Pitt's loss to UConn last week opened up the door for many of the other teams in the Big East, and several teams have a shot in the wide-open Big East. This week could go a long way in determining who wins the conference's BCS berth. Let's take a look at this week's games:
Pitt vs. South Florida. This is a tough game to call, as Pitt faces another tough road game against an improving team. After seeing the Panthers last week, there's no way to feel safe picking Pitt to win this game. USF dropped its first two conference games to WVU and Syracuse, but has come back to win three straight. But while they've won each of the past three, they've only done so by a total of 12 points. That's not to say a win isn't a win, but USF has had some close calls. Pitt 24, USF 17
WVU vs. Louisville. West Virginia smells blood after watching Pitt lose at UConn. The Mountaineers could run into trouble with Big East tiebreakers after losing to both Syracuse and UConn, but the conference race is far from over. West Virginia knows it can still win the conference and I think we'll see some of its talented players step up in this game. I'd feel more comfortable picking this game if it were at WVU, but I still think the Mountaineers get it done. WVU 20, Louisville 13
UConn vs. Syracuse. This could be the game of the week. Syracuse is bowl-eligible, but the team is looking for more. Both teams are playing well and have some nice wins under their belts. Syracuse gets this game at home, and that could be the deciding factor. UConn running back Jordan Todman will get his yards, but winning three straight might be too much to ask. Both Pitt and WVU had costly miscues and without those, I'm not sure the Huskies would have won those games. Let's say the Orange protect the ball. Syracuse 28, UConn 17
Rutgers vs. Cincinnati. Cincinnati isn't a good team, but Zach Collaros is back. The Bearcats have been routed in each of their past two games against West Virginia and Syracuse, but the team beat Louisville and played South Florida tough. Cincinnati has one of the best passing attacks in college football and can score a ton of points. At home and with its star quarterback, I think they've got what it takes. Cincinnati 30, Rutgers 23