Big East Fearless Predictions, Dec. 1

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Big East Saturday, December 1st

Pittsburgh (4-7) at West Virginia (10-1) 7:45 EST, ESPN

Why to watch:

The Backyard Brawl is always fun on a regional level, but after top-ranked LSU and No. 2 Kansas lost last weekend, the game will have appeal on a national scale. Filling the void at No. 2 in the BCS and No. 1 in the Coaches Poll is West Virginia, who ran circles around Connecticut Saturday to win the Big East title. With one more win, the Mountaineers are a lock to fill one of the spots in the National Championship game. If they somehow gag, Ohio State’s improbable ascent from No. 7 four weeks ago to New Orleans will be complete. With a larger than usual audience tuning in, West Virginia QB Patrick White has a nice opportunity to pad his Heisman brag sheet. Pittsburgh would like nothing more than to become this year’s UCLA, knocking a rival out of championship contention in the final game of the regular season. The Panthers are suffering through growing pains, losing seven of their last nine with a pair of rookies, RB LeSean McCoy and QB Pat Bostick, leading the offense. Although any chance for bowl eligibility was erased last week by South Florida, Pitt will have no problems getting motivated to play this game.

Why Pittsburgh might win:

These two schools genuinely dislike each other, so it’s not as if the Panthers are closing out the season in the Carrier Dome. They’ll treat this opportunity to play the No. 2 team as a bowl game, especially the defense. The Pittsburgh D has been sound all year, allowing just 132 yards a game on the ground, while ranking seventh nationally in pass defense. Peel the onion on last Saturday’s 48-37 loss to South Florida, and you’ll notice that it had more to do with Bostick’s three interceptions than the play of the defense.

Why West Virginia might win:

White’s playing at his highest level since arriving in Morgantown, gashing defenses on the ground and distributing the ball to his jackrabbits, namely WR Darius Reynaud. That Connecticut defense that the Mountaineers burned for 66 points a week ago hadn’t allowed more than 27 points in a game all season. Pittsburgh can plug up the West Virginia offense for only so long before the big plays start raining down on them from every angle. As sturdy as the Panther defense has been, like most teams, it lacks the outside speed to contain West Virginia’s burners. Once the ‘eers get up, the combination of the home crowd and Pitt’s feeble passing game will end any possibility for a rally.

Who to watch:

Coming off his busiest game of the year, West Virginia’s Noel Devine is determined to show the nation that McCoy isn’t the only hot-shot freshman running back in the Big East. Devine turned his 11 carries into 118 yards and a touchdown, a performance that should earn him more touches as Steve Slaton’s caddy again this Saturday night.

What will happen:

With the lure of New Orleans hanging out there, West Virginia will come out swinging, jumping out to a quick lead that Pittsburgh just isn’t built to overcome. At some point in the game, White won’t be able to resist striking a pose in the back of the end zone after zigzagging through the Panther defense.

CFN Prediction: West Virginia 45 ... Pittsburgh 16... Line: West Virginia -28.5

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Big East Thursday, November 29th

Rutgers (7-4) at Louisville (5-6) 7:30 EST, ESPN

Why to watch:

Unlike last fall when the nation watched Rutgers make history against Louisville on a Thursday night in Piscataway, this week’s game between the schools will produce far less energy. While the Scarlet Knights secured a second-tier bowl game with their win over Pittsburgh two weeks ago, the Cardinals are likely out of the postseason picture whether they achieve bowl eligibility or not. Although neither school has met expectations in 2007, Rutgers can take solace in the fact that it has that 13th game to prepare for, likely the International, Meineke Car Care, or PapaJohns.com Bowl. Louisville, on the other hand, has been an abject disaster in Steve Kragthorpe’s debut, slipping from defending Big East champion to also-ran status, despite not suffering any catastrophic injuries. All-star games aside, this will be the last chance for college fans to see Brian Brohm, one of the game’s best pocket passers of this decade.

Why Rutgers might win:

After the wheels came off in a 55-17 loss to South Florida two weeks ago, raise your hand if you think a veteran-laden Louisville team will have anything left for Thursday’s finale. The Cardinal D had a brief brush with stability late in October, but is back to giving up huge chunks of yards, especially on the ground. That’s troubling news against a physical Scarlet Knight offensive line and All-America RB Ray Rice, who’s gone six straight games with more than 100 yards on the ground. Rutgers’ eighth-ranked pass defense has gotten better as the season’s progressed, and will prevent Brohm and his receivers from taking over the game.

Why Louisville might win:

The Cardinal defense will get a break this week from a Rutgers attack that hasn’t been the same since QB Mike Teel injured his thumb. With their hurler at less than 100%, the Knights have thrown just one touchdown pass and six interceptions over the last four games, a one-dimensional result that’ll be far more manageable for Mike Cassity’s kids. Brohm is too much of a competitor to pack it in on Senior Night. He’ll play with passion and a sense of purpose that resonates to his receivers and the rest of the nation’s No. 4 passing game.

Who to watch:

Louisville has one of the country’s worst pass defenses, but it won’t get exposed if Teel is still having trouble gripping the ball. If it means getting more reps for backup Jabu Lovelace, the Scarlet Knights have to find a way to get the ball downfield to talented receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood, both of whom have more than 900 receiving yards. When the quarterback’s health isn’t an issue, this is Rutgers’ biggest edge versus Louisville.

What will happen:

Rice has a habit of playing at his peak when the national cameras are rolling, a trend he’ll continue on Thursday. The junior will rush for 150 yards and two scores, sapping whatever life remains in Louisville.

CFN Prediction: Rutgers 31 ... Louisville 23... Line: Louisville -2.5