Big East Week Three: Cupcakes, Appetizers, and Buffet Busters

With Adam Richman of Man v. Food setting the tone for this week's game feast, we present for your Big East football consumption these cupcakes, appetizers, and a couple of all-you-can eat specials.

West Virginia (2-0) at Auburn (2-0)

Huge game for the Mountaineers, huge game for the Big East with an SEC foe. QB Jarrett Brown got national recognition in the Sporting News this week and will get a lot of attention from the Auburn defense. This is West Virginia's chance to send a message that it is for real and will be in the Big East title fight.

Auburn has wins over La. Tech (37-13) and a big one over Mississippi State (48-24) and has its fans excited. West Virginia has had huge success over SEC teams with five straight wins over members of that conference. National telecast on ESPN2 (7:45). This is an all-you-can-eat gut-buster for both teams.

Slight Edge: Auburn

Cincinnati (2-0) at Oregon State (2-0)

Geez, that's a long trip to Corvallis for the Bearcats. The Beavers have wins over Portland State and UNLV, but they haven't seen an aerial attack like Cincinnati's. The Bearcats score like it's basketball, and Tony Pike has blistered opposing defenses.

That being said, the Bearcats take a step up in competition this week and should get a great test after a long flight. This is a full entree for both teams.

Slight Edge: Cincinnati

Navy (1-1) at Pittsburgh (2-0)

My Annapolis and Navy roots give me sentimental feelings for the Middies. They'll give Pitt's defense a great test with their traditional ground game. Pitt should have too much depth and speed for Navy. Pitt can prove itself a bit with this game.

Edge: Pittsburgh

Northwestern (2-0) at Syracuse (0-2)

The 'Cuse are back home after the Happy Valley Expedition. Doug Marrone and Greg Paulus have the fans behind them, and Syracuse faithful are hoping for a win on Saturday in the Dome. Yet another Big Ten entree for the Orange. They'll need to play well to win. Full entree for Syracuse.

Edge: Northwestern

Connecticut (1-1) at Baylor (1-0)

The Bears will remember last year's meeting at UConn as a game they should have won. Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin was a handful as a freshman and is better this year. He accounted for four touchdowns against the Huskies in the 31-28 loss last year. This may be too tough an entree for Connecticut to digest.

Edge: Baylor

Florida International (0-1) at Rutgers (1-1)

Rutgers will find out that FIU is one of those "annoying" opponents—you know, a team you're supposed to handle but one that gives maximum effort and causes problems. Rutgers needs to establish its ground game early and continue its healing process from the Cincinnati embarrassment. This is a light entree for Rutgers.

Edge: Rutgers

Louisville (1-0) at Kentucky (1-0)

Huge state rivalry. Both teams had last week off, plenty of preparation. Kentucky is a double-digit favorite at home, and form should hold here.  This is a solid appetizer for the Wildcats.

Solid Edge: Kentucky

Charleston Southern (0-2) at South Florida (2-0)

You know that there HAS to be a giant cupcake on the weekly menu, and that's what this is for USF. Charleston Southern was battered and fried by the Florida Gators and then whopped by Wofford.

USF has had trouble finding all of its working parts thus far. The Bulls need to find their run defense, score early and often, get the backups some solid work, and chomp down this cupcake without choking on the crumbs. This is the third of three "warm-ups" for USF and is a GIGANTIC cupcake. Enjoy, Bulls fans!

Huge Edge: South Florida

There you have it—some great spreads, enough to stuff the guts of the most ravenous of eaters, appetizers, and a cupcake for good measure.

Help me out, Big East fans: Should we stay at home and watch Florida-Tennessee followed by West Virginia-Auburn, or go watch USF walk on Charleston Southern at Raymond James? Tough decision.

See you on Monday when Professor Tom gives out the grades for these games.