Big East Preview, Week 4: Entrees, Appetizers and Huge Games

Tonight begins an incredible menu of non-conference football for the teams hoping to contend for the Big East title. It all begins tonight with a national telecast of the Miami-Pittsburgh game. Some really big offerings. So, in that spirit, we have provided you with enough pizza to feed an army of Big East fans and players. So, chow down, eat all you want while you peruse this weekend's football offerings:

Miami (1-1) at Pittsburgh (1-1):

A lot of good athletes on the field tonight. Don't know about you, but I can't wait for this one. Pittsburgh is going to get a healthy dose of "THE U," up close and personal. Randy Shannon has tried to rebuild the program with speed and athleticism, in the image of Jimmy Johnson's teams. This should be a great contest to watch.

Miami has the quarterback advantage with Jacory Harris. Pittsburgh will need for Dion Lewis to emerge from hibernation if it wants to compete, but Miami has a lot of speed on defense. Look for the 'Canes to put a lot of pressure on Tino Sunseri, which means Pittsburgh will need a running game to survive in this one.

Edge:  Miami

Game on ESPN, 7:30 p.m.

West Virginia (3-0) at LSU (3-0):

Big East and Mountaineer pride is on the line here, ladies and gentlemen.

If you've never been to a game at LSU, you've missed one of the great atmospheres in college football. A night game in Death Valley is awesome. You're talking about thousands of screaming fans with some Cajuns mixed in. Outside the stadium will be pyramids of empty bottles and cans from adult beverages consumed before this game.

This will be a supreme test for Geno Smith and his ability to stay cool under fire. You have the athleticism of a big-name SEC program up against the team that is perceived to be the current front-runner in the Big East. This game is winnable for the Mountaineers but they'll have to play a near-flawless game. Smith will have to play well, Noel Devine needs a big night, and the defense needs to step up. Don't miss this one.

Edge:  Toss up.

Game on ESPN2, 9 p.m.

Oklahoma (3-0) at Cincinnati (1-2):

Form says this could be a massacre. Cincinnati has shown little life this season, and this is big, bad Oklahoma, a team that took Florida State apart at the seams. If the same Bearcat team shows up Saturday that showed up in Raleigh last Thursday, it could be a long evening for Bearcat Nation.

Once again, Big East pride is at stake and Cincinnati needs to find a way to keep this one close. Someone will have to convince me that Oklahoma won't win this one easily.

Big Edge: Oklahoma

Game on ESPN2, 6 p.m. 

North Carolina (0-2) at Rutgers (2-0):

Hate to sound like a broken record, but Big East pride is on the line. Who expected North Carolina to come in winless? Butch Davis has had nothing but problems with suspended players this fall.

This will be a great test for the Rutgers defense, and that defense will need to lead the way if the Scarlet Knights are going to have a chance. The Rutgers offense has been dormant, to say the least. Another national telecast and nothing but opportunity for Scarlet Knight nation. Look for a huge turnout and a great effort from Greg Schiano's troops.

Slight Edge: North Carolina

Game on ESPNU at 3:30 p.m.

Colgate (1-1) at Syracuse (2-1):

The Carrier Dome should provide ample home field advantage for the Orange to notch their third win of the season. Ryan Nassib has done a good job settling into the quarterback position. This is a game Syracuse needs to win and win convincingly. Surely, the Big East can prevail over the Patriot League.

Big Edge: Syracuse

Game on ESPN3.com at 3:30 p.m.

Western Kentucky (0-3) at South Florida (1-1):

After a week to recover from its foray into The Swamp, South Florida should be sufficiently rested and recharged to handle the Hilltoppers. Not sure if Skip Holtz's team will find this an easy win. Western Kentucky has an incredible runner in Bobby Rainey who has chalked up 444 yards and five touchdowns in three games. He put up 155 against Nebraska, 184 against Kentucky, and 105 against Indiana. USF should be able to take advantage of a weak WKU defense. USF wins comfortably.

Big Edge: South Florida

Game on ESPN3.com at 7 p.m.

Buffalo (1-2) at Connecticut (1-2):

If ever a team was in need of a quick recovery, it is UConn. The Huskies were flat-out embarrassed at Temple last week, and who knows what to expect from them on Saturday? Look for a heavy dose of Jordan Toddman, as usual, and hopefully, Randy Edsall's defense will find a quick cure for what ails it.

Slight Edge:  Connecticut

Game on ESPN3.com, 12 noon.

There you have it, Big East fans. There's a lot at stake as far as Big East perception around the country is concerned. The Big East has taken it on the chin already this season and needs to get up off the mat and fight back. If nothing else, enjoy the pizza!  See you on Monday when Professor Tom passes out the grades.