Big East Report Card Week One: Blah!

Classes are in session and Professor Tom is back and busy passing out the first grades of the new season. If Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are the flagship teams of the Big East, then this conference is in trouble. Wait, we already knew that. A lot of embarrassment to go around so let's get to work and pass out the grades:

Utah (1-0) 27, Pittsburgh (0-1) 24, overtime:

Didn't expect to see Pitt get dominated on both lines. Offensive line was battered, defensive line looked lethargic. The score was closer than the game was. Quarterback Tino Sunseri was a total "deer in the headlights" in this game. Defining moment of the game was the first play of overtime when he took the snap, looked right, stared at his receiver, then stared some more, then stared some more and finally threw the ball. SURPRISE! It was intercepted. Go figure that one. Did you see the look linebacker Joe Trebitz gave Sunseri on the sideline after that play? Yikes! Dion Lewis held to 75 yards. Just an overall pitiful effort by Pitt. Yes, the Panthers showed plenty of heart with a comeback, but you knew which way this one was headed early. Pitt's performance has opened up the Big East title hunt full-tilt.

Note to Pitt:  You might want to consider NOT joining the Big Ten next year.

Grade:

D (the comeback saved you from an "F")

Fresno State (1-0) 28, Cincinnati (0-1) 14:

If Cincinnati is one of the Big East flagship teams, then this conference is in trouble. Is there an echo out there? Nice start to the Butch Jones era. Do you miss Brian Kelly yet? Where was the rushing game? There wasn't one. This isn't one of Fresno State's better teams. Good thing Ryan Matthews is gone and preparing to play on Sundays. Zach Collaros looked average at best and he's touted to be the best QB in the Big East in many circles. Disappointing to say the least.

Grade:

F

Michigan (1-0) 30, Connecticut (0-1) 10:

Michigan firmly tied a strong "Shoelace" around UConn's neck and squeezed and tightened, and squeezed and tightened until there was no more life left in the Huskies. The UConn defenders will be seeing Denard Robinson in their nightmares. The guy was unstoppable. He rushed for 186, passed for 197, gained 383, more than the entire UConn offense. He could be the guy who saves Rich Rod's job. He was faster than fast, more elusive than elusive. Again, this game was not as close as the score indicated. UConn probably could not have stopped Robinson with 12 men on the field. Just another solid embarrassment for the Big East.

Grade:

F

Syracuse (1-0) 29, Akron (0-1) 3:

Syracuse saved some face for the Big East. The good news is that the Orange came up with a road win, dominating Akron. Starting quarterback Ryan Nassib took control of the offense, ran it well, went 17/27 for 229 yards, with two touchdowns, and ran for 58 yards. Great work. Delone Carter had 91 yards on 26 carries and a TD. Nice job by special teams. Nice opening win for coach Doug Marrone and his team.

Grade:

A

Rutgers (1-0) 31, Norfolk State (0-1) 0:

Nice debut by the Rutgers defense. Corner back Brandon Bing blocked a pair of punts and scored a touchdown. This one went the way it was expected. Nice to see someone taking care of business.

Grade:

B

South Florida (1-0) 59, Stony Brook (0-1) 14:

Solid start for the Skip Holtz era. It was refreshing not to see Jim Leavitt busting a gut racing down the sideline out of the tunnel with one of his "look at me" moments. B.J. Daniels was a solid leader all night and was able to get off the field early after going 15/22 for 264 yards. He was comfortable in the pocket, only ran for 23 yards. Freshman Marcus Shaw stepped up in the running game, Dontavia Bogan and Evan Landi were reliable receivers for Daniels. Special teams needs some attention. USF fans will learn more about their team when it plays Florida on Saturday in Gainesville.

Grade:

A-

West Virginia (1-0) 31, Coastal Carolina (0-1) 0:

Always great to get a shutout in the opener. Noel Devine went for 111 yards on 23 carries, not a biggie for a man of his talents but he will have more spectacular days this year. This will be an interesting team to watch. With Pitt and Cincinnati looking incredibly vulnerable, will the Mountaineers find some real motivation and surprise some folks?

Grade:

B+

Kentucky (1-0) 23, Louisville (0-1) 16:

With the Cardinals down 20-3 at halftime, this had all the makings of a total blowout. Didn't happen. Charlie Strong kept his troops in the game. Game ball to Bilal Powell who ran 16 times for 153 yards, best back in the Big East last week. He broke an 80-yard touchdown run. Comeback fell short in the fourth quarter.

Grade:

C+

There you have it. Overall a bad week for some teams that are supposed to be good. There will no doubt be plenty of Big East bashing going on, for sure. See you later this week for some entrees, appetizers and desserts!