Schedule Preview: Big East Conference

We went over the non-conference schedule, now we’re going to dive right in to the Big East schedule. [HailWV] Enough bullshitting, our preview comes right after the jump.

University of South Florida Bulls
Last year’s record: 8-5 (3-4, Big East)
USF won the very last (and short-lived) International Bowl.

Rating:

out of 5.

South Florida has given the Mountaineers fits over the years, namely in 2007 and 2009. However, WVU won in 2008 during “White Night”, and look to win their first conference game of the 2010 season. Meanwhile, USF will collapse at the end of the season and wind up in one of the Big East “Butt Bowls.”

Syracuse University Orange
Last year’s record: 4-8 (1-6, Big East)
Last time Syracuse was relevant in the Big East: 2004

Rating:

out of 5.

Only because it’s a conference win. Seriously, what the hell happened to Syracuse anyway? I remember when they used to have a good football team! Today, they’d be ecstatic if they make it to the Birmingham Butt Bowl!

University of Connecticut Huskies
Last year’s record: 8-5 (3-4, Big East)
The 2010 season would have been Jasper Howard’s (RIP) Senior Year.

Rating:

out of 5.

UConn is slowly rising to the top of the Big East. Never count them out. They will be looking for revenge on Rich Rodriguez from being blown out in late 2007 in Morgantown when they go up to Michigan for their season-opener. Look for them to open a can of whoop-ass on Michigan. However, they are still a middle-of-the-pack conference team, and aren’t quite up there yet to be considered a huge opponent. Also, the UConn football team will be honoring their fallen teammate Jasper Howard this year, since it should have been his Senior season.

University of Cincinnati Bearcats
Last year’s record: 12-1 (7-0, Big East)
This team loves choking anytime they represent the Big East in the BCS.

Rating:

out of 5.

Oh look, you do good two seasons, back-to-back, and you have fans that have an inflated sense of importance to College Football. And, what’s this, the coach leaves for Notre Dame IN AN UNDEFEATED SEASON!? Yeah, something’s not right in Ghettopolis, OH when that happens. I would have rated them 4/5, or even 5/5, but until the Bearscats can get the job done in the post-season (lost to Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl 20-7 and to Florida in the Sugar Bowl 51-24), they just aren’t THAT worthy of an opponent. Plus, with their offense (Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard) off to the NFL, they’re banking their success on new QB Zach Collaros. Look for WVU to finally get revenge after the past 2 years, especially last year’s defeat that was handed to Cincy by the replay booth and Big East Commissioner John Marinatto. Can’t wait to see this program go down in flames this season, see them back to the bottom tier of the Big East and see their mouth-breathing fans cry. Besides, you all have basketball, right?

University of Louisville Cardinals
Last year’s record: 4-8 (1-6, Big East)
3 year absence from the post-season.

Rating:

out of 5.

Steve Kragthorpe is out the door, Charlie Strong is in. This would have been rated 4 or 5, but the program hasn’t been the same since Bobby Petrino left, and will be rebuilding yet again under Charlie Strong.

University of Pittsburgh Panthers
Last year’s record: 10-3 (5-2, Big East)
No description necessary

Rating:

out of 5.

That’s right, the 103rd Backyard Brawl gets a 5/5 on the Cookskin Hat scale. This is the game where you throw out the records, throw out the stats, just throw it all out the damn window. These two schools, separated by a mere 75 miles, just absolutely hate each other. The teams hate each other, and the fans absolutely despise each other.

This is a game where you don’t prepare for it by watching gamefilm the night before. No. This is a game you prepare for by watching movies such as Boondock Saints, Scarface, and Inglourious Basterds. It’s that nasty of a rivalry.

I personally hate everything associated with the University of Pittsburgh… my blood pressure rises to unhealthy levels whenever WVU plays them. I prepare for any-and-everything when I go to a Backyard Brawl. How? Well, by watching the aforementioned movies, fueling up on “Tucker Max Death Mix” (although I know I used WAY TOO MUCH Everclear last year), bundling up, and wearing my steel-toed boots. Get ready for another barn-burner.

Rutgers University Scarlet Knights
Last year’s record: 9-4 (3-4, Big East)
The birthplace of really bad College Football.

Rating:

out of 5.

Rutgers gave WVU a hell of a game December 2006; 3 OTs. 10 years before, they were the doormat of the Big East. Now, they are just another middle-of-the-pack team that visits the Conference’s Butt Bowls quite frequently. Look for WVU to win out by a TD + FG (10 points for those of you in Huntington.)

And that does it for our schedule preview. LET’S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!