owlfan1 said

RaiderInTheZone said

fauprowler said

RaiderInTheZone said

In this one, I see South Florida hanging over 40 while holding FAU under 20.  That means that South Florida will cover these 15.5 or 16 point spreads.  USF is dangerous and the best team in the Big East, and the Big East is one of the top two leagues in 1-A this season.

WOW! Needless to say the Big East is FAR from the 2nd best conference. That's like saying the AFC East is the hardest division in the NFL because they have 1 good team. You can't seriously think the the Big East is the 2nd best conference, that was a joke I hope.

Ruger7mmmag said

Can you happen to tell me what the Big East's record was last year in their bowl games?

No one know the answer to this one?

Here's a clue…EVERY team in the Big East had the same result as WVU vs the SEC Champion…

Ruger7mmmag said

Ruger7mmmag said

Can you happen to tell me what the Big East's record was last year in their bowl games?

No one know the answer to this one?

Here's a clue…EVERY team in the Big East had the same result as WVU vs the SEC Champion…

West Virginia played the SEC champion??? I thought Ohio State played the SEC champion and got smoked in the national title game…am I wrong???

GO OWLS!!!

Ruger7mmmag said

Ruger7mmmag said

Can you happen to tell me what the Big East's record was last year in their bowl games?

No one know the answer to this one?

Here's a clue…EVERY team in the Big East had the same result as WVU vs the SEC Champion…

The BIG EAST was 5-0 in bowls. Nobody played an SEC team though. WVU played Ga. Tech. Even with a 5-0 record, the competition wasn't too stiff.

USF played East Carolina.
Cincinnati played Western Michigan.
Rutgers played Kansas State (Rutgers was 10-2 and K-state was 7-5 not a very good match-up)
WVU played Ga. Tech.
Louisville played Wake Forest

5-0 is great, but I wouldn't be too excited when the only quality wins were for WVU and Louisville. Other than that the games and match-ups were a joke.

GO OWLS!!!

You're right about the SEC team, I could've swore it was UGA WVU beat, not GT.  Either way, to discount 5-0 is a mistake.

South Florida (4-0) at Florida Atlantic (3-2)  4:00 EST, ESPNU

Why to watch: After taking small, methodical steps for years under Jim Leavitt, South Florida made a quantum leap last Friday night when it upset West Virginia in a program-defining win.  And all of a sudden, the little engine that could has been transformed into a locomotive, speeding to the favorite role in the Big East and a No. 6 ranking in the latest AP poll.  USF is sizzling these days, so it’ll be up to Leavitt to keep his kids focused on this week’s game with Florida Atlantic, a program that would like to use the Bulls as a blueprint for its own success story.  The Owls have an early lead in the Sun Belt Conference, courtesy of wins over Middle Tennessee State and North Texas, along with the confidence that comes with beating a Big Ten team, Minnesota, last month.  Knocking South Florida off its pedestal is just what Howard Schnellenberger needs to bring national exposure to his burgeoning program.

Why South Florida might win: The Bulls are built on a ferocious, speedy defense, but on this Saturday, the game will be on the offense.  In Florida Atlantic’s three games with BCS opponents, it’s surrendered an average of 42 points and almost 500 yards a game.  QB Matt Grothe will move the chains with his usual versatility, and RB Mike Ford will continue his push to become the Big East Offensive Freshman of the Year.  The Owls lack balance on offense, averaging just 113 yards a game on the ground, which is a recipe for problems against that swarming South Florida D.

Why Florida Atlantic might win: When facing a superior opponent, the one way to close the gap is by creating turnovers, something the Owls are doing better than all but one team in the country.  Led by freshman CB Tavious Polo’s seven interceptions, Florida Atlantic has 18 takeaways through five games, a testament to the aggressive style of play preached by defensive coordinator Kirk Hoza.  Sophomore QB Rusty Smith is an X factor, who carried the Owls to the upset of Minnesota with five touchdown passes and 463 yards on 27-of-44 passing.
Who to watch: If Florida Atlantic gets down early, the ball will be in the air plenty, meaning lots of opportunities for top-flight CBs Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams to break up passes and create turnovers.  The Bulls have allowed just one touchdown pass in the first three quarters of games this year, largely because of the air-tight coverage provided by their two senior corners.

What will happen: The last time South Florida was prone to being unfocused, it steamrolled North Carolina 37-10.  While a sluggish start isn’t out of the question, Leavitt won’t allow a letdown from a group kids that believe it’s a part of something special.

CFN Prediction: South Florida 30 … Florida Atlantic 16 … Line: South Florida -15.5

Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) … 2

Ruger7mmmag said

You're right about the SEC team, I could've swore it was UGA WVU beat, not GT.  Either way, to discount 5-0 is a mistake.

I am not discounting the 5-0 bowl record. However the competition was weak for the most part. Also, some of the teams that were top tier last year aren't this year. Overall, I think the BIG EAST was stronger last year. This year it is a solid conference, but not one of the top two conferences.

GO OWLS!!!

Way to get behind the SunBelt, Raider.

I rooted for you all against Louisville.

BMarkey said

Way to get behind the SunBelt, Raider.

I rooted for you all against Louisville.

I call 'em like I see 'em.  I also said that the Big East was one of the Top 2 leagues this year.  They aren't better than the SEC, but when you stack up Louisville, Rutgers, South Florida, and West Virginia up against teams from the Big 10 (how many 1-AA losses has that league suffered already?), ACC (no comment), and Big 12 (when the best team in the league is Kansas, you know there's a problem) I think the Big East makes a case THIS YEAR.

And the Pac-10.  Well, I saw a Utah team without a win blast a Top 10 UCLA team earlier this season.  Southern Cal isn't really as strong as their ranking indicates.  You might see a SEC/Big East national title game because USC will most likely lose a game on their way before the end of the year.

Bob, I'd be really happy if FAU beat USF, but can you honestly expect to see them do that?  That's like us beating LSU.

RaiderInTheZone said

BMarkey said

Way to get behind the SunBelt, Raider.

I rooted for you all against Louisville.

I call 'em like I see 'em.  I also said that the Big East was one of the Top 2 leagues this year.  They aren't better than the SEC, but when you stack up Louisville, Rutgers, South Florida, and West Virginia up against teams from the Big 10 (how many 1-AA losses did they league suffer already?), ACC (no comment), and Big 12 (when the best team in the league is Kansas, you know there's a problem) I think the Big East makes a case THIS YEAR.

And the Pac-10.  Well, I saw a Utah team without a win blast a Top 10 UCLA team earlier this season.  Southern Cal isn't really as strong as their ranking indicates.  You might see a SEC/Big East national title game because USC will most likely lose a game on their way before the end of the year.

Bob, I'd be really happy if FAU beat USF, but can you honestly expect to see them do that?  That's like us beating LSU.

Exactly.  People need to stop living in the past and judge football teams by who is actually playing on them TODAY and not 25 years ago!  People still rank teams like Bama, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Michigan etc high every year and this is the first year they are actually willing to drop a team FAR to compensate for grossly overrating them like they did Michigan.

It will be interesting to see what the BCS formula says when it comes out.