Brian Bennett

  (12:59 PM)

I've come here today to defend the honor of the Big East. OK, not really. Here are the numbers: 8-7 overall, 3-7 vs. FBS opponents, 0-3 vs BCS conference opponents with those three losses coming by 20, 23 and 17 points. That's, um, not good.

Brian Bennett

  (12:59 PM)

But, it is early. Yeah, let's go with that.

Victor, New York, NY

Is Mike Ford going to play for USF? I think they will need him to win and God knows the Big East needs this one bad.

Brian Bennett

  (1:00 PM)

Victor, Jim Leavitt said yesterday that both Ford and Ben Williams were still getting treatment on their ankles and not able to practice. So it doesn't look good. But I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of them gives it a go.

Gary (Syracuse)

Do you see Greg Robinson being replaced mid season or will the assured firing take place at year end?

Brian Bennett

  (1:02 PM)

I'm going to write about the Robinson situation later today. It's looking harder and harder for him to make it through the season after that Akron fiasco. I'm thinking a change could be made by October, sooner if the Orange doesn't beat Northeastern

Justin West Virginia

Do you think it is West Virginia's youth on the field or off ( coaching staff ) the field that is hurting them right now?

Brian Bennett

  (1:03 PM)

A little of both, Justin. The defense is very young, which I tried to warn you about in August. There's just no easy way to go about replacing seven defensive starters. (Eight if you count Reed Williams). I don't think this coaching staff is young. But I wasn't thrilled about the offensive game plan vs. ECU. Where's the read option? Where's Noel Devine?

Eddie (Coral Springs, FL)

Do you think all this Big East auto-bid talk goes away if South Florida beats Kansas handily? Or do you think everyone will just say Kansas is a mid-tier Big 12 team?

Brian Bennett

  (1:05 PM)

I haven't heard any talk about the Big East losing its bid. Remember: 3-0 in BCS bowls since the reshuffling. If anybody should have its bid taken away, it's the ACC. I think a USF win will help, but I doubt the general public is sold on Kansas as a longterm power. The more important game, I think, is WVU-Auburn.

Heffe (Chicago)

Any chance Louisville can find a way into the hunt for a big east title this season?

Brian Bennett

  (1:05 PM)

This year, anybody can. I still think it's a longshot, but they've got a lot of home games.

Ali: Austin, TX

Overall, the Big East seems to be the most mediocre of BCS conferences...which team in the Big East do you expect to progress the furthest up the Bowl Food Chain, and does ANY Big East team have a chance at a BCS bid?

Brian Bennett

  (1:06 PM)

Well, they're getting a bid, because it's automatic for the conference champ. Right now, South Florida has the best chance to make national noise. Maybe the only chance.

Frank Jersey City

Would we be saying how bad the Big East was if Pitt was playing to their potential? Is Wannstedt in trouble?

Brian Bennett

  (1:06 PM)

That would help, wouldn't it Frank? But I also think in some ways the Big East lives and dies by West Virginia still. And Louisville's slump hasn't helped either.

Will J (Portland, OR)

How is South Florida as good as they are? Competing against 3 other high profile BCS schools, in their own state, as well as other SEC programs, there should be no way for S. Florida to complete with WV, Pitt, Louisville, or Rutgers for the Big East title.

Brian Bennett

  (1:07 PM)

There's an awful lot of talent in Florida, Will, which is why everybody recruits there. With FSU and Miami not as strong as in the past, USF has come along at a great time. Playing in Tampa and at Raymond James is attractive as well

Washington, DC

When will the Big East invite ECU to join?

Brian Bennett

  (1:09 PM)

As I say in mailbag for later today, wouldn't the Big East be a step down for the Pirates right now? All kidding aside, they would make a great football addition. But are they willing to be a football-only member, because there is no room for another basketball school.

Steve (Storrs, CT)

with west virginia losing along with cincinatti. Rutgers and Louisvilli are down, do u feel that this could be the year for UConn to win there 2nd Big East Championship considering they have virtually the same team back from last year.?

Brian Bennett

  (1:10 PM)

Wouldn't surprise me one bit if they pulled it off, Steve. But they'll have to play a little sharper than what we've seen these first two weeks. At some point, you have to pass the ball to win.

Mitchell (Springdale, Ark)

Who's the dark horse of the Big East?

Brian Bennett

  (1:11 PM)

They all look pretty dark to me right now. I don't know. Hard to call UConn a dark horse, since they were co-champs last year. I still think Rutgers is much better than what we saw against Fresno. Let's see what it does Thursday against UNC.

Mark Mangino(Kansas)

How much of a factor do you think the weather will play in friday nights game, any chance it turns the game into a ground battle? Obviously the jayhawks weakness at the moment.

Brian Bennett

  (1:12 PM)

Glad to have you, Mark. Love the shades. I'm not sure USF wants just a ground game, with Ford and Williams nicked up. They're better when Grothe can run around and make plays with his feet and his arm.

Joe (WV)

Who do think was or is the most overerrated team in the Big East so far? Underrated (if such a team exists)?

Brian Bennett

  (1:13 PM)

Overrated: Pitt, by far (and by me). With West Virginia second. Underrated: I can't call anybody underrated right now, though UConn being picked sixth looks pretty dumb.

Mike (New Britain, Ct)

If Donald Brown Keeps up the pace that he is on can he develop some Heisman buzz?

Brian Bennett

  (1:14 PM)

He should, Mike. I'm going to be writing about Donald this week. Just got off the phone with him a little while ago. He's the offensive MVP of the Big East after 2 weeks.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Brian, ECU could do that, it's not too dissimilar to what the school formerly known as Notre Dame is doing.

Brian Bennett

  (1:14 PM)

Notre Dame isn't like any other school. Unless ECU signs an exclusive basketball deal with NBC ...

Harold (Cincinnat, OH)

How do you see the UC QB situation playing out? Is Tony Pike good enough to keep UC in contention?

Brian Bennett

  (1:15 PM)

Pike has a good arm, but he's inexperienced and from what I saw of him in practice, he doesn't make the best decisions. But I believe in Brian Kelly's ability to make a QB look better than he is. Who was Ben Mauk this time a year ago? Getting Demetrius Jones to play a little would help, too.

Johnson, FL

I know the Big East need to really start playing big name school's around the Country. I know USF will start playing the Gators in 2010. But are there any contracts being made to really get a big annual out of conference games out there for any of the Big east teams to show their strength?

Brian Bennett

  (1:17 PM)

Connecticut just signed a deal with Tennessee. West Virginia's playing Auburn. Big East schools appear willing, but it's hard to get the big boys to play a nonconference game, especially a home and home. Everybody wants those guarantee games now.

Chad Bailey (Tampa)

Will the Big East's three game BCS bowl game winning streak come to an end this year?

Brian Bennett

  (1:17 PM)

Who knows? It's only September. Wouldn't it be fitting if the Big East and ACC met in a BCS game though?

Jason tampa

I got this one Brian. WVU has contracts with Auburn, Fl State, Michigan state coming up in the next few year.

Brian Bennett

  (1:17 PM)

Exactly.

Adam (Syracuse, NY)

Will SU be able to beat Northeastern or is a winless season very possible?

Brian Bennett

  (1:18 PM)

If they don't, they're definitely going winless. They should beat Northeastern, of course, but you can say Syracuse will beat anyone with any certainty?

Jason (Tampa)

Do you think the WVU/ECU game was just a bad game and a perfect game by ECU or is WVU in trouble? I still think WVU wins the Big east! The refs didn't help at all in that game either.

Brian Bennett

  (1:19 PM)

Make no mistake, ECU is good and played a great game. They knew what to expect, having played the Mountaineers almost every year. But West Virginia has some problems to fix. I think they'll still be a major factor.

TUS (Louisville, KY)

How bad do you think Louisville will be this year.

Brian Bennett

  (1:19 PM)

The Cardinals showed a bit of life against Tennessee Tech, as bad as that opponent was. I'm reserving judgment until the K-State game.

Chad (Savannah, GA)

Refs???? Really the refs had something to do with WVU only scoring 3 points? What a homer.

Brian Bennett

  (1:20 PM)

Thanks, Chad. I meant to point that out but forgot. You don't blame the refs when you lose by 21. It was never close.

Steve (Storrs, CT)

After last years season and the same team back this, a potential all american running back (donald brown) why is uconn stilllll getting NO RESPECT!!???

Brian Bennett

  (1:21 PM)

Hard to get respect when you beat Hofstra and nip Temple in overtime. But hang on. Beat Virginia and Baylor to get to 4-0, and the attention will trickle in.

Joshua - Pittsburgh

I just cant help but think that WVU hiring Stewart is the same blasted decision that Michigan State made when they hired Bobby Williams. This ain't gonna end well, especially when Rodriguez is winning 11 games a season in 2010 and beyond in Ann Arbor.

Brian Bennett

  (1:21 PM)

Certainly there have been examples of battlefield promotions not working out so well. But Stewart is only three games in. Let's give him more time.

Jason (Hamilton OH)

Hey Brian, how bad is it going to get for UC after Grutza went down?

Brian Bennett

  (1:22 PM)

They're going to take a little step back offensively. But here's the good news: the next four Saturdays look like this: Bye, Miami of Ohio, Akron, and Marshall. So they can hold it together.

Jeremy( wv)

I realize we dont deserve any respect right now but how bad do we have to beat CU to start earning back some respect.

Brian Bennett

  (1:23 PM)

Just worry about winning, not the margin. If they're 5-1 in the Auburn game and pull that off, the 'eers couldl be back in the top 10 range.

Jason (Tampa)

Not trying to argue but did you watch the game? PW fumble which WVU didn't review because there was no TV in the press box. 4th and 1 and the qb gets hit in the backfield before he gets from underneath center and they get a 1st. Phanton PI call. I am not saying it is why they lost, but it was bad!

Brian Bennett

  (1:24 PM)

I didn't say that wasn't a bad call. But it was 24-3, Jason. One or two calls don't swing things that much. If you're a good team, you overcome adversity and make your own luck. No whining!

Steve (Storrs, CT)

They still should have been getting some pre season respect, you cant judge this team off the temple game because remember last year uconn almost lost to temple and had the bestseason in their existance. How do u think UConn mathces up against a down virginia team this year? USF barely held on against USF, do u think USF will go undefeated in the big east this year?

Brian Bennett

  (1:26 PM)

UConn should have beaten a much better Virginia team on the road last year, so they should be favored at home. And no, I don't think USF gets through unscathed.

michael( vidalia,ga)

who wins right now georgia or florida?

Brian Bennett

  (1:26 PM)

They're playing right now? What am I doing in this chat? Get me a TV!

Chad (Savannah, GA)

With all the complaining about scheduling shouldn't every BCS conference be lining up to play the Big East in OOC games?

Brian Bennett

  (1:27 PM)

Sure, but again, the big boys don't want to give up any home games. They'd be glad to have a Big East team come to their place without a return. Should have mentioned Cincinnati's series with Oklahoma earlier, as well. And Louisville, which has been trying like crazy to get big names to play a home and home, has a deal with Georgia.

Justin (Chicago)

most.depressing.chat.ever. How bad is this team? Who isn't overrated? How bad of a job is so and so doing? Why did we only score 3 points? Is this the lowest point for the conference ever?

Brian Bennett

  (1:29 PM)

Nope, that would be the day in 2005 when Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech were all gone.

jason (louisville, ky)

Have you had a chance to see the Ernie Davis movie "The Express". The world premere is this weekend in the 'Cuse and it should give some pride back to the program.

Brian Bennett

  (1:30 PM)

I have not seen it, but I heard it's entertaining (though loose with some facts as any Hollywood treatment tend to be; did anyone see Glory Road? Why did they have to change the facts of Don Haskins' already-fascinating story? I digress). Yes, it should be a good weekend in Syracuse with all the legends coming back. Too bad the team has almost no shot against Penn State

scooter carlin, The Cape

I KNOW Big East Football and I horrified at the thought of my Cuse losing to PSU 70-3. I can't believe I miss the Paul P days...

Brian Bennett

  (1:31 PM)

Very real possibility, Scooter. Penn State looked great against Oregon State. (And what would the spread be between Syracuse and Oregon State right now?)

Justin ( Moundsville West Virginia )

With the defensive scheme WVU runs, is it harder to get top players coming in on the dline, then the more traditional style defenses? If so why does WVU keep it?

Brian Bennett

  (1:32 PM)

That's a good question, Justin, and one I'll have to pose to somebody some day. They've had some fine D-Linemen though, like Dykes and Dingle last year. Why do they keep running it? They led the Big East in points allowed last year. I'd say that's why/

Vince (CA)

Who's your pick for the USC / Ohio State game this Saturday?

Brian Bennett

  (1:33 PM)

Gotta go with USC ... but I think Ohio State makes it closer than people think

Patrick Piscataway, NJ

What does Rutgers have to do on thursday to prove that it can still be a serious contender for the big east title? And if UNC isn't a worthy enough opponent, what game will define Rutgers' season?

Brian Bennett

  (1:34 PM)

Pretty simple. Win. Then beat Navy and Morgan State and go into Morgantown on Oct. 4. I don't think Rutgers is that far away, really.

Aaron (Los Angeles)

Does Rutgers have a decent shot to win the conference?

Brian Bennett

  (1:35 PM)

Who doesn't? But as I've said before, here's Rutgers' No. 1 problem: at WVU, at USF, at Pitt, at Cincinnati.

New York,NY

I wouldn't make too much out of the WVU loss to East Carolina. I think ECU is really a very very good team and just showed up to play and WVU did not. Don't get me wrong. WVU has alot to fix and in a hurry, but they have the talent to still be the fav to win the Big East, and prob the best chance to knock off another conference's champ in a BCS game like they have done twice before. SEC,Big 12. Not too bad. But this is not the 2007 team. ALOT of talent was lost on the team that in all likely hood should have won the national title last year. WVU has to get a pass rush and defend the pass better and start dialing up better plays on O and they will be ok. If not... It could be a long year. Maybe WVU should have hired Skip Holtz after all. I for one was wanting them too last December. What do you think of WVU's chances of bouncing back to win the Big East?

Brian Bennett

  (1:35 PM)

It is too early to panic. West Virginia has thrown in early clunkers before (see last year's USF game) and turned out OK.

FRED (AZ)

STOP, WITH THE REF BASHING AND SCORE MORE POINTS..........

Brian (Milwaukee)

Will Marquette ever get a football team?

Brian Bennett

  (1:36 PM)

I have no particular insight on that, but I doubt it. It takes a lot to start up a program at this level. Villanova and Georgetown are better bets to get to FBS level eventually.

Steve (Storrs, CT)

With UConn and USF 2-0 every other team with 1 loss and syracuse is just a joke, Right now, after two weeks, what do u predict the Big East standings to look like at the end of the season?

Brian Bennett

  (1:38 PM)

I'm not sure what they'll look like in two weeks, Steve. That's one thing you can say about the Big East this year: it's wide open and should be fun to watch for the wild fluctuations.

Mark (Norman, OK)

You didn;t include the 26 point defeat that Cincinnati suffered in your initial numbers!!Go Sooners!!!52-26!

Brian Bennett

  (1:38 PM)

How could I forget? I accidentally included Rutgers' margin of 17 to Fresno. So the actual margins of defeat are 20, 23 and 26. Thanks, Mark!

Joe (WV)

Don't you think that any offensive coordinator that cannot score a td with WVU's offense has some explaining to do?

Brian Bennett

  (1:39 PM)

First time in seven years, I believe. It's hard to fathom. Give some credit to ECU, though.

JZ

Is Scott Lutrus one of the most instinctive LBs you have seen in the country?

Brian Bennett

  (1:40 PM)

He and Scott McKillop of Pitt are two of the best anywhere.

JZ

Do you think UConn has the best D in the BE?

Brian Bennett

  (1:40 PM)

Possible. No TDs allowed so far. But ... Hofstra and Temple. Let's hold off on that for a bit.

Paul (KC)

So who's your pick in the USF-Kansas game?

Brian Bennett

  (1:41 PM)

I'll have my official picks up Thursday, but I'm leaning toward USF at home. Raymond James will be rocking on a Friday night.

Carl: Charleston, WV

Who is in more trouble at Pitt: the coach, Wannstedt, or the AD Pederson?

Brian Bennett

  (1:44 PM)

Pederson didn't hire Wannstedt, so why would he be in trouble?

Jonathan B (Burlington, NC)

Brian, I know its early, but what chances do you give ECU going undefeated and making a BCS game?

Brian Bennett

  (1:46 PM)

You don't just steamroll through Conference USA. Ahem. But it is early. They've been at home the first two weeks, and they still have to go to NC State, Virginia and UCF. But they should be favored in every game from here out.

Lisa Curry (Ann Arbor)

Brian, I'm a junior at Louisville this year. If there was one Big East college I should travel to a game this year for, who should it be?

Brian Bennett

  (1:47 PM)

It's hard to beat the atmosphere in Morgantown, and it's not that far away. If you want some warmer weather, go to Tampa for a USF game.

Brian Bennett

  (1:48 PM)

OK, that's all the time I have. Thanks for all the questions.