Big East Week Six: Entrees, Appetizers, and Huge Dessert For Rutgers

Greetings Big East eaters! For your Thursday, pre-football weekend consumption, try something like this foot-high artery-clogging burger-fest with about a pound of fries on the side. And while your stomach goes crazy, these entrees, appetizers, and desserts for your added eating pleasure:

Connecticut (3-1, 0-0) at Pittsburgh (3-1, 1-0)

This should be a full-blown entree for both of these "mystery" football teams. We're really not sure about Pitt or UConn. Are they contenders, or pretenders for the Big East title? The Huskies' defense will see how effective they are at stopping the Pitt running game. That is what Pitt does best, it is what Pitt wants to do, it is what Pitt needs to do to win football games. Dion Lewis has been the latest freshman sensation for the Panthers, but they found another guy last week, Ray Graham, who rushed for 75 yards on 12 carries.

Likewise, UConn has found an answer for its running game. Donnie Brown was the man last season, this year, it's a two-headed creature—Andre Dixon and Jordan Toddman. That duo will get a real test on Saturday. On defense, UConn has good news, linebacker Scott Lutrus is back and will play, and he'll need to play well.

This contest should be the best offering in an otherwise unexciting weekend.

Slight edge:  Pittsburgh

West Virginia (3-1, 0-0) at Syracuse (2-3, 0-1)

Here's the battle of the turnover kings. What else can you say? West Virginia hasn't exactly been a shining example of football-protection this season, and Syracuse shot itself in the head last weekend against South Florida. Quarterback Greg Paulus mistook USF players for his own, and completed five passes to the Bulls.

Syracuse needs its defense to step up big-time in this contest, or it won't be a contest at all. If the Orange have a chance, it depends on West Virginia's generosity. Will the Mountaineers continue with their fumbling ways? If they do, Syracuse has a chance, if not, this will turn out to be just a solid appetizer for the Mountaineers.

Edge: West Virginia

Southern Mississippi (3-2) at Louisville (1-3, 0-1)

It's opportunity time for the Cardinals. They have shown flashes of good play, but they need to win this game at home. Southern Miss is no ball of fire. Don't let the three wins fool you. The victories are against Alcorn, Central Florida, and Virginia. Yuck! The losses came against Kansas and Alabama-Birminham.

Louisville needs this win, badly. It will be a light entree, but the Card's should find a way to win.

Edge: Louisville

Texas Southern (1-3) at Rutgers (3-1, 0-1)

There's no other way to put this. This is a GIANT cupcake for the Scarlet Knights. We're talking all-you-can eat dessert, you know, kinda like trying to eat a dozen Dunkin-donuts.

Texas Southern has given up 58 points to Louisiana-Monroe, and 52 to Texas State.

That being said, Southern beat an NAIA school, Texas College, 75-6! Texas College also lost to Stephen Austin, 92-0. That's no typo. Ninety-two points. How do you score 92 points in a college football game. That is cruel and unusual.

This is not even a scrimmage for Rutgers. Greg Schiano needs to call off the dogs early and let young guys eat some donuts.

HUGE, overwhelming edge:  Rutgers

There you have it, a short weekend. Let's face it, it's in the back of everyone's mind, that MAJOR matchup next Thursday between Cincinnati and South Florida. But what the heck, you gotta have something to munch on until then. See you Monday when Professor Tom hands out the grades!