason that this could be a potential upset. Arkansas State certainly proved its spoiler potential by nearly winning at Iowa. If the Cardinals lose this one, Steve Kragthorpe may not survive the weekend. But I think they'll rally some pride, knowing there aren't many potential wins left on the schedule. It won't be pretty, though.
Last week: 5-0
Season: 40-6 (87 percent).
After a couple of ho-hum weeks in the Big East, we have a four-game slate full of intrigue. I honestly couldn't tell you who will win at least three of these matchups. Of course, the way my predictions have gone this season, I guess I could say that every week.
TONIGHT
West Virginia 21, Auburn 19: I still believe West Virginia is sitting on a breakout game somewhere. Three touchdowns might not seem like an offensive outburst, but that would qualify as major progress against a terrific Auburn defense. The Mountaineers defense should contain the Tigers' putrid offense. I'm betting that Pat White has a big night against the team from his home state and renews a little pride for his adopted state.
SATURDAY
Cincinnati 24, Connecticut 17: This is a tough one to pick without knowing the status of UConn quarterback Zach Frazer's head injury. We might find out more later today. If the Huskies are forced to go with third-string quarterback Cody Endres, their offense will find it difficult to keep up with Cincinnati unless Donald Brown really goes nuts. It's not like Connecticut has been lighting it up even with Frazer, scoring just 22 points in its last two games, and Cincinnati has one of the best defenses in the league.
South Florida 34, Louisville 24: I'm picking against history here, as the last two times the Bulls have come to Papa John's, they've been thrashed by a combined score of 72-17. But I think this South Florida team is ready to change that trend, especially with a healthy George Selvie on defense and all the weapons Matt Grothe has on offense. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Cardinals win here. Yet they've been too inconsistent and mistake-prone in big games this year for me to believe they can beat perhaps the league's most talented team.
Pittsburgh 21, Rutgers 10: Dave Wannstedt and Greg Schiano are good friends who used to coach together on the Chicago Bears. So there are few secrets between the two, and they'll both field similarly hard-nosed teams on Saturday. Schiano's defense has been outstanding the past few weeks, and it should at least slow down the red-hot LeSean McCoy at Heinz Field. How will the Scarlet Knights score, though? They've managed just one touchdown in each of their past two games and are averaging 13 points a game this year against FBS opponents. That won't be nearly enough against Pitt, which will snap its three-game losing streak in this series.
Last week: 3-1
Season results: 29-14 (67.4 percent)
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
