Big East Week One: Entrees, Appetizers, UConn and UM

Rejoice, it is upon us. Football Saturdays in the South, North, East, and West. Leave it to the Big East to get a head start and provide us with some national exposure. Back by popular demand we bring you Big East entrees, appetizers, and often some cupcakes for your opening week tailgate.

College football is a most wonderful, revered tradition and you can feel the excitement in the air. It went by way too fast in 2009 so let's get into it and you can enjoy the roast pig provided here. How about some ribs, pork tenderloin and pulled pork sandwiches to get you started with the 2010 season?

Thursday, September 2:

Norfolk State at Rutgers: Coach Greg Schiano and his men have the home field, some nice returning players and are one of the unknown quantities in the Big East this season. They could surprise their fans either way, be better than expected or not as good as expected. But this game should be a less stressful way to see what's going on with the Scarlet Knights. 

Big Edge:  Rutgers

Game on ESPN3.com, 7:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Utah: This is no cupcake for Pitt, and you can call it a full entree. Pitt should prove too strong offensively for the Utes, who have only four starters returning on defense.  However, they were 6-0 at home last year. Dion Lewis should prove too much for that defense, heck, he was too much for most defenses last year.  Also, look for Jonathan Baldwin to have a great season, he's too tall and too fast. Look for a big night from defensive end Greg Romeus.

Can't help but think about the line from My Cousin Vinny when Vinny Gambini refers to "the utes in question..."  and Judge Haller asks:  "What's a ute?"

Edge:  Pittsburgh

Game on Versus, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 4:

UConn at Michigan: Now for the biggie. Can't go around talking about Randy Edsall opening his season with a cupcake. Are you listening Urban Meyer? No, this is a HUGE game for the Huskies and we're going to call it early. UConn will upset the Wolverines in the Big House and start the sequence that marks the beginning of the end for the Rich Rod era. Remember Notre Dame last year? Look for that kind of performance out of UConn on Saturday.

This could be the surprise team in the Big East this season. Yes, Michigan has the home field edge, but no one gets more out of his team than Edsall.

Edge: UConn to pull the upset

Game on ABC, 3:30 p.m.

Kentucky at Louisville: There are 13 African-American coaches in Division I football and two of them will go against each other at Papa John's Stadium. Joker Phillips brings the Wildcats in for Charlie Strong's debut. Kentucky has too much experience for the rebuilding Cardinals. Strong will have an improved team, but he'll need a miracle to pull an upset here.

Big Edge:  Kentucky

Game on ABC regional, 3:30 p.m.

Coastal Carolina at West Virginia: Too much Noel Devine for Coastal. Look for a big win in the home opener for the Mountaineers, who are Big East contenders with Pitt and Cincinnati.

Big Edge:   West Virginia

Game on Big East regional: 3:30 p.m.

Stony Brook at South Florida: It's the first game of the Skip Holtz era. USF needs to get a big win and some momentum at home, because next week they are stuck in the Swamp.  Look for B.J. Daniels to have a good night and lead the Bulls to victory.

Big Edge:   South Florida

Syracuse at Akron: Here's a tough one to call. Syracuse is obviously rebuilding and hope is in the house. It would be easier if this were a home game. 

Edge:     Akron

Game on ESPN3.com, 6 p.m.

Cincinnati at Fresno State: Here's one for your late night viewing pleasure when you're stuffed from the afternoon games and all that great food and yes, some cold adult beverages. Good news is that Zach Collaros is directing the Bearcat attack and he has enough weapons to get a good win on the road.

Edge:  Cincinnati

Game on ESPN2, 10 p.m.

There you have it, dig in, enjoy and we'll see you on Monday for the report cards! Big East football is back and enjoy it while you can, who knows if it will be around next year.