Big East Week 12: UConn Could Doom Charlie Weis

Over your Charlie Weis-recommended tailgate meal of two dozen Krispy Kreme donuts, we present this week's short Big East schedule of entrees, appetizers and dozens of donuts!

Connecticut (4-5, 1-4) at Notre Dame (6-4)

UConn takes center stage this week in South Bend courtesy of Notre Dame and its subsidiary, N(Notre Dame) B(broadcasting) C(company). Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for embattled coach Charlie Weis? Well, unless the Irish win and win big over the Huskies Saturday, the answer is an overwhelming "yes."

This is certainly a rebuilding year for Randy Edsall and his team is a couple of last-minute plays away from a 6-3 record. You have to give the Huskies credit for playing hard this season in the face of adversity.

You would think Notre Dame can win this game easily and the Irish could make a case for being the third-best team in the Big East if they were in the conference. It will be interesting to see if UConn can run the football.

The Huskies have been able to do that thus far and with Notre Dame's run defense, maybe the guys from Storrs can get something going in this battle.

The Charlie Weis-replacement talk is already in high gear. Of course Charlie is blind to any and all talk of that nature. Like any other coach, he'll tell us that his total focus is on Connecticut.

Are those "Urban Meyer Is Our Dream Coach" signs posted around South Bend yet?

Advantage: Notre Dame

Louisville (4-6, 1-4) at South Florida (6-3, 2-3)

It's homecoming at USF and the Cardinals are just what the doctor ordered for Coach Jim Leavitt and his guys. Of course, Leavitt is taking heat for getting totally blown out at Rutgers, but he's danced his way around that talk this week with the typical coach-speak: "I'm totally focused on Louisville."

USF is doing what it typically does year-in and year-out—it loses to the Big East powers and beats up on the lesser opponents that it schedules. A win on Saturday will again make the Bulls bowl-eligible and it's something that they like to brag about. Yes, it's such a wonderful achievement to be the top pick of the prestigious St. Petersburg Bowl.

Louisville still has enough life left in it to stay in this game if the Cards can contain B.J. Daniels. It has become a trend that as Daniels goes, so go the Bulls.

"We're an up and down team," says Levitt.

Uh, Jim, tell us something WE DON'T KNOW!

Advantage:  South Florida

Rutgers (7-2, 2-2) at Syracuse (3-7, 0-5)

Rutgers is rolling! The Scarlet Knights stuck their swords in South Florida again, and again and again to the tune of 31-0 and sent Jim Leavitt and his gang-green home with egg all over their faces. Syracuse lost the battle for the Big East basement with Louisville, surrendering a last-minute touchdown pass in a 10-9 soccer match.

Rutgers simply has too much going for it to give Syracuse much of a chance in this game.

Should be all Rutgers in the Carrier Dome.

Advantage:  Rutgers

There you have them. Only three games but a nice showcase for UConn with that 2:30 PM kickoff on the national tube from South Bend. As for Notre Dame, well, does Rudy have any remaining eligibility?