NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com NCAA Football FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Zach Collaros Is Right Choice For Cincyhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/collaros-is-the-right-choice-right-now-for-cincy/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/collaros-is-the-right-choice-right-now-for-cincy/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/collaros-is-the-right-choice-right-now-for-cincy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

CINCINNATI --Zach Collaros Cincinnati senior Tony Pike is rated as the third-best NFL quarterback prospect by NFLDraftScout.com. He likely will make a fine NFL quarterback one day.

Yet, the No. 4-ranked Bearcats are better off without him.

Last season, Pike led the Bearcats to their first Big East title. This year, he led Cincinnati to a 5-0 start before he re-injured his left (non-throwing) arm - the arm he broke last season.

Pike, who had missed the past 2½ games, was cleared to play Saturday against UConn, but he never left the bench. He should stay there the rest of the season.

That's because sophomore Zach Collaros is smokin' hot.

In Saturday's 47-45 victory against UConn, Collaros threw for 480 yards, completing 29-of-37 with one touchdown. He also rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns. His 555 yards of total offense - in only his third collegiate start - broke Cincinnati's 41-year old school record and also was the most in Big East history.

In Collaros' three starts, he has completed a ridiculous 80.5 percent (66-of-82) for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns.

"I don't think I should start," a humble Collaros told FanHouse. "Tony's my guy. We've played really well as of late, but there's no reason to think we couldn't have done the same thing with Tony.

"Tony's our guy. Tony's the starter. He's a great quarterback and he's our leader. Whenever he's ready to go he should start."

That's admirable of Collaros to say, but he's nuts.

Pike supposedly was ready to play Saturday. Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said Pike had been cleared to play, but Collaros got the start. He never gave Kelly the opportunity to take him out of the game.

The Bearcats (9-0, 5-0 Big East) rung up 711 yards of total offense, the second-most in Big East history. Collaros' 480 yards passing were the fourth most in Big East history.

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Last week, Kelly said when Pike was healthy he would return as Cincinnati's starter. He said before Saturday's game he had intended to get Pike in the game against UConn. But faster than you can say Wally Pipp, Kelly is now having second thoughts. And he should.

Kelly said Pike will not automatically start Friday against West Virginia, but instead Kelly will evaluate both quarterbacks this week in practice to determine the starter.

"He's made it hard," Kelly said of Collaros.

"I've changed my mind, based on the way he's played the last three games. I think I have to reconsider my decision [to automatically start Pike]."

UConn (4-5, 1-4) came into the game allowing only 323 total yards a game. By halftime, Collaros had already thrown for 333 yards.

A couple of weeks ago, Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard remarked that Collaros added "spice" to the Bearcats' offense. Saturday's display was extra spicy.

"Zach went for, who knows, five million yards or something like that, whatever it was," Gilyard said. "Zach had an excellent day. We have a quarterback that can throw or run. We have so many weapons. It makes it hard for a defense to defend."

Collaros said Saturday's game was "an amazing feeling."

"It's an amazing feeling to be out there when our offense is clicking like that," Collaros said. "It's really a lot of fun. We have a very good offensive scheme.

"You've got to take something away. If you take away the run, it's just pitch and catch out there. One on one matchups, we execute that pretty well."

Two weeks ago after Collaros carved up Louisville for 305 yards of offense, completing 15 for 17, Cardinals coach Steve Kragthorpe said he actually would have preferred to have faced Pike.

"To be honest with you, I was hoping Tony would play today because I knew they would be one-dimensional and I knew they would throw it," said Kragthorpe after UL's 41-10 loss on Oct. 24. "I really felt that if Tony played, even if he hadn't been hurt, it would've been a lot better matchup for us. They're a little more one-dimensional with Tony in there."

The initial reaction to Kragthorpe's quote was "huh?" However, it turns out Kragthorpe knew exactly what he was talking about.

UConn coach Randy Edsall was asked if Cincinnati is better with Collaros instead of Pike.

"I really couldn't make that determination because Tony didn't play," Edsall said. "I just know Zach made a lot of good plays. His athleticism is something that helps their offense out quite a bit.



"I think Brian is going to have a very difficult decision to make as to who he's going to play at quarterback when Tony comes back. That's his worry, not mine."

With Pike in there, defenses have to worry about his big-time arm, but don't have to worry about Pike running. Pike can make any throw on the field and that's why he's coveted by the NFL folks.

But with Collaros in there, defenses have to worry about Collaros' running, elusiveness, and, yes, his pin-point accuracy. They have to worry about his running and passing ability. Collaros is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, while Pike has maybe three runs longer than six yards all season.

Collaros or Pike? Pike or Collaros? Even die-hard Pike fans aren't sure what to think anymore.

One such fan was visiting the Nippert Stadium press box at halftime. The fan was wearing Pike's black No. 15 jersey under a flamboyant red jacket with stars on both sleeves. I asked him if Pike should regain his starting position.

Peering through his sun glasses, Cincinnati's best known funkster Bootsy Collins said he's not sure and admitted Kelly has "a dilemma."

"It's like they say," Collins said. "If it ain't broke, don't break it."

I couldn't have said it better.

Zach Collaros Is Right Choice For Cincy originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brian kellytony pikezach collarosBrett McMurphySun, 08 Nov 2009 01:33:00 EST Collaros to Start, Pike Cleared to Playhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/collaros-to-start-pike-cleared-to-play/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/collaros-to-start-pike-cleared-to-play/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/collaros-to-start-pike-cleared-to-play/#commentsFiled under:

Zach CollarosCINCINNATI -- Cincinnati senior quarterback Tony Pike has been cleared to play against UConn Saturday niight, but sophomore quarterback Zach Collaros (right) will make his third consecutive start, Coach Brian Kelly said.

"Tony has been cleared to play, but we don't want to put him in a risky situation," Kelly said. "We'll really have to see how it plays out to decide when to put him in the game."

Collaros replaced Pike in the second half at South Florida on Oct. 15 and led the Bearcats to a 34-17 win against the Bulls.

In Collaros' two starts against Louisville and Syracuse, he has completed 82.2 percent (37-of-45) for 548 yards and seven touchdowns.

Pike had surgery on his left (non-throwing) arm two weeks ago to replace the plate that was in his arm. Pike initially broke his arm last season.

Collaros to Start, Pike Cleared to Play originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tony pikeTonyPikezach collarosBrett McMurphySat, 07 Nov 2009 11:32:00 EST Big East Commish: Old Bowl System Preferable to Playoffhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/big-east-commish-doesnt-expect-bcs-to-last-past-2013/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/big-east-commish-doesnt-expect-bcs-to-last-past-2013/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/04/big-east-commish-doesnt-expect-bcs-to-last-past-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

John MarrinattoTAMPA, Fla. -- The demand for a college football playoff could break up the BCS after the 2013 season, but instead of adding a playoff, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) would likely just revert back to the old bowl system, Big East commissioner John Marinatto told FanHouse.

"It [the BCS] is such an entity where there's so many diverse things that come together that make it work," Marinatto said. "I don't know if all that will continue to go on the way it is. If they're pressured to create a playoff, they would simply go back to what the system used to be like and have it as an at-large, free-for-all where people can go [to whichever bowl] they want.

"I don't think the pressure would cause people to create a playoff. I think it would cause them to go back to where we used to be [before the BCS]."

Marinatto also told FanHouse that the Big East has "no intention" of adding a ninth-football member. However, if the Big East was approached by another school that would "add value," the conference would be receptive to adding another member even it grew the basketball league to 17 teams. Marinatto stressed it would not "raid" another league to add a ninth-football member.

Also in Marinatto's interview with FanHouse, he said the BCS wants the coaches to make their ballots public after next season. He said he's optimistic they will and the coaches' poll will remain a part of the BCS formula. Marinatto also said it's possible a one-loss team could get selected over undefeated Cincinnati for a spot in the BCS title game and why the Big East's Yankee Bowl will be a success -- no matter how cold the weather might be in New York in late December/early January.

When will you add a ninth football member?
There is no intention of adding a ninth member at this point. There hasn't even been a discussion.

Do you want a ninth football member?
I understand the reasons why people feel like we could or should have a ninth member and it's primarily for scheduling. Again, we've had this discussion in the room the last five years since we expanded to 16 [schools]. It always comes down to: we'll take a ninth member if that member brings value to the membership.

Even if that means increasing the basketball membership to 17 schools?
Even if that means going to 17. We're structured in such a way that we've provided for that in our bylaws. If a ninth member of value became available tomorrow, we'd expand and go to 17.
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Would you pursue a ninth football member?
Will we raid someone to do it? No. It's not our intention to raid someone to accomplish what we want to accomplish. If under the right set of circumstances ... where someone might be disenfranchised and look for a new home. And if that school brought value, then we would be amenable. The world could change. The costs of travel could become such that an Eastern school that's now in a non-Eastern quote-unquote conference might want to look [and think] 'it makes more sense to be in the Big East.' There could be a shifting around. In that scenario, we would go to 17.

But we're not going to go out there and try and raid someone. That's not our intention.

Do you believe the BCS will continue to exist after the 2013 season?
The contract with ESPN is through [the end of the 2013 season]. There's so much resistance, or seemingly vocal resistance [to the BCS]. It's such an entity where there's so many diverse things that come together that make it work. I don't know if all that will continue to go on the way it is.

If they're pressured to create a playoff, they would simply go back to what the system used to be like and have it as an at-large, free-for-all where people can go to [to whichever bowl] they want. I don't think the pressure would cause people to create a playoff. I think it would cause them to go back to where we used to be.

We like the current system for a lot of reasons. It brings (the) regular season value because of the number of bowls that are available that provide so many students with the experience of being to a bowl game and that's a valuable thing.

The theory is if a playoff is created, the most you could do would be an eight-team playoff and those eight teams are going to be the ones that get to experience a post-season bowl. Whereas today you have probably 68 schools that get that experience, half of them walking away feeling good and winning. From a student-athlete's standpoint, we think the current structure allows for a better overall experience for more student-athletes. And that's really what, in the world of football, it's about: going to a bowl and experiencing that post-season experience.

In the Bowl Subdivision, people really cherish the post-season experiences. Whether it's the Rose Bowl or one of the lower level bowls, to get to a bowl is considered a positive experience. People around our table don't want to lose that.

Is there any scenario in which a one-loss team could be selected over a 12-0 Cincinnati team to play in the BCS title game?
I don't know until it unfolds. There are inherent flaws in the BCS system, it's not perfect. Injustice is possible. It's an attempt simply to get the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country identified to play each other. Over the years there have been injustices and we know it's not a perfect system. To answer your question, it could happen. It would be hard to see how it could happen, but again, the system is not perfect.

Should the coaches' ballots remain public and if they are not public, would the coaches' poll no longer be a part of the BCS formula?
Yes, transparency is important in a lot of things, but particularly in this at this point. We've talked about this around the room. We think chances are better that it [the coaches' poll] becomes transparent [than dropping the coaches poll from the BCS formula]. I think they understand at some level that it's important. Transparency is important for credibility. Hopefully that will happen; we'll see.

There clearly is a desire on the part of the commissioners around the country to have it transparent. We all feel that's important for a number of reasons, including credibility. I understand the logic of not publishing [the ballots] because of the pressure within certain conferences to help their own schools and a lot of other reasons, friendships and what not. But the reasons for making it transparent are more compelling than the reasons for keeping it secret.

The final [ballot] is the most important one. I would prefer that [all ballots through the season were public] but I don't know if that's a deal-breaker. The most important one is the final one.

Temple was kicked out of the Big East after the 2001-02 school year ...
My understanding, the group [Big East] created standards that they wanted everyone to adhere to and Temple wasn't able to meet the standards. [Marinatto was not with the Big East when the decision was made]

Could the same thing happen to another Big East school for not being competitive enough?
We have standards. In 2000, we created a strategic plan. Within our strategic plan were three elements.

One of the elements is referred to as the program standards for all of our team sports, a minimum number of scholarships you must commit; you also have to meet a certain percentage of the commitment for coaches and a facilities requirement.

When we expanded in 2003, we re-wrote the constitution and bylaws and created the contracts with the five new schools [Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville, Marquette, South Florida]; an exhibit to the agreement was the strategic plan. We told everyone these are the standards we created, you have to adhere to these if you want to join and make the commitment that you're going to commit to the standards, so it's built into the contracts. It's an overall commitment to excellence. They are not competitive standards.

How close was the league to restructuring the men's basketball tournament and eliminating byes for the top eight seeds?
The way it happened, at our summer meetings, several of our coaches raised the concept of changing the format of the tournament. What I said to them was we've really not talked about this. When we expanded the tournament to 16 [teams], the current structure was the only one they could accept and go to 16 because it protected the best teams.

At the meeting this year, there was a reversal of opinion [because] on the women's side, three of the top four seeds lost, and on the men's side, two of the top four lost [their opening game]. I said to them this is all new.

I had [men's basketball associate commissioner] Danny Gavitt do an analysis. Does it require more class days, etc. Basically it was a neutral effect on all of those things. We could have changed the format. Several of the coaches in the room who were advocating for it, upon reflection, weren't as excited about doing it any longer. I've said we've only done it [this way] for one year, let's just table the idea for a year and if we feel that way next year we can revisit it. For the time being let's keep it the way it is.

I decided to keep it the way it was for another year at which point and time, we'll reevaluate to whether we want to make a change.

Are you in favor of all 16 teams playing in the Big East Tournament or would you rather it be limited to only the top 12 teams?
A year ago, I would have said no [to all 16]. But it seemed to work from a crowd standpoint. We had such good crowds last year. Now ESPN is televising the first day [the first-round wasn't televised last year]. We've got ESPN2 for the first session, ESPNU for the second session. We were afraid we would devalue our tournament by going to 16 and diluting it. That didn't happen last year, so let's see again what happens this year.

The BCS is considering hiring a full-time BCS coordinator. Is former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese the obvious choice?
We've been talking about [having a coordinator] for a while. People [BCS league commissioners] who are sitting in the chair as the [BCS] coordinator often times feel conflicted wearing two hats because they have a built-in conflict of interest.

We've been talking about how we could potentially eliminate that perception because that person acts as the coordinator and also acts as the spokesperson. Within their own conference when you're the [BCS] coordinator, your own people [from your conference], you're not representing because you're representing the whole group.

We haven't resolved the fact we want to hire an executive director. We're talking about the idea. We haven't identified names. We haven't determined titles. We're not sure what the best scenario is to follow primarily to avoid that perceived conflict of interest.

You took over for Tranghese on July 1 as Big East commissioner. How have your first 100 days gone so far?
In so many ways I feel like we've accomplished so much. We got the Champs Bowl deal done. We got the Yankee [Bowl] deal done. We extended the [Madison Square] Garden contract [to host the Big East Tournament through 2016]. We hired a woman [associate commissioner Danielle Donehew] to take over for [associate commissioner] Donna DeMarco.

On the women's basketball side, we created the SWA [senior woman administrator] initiative for sportsmanship and ethical conduct. There are so many things we've gotten done in a short time, but there are so many things we need to start to deal with. The biggest of the logistical things is simply trying to relocate our office [Brown University bought the building the league's office is located in]. It sounds like a simple thing, but it's so all-consuming. Our intention is to stay in Providence.

The Big East added a bowl game to be played in Yankee Stadium starting next season. How can a bowl game played potentially in sub-freezing weather be a success?
We have three objectives [for our bowl games]: opponent, destination and geography.

Geography we address by being in New York because it's the center of where we are. Destination? New York City, Christmas, holidays. Opponent? Big 12. We have our three criteria met. If [Yankee Stadium] had a cover on the stadium it would be perfect, but it didn't. We had talked about doing this eight years ago. We had announced if the [New York] Jets built a new stadium with a roof we would create the Big Apple Bowl and we would host it. That would be perfect for us. The idea of being able to play this game in New York City on New Year's Day is what where shooting for.

When you go to Times Square and see the ball come down, it was just so appealing. I think that people would want to experience that. When you've watch it on TV since you were a kid, when Guy Lombardo would welcome in the New Year, then Dick Clark and so you grew up watching it. If your team is in New York City playing in Yankee Stadium on New Year's Day, wouldn't you want to go see New York lit up for the holidays and the ball coming down in Times Square?

I think we offset the weather with all those other things. And then as Randy Levine, president of the Yankees, keeps telling me: We're the New York Yankees, don't worry about the weather. The proposed dates are Dec. 29, 30, 31 or Jan. 1, but we're shooting for Jan. 1. That's ideal, you get there for the 31st to watch the ball and next day have the game. A day start would be ideal. The Yankees are in conversations with different networks to televise it, but haven't finalized what they want to do with it.

Big East Commish: Old Bowl System Preferable to Playoff originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>John MarinattoBrett McMurphyWed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST Blanket Coverage: For Pete's Sakehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/blanket-coverage-for-petes-sake/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/blanket-coverage-for-petes-sake/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/03/blanket-coverage-for-petes-sake/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Pete CarrollHalloween in Eugene began with Oregon coach Chip Kelly disguised as the Duck mascot and ended with USC masquerading as Cal. Pete Carroll's Trojans are not exactly immune from defeat in the Beaver State (0-4 since 2006) but they never lose to a fellow highly ranked Pac-10 foe and they most certainly never get waxed.

That's Jeff Tedford's domain.

Hands continue to wring in the Southland -- the Orange County Register declared that "USC's complete dominance of the league, a dominance unmatched in conference history, is over" -- but I believe that Pete Carroll, much like Michael Myers, will haunt the Pac-10 for many Halloweens to come.

Also, I'd like to suggest a more salient reason for Troy's desultory play of late, one that has nothing to do with the freshman QB, the eight defensive starters lost, or the two new coordinators: jet lag (and that's not a Mark Sanchez reference).

This Saturday, the Trojans will fly to Phoenix to face Arizona State in neighboring Tempe, which will mark their sixth flight of the season. No school among the top dozen in the BCS rankings (USC is No. 12) will play six of its first nine games away from home. And only Boise State, primarily because the Broncos visited Hawaii on October 24, has accrued more frequent-flier mileage.

The Trojans are lax because of LAX. They've covered more miles than Les Miles. They've made two across-three-time-zones treks already (Ohio State and Notre Dame), which equals the total of the other 11 top-12 schools combined (Cincinnati at Oregon State and Boise State at Ohio State).

Below is a table ranking the top 12 in terms of mileage covered, with their actual BCS rankings in parentheses. Distances were rounded off to the nearest hundred miles:

1) Boise State (7)......................................13,400 miles

2) USC (12).............................................11,700

3) Cincinnati (5).........................................9,200

4) TCU (6)................................................8,200

5) LSU (5)................................................5,600

6) Texas (2)..............................................4,900

7) Florida (1).............................................3,800

8 (Tie) Iowa..............................................2,800

Georgia Tech....................................2,800

10) Oregon...............................................2,700

11) Alabama............................................1,800

12) Penn State.........................................1,300

Granted, it's not as if the Trojans were traveling by sleeper car back to South Bend. On the other hand, I'm beginning to wonder if safety Taylor Mays begins pep talks with, "This is your captain speaking."

Maybe Carroll's greatest nemesis may not be the swiftly surging Ducks. Maybe it's his athletic director.

THE ZACH ATTACK
He has only been the starter for 2½ games, but Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros has been outstanding in leading the No. 5 Bearcats to victories against South Florida, Louisville and Syracuse. Since taking over for injured starter Tony Pike, Collaros has completed 75 percent of his passes (47-of-63) for 749 yards and nine touchdown passes versus just one interception. That's the same TD-to-INT ratio that Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame, second in the nation in passing efficiency, has.

Asked when Pike, who himself is currently seventh in the nation in passing efficiency, would play again on Monday, Bearcat coach Brian Kelly offered, "It's hard to say."

STEIN SHINES
Louisville, led by 5-8 walk-on quarterback Will Stein, beat Arkansas State, 21-13. Stein had last seen game action at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium as a local high school senior when he led Trinity to a defeat of St. Xavier in front of 37, 550 fans. Saturday's attendance at the same venue was 21,497.


TRUE BROMANCE
I cannot decide whether Riley Cooper is the Jordan Shipley of the SEC or whether Shipley is the Cooper of the Big 12. Cooper is the Gator wideout with the Head & Shoulders mane who is not only Tim Tebow's primary target, he's also his roommate.

Shipley is the childhood best friend and roommate of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. He is also the Longhorn quarterback's favorite target. All four are straight out of "Friday Night Lights" (it's Jason Street and Tim Riggins come to life). Should Florida and Texas meet in Pasadena for the BCS championship, it'll be a question of whether Brent Musberger utters the term "bromance" during the broadcast or if he'll just refer to them as "pardners."

HMMMMMMM
Ohio State beat New Mexico State 45-0. The spread in Vegas was 44. If only everyone worked as diligently as oddsmakers.

TEMPLE IN NEED OF WORSHIPPERS?
Congrats to Temple for beating Navy. In earning their sixth straight victory, the Owls also became bowl-eligible for the first time since 1979. And so it would seem that their next home game would be an ideally opportune time for the fans in Philadelphia, and not just the Cos, to show their pride.

There's just one small problem. Temple's next home game, versus Miami of Ohio at Lincoln Financial Field, is Thursday night. That also happens to be the scheduled date for Game 7 of the World Series between the Phillies and the New York Yankees ... if necessary.

Blanket Coverage: For Pete's Sake originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>John WaltersTue, 03 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST Rewind: Big East Primed for Big Finishhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/big-east-rewind-two-be-determined/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/big-east-rewind-two-be-determined/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/02/big-east-rewind-two-be-determined/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

And then there were two.

Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are now the lone undefeated teams in Big East play after last weekend's action.

The No. 4 ranked Bearcats and No. 14 Panthers continue on a collision course for the de facto Big East championship game on Dec. 5 in Pittsburgh. By the way, whatever Nick Carparelli, the Big East's senior associate commissioner for football, is making, he deserves a raise.

Carparelli is in charge of the league's schedule and his philosophy is having the league's top games played later in the year. That's easier said than done, but the Big East could have a pair of Top 10 teams playing for the league title if the Bearcats and Panthers don't stumble.

Stumble is exactly what West Virginia did -- again -- at South Florida. Playing in Tampa, Fla., on a Friday night for the second time in three years, the Mountaineers' league title hopes took a big hit with the 30-19 loss to the Bulls, who had lost their previous two games to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh by a combined margin of 75-31.

At just past the halfway mark in league play, five of the league's eight teams already have two league losses.

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. They are so ready for basketball to start in Louisville and Syracuse.

Last week's home football games at Louisville and Syracuse drew ridiculously small crowds. Louisville's game against Arkansas State drew a Papa John's Cardinal Stadium crowd of 21,497, the smallest in the stadium's 11-year history. The low attendance was probably a combination of UL fans being fed up with Steve Kragthorpe and the caliber of opponent. However, a top-flight opponent didn't help Syracuse. Only 33,082 showed at the Carrier Dome to see the Orange battle No. 5 Cincinnati. Even with free tickets provided to SU students and $10 tickets available in the upper level, it was smaller than any home crowd during Greg Robinson's past four seasons. Apparently the honeymoon is already over for first-year SU coach Doug Marrone, whose job didn't get any easier when WR Mike Williams quit on Monday.

2. Tim Brown never felt better - or worse - about a victory.

Tim Brown, Rutgers wide receiver, grew up in Miami two houses from UConn's Jasper Howard. Saturday was UConn's first home game since Howard was murdered. Brown had considered flying to Miami for the funeral last Monday, but ended up watching it on the internet. Before the game, he walked onto the field, knelt on one knee, said a short prayer and raised six fingers to the heavens -- for Howard, who wore No. 6. More than three hours later, Brown was racing into the end zone with the winning 81-yard TD catch with 22 seconds remaining. After crossing the goal line, Brown held up six fingers. "I played for him," said Brown, who cried after the game. "I dedicate this win to him and my teammates, for helping me keep my head up and keep me strong."

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3. South Florida has gotten into West Virginia's head.

USF's victory last week against West Virginia was only the third in five all-time meetings between the schools. But has a 3-2 advantage ever appeared so dominating? West Virginia has been favored in all five meetings, but has only won one comfortably. Since winning the first meeting, 28-13 in 2005, West Virginia has been lucky it hasn't lost four in a row to the Bulls. In 2006 USF won at WVU 24-19 as a 21-point underdog; in 2007 USF won 21-13 as a 7-point underdog when WVU was ranked No. 5 and last year USF nearly won again (and probably should have if not for some critical turnovers) in Morgantown in Pat White's final home game, losing 13-7. In last week's 30-19 victory by USF, the Bulls put the clamps on RB Noel Devine the same way they've shut down RB Steve Slaton and White in past seasons.

Re-Tweeting Week 9

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: Bearcats are nation's only team that has not lost a fumble this season. Did I just jinx a no-hitter?
2. Pitt: After Syracuse this week, Pitt hits a tough closing stretch vs. Notre Dame, West Virginia & Cincinnati, who are combined 20-4
3. USF: Bulls among eight teams with two victories this year against ranked opponents. They'll get a shot for a third vs. Miami on Nov. 28
4. West Virginia: Only Syracuse has allowed more yards passing than Mountaineers. Any chance Noel Devine can also play cornerback?
5. Rutgers: Scarlet Knights rank fourth nationally having forced 25 turnovers in eight games
6. UConn: Déjà vu again. Huskies suffer 28-24 loss for second consecutive week when defense gives up a late big play in crushing loss to RU
7. Syracuse: Will the Orange be looking past Pittsburgh this week to their Nov. 14 Battle of the Basement at Louisville?
8. Louisville: Cards' 21-13 win vs. Arkansas State was UL's first in 13 games under Steve Kragthorpe when scoring less than 24 points

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Rewind: Big East Primed for Big Finish originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST Starting 11: From BCS Title to Toilet Bowl http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/starting-11-from-bcs-title-to-toilet-bowl/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/starting-11-from-bcs-title-to-toilet-bowl/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/starting-11-from-bcs-title-to-toilet-bowl/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Man carrying toiletI'm convinced there's an epidemic currently afoot in America that receives no attention: Cell phones dropped in the toilet.

I have five different friends who have confessed to this via sheepish e-mails (presumably not from the toilet-ed phones). They're trying to reprogram a new phone. This problem is of epic importance, particularly with the importance of smart phones, which can cost upwards of $500. Do you know how much money we've lost by having to replace a BlackBerry or an iPhone because of fumbles during urination? If this happened to Warren Buffet, and he hadn't backed up his information, we'd need a new stimulus package. What if Obama's BlackBerry vanished down the toilet?

I'm convinced that every day in America we throw away the equivalent of the GNP of Moldova in dropped cell phones in toilets. The issue struck me on Saturday as I tailgated and went inside a disgusting port-o-potty. Because a drop here is even worse. How much would it ruin your day if instead of the home bathroom your cell phone went into a port-o-potty? Because, be honest, you might be willing to reclaim a phone dropped at home? But a port-o-potty? It's with the effluvium for all eternity.

What's more, what about if you go to a port-o-potty, drop your phone, and can't find your friends anymore? . We all live with the idea that we're within easy mobile contact. Suddenly, you're the fan with no clothes. Not to mention no idea who is winning games on Saturday. Anyway, with this august question as prelude, let's dive right in to the ClayNation Starting 11.

1. If you're a Cincinnati fan with dreams of a national championship, you need to start rooting for West Virginia and Pittsburgh really, really hard.

Why?

Because an 8-1 West Virginia could come to Cincinnati Nov. 13. Even better, a 10-1 Pittsburgh could loom Dec. 5, the day the SEC and Big 12, other combatants for the BCS title spot, will be playing their conference championship games. I'm starting to believe that an undefeated Cincinnati will end up in the national championship game if there is only one other undefeated team. Why? Because they get two premier games against teams that will, by then, be ranked in the top 15 if they keep winning. In fact, a 10-1 Pittsburgh would likely be a top-10 team.

I can even sketch out the argument for why an undefeated Cincinnati would have dibs over every other team that doesn't emerge unscathed from the BIg 12 or the SEC. They'll have run the table in the Big East and played two major college opponents in the out-of-conference -- Oregon State on the road and Illinois at home. Aside from the Big East being reasonably strong this season, I think this schedule, featuring two would-be powers from other conferences, eliminates the weak schedule argument. Especially since no one foresaw the Illini collapse when this schedule was made. Plus, and just wait for this argument to get trotted out there, Cincinnati beat Oregon State by 10 on the road, while USC won by six at home.

In the ridiculous cake baking contest that is the BCS, that's a pretty compelling argument for why the Bearcats should be in over USC.
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2. Iowa, Iowa, my kingdom for Iowa's good fortune.

How many teams come back from a third-and-18 conversion on a hook-and-ladder? How many teams can boast wins of two, two, three and one point in their eight games? The team they beat by a lone point, Northern Iowa, has a 10-point loss to North Dakota State and a touchdown loss to Southern Illinois on its resume. Arkansas State, a team Iowa beat by three, is 1-4 against BCS teams.

And on Saturday, Iowa needed a defensive holding call to erase an interception, and a fourth down touchdown pass on the final play of the game to come away with the win. So, to say you don't believe that Iowa is a top echelon team, has some validity, but credit where credit is due, Iowa is 8-0 for the first time ever.

How does Iowa get to the BCS title game? Losses by Texas, USC and probably Cincinnati (Interesting voter aversion test: Which embattled conference do you effectively vote against, Big East or Big Ten?) and maybe even then a little prayer that livestock per capita becomes an only slightly-less-nonsensical BCS component. And they still have to beat Ohio State in Columbus Nov. 14.

At least they've got luck on their side. Not to mention, an underdiscussed benefit, finishing their season on November 21 and getting to sit around and see what the rest of the contenders can do with all the pressure on them for the final two weeks of the season.

3. Tim Tebow threw two interceptions, played a mediocre game, and bailed on the post-game press conference.

That's unfortunate.

There has never been a college athlete who has received more glowing press coverage than Tim Tebow. I genuinely believe that's true. Even after having a poor game -- by his standard -- Florida still won by double digits. For a senior to dodge out on the post-game was beneath his stature.

Put it this way, Tennessee's Daniel Lincoln went on the road and missed three field goals against the No. 1 team in the country. Any one of those kicks would have won the game for his team. Did he dodge the post game press conference?

Nope.

4. Watch out for Oklahoma State in the Big 12 South.

After their 34-7 win over Baylor, the Cowboys are now 6-1 this season and undefeated in the Big 12. Only you haven't heard a damn thing about them in the past month that didn't involve Dez Bryant being suspended. Look, they lost to Houston back in September, we get it.

There's no great crime in that, Houston is a fine team with a superb offense. Certainly other one-loss teams have lost to inferior opponents, USC ring a bell? Meanwhile in their five consecutive wins, Zac Robinson has been smoking.

Yet, given all the preseason hype, the loss to Houston completely killed all interest in the Cowboys.

Until, guess what, Texas comes to town this weekend. Beat the Longhorns and Oklahoma State is about to set the BCS all aflutter. Would a one-loss Texas that doesn't win their division still have a shot at advancing to the BCS title game without playing in their conference championship game?

Maybe.

Would they have a better argument for playing for the title than a one-loss Oklahoma State team that beat them?

Nope.

5. You think the phone in the toilet business has no applicability to college football players, right? You're wrong.

It's a plague I tell you. Even football players are not immune.

"The Tigers' starting running back Joseph Doss was suspended for the first half because he was late to a pre-game meeting. Doss said he normally uses his cell phone as an alarm clock but couldn't after he dropped the phone in the toilet."

6. Ball State had a 300-yard rusher and a 200-yard rusher in their win over Eastern Michigan.

This was the first time in NCAA history that a team had a 300- and 200-yard rusher in the same game.

Ball State had, wait for it, one yard passing.

Can you imagine being the Eastern Michigan defensive coordinator watching game film on this one? Do you think he changes his resume to reflect the one yard passing? Like beneath his position--Defensive Coordinator--does he list, "Allowed only 1 yard passing to Ball State in 2009."

What about calling a pass defense, do you think he did it the entire game? Wouldn't it be great to hear the headset calls from this game?

7. Is the Landry Jones mustache the college football equivalent of Spencer Pratt's cowboy hat, so compelling you can't look away?

Landry JonesI think so.

Every time I think I should hate it, I can't help but admire the bravado.

Also, if I'd had to shave the beard after the Alabama game, I was going to leave a stache with a handlebar that came down the side. It would have looked scary, potentially felonious, but it would have also been pretty awesome.

8. The perception that the SEC is rooting for Alabama and Florida is firmly locked in the fan consciousness.

We can argue about whether a systematic conspiracy is remotely possible ... Actually, we can't. It isn't. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist as a fervent point of belief among certain pockets of SEC fans. We sports fans are great conspiracy theorists when it comes to our teams.

But Commissioner Slive is not firing magic bullets from the SEC gatling as he stands on a grassy knoll. There are several reasons for this. No. 1, Slive has a Montgomery Burns-like strength about him, I'm not sure he could pull the trigger if he tried. No. 2 , well, it's just not happening.

But here's what might be happening, the officials, like many of us, have bought into the idea that Alabama and Florida are vastly superior teams to the rest of the conference. Once you buy into that argument you're more likely to notice opposing teams playing in the margin of the rules than you are the dominant teams.

And I'd argue that's what we're seeing take place in games that feature those teams, not an intentional bias in favor of them when it comes to the calls, if there is, in fact, any bias at all, but just a preconditioned perception of superiority that allows those situations to occur.

9. What the funnel is up with Chris Todd and Auburn? A thesis for you.

Early in the season I thought Gene Chizik was a miracle worker given his ability to make Todd a star, but now Todd looks incapable of leading his team to victory against anyone.

Okay, maybe Furman.

But I think Todd offers an interesting illustration of what happens in the SEC. The defenses catch up to and eclipse the offenses every year about this time in the season.

New thesis: the defensive SEC coaching staffs have become so good at what they do, that much like the NFL, merely being good at one or two things doesn't allow you to succeed on a consistent basis. You have to evolve during the season, and most offenses aren't that good at evolving. So Auburn's offense has been quashed. Same with Arkansas and Alabama and Florida. Same with virtually every team in the conference.

Don't believe me?

There are only two offenses in the top 30 in the SEC: Florida and Auburn. The latter is rapidly plummeting and will be outside the top 30 soon if things hold true.





10. I'm not sure I would have gotten out alive if the ref had called Alabama's Terrence Cody for excessive celebration after his blocked kick.

I had on orange pants. The refs would have been safe. Me? Not so much.

Look, I know he ripped his helmet off, and I know there has been a dispute about whether the penalty should have been called and what the impact would have been. The end result would have been negligible. But what if they'd called the penalty and misapplied the rule so that Tennessee re-kicked for the win?

Would you really be surprised if that happened?

Which leads me to this...

Meanwhile there are five defenses inside the top 22. Five! Florida is first, Bama is fourth, Tennessee is tenth, Ole Miss is 20th and LSU is 22nd.

Remember the old thesis that defenses were better than offenses when the season starts? The idea was that offenses would work into their rhythm and get better as the season progressed while defenses wouldn't? I think we might have flipped the cliche in the SEC, the defenses are quicker to react and shut down things that work offensively than they ever have been before.

Keep this in mind as the season progresses, because those dominant defenses perform well in bowl games. Offenses? Often, they don't.

11. Last, but not least, I give and I give and I give.

Wet phone survival tips.

Starting 11: From BCS Title to Toilet Bowl originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Clay TravisMon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST Big East Rewind: No Longer the Pittshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/big-east-rewind-no-longer-the-pitts/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/big-east-rewind-no-longer-the-pitts/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/26/big-east-rewind-no-longer-the-pitts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Pitt PanthersJust three weeks ago, we called Pittsburgh the Pitts-ophrenic Panthers after their up-and-down performances earlier this season against Buffalo, N.C. State, Louisville and UConn.

Uh, is it too late to take that all back?

As impressive as Cincinnati has been all season, Pittsburgh might be playing the best overall of any Big East team. The offense is balanced and the defense gets more dominating each week. Saturday, the Panthers (7-1, 4-0 Big East) scorched South Florida 41-14.

Since allowing 505 yards at N.C. State, the Panthers have improved their defensive numbers in each of the past four games. Pitt allowed 305 yards to Louisville on Oct. 2, 303 to UConn on Oct. 10, 286 to Rutgers on Oct. 16 and 212 to USF on Saturday.

Led by DE Greg Romeus, the defense just continues to get stronger and stronger. The offense also is doing its part. QB Bill Stull ranks third nationally in passing efficiency and RB Dion Lewis is the nation's fourth-leading rusher. Against USF, Pitt never had to punt.

The Panthers are off this week before closing the season against Syracuse (Nov. 7), Notre Dame (Nov. 140, at West Virginia (Nov. 27) and Cincinnati (Dec. 5).

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. Sorry Brian Kelly, Randy Edsall is the Big East coach of the year

Yes, we already anointed Cincinnati's Brian Kelly as the league's coach of the year in this column a couple of weeks ago, but Randy Edsall deserves the honor as much, if not more. What Edsall did the past week in an incredibly difficult situation was inspiring to say the least. The class, dignity and professionalism that Edsall displayed in dealing with the tragic death of Jasper Howard situation was extraordinary. Perhaps other coaches would have done as admirably, but I doubt it. Then Edsall somehow managed to take the Huskies into Morgantown and nearly pulled off the upset. UConn outgained WVU 501-387 -- the first team to gain 500 yards on WVU this season -- but couldn't overcome four turnovers and a late Noel Devine TD in the 28-24 loss.

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2. Rece Davis is a genius

While showing highlights of Pittsburgh's 41-14 rout of South Florida, ESPN's Rece Davis remarked the following about the Bulls: "Once again just as the leaves drop, South Florida falls off the face of the Earth." Yes, as the calendar nears Halloween, USF's season turns into all tricks -- no treats. In 2007, USF started 6-0, only to finish 3-4. Last year, USF started 5-0, only to finish 3-5. After this year's 5-0 start, the Bulls are 0-2 and could very well be sitting at 5-4 after hosting West Virginia Friday and traveling to Rutgers Nov. 12. After that 5-0 start, the Bulls have been outgained in each of their Big East games against Syracuse, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

3. The end is near for Steve Kragthorpe at UL

When Steve Kragthorpe was hired at Louisville in 2007, it was generally regarded as a solid hire. Kragthorpe came to UL from Tulsa where he led the Golden Hurricane, 2-21 the two seasons before he took over, to bowl trips in three of his four seasons. At Louisville, though, it just hasn't worked out. In 2007, gut-wrenching, close losses to Kentucky, Syracuse and UConn kept the Cards from a bowl berth. Last year, the Cards looked to have turned the corner after upsetting No. 14 USF to get to 5-2. However, they promptly ended the year on a five-game losing streak. This year has been more of the same: a 2-5 start with their only wins against Indiana State and Southern Miss (on a last-second field goal). UL will not play in a bowl game for a third consecutive season for the first time since Ron Cooper was coach from 1995-97. That will leave AD Tom Jurich with no other choice than to replace Kragthorpe.

Re-Tweeting Week 8

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: Off to their best start since 1954, the Bearcats have committed a national-low four turnovers
2. Pittsburgh: In only loss at NC State, Panthers allowed 505 yards. In last two wins vs. Rutgers and USF, allowed only 498 combined
3. West Virginia: Last time WVU visited USF was also a Friday night in 2007 and No. 5 Mountaineers were upset. Does history repeat?
4. UConn: Huskies' three on-the-field losses have been by two, three and four points. RIP Jasper Howard
5. Rutgers: Since allowing 47 points in opener to Cincinnati, Rutgers is allowing only 10.5 points per game in past six games
6. South Florida: TGFS -- Thank God For Syracuse. Since joining Big East in 2005, USF is 5-0 vs. the 'Cuse, 10-16 against rest of Big East
7. Syracuse: After defeating Akron, Syracuse returns to Big East play vs. Cincinnati. Since 2005, SU is 3-27 against the Big East
8. Louisville: When scoring less than 24 points under Steve Kragthorpe, the Cardinals are 0-12

Follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY

Big East Rewind: No Longer the Pitts originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brian kellyjasper howardnoel devinerandy edsallsteve kragthorpeBrett McMurphyMon, 26 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST Bearcat Football Now King of Queen Cityhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/bearcat-football-now-king-of-queen-city/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/bearcat-football-now-king-of-queen-city/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/bearcat-football-now-king-of-queen-city/#commentsFiled under: ,

CINCINNATI -- A few days ago, a former long-time resident of the Queen City was asked if he ever could have imagined that the University of Cincinnati's football team would overshadow the Bearcats' tradition-rich basketball program.

Without hesitation, Bob Huggins replied: "Not in my lifetime."

These are strange days indeed in Cincinnati, where the football team -- not the basketball program -- is a legitimate national title contender.

On Saturday, coach Brian Kelly's big, bad Bearcats kept steamrolling through the Big East with a 41-10 seal-clubbing of Louisville in the battle for the Keg of Nails.

It was Cincinnati's first home win against Louisville since 1997. Back then, Cincinnati fans would have been giddy with a 31-point rout of their rivals located just down I-71.

Saturday, on the Bearcats sideline there were some former UC players, who were actually upset that fifth-ranked Cincinnati (7-0, 3-0 Big East) didn't run it up even more on the Cards (2-5, 0-3). It seems they're still seeking payback for a 70-7 loss to Louisville in 2004.
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Even though that loss was only five years ago, it seems like it was 55 years ago -- which, ironically, is the last time Cincinnati started 7-0 -- in 1954 under a pretty decent coach by the name of Sid Gillman.

Oh by the way, the Bearcats have a pretty decent coach these days, as well.

Shortly after the 2006 regular season ended, former Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio bolted for Michigan State. Left behind, said Cincinnati senior wide receiver Mardy Gilyard, was a team that was "bummed and heartbroken."

Five weeks after Dantonio left, Kelly guided those bummed and heartbroken Bearcats to a victory against Western Michigan in the International Bowl. Kelly's heroes haven't let up ever since.

Under Kelly, the Bearcats are 29-6.

In his three years, Kelly has lost as many games as starting quarterbacks that he's had to use. Some schools may have the same starting quarterback for two or three years. These days, Kelly is lucky to have the same starter for two or three weeks.

Despite suffering more injuries at the quarterback position than any school in the country, Kelly continues to plug another one in and mashes even harder on the pedal. The Bearcats have totally bought into and embraced Kelly's "next man in" motto.

"When we first came in, we weren't really competing [against Louisville] and it was a landslide," Cincinnati senior linebacker Andre Revels said.

With senior Tony Pike sidelined with a left arm injury, it was Zach Collaros' turn to make his first start Saturday. Collaros is the sixth different starting quarterback Kelly has used at Cincinnati.

Despite having "some butterflies" before kickoff, the redshirt sophomore was 15-of-17 for 253 yards and three touchdowns. He finished with 305 yards total offense. Imagine how well he might have done if he wasn't nervous?

"Really, [Friday night] and [Saturday morning] was when I was most nervous," Collaros said. "When I got on the field, it was like playing football again."

Winning as a starting quarterback is old hat for Collaros, who was 30-0 as the starting quarterback and won two state titles at Steubenville (Ohio) High School. He said the last time he lost as a starting quarterback was seven years ago as a freshman.

Gilyard, who rolled up 225 all-purpose yards and tied a school-record with his 22nd career touchdown reception, said the Bearcats aren't concerned who plays quarterback.

"It don't matter who is under center with our offense, Coach Kelly can be under there," Gilyard said. "We're not worried who's under the center."

What matters, though, according to Gilyard is "Who's running the show? Coach Kelly's running the show."

The Greatest Show in the Big East mesmerized the once-proud Cardinals. On Cincinnati's first two TD drives, nine plays were 10 yards or longer and the Bearcats didn't have to punt until seven minutes remained in the contest.

The Bearcats, who entered the game 11th nationally in total offense (457 yards per game) and fourth in scoring offense (41 points per game), had 422 yards and 41 points -- by the end of the third quarter.

Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe -- who is five games from becoming former Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe -- had a perfectly good explanation.



"To be honest with you, I was hoping Tony would play today because I knew they would be one-dimensional and I knew that they would throw it," Kragthorpe said. "I really felt that if Tony played, even if he hadn't been hurt, it would've been a lot better matchup for us. They're a little more one-dimensional with Tony in there."

Still, whether it's Collaros or Pike or Pike or Collaros, it doesn't matter to the Bearcats.

"We just flip flop so many quarterbacks that we used all of them on the depth chart," Gilyard said. "No worry about it."

When Saturday's victory, played before a record Nippert Stadium crowd of 35,099, finally ended, Cincinnati's players grabbed the Keg of Nails. It's a barrel trophy that says "Rival Battle for the Nail Keg." It was initiated by fraternity chapters from both campuses back in 1929 signifying that the winning players were "tough as nails."

Cincinnati's players grabbed the barrel and high tailed it to the southeast corner of the stadium where the Bearcats' band jubilantly played on.

Gilyard bounced around autograph seekers on the sidelines before grabbing a homemade sign from a fan and presenting it to Kelly. The sign read: "Happy B-Day Brian Kelly."

Sunday, Kelly will enjoy a very happy 47th birthday. Indeed, these are happy days in Cincinnati.

Bearcat Football Now King of Queen City originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brian kellymardy gilyardzach colllarosBrett McMurphySat, 24 Oct 2009 22:16:00 EST Pike May Play Next Weekhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/pike-wont-play-for-cincinnati/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/pike-wont-play-for-cincinnati/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/pike-wont-play-for-cincinnati/#commentsFiled under:

Tony PikeCINCINNATI -- Cincinnati senior quarterback Tony Pike, who underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) arm earlier in the week, did not play today against Louisville, but could return next week against Syracuse.

Pike watched from the sideline in sweats as No. 5 Cincinnati routed Louisville 41-10 behind back-up Zach Collaros, who made his first start for the Bearcats.

Kelly said Pike had the plate replaced in his left arm Tuesday and remains day to day.

"It's a matter of getting the swelling out," Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. "We want to make sure we don't put him in a position where he can't protect himself.

"He'll start to move himself into a position where a lot of it will depend on his comfort level. Medically, it is what it is."

Pike reinjured his left arm last week against South Florida.

"It was damaged on a helmet hit," Kelly said. "On that stand point, the good news last year is he had a dislocation with that wrist and the fracture. This year, there isn't a dislocation. We'll take it day to day."

Against Louisville, Collaros was 15 for 17 for 253 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries and was pulled in the second half after the Bearcats built a 28-point lead.

In last week's win at South Florida, Collaros came in for Pike and rushed for 132 yards and threw for 72 in the Bearcats' 34-17 victory. In high school, Collaros was 30-0 as a starter and won two state titles.

Pike May Play Next Week originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphySat, 24 Oct 2009 20:30:00 EST Big East Notebook: Votes of Confidencehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/big-east-notebook-votes-of-confidence/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/big-east-notebook-votes-of-confidence/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/21/big-east-notebook-votes-of-confidence/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cincinnati BearcatsWhen the Associated Press preseason poll was released, the Big East was blanked. The Big East had as many teams in the preseason Top 25 poll as the Sun Belt: zero, zip, nada.

Since the league began in 1991, it was only the third weekly poll that the Big East did not have a team in the AP rankings and, on cue, prompted the annual "does the Big East deserve an automatic BCS bowl bid argument?" from out West.

Seven weeks later, however, the Big East is back in the rankings in a big way. The Big East has three teams ranked among the nation's top 22 schools -- no conference has more in the top 22 -- and a legitimate national title contender in Cincinnati.



"I'm not surprised," Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. "I'm just disappointed we're not one of [the ranked teams]."

Cincinnati is ranked fifth, while Pittsburgh is at No. 20 and West Virginia No. 22. The last time the league finished the season with three teams ranked in the AP Poll was 2006 with No. 6 Louisville, No. 10 West Virginia and No. 12 Rutgers.

If Cincinnati, Pitt and West Virginia remain in the Top 25 by season's end and South Florida, currently 28th in the AP rankings, climbs back into the Top 25, the Big East would have four ranked teams in the final AP Poll for only the fourth time and first since 2002.

"[Having three ranked teams] is great exposure for the conference," Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt said. "That's what we're looking for. When it's all said and done, you'd like three to four teams and the rankings and see someone playing for the national championship.

"That strengthens [the league's] reputation."

With the automatic BCS bowl berth argument tabled for at least another season, the league's critics are now questioning whether a 12-0 Cincinnati would deserve playing in the BCS national title game instead of a one-loss team from another BCS league, such as Florida, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma State, USC, Oregon, Iowa or Penn State.

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"I think that's ridiculous," Wannstedt said. "If Cincinnati goes undefeated, they'll be playing for the national title and deservedly so."

ESPN analyst Craig James agrees. Last week he told FanHouse he believes an undefeated Cincinnati team would play for the national title over a one-loss team. And that was before the Bearcats debuted at No. 5 in Sunday's BCS rankings.

"If they run it, they have a real good chance," James said. "The Pac-10 [USC or Oregon] is not going to leap frog them. I don't see that. If Cincinnati goes undefeated, they'll play for the national title [over a one-loss team from another conference]."

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said his club continues to build its resume.

"A win on the road against Rutgers, a win on the road against an Oregon State team and we've got a win on the road against a very good South Florida team," Kelly said. "We're starting to build a little bit of a resume."

Frustrating U.

The Ls continue to pile up at LLLLouisville after Saturday's loss at UConn. The Cardinals (2-4, 0-2 Big East) have lost seven consecutive Big East contests with their next two upcoming league games at Cincinnati Saturday and West Virginia on Nov. 7.

Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe said the Cardinals have not given up on the season.

"The kids have been great," Kragthorpe said. "There isn't anyone in our building that isn't frustrated. If anyone is not frustrated, they shouldn't be in our building. The key is to take that frustration and try to get a win under you belt.

"There's a never say die, never give up attitude."

Pulling Double Duty

With Cincinnati QB Tony Pike questionable for Saturday, Zach Colloras could get the start against Louisville. If so, the league would have four starting quarterbacks that played two sports in college.

Colloras also is an outfielder for the Bearcats. Last season he played in 36 games with 11 starts. He hit .205 with five RBIs.

The league's other three dual-sport QBs all played basketball: West Virginia's Jarrett Brown, Syracuse's Greg Paulus and USF's B.J. Daniels.

They're Gaining On You

The only league team to outgain every opponent this season? Nope, it's not Cincinnati. It's West Virginia. The Mountaineers have outgained five of their six opponents by at least 100 yards.

The closest to come to WVU in total yards was Colorado, which was only outgained by WVU 405-392. For the season, WVU is outgaining its opponents by a league-best average of 124 yards per game.

Behind RB Noel Devine, the Mountaineers also are one of only two league teams that has rushed for more than 125 yards in each game. USF is the other.

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Notre Dame receiver Robby Paris (82) is injured on a hit by Southern California's Taylor Mays (2) and Kevin Thomas (15) late in the fourth quarter during a college football game, Saturday, October 17, 2009, in South Bend, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

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    Notre Dame receiver Robby Paris (82) is injured on a hit by Southern California's Taylor Mays (2) and Kevin Thomas (15) late in the fourth quarter during a college football game, Saturday, October 17, 2009, in South Bend, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

    Iowa State quarterback Jerome Tiller dives for extra yardage during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 24-10.

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    Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon, top, dives into the end zone for a touchdown over Middle Tennessee State defenders, from left, Antwan Davis, Danny Carmichael and Cam Robinson, in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Mississippi State won 27-6.

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    Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall, center, leads his players during NCAA college football practice in Storrs, Conn., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the on campus slaying of player Jasper Howard over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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    Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall, center, leads his players during NCAA college football practice in Storrs, Conn., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the on campus slaying of player Jasper Howard over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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    Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall, center, leads his players during NCAA college football practice in Storrs, Conn., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the on campus slaying of player Jasper Howard over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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    Camouflage design football cleats are displayed during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their NCAA college football games on Saturday, Nov. 14, to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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    South Carolina's football coach Steve Spurrier holds up a jersey with camouflage designs during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their NCAA college football games on Saturday, Nov. 14, to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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    South Carolina's football coach Steve Spurrier, center, flanked by Sgt. Jeremy Hale, left, and Master Sgt. Pete Lara, both from Fort Jackson, as he holds up a jersey with camouflage designs during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, in Columbia, S.C. Maryland and South Carolina will wear uniforms with camouflage designs during their NCAA college football games on Saturday, Nov. 14, to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

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    A UConn Huskies player pats a teammate on the shoulder as the team is called to "play hard in honor of Jasper" by another team member, at the start of practice on the UConn Storrs, Conn., campus on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. Practice was scheduled as usual despite the slaying of Jasper Howard ( 6) over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Ruhe)

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Around the League

If Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has a say in the matter, expect the Scarlet Knights to develop an annual series with Army. "I think that should be an every year game," Schiano said. The teams play Friday night. ... USF's loss to Cincinnati Thursday marked the Bulls' fourth consecutive loss to the Bearcats, the longest losing streak in the program's 13-year history to one school. The Bulls also dropped to 15-15 in Big East play - 5-0 against Syracuse and 10-15 against the remaining six league members. ... A Syracuse victory Saturday against Akron would match last season's win total (three) for the Orange under first-year coach Doug Marrone with five games remaining.

Big East Notebook: Votes of Confidence originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>greg schianoBrett McMurphyWed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST Pike Has Surgery, But May Play Saturdayhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/20/pike-undergoes-surgery-may-play-saturday/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/20/pike-undergoes-surgery-may-play-saturday/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/20/pike-undergoes-surgery-may-play-saturday/#commentsFiled under:

Tony PikeCincinnati senior quarterback Tony Pike underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing arm) Tuesday, but still might play Saturday against Louisville.

Pike broke the arm last season and had a plate and six screws placed in his forearm, but re-injured it in Thursday's win at South Florida. Tuesday's surgery was to repair the plate that Coach Brian Kelly said had shifted around during the USF game.

Pike, who practiced Monday with a cast on his left arm, missed Tuesday's practice and will not practice Wednesday. He is, however, expected to return to practice Thursday.

"We have to get the swelling out of there first," Kelly said Tuesday. "It's something we have to manage day to day.



"It's going to depend on the next 48 hours. He cannot go out there if he can't protect himself. We can't put him in a position if he doesn't feel comfortable. The last time [in 2008] it took two weeks for us to feel like he was ready to go. We're hoping that process is accelerated. That's why we're not going to rule him out."

Ultimately UC's Sports Medicine staff will make the final determination whether Pike will play for the fifth-ranked Bearcats (6-0, 2-0 Big East) against Louisville (2-4, 0-2).

If Pike doesn't play, Zach Collaros, who played in the second half of the win at USF, or Chazz Anderson would get the start. The sophomores are splitting practice reps while Pike is out.

"By going 50-50 [in practice], I'm trying not to be prejudiced one way or the other," Kelly said. "I want to give them both the chance. Here's what I know: both guys can win Big East games, because they have. That's a good problem to have if Tony can't play."

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Pike Has Surgery, But May Play Saturday originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tony pikeBrett McMurphyTue, 20 Oct 2009 18:49:00 EST Tony Pike's Arm Placed in Casthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/tony-pikes-arm-placed-in-cast/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/tony-pikes-arm-placed-in-cast/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/tony-pikes-arm-placed-in-cast/#commentsFiled under:

Tony PikeCincinnati quarterback Tony Pike's left (non-throwing) arm has been placed in a cast and is listed as day-to-day for Saturday's game with Louisville.

Pike participated in Monday's practice for the No. 5 ranked Bearcats.

He will continue to practice this week and be evaluated by both the coaching and medical staffs, a UC official said.

Pike was injured late in the second quarter at South Florida Thursday with what was called a sprained left wrist. Pike returned in the third quarter, but re-injured the wrist and did not return.

Kelly, who said after Thursday's win at USF that Pike would not play against Louisville Saturday, did not completely rule him out for Saturday.



"If he can do [certain] things, he'll go," Kelly said Monday. "If not, he won't. We can't put him out there if he can't protect himself."

Pike leads the Big East and is eighth nationally, averaging 298.6 yards passing per game. He has thrown 15 touchdowns and only three interceptions for the Bearcats (6-0, 2-0 Big East).

Tony Pike's Arm Placed in Cast originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tony pikeBrett McMurphyMon, 19 Oct 2009 16:22:00 EST Florida, Alabama Atop BCS Rankingshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/18/bcs-rankings-2009-alabama-florida-texas-boise-state-cincinn/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/18/bcs-rankings-2009-alabama-florida-texas-boise-state-cincinn/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/18/bcs-rankings-2009-alabama-florida-texas-boise-state-cincinn/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tim TebowThe first BCS standings of the college football season are out, and as everyone expected, they're topped by SEC rivals Florida and Alabama, with Texas coming in third. But there were some surprises after that.

Boise State is the No. 4 team, meaning the Broncos haven't been hurt -- so far -- by their soft schedule. That's the highest opening position for a team from outside the six BCS conferences, and it gives the Broncos a sliver of hope that they could end up in the national championship game.

And in the big surprise of Week 8 of the college football season, Cincinnati is the No. 5 team in the BCS, with Iowa at No. 6 and USC all the way down at No. 7.

The big takeaway from all of this is that even if USC runs the table in the Pac-10, they're going to need a lot of help to get into the BCS title game. USC probably cost itself a shot at the national championship when it lost to Washington a month ago.

What do you think of the BCS standings? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

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TUSCALOOSA - OCTOBER 17: Running back Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide ran for 246 yards and a touchdown during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 17, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide beat the Gamecocks 20-6. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Ingram
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    In this undated photo provided by the University of Connecticut, Jasper Howard is seen. Howard, 20, of Miami, and another student were stabbed during a fight after a fire alarm was pulled during a university sponsored dance at the UConn Student Union just after 12:30 a.m., police said. (AP Photo/University of Connecticut) **NO SALES**

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall speaks during a news conference about the stabbing death of playerJasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, speaks at a news conference about the stabbing death of player Jasper Howard as university president Michael J. Hogan, second from left, Major Ron Blichter of UConn Police, center, UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway, second from right, and player Desi Cullen, right, listen in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    A student walks by yellow tape marking the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    AP

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Police vehicles are parked at the crime scene where University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard was stabbed and killed early Sunday morning, in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Twenty-year-old Howard, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Connecticut football head coach Randy Edsall, left, comforts senior captain Desi Cullen, right, during a news conference about the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard in Storrs, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Howard, 20, of Miami, a junior and starting cornerback, and a second person were stabbed during a fight early Sunday after someone pulled a fire alarm during a dance at the UConn Student Union, police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

    AP

    Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee (5) is tackled by Texas Tech's Bront Bird, in the second half of their NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Texas Tech beat Nebraska 31-10.(AP Photo/Dave Weaver)

    AP

    Texas Tech's Brandon Sharpe (92) swats down a throw by Nebraska quarterback Zac Lee (5), as Nebraska's Ricky Henry (74) and Marcel Jones (78) block Texas Tech's Colby Whitlock (93), in the first half of their NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

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Florida, Alabama Atop BCS Rankings originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Michael David SmithSun, 18 Oct 2009 17:07:00 EST Cincinnati Wins With Backup Planhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/cincinnati-wins-with-backup-plan/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/cincinnati-wins-with-backup-plan/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/16/cincinnati-wins-with-backup-plan/#commentsFiled under: ,

Brian Kelly, Zach CollarosTAMPA, Fla. -- Just a few days ago, quarterback Zach Collaros was running Cincinnati's scout team offense. Late Thursday night inside a near empty Raymond James Stadium, Collaros was the recipient of bear hug from offensive tackle Samuel Griffin, who then lifted him off the ground.

"He was just amazing," Griffin said.

With senior starter and darkhorse Heisman Trophy candidate Tony Pike knocked out early in the second half with an arm injury, Collaros came in to lead the No. 8 Bearcats to a 34-17 victory at No. 21 South Florida.

Pike left late in the first half with a sprained left wrist -- on the same arm he broke last season -- but returned in the second half. Pike lasted only eight plays in the third quarter before leaving for good, after, according to Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, the plate in his arm from last year's injury moved
More Coverage: Injured Pike Out for Next Week


With 10:22 remaining in the third and Cincinnati clinging to a 17-10 lead, Collaros trotted onto the field.

He handed off on his first play for a 1-yard loss. He carried on second down for no gain. On third-and-11 from the 25, Collaros missed the signal from Kelly, forcing Cincinnati to burn a time out.

"We went over the signals again," the coach said of their sideline exchange. "He said he got it the second time."

Collaros took the shotgun snap, took one step back and then raced up the middle. He broke a tackle at UC's 40 and then raced untouched 75 yards for the touchdown.
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"I'm like 'Wow,' " Griffin said. "I'm chasing him down the field thinking 'let's score.'

"We're playing these Florida dudes, they're supposed to be fast, but no one caught him."

Pike said it was "unbelievable."

"On the sidelines, we're a little down and stuff," said Pike, who missed two games last season after breaking his left arm. "For him to break out a run like that to give us some momentum back. It propelled us the rest of the way."

USF defensive coordinator Joe Tresey knows all about Collaros. Tresey, the former Cincinnati defensive coordinator, was the one that recruited Collaros to Cincinnati three years ago.

"Man," Tresey said. "The irony of ironies."

Collaros later added another 3-yard touchdown run and finished with 132 yards rushing. He also threw for 72 yards. Cincinnati was the only BCS school to offer a scholarship to Collaros, who was 30-0 as a starting quarterback at Steubenville (Ohio) High School and won two state titles.

"I loved his moxie and savvy and he didn't lose a game as a high school quarterback," Kelly said. "Sixty thousand [fans]. On the road. Just lost your star quarterback and the No. 2 guy comes in and does what he does.

"It's because of his make up. He's got the intangibles I look for in a quarterback."

And unfortunately for the Bearcats (6-0, 2-0 Big East), they're looking at another starting quarterback. Just last season, Cincinnati used three different quarterbacks because of injuries.

"I don't want to bore you with the details, but I've been down this road before," Kelly said. "We have some things we're prepared for in a worst case scenario."

The worst case scenario for Pike is that his left wrist will require surgery.

"The plate that's in there has shifted," Kelly said. "We don't know what that means exactly until he gets seen by a specialist [on Friday]."

Before his injury, Pike completed 12-of-25 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

"It's frustrating, but obviously with what Zach did you have a level of comfort," Pike said.

Zach CollarosCollaros, who played the part of USF quarterback B.J. Daniels during practice this week, is use to running the scout team. He said he especially enjoyed playing the part of West Virginia's Pat White and, here's another irony, USF's Matt Grothe, who was lost for the season earlier this season with a knee injury.

"I was always a big Matt Grothe fan before I got to college," Collaros said. "He's been playing forever."

How long Collaros remains Cincinnati's starter depends on when Pike can return.

While Cincinnati is once again having to adjust to an injured starting quarterback, USF is also experiencing its own deja vu.

For the past two seasons, USF has climbed in the national rankings with 6-0 and 5-0 starts only to collapse once the Bulls entered Big East play.

The Bulls (5-1, 1-1) self destructed with penalties (12 for 113) and turnovers (two) in losing their fourth consecutive game to the Bearcats.

"I'm going to look at the film, tell them what they did right and what they did wrong ... and we'll move on," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "I don't have any other magical formula I can use."

Pike said the Bearcats' offense has been the difference against USF.

"It's our tempo -- they have a great defense -- but it wears teams down later in the game," Pike said.

No matter who the Bearcats have at quarterback.

"We're kind of accustomed to it, which isn't a good thing," Collaros said. "You never want to see your starting quarterback go down. But it's next man in. We preach that."

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play from the sidelines after an injury against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike
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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play from the sidelines after an injury against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: ESPN commentator Erin Andrews interviews coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats after play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros;Brian Kelly;Erin Andrews

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats talks with injured quarterback Tony Pike #15 during play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros;Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Coach Brian Kelly of the Cincinnati Bearcats directs play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Kelly

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: A cheerleader for the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Safety Drew Frey #26 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrates an interception against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Drew Frey

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Tony Pike #15 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes up field against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Pike

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes for a touchdown against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes for a 70-yard touchdown against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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    TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats rushes up field against the University of South Florida Bulls October 15, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Collaros

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Cincinnati Wins With Backup Plan originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyFri, 16 Oct 2009 02:26:00 EST Injured Pike Out for Next Weekhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/15/tony-pike-undergoing-x-rays/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/15/tony-pike-undergoing-x-rays/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/15/tony-pike-undergoing-x-rays/#commentsFiled under:

Tony PikeTAMPA, Fla. -- Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike returned for one series in the second half after spraining his wrist in the Bearcats' 34-17 over South Florida. That might be the last you see of the quarterback for the near future.

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said Pike will see a specialist Friday and will not start next week against Louisville.

"The plate that's in [Pike's wrist] has shifted," Kelly said. "We don't know what that means exactly until he gets seen by a specialist [Friday] It may mean surgery, it may not mean surgery. I would say right now, he's definitely going to be out for Louisville."

Pike, who broke his left arm last year, underwent X-rays at halftime but they were negative. He returned with a padded sleeve on his left wrist in the third quarter and led the Bearcats' first drive of the second half. But remained on the sideline as backup Zach Collaros took over for the second drive.

Pike completed just 1-of-6 passes for 12 yards in his lone drive in the second half. Collaro ran for a 75-yard touchdown on his first series.

Pike spent much of the third quarter on the sideline with ice on his arm before returning to the locker room for further evaluation. The quarterback returned to the sideline in street clothes in the fourth quarter.

Pike was injured late in the first half when he was hit by USF defensive tackle Aaron Harris.

In the first half, Pike was 11-for-19 for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Coach Brian Kelly said the injury "didn't look good," in a postgame interview with ESPN.

Injured Pike Out for Next Week originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyThu, 15 Oct 2009 21:36:00 EST Payback Bowl? South Florida's Tresey Takes Aim at School That Fired Himhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/payback-bowl-south-floridas-tresey-takes-aim-at-school-that-fi/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/payback-bowl-south-floridas-tresey-takes-aim-at-school-that-fi/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/payback-bowl-south-floridas-tresey-takes-aim-at-school-that-fi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Brian Kelly, Jim TreseyTAMPA, Fla. -- Defensive coordinator Joe Tresey said he never saw it coming.

A couple of months after Cincinnati won the Big East title and played in the Orange Bowl and just days after National Signing Day in February, Tresey was fired by Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly. Tresey had spent the past three seasons as Kelly's defensive coordinator -- one year at Central Michigan and the past two seasons at Cincinnati.

"Yes I was surprised," Tresey told FanHouse. "I think it was over a 3-to-4 day period [that he talked with Kelly]. We had a discussion about going to the 3-4 [defense]."

Sources told FanHouse that Kelly's decision was based on Tresey interviewing for the Miami defensive coordinator position after last season. Tresey basically had the job locked up, but insisted on coaching UM's defensive backs. Miami coach Randy Shannon wanted Tresey assisting with another position and that ended up being a deal breaker, sources said.

Tresey counters his departure from Cincinnati was just about Kelly wanting to change defensive philosophies.

"He came back [after signing day] and wanted someone that had run [the 3-4]," Tresey said. "I was familiar with it. I was going to run it. But I think he felt deep down in my heart, I wasn't doing somersaults. I would have done a good job, he knows that."

Kelly claims it was a matter of changing defensive alignments.

"I wanted to go from teaching Spanish to teaching Russian, in terms of going from [a 4-3 to a 3-4] defensive structure," Kelly said earlier this season. "It's not in his wheelhouse. He was not comfortable with that.

"Philosophically, where I wanted to go, I was going to put him in a tough position. I felt like it would be better for both of us if we went in a different direction."

After getting axed at Cincinnati, Tresey, 51, paid for his own plane ticket to Tampa and got an interview with South Florida coach Jim Leavitt. After a second interview, Tresey was named USF's defensive coordinator in March.
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So far, Cincinnati's loss has been USF's gain. On Thursday night, Tresey's new team faces his former one when the No. 8 Bearcats (5-0) visit No. 21 USF (5-0)

Under Tresey, the Bulls have forced 3.2 turnovers a game, which ranks as the nation's third-best per game average. Two years ago at Cincinnati, Tresey's defense tied for the national lead in turnovers forced and interceptions.

"We practice stripping the ball, a lot of ball drills," Tresey said. "It's one of our goals. Everybody in America as a defensive coordinator practices this stuff. I've been fortunate to be around it the last four-to-five years. It's just one of those things. Sometimes they just happen and they come your way. You keep working it and keep talking about it."

Kelly knew Tresey would be successful and the Bulls would be "first and foremost" fundamentally sound.

"They will not do anything defensively that is not sound," Kelly said. "He's probably one of the best I've been around in the preparation end as far as putting your kids in a good position to succeed.

"And he's just a super guy, a good person. When you meet him you go, 'That's a good guy! That's a good guy!' And he's a sincere guy. There's no BS about Joe Tresey."

Tresey doesn't deal in BS. That's how he was raised by his parents, Joe and Ann, in Warren, Ohio. His father spent his whole life working in steel mills, his mother was a waitress.

He grew up in a 1,200-square foot ranch-style home without air conditioning or a garage with his parents and sister in what he called the "snow belt."

"I thought it was a nice house," Tresey said. "It's all I ever knew."

Cincinnati senior safety Aaron Webster knows all about Tresey and his, uh, let's just say colorful, animated use of the English language.

"This guy is a really intense guy," Webster said. "People take it the wrong way. They think because he's so intense, he's rude. He really isn't. He really loves the game and his players. I respect him for that."

Tresey's coaching style could be described as high-decibel, high-octane and high-energy. When Tresey was hired, he told the Bulls what he expected from them and what to expect from him.

"He came in and told his life story," USF nose tackle Terrell McClain said. "The way he expresses his feelings is because he used to work in the steel mill. That's some crazy stuff."

Added USF safety Jerrell Young: "Tresey definitely takes it to another level. I've never had a coach like that: high school, Little League, anywhere."

Tresey realizes his style of coaching might require an adjustment period for some.

"Probably [a player's first impression of me is] I'm a little bit Type A, a little bit over the wall sometimes," Tresey said. "But you know what? I make it a point to tell them I care about young people. I do what I do, I've done it for 30 years, because I love being around them."

Webster said he enjoyed his two years playing for Tresey.

"For me, Joe Tresey is hands-on," Webster said. "He tries to find what you're bad it and improve it right from the get-go. He wants to improve on your flaws.

"He's also -- I don't want to say over the top -- he's an exciting guy, though. He gets in your face and let's you know how he feels. He's a very different guy.

"If you want somebody different and new, Joe Tresey is your guy."

Despite coaching together for the past three seasons, Tresey and Kelly haven't spoken since February. Tresey still has friends on the Bearcats' staff, but said they've laid out the ground rules for this week. No phone calls and only a quick pre-game handshake.

Tresey said he's never coached against a school he was fired by.

"Never," he said. "That only happens in the NFL for the most part.

"This is a crazy profession, crap happens all the time. Really, I'm only focused on our kids, focused on beating Cincinnati. I've give very little thought [about facing his old team]. That's over with. That was six months ago.

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In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, photo, Florida State tight end Caz Piurowski is checked by team trainers following his knee injury during an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State announced Monday, Oct. 12, that Piurowski will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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    In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, photo, Florida State tight end Caz Piurowski is checked by team trainers following his knee injury during an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State announced Monday, Oct. 12, that Piurowski will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

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    In this Sept. 26, 2009, photo, Michigan cornerback Boubacar Cissoko (33) trails Indiana wide receiver Tandon Doss (2) on a long pass during an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan has suspended Cissoko indefinitely for violating team rules. Coach Rich Rodriguez made the announcement Saturday night, Oct. 10, after Iowa beat the Wolverines 30-28. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

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    Washington's Desmond Trufant returns an intercepting of a pass from Arizona's Nick Foles at the end fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Earlier in the quarter Washington intercepted another pass returning it for a touchdown to win 36-33 over Arizona. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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    Arizona's Nick Foles, left, talks with teammates before taking to the field for the final series against Washington during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Foles gave up two interceptions near the end of the game one scoring the winning touchdown as Washington wins 36-33. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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    Washington's Kavario Middleton catches a pass for a touchdown against Arizona during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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    Washington players including Taylor Bean, front, celebrate the 36-33 win over Arizona of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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    Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian congratulates quarterback Jake Locker after the 36-33 win over Arizona in an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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    Washington's Devin Aguilar, right, celebrates with Senio Kelemete, left after Aguilar scored a touchdown against Arizona during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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    UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton (2) passes during the first half of their NCAA college football game against BYU at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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    BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall watches his team during the second half of their NCAA college football game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 in Las Vegas. BYU defeated UNLV 59-21. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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"I've had my time from an emotional standpoint to deal with that. It's well over. It's well over."

USF senior defensive end George Selvie isn't so sure.

"He's saying he's not worried about it, but in the back of his mind 'he's like, I get a chance at my old team.' Just going out there against Cincinnati and his old head coach [will be special].

"I think it's a big game for him. I think he really wants it. He's crazy, but I think he's crazier this week. He's just ready to play. He's just fired up."

Tresey maintains it's just another game.

"This is about South Florida and Cincinnati," Tresey said. "If I drop dead tomorrow, they're still playing the game. The game will go on."

Payback Bowl? South Florida's Tresey Takes Aim at School That Fired Him originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>brian kellyJoe TreseyBrett McMurphyTue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST Notebook: QB Injuries Ravage Big Easthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/07/notebook-qb-injuries-ravage-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/07/notebook-qb-injuries-ravage-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/07/notebook-qb-injuries-ravage-big-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Adam FromanOn Monday, Louisville coach Steve Kragthorpe was asked who would be the Cardinals' starting quarterback Saturday against Southern Miss.

"I don't want Southern Miss to know who the quarterback is," Kragthorpe said. "You guys will find out when they walk out on game day."

Forget the Abbott and Costello routine "Who's on first?", "Who's starting at quarterback?" has become the all-too-common theme in the first month of the Big East.

Last year, the league was stockpiled with clear-cut starting quarterbacks at West Virginia (Pat White), South Florida (Matt Grothe), Rutgers (Mike Teel), Pittsburgh (Bill Stull), Louisville (Hunter Cantwell) and Syracuse (Cameron Dantley). At Cincinnati and UConn, Tony Pike and Tyler Lorenzen ended up getting the majority of the starts, but the Bearcats and Huskies each used three different starting quarterbacks last season.

This year because of injuries, determining a starting quarterback at several league schools has been more like musical chairs.

Last season in the Big East, 12 players started at least two games at quarterback. This year, the league already has had 11 players start at least two games at quarterback -- and if Adam Froman starts for Louisville Saturday, he will be the 12th league QB with at least two starts this season.

Injuries have had a great impact on the position throughout the league and the No. 1 example is at South Florida where QB Matt Grothe was lost for the season with a torn ACL. In a cruel irony, Grothe's injury occurred a week after he passed White as the league's all-time leader in total offense.

Overall, the league's list of wounded QBs who have missed a start because of an injury could fill a MASH unit: USF's Grothe (knee), UConn's Zach Frazer (knee), Louisville's Justin Burke (bruised sternum) and Rutgers' Tom Savage (concussion).

Rutgers' coach Greg Schiano, who has had Savage and Domenic Natale split four starts this season, was asked about Savage's availability for Saturday's game with Texas Southern. Schiano's answer summed up how most of the coaches in the league are feeling about their own situations.

"We hope to have him back," Schiano said.

Buckeye State Bragging Rights

Forget health care, the big debate in Ohio these days is who has the better football team? Cincinnati or Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have the storied tradition, the only two-time Heisman winner, the dotting of the I, the most BCS title game losses, etc. Cincinnati has -- uh -- the better chili.

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This year, though, the Bearcats also might be better on the field. At least in the eyes of the Associated Press voters.

The Bearcats are No. 8 in this week's AP poll, one slot ahead of No. 9 Ohio State. It's the first time since 1951 that the Bearcats are ranked higher than Ohio State. Ohio State won the last meeting 37-7 in 2006, but unless they meet in a bowl game, they won't play again until 2012.

"By that time hopefully we've continued to accelerate our program where Ohio State has something to gain by playing us," Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. "In years past, this [which is the best team] wasn't really a conversation because Cincinnati wasn't the kind of program that would merit that kind of conversation."

While the AP voters gave Cincinnati the slight edge, it's not even close according to one member of the Kelly household.

Kenzel Kelly, Brian's 8-year old son, recently pitted Cincinnati against Ohio State on his PlayStation. The final score was Cincinnati 91, Ohio State 0 - and it wasn't even that close.

"I promptly took him to McDonald's," Brian Kelly said.

Big Four Billboard Boasting

Near downtown in Tampa, Fla., USF's marketing department put on a USF-sponsored billboard: "Big 4: Welcome to the Club Bulls Fans." It's in reference to USF's win at Florida State two weeks ago and the Bulls' quest to make the state's Big Three of Florida, Florida State and Miami a Big Four.

The billboard has the No. 3 crossed out and includes team logos of UF, FSU, UM and USF.

USF coach Jim Leavitt, who called the win at FSU the "biggest in school history, no question," was not thrilled about the new billboard.

"I had nothing to do with it, I don't know how it got up and I don't know who put it up," Leavitt told the Tampa Tribune. "We have not won national championships and we have not won conference championships. What gives us the right to sit there all of a sudden like we've won all these championships and done all this stuff? That's not me. That's never been me.

"I don't want people to sit there and think I think we're all that -- because we're not. We're a program that's trying to get competitive. We're a program trying to build."

The Bulls, who are 1-0 against FSU, 0-1 against Miami and have never played Florida, get their next crack at a Big Three/Big Four program Nov. 28 when they host Miami.

Around the League

Last season, UConn's Donald Brown led the nation in rushing with 2,083 yards. This season, the Huskies are ahead of Brown's pace -- albeit it's the combined numbers of Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman. Dixon and Todman are combining for 191 yards per game, compared to Brown's 160-yard per game average last season. "Andre is more of a slasher, while Jordan is a little bit shiftier," UConn coach Randy Edsall said about his dynamic duo. ... Pitt QB Bill Stull has gone from being booed by the home fans in the season opener to No. 5 nationally in passing efficiency. The difference? "This may be too simple, but the No. 1 thing is he's not throwing interceptions," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. ... Louisville has held second-half leads in two of its three losses this season, but has been outscored 41-24 in the fourth quarter this season. Pitt outscored UL 28-0 in the second half of Friday's 35-10 win. "The first three series of the second half were catastrophic," Kragthorpe said. ... How hard has it been for USF to replace kicker Maikon Bonani, who suffered a back injury this summer falling from a Busch Gardens skyride? Delbert Alvardo and Eric Schwartz have combined to miss six of nine field goals - with five of the six misses from 40 yards or closer.

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Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 6: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian University, attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf-Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Brian Bedder/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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    Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) celebrates with teammate Sergio Perez, rear, after scoring on a 52-yard pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy linebacker Boris Lee (2) breaks up a pass intended for Middle Tennessee State receiver Malcolm Beyah (4) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. At left is Troy defender Tebiarus Gill. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) reacts after scoring in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee State in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Middle Tennessee States's Emmanuel Perez (91) and Jeremy Kellem (20) walk away. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) is pursued by Middle Tennessee State's Marcus Udell (3) on a 52-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Middle Tennessee State wide receiver Desmond Gee runs for a first down as Troy's Tebiarus Gill (10), Bryan Willis (26) and Boris Lee (2) defend in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) dives to the end zone as Middle Tennessee State safety Jeremy Kellem (20) tries to make the stop in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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Notebook: QB Injuries Ravage Big East originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyWed, 07 Oct 2009 11:02:00 EST Rewind: Fab Four Emerge in Big Easthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/05/rewind-fab-four-emerge-in-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/05/rewind-fab-four-emerge-in-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/05/rewind-fab-four-emerge-in-big-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


The past week was fairly routine and predictable for the Big East: Cincinnati, South Florida, West Virginia and Pittsburgh all won fairly easy as they were expected against lesser competition.

The season isn't even to the halfway mark -- heck not every team has even started Big East play yet -- but that quartet has emerged as the Big East's Fab Four.

Entering the season, the consensus of all the preseason magazines and .com's was that any one of five teams would win the league. Those four plus Rutgers were considered good enough to win the league in a race that would be too close to call.

The Scarlet Knights lost to a Cincinnati buzzsaw in their season opener, but have allowed only 35 points in winning three consecutive games against subpar competition since, so they might be better than they showed in Week 1.

Whether Rutgers or, maybe even Connecticut, deserves to be included in the upper half of the league should be known fairly soon. In the next two weeks, UConn visits Pitt Saturday and the following week Rutgers hosts the Panthers.

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. I guess Cincinnati really doesn't need the ball that much.

In its past two games combined, Cincinnati's offense has had the football for only 35 minutes and 27 seconds or about the same amount that some teams have in one game. Yet, the Bearcats are doing plenty with their limited opportunities. In the two wins against Fresno State and Miami, Ohio, Cincinnati has scored nine offensive touchdowns in 35:27, or an average of one touchdown every 3 minutes and 56 seconds it has the ball. You want efficiency? Check this out: the Bearcats' nine TD drives the past two games averaged to a remarkable 1:54, a virtual two-minute drill. Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly isn't worried about the time of possession disparity or slowing down the Bearcats' scoring drives by saying "I'd rather score quickly."

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2. West Virginia's worst enemy is ... West Virginia.

OK, maybe this was obvious after the six turnover night at Auburn, or the four turnovers against East Carolina, or ... West Virginia is averaging 465 yards a game -- and nearly as many turnovers a game. The Mountaineers have lost 14 turnovers in the past three games. But they aren't biased toward a particular turnover. Against East Carolina, the Mountaineers lost three fumbles. At Auburn, they had five interceptions. In Thursday's win against Colorado, they lost four fumbles. "We're sloppy," WVU coach Bill Stewart said. WVU's offensive numbers -- second in the Big East, 13th nationally -- would be even more impressive if the Mountaineers could ever hold onto the dang football. In WVU's three games against FBS teams, the Mountaineers have more turnovers (14) than punts (10). Beware the Mountaineers if they can ever stop giving the football away.

3. USF is really, really good -- or maybe just taking advantage of an easy schedule.

For the third time in as many seasons, South Florida is back in the national rankings. Despite losing senior QB Matt Grothe to a season-ending knee injury in their third game, the Bulls (5-0) are No. 23 in this week's AP Top 25. Off this week, they might sneak into the top 20 this weekend if enough ranked teams lose. The Bulls' most impressive win so far was clearly at Florida State, but the Seminoles are struggling big-time this season. Also, two of USF's wins were against FCS teams (Wofford and Charleston Southern) and a third victory was against Western Kentucky, possibly the nation's worst FBS team. All of their first five opponents currently have losing records and are a combined 7-17. It won't take long to find out if the Bulls are legit contenders or pretenders. USF's next four opponents (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Rutgers) has a combined record of 15-3.

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In this Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 photo, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is shown walking the sideline during the second half against Boston College of an NCAA college football game at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
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    In this photo taken Sept. 12, 2009, Illinois' QB Eddie McGee (10) heads down field against Illinois State during the second half of the NCAA college football game at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. Illinois will start backup quarterback Eddie McGee on Saturday against Michigan State instead of Juice Williams. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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    In this photo taken Oct. 3, 2009, Illinois' quarterback Juice Williams (7) scrambles out of the pocket against Penn State during the first half of the NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. Illinois will start backup quarterback Eddie McGee on Saturday against Michigan State instead of Juice Williams. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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    In this Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 photo, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden is shown walking the sideline during the second half against Boston College of an NCAA college football game at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

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    In this photo made Oct. 3, 2009, Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher makes a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College at Alumni Stadium in Boston. Boston College won 28-21. The chairman of the Florida State University trustees wants Bobby Bowden to retire at the end of this season. Jim Smith said Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, the arrangement with Bowden as head coach and his successor, Jimbo Fisher, as offensive coordinator isn't working. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)

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    Washington State running back Logwone Mitz, top, attempts to leap in for a touchdown but is stopped short by the Oregon defensive during the second half of their NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. Oregon beat Washington 52-6.

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    In this Oct. 3, 2009 photograph, Mississippi State linebacker K.J. Wright (34) attempts to block a first half pass by Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt (9) during their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss. Josh Nesbitt is making it tough on defensive coordinators. The Georgia Tech quarterback did a little bit of everything the last two weeks, baffling defenses in wins over Mississippi State and North Carolina. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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    Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (7) scores a touchdown past UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner (1) in the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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    Houston quarterback Case Keenum and UTEP defender Aaron King chase a fumble during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. Keenum was unable to recover the ball and it was instead picked up by UTEP's Roddray Walker and run 70 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

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    Houston's Brandon Brinkley agonized after UTEP's Donald Buckram scored his fourth touchdown of the evening during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. UTEP linemen celebrated with Buckram in the background. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

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    UTEP defender Roddray Walker sprints 70 yards for touchdown after recovering a Houston fumble during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)

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Re-Tweeting Week 5

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: Start the hype: No. 8 Bearcats visit No. 23 USF Oct. 15 in nationally televised contest of league's only unbeatens

2. USF: Behind new defensive coordinator Joe Tresey, Bulls are third nationally forcing 16 turnovers

3. WVU: Just call RB Noel Devine "The Human First Down." Against Colorado, he had career-high 220 yards on 22 carries

4. Pitt: Bill Stull, former whipping boy of Pitt fans, is now fifth in nation in passing efficiency (11 TDs, one interception)

5. UConn: Huskies best chance for upset at Pittsburgh Saturday will be taking advantage of league's second-worst rush defense

6. Rutgers: Another FCS cupcake (Texas Southern) Saturday moves Rutgers to 4-1 before hosting Pitt on Oct. 16

7. Syracuse: Is turnover-machine hyphenated or two words? Greg Paulus' five interceptions part of SU's seven TOs in USF loss

8. Louisville: Flag day coming Saturday when nation's No. 6 (So. Miss) & No. 8 (UL) most penalized teams meet

Follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at @Brettmcmurphy

Rewind: Fab Four Emerge in Big East originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST Big East Notebook: Cincinnati Joins Top-10 Clubhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/01/big-east-notebook-conference-pulls-rank/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/01/big-east-notebook-conference-pulls-rank/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/01/big-east-notebook-conference-pulls-rank/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BearcatsWhen Cincinnati climbed to No. 10 in this week's Associated Press poll, the Bearcats became the league's fifth member to be ranked in the top 10 since the 2007 season.

The other Big East teams to reach the top 10 since 2007 all came during the 2007 season. USF and West Virginia each reached No. 2, while Louisville was as high as No. 8 and Rutgers was No. 10.

The only league members who haven't been ranked in the top 10 the past three seasons are Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Syracuse, although UConn reached No. 16 in 2007 and Pitt was as high as No. 17 last season.

Since 2007, only the SEC can boast of a higher percentage of league members being ranked in the top 10 than the Big East.

Here's a quick breakdown of the percentage of teams ranked in the top 10 of the top six conferences since 2007.

  • SEC 66.7 percent (8 of 12)
  • Big East 62.5 percent (5 of 8)
  • Big 12 50 percent (6 of 12)
  • Big 10 45.4 percent (5 of 11)
  • Pac 10 40 percent (4 of 10)
  • ACC 33 percent (4 of 12)

West Virginia is all "grown up"

When West Virginia hosts Colorado Thursday night, maybe it won't bring back reminders to the Swingers line: "Our baby is all grown up." But WVU coach Bill Stewart said his Mountaineers grew up after last year's 17-14 overtime loss at Colorado.

During that game, ESPN's Erin Andrews remarked about the Mountaineers' sideline: "It's mass confusion down here," she said. "Just a mess."

West Virginia footballColorado's victory against West Virginia came a week after the Mountaineers were upset by East Carolina. Yes, the Mountaineers had upset Oklahoma under Stewart in the Fiesta Bowl the previous year, but three games into Stewart's first full season, West Virginia was 1-2.

Stewart said he watched tape of last year's game with Colorado on Monday morning and "got sick. I wish I didn't watch it," he said. "I've been in a bad mood ever since."

Ever since that loss, though, the Mountaineers have gone 10-3 ---and very easily could be 13-0. Their only losses were to Cincinnati 26-23 and Pittsburgh 19-15 last season and two weeks ago to Auburn 41-30, in a game WVU dominated statistically but lost because of six turnovers.

"We grew up as a football team," Stewart said. "And I said it then, I said, 'now we have a foundation.' "

Stewart said last year's loss at Colorado was similar to a 22-20 loss at Miami in 2003. The Mountaineers responded from that loss by winning seven consecutive games and finishing as Big East co-champions. WVU earned a Gator Bowl berth, where it lost to Maryland.

"We were 1-4 [in 2003] and we lost, but we had a football program coming together," Stewart said. "That's what I felt that night and that's what I thought last year [after losing at Colorado]."

Stewart said the matchup with the Buffaloes is "a big game for the Big East because it's a Thursday night showcase. We have a lot riding on this football game."

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In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Notre Dame guard Chris Stewart (59), offensive tackle Paul Duncan (72) and guard Trevor Robinson (78) react following a touchdown by Notre Dame during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Notre Dame won 24-21. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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    In this Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, photo, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark walks the sideline during the second half of an college football game against Syracuse in State College, Pa. Penn State won 28-7. Penn State takes on Illinois on Saturday Oct. 3, 2009 in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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    In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen (7) pitches the football as guard Chris Stewart (59) and center Eric Olsen (55) block during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Notre Dame won 24-21. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP

    In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Notre Dame guard Chris Stewart (59), offensive tackle Paul Duncan (72) and guard Trevor Robinson (78) react following a touchdown by Notre Dame during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Notre Dame won 24-21. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP

    Dan Beebe, left, Big 12 Conference commissioner, listens as John Marinatto, Big East Conference commissioner, speaks at a press conference, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in New York. The NCAA college football conferences and the New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to a four-year deal to play the first bowl in the Bronx since 1962. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

    AP

    New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, center, speaks, as New York Yankees' managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner left, and Yankees' president Randy Levine, right, listen during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Big East and Big 12 NCAA college football conferences and the Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to a four-year deal to play the first bowl in the Bronx since 1962.(AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

    AP

    New York Yankees' managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, right, receives a football and helmet from Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, second from left, as Big East commissioner John Marinatto, second from right, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, look on, during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York. The NCAA college football conferences and the New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to a four-year deal to play the first bowl in the Bronx since 1962. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

    AP

    A poster depicting how the football field will be situated stands on an easel during a press conference, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Big East and Big 12 NCAA college football conferences and the New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to a four-year deal to play the first bowl in the Bronx since 1962.(AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

    AP

    Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops answers a question during a news conference in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Oklahoma takes on No. 17 Miami in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Miami. (AP Photo)

    AP

    Penn State coach Joe Paterno listens to a question during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State takes on at Illinois in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

    AP

    Penn State coach Joe Paterno jokes with reporters prior to his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State takes on at Illinois in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

    AP



Crucial early matchup in the 'Ville

Perhaps Friday night's league opener between Pittsburgh and Louisville is too early to call it a "critical" game for either team, but both clubs desperately could use a victory.

The Cardinals (1-2) struggled in their opener against FCS member Indiana State and then lost consecutive games to Kentucky and Utah. The loss to Kentucky was the third consecutive UL loss in the series, something that's never happened before.

Since upsetting nationally ranked USF last season, the Cardinals have not defeated a FBS team, losing the final five of 2008 -- that cost them a bowl bid -- and the first two of 2009.

Fair or not, Steve Kragthorpe entered this year, his third at Louisville, as the conference's obvious choice in the "Coach on the Hot Seat" category. Kragthorpe has the total backing of Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, but another non-bowl season certainly would not be the best thing.

Pittsburgh is a much different case, having lost only last week at N.C. State after blowing a 31-17 lead late in the third quarter. But still there are questions about the Panthers, who were the preseason pick to win the league title. Even though the Panthers are off to a 3-1 start, Pitt's defense -- the biggest reason it was pegged as the league's team to beat -- has been atrocious so far, especially its pass defense.

Pitt has allowed eight TD passes, second worst in the league to Syracuse, and its three interceptions is the league's second-fewest total.

Perhaps even more shocking is that the Panthers are allowing 352 yards per game; again only Syracuse is worse in the league. The Panthers' numbers are this poor, even though Pitt ranks fourth in the nation, averaging four sacks per game.

While winning the league after starting 0-1 is not impossible -- in fact the last two league champions started either 0-1 (West Virginia in 2007) or 1-1 (Cincinnati 1-1) -- the Panthers don't look like the league's best team one-third of the way through the regular season.

Again, maybe it's too early to call a Big East opener crucial, but the loser of Friday night's game will certainly have a much smaller margin of error the rest of the way -- whether it's Louisville trying to get a bowl bid or Pittsburgh trying to win the league.

Around the league

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said Saturday's win against Fresno State was a rarity for him. "In 19 years of coaching, you don't ever think you're going to go into a game and run 39 offensive plays and still be around to talk about wins," he said. "We're built to move quickly, with bigger-chunk plays. We're not a ball-control offense. But we've got to make sure we give [quarterback] Tony Pike enough snaps." ... USF's upset at No. 18 Florida State improved the Bulls to 5-0 in their last five games against AP Top 25 ranked opponents. However, in that same time frame, the Bulls are a head-scratching 7-9 against unranked BCS opponents. ... UConn defeated Rhode Island 52-10 last week despite fumbling seven times. The Huskies only lost three, though. The Huskies have committed nine turnovers so far, second-only to West Virginia (10). ... Cincinnati has scored at least 21 points in the first half of all four games this season, while Syracuse failed to score 21 points in two of its four games. ... In the month of October, Big East teams will play six nationally televised weeknight games.
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Big East Notebook: Cincinnati Joins Top-10 Club originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyThu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST Good Weekend for Big East, Despite Grothe's Injuryhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/21/good-weekend-for-big-east-despite-grothe-injury/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/21/good-weekend-for-big-east-despite-grothe-injury/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/21/good-weekend-for-big-east-despite-grothe-injury/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Brian KellyIt was a good week for the Big East, but it was oh-so-close to being a great week for the league. If not for a fumbled punt return by Louisville's Trent Guy and a turnover-fest by West Virginia on a rainy night in Auburn, Ala., the Big East would be have been a perfect 8-0 last week in non-conference action.

The league went 6-2, including a 3-2 mark against BCS opponents and upsets by UConn at Baylor and Syracuse against Northwestern.

For as well as the league did, though, there was a touch of melancholy with the news that USF QB Matt Grothe, the league's all-time leader in total offense, suffered a torn ACL Saturday against Charleston Southern, ending his USF career.

The Cincinnati Bearcats - one team that's all too aware of having to replace quarterbacks - posted the most impressive win of the week, knocking off Oregon State in Corvallis. It ended a 26-game winning streak by the Beavers against non-conference teams at home.

Some things we may have actually figured out in the past week

1. No matter how good your starting QB might be, you better have a quality backup.

Besides the devastating news about Grothe's season-ending torn ACL, a couple of other league teams had some anxious moments with their quarterbacks. Rutgers' Tom Savage was knocked down against Florida International and was motionless on the turf for about 45 seconds. Savage appears he'll be OK. Also, West Virginia's Jarrett Brown left late in Saturday's loss at Auburn with what appeared to be an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Savage and Brown should return this week. Grothe, however, doesn't have that luxury.

2. The bottom of the Big East isn't as bad as I thought.

To UConn coach Randy Edsall: I apologize. I thought you guys would tank it, stink up the joint at Baylor. Yet, without three offensive starters, the Huskies pulled off the upset. And kudos to Syracuse. Even though I predicted a Syracuse upset against Northwestern, that doesn't diminish the job the Orange did in outlasting the Wildcats. Even though Syracuse blew a 17-0 first quarter lead. And poor Louisville. The Cardinals had the game won at Kentucky, but a fumbled punt return proved to be the difference.

3. And the top of the Big East is better than most people think.

Winning at Oregon State is no easy task -- just ask USC. The Bearcats keep chugging along and continue to climb in the polls. It's only a matter of weeks, I guess, before we start seeing the "does an undefeated Cincinnati deserve a spot in the BCS title game?" storylines. Pittsburgh also keeps winning, but victories against Youngstown State, Buffalo and Navy doesn't exactly qualify the Panthers as world beaters just yet. West Virginia's offense has proven it can run up and down the field, but if the Mountaineers don't get a handle on the ball or improve their turnover margin, it's not going to matter.

4. The preseason is over for USF.

The Bulls played nearly as many preseason games as NFL teams opening against Wofford, Western Kentucky and Charleston Southern. This week, the Bulls will finally find out what kind of team they have when they visit Florida State.

Re-Tweeting Week 3

Ranking the league from top to bottom and summarizing each team, in 140 characters or less.

1. Cincinnati: We've already touted that Bearcats are best team in city. Heck, they might be best team in state of Ohio, including OSU.

2. Pitt: Say it ain't so: Pittsburgh's home fans are actually cheering for QB Bill Stull. What's next? Philly fans cut Santa Claus some slack?

3. WVU: Mountaineers still drying out from Saturday's sloshing at Auburn. WVU off this week before hosting Colorado next Thursday.

4. USF: I might rank the Bulls higher if they had played anybody so far. QB B.J. Daniels makes his homecoming to Tallahassee Saturday.

5. UConn: Baylor won't ever be confused with Texas, or Texas Tech, or you get the point, but UConn got an impressive win on the Big 12 road.

6. Syracuse: What an impact former Duke point guard Greg Paulus has had at quarterback. Two of SU's first three games decided on last second treys.

7. Rutgers: If Scarlet Knights win at Maryland Saturday, they have an open date and Texas Southern on tap before Pitt comes to town Oct. 16.

8. Louisville: Muhammad Ali attended UL's loss at Kentucky, but Cards never could deliver the knock out. UL may get KO'd at Utah this week.

You can follow Brett McMurphy on Twitter at twitter.com/Brettmcmurphy

Good Weekend for Big East, Despite Grothe's Injury originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphyMon, 21 Sep 2009 16:35:00 EST