Big East Week 6 Preview: Entrees, Appetizers and Friday Night at Rutgers

Ah, finally, Big East conference games—well, a pair anyway.

While you prepare for your tailgates or tube viewing, with the weather turning wonderfully cool everywhere—even the oven's been turned off in Florida—we've stirred up a huge pot of chili for you, so stuff down some chili dogs, chili cheeseburgers, and chili over the spaghetti (Cincy fans) and chew on these selections.

Friday

Connecticut (3-2) at Rutgers (2-2)

UConn has perhaps started to figure out what it needs to do to be successful. Unfortunately, Rutgers hasn't. You would contemplate a big dose of Jordan Todman on the ground for the Huskies.

The Scarlet Knights, on the other hand—well, who's going to play quarterback with Tom Savage banged up? Why don't they just run all Wildcat, all the time? Just pretend it's 1950 again; it's a heckofalot like the old single-wing offense. Put Mohamed Sanu back there and just do it.

This one's a national telecast—Friday night lights at Piscataway.

Edge: Connecticut

ESPN, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Syracuse (3-1) at South Florida (3-1)

Six wins for each, and only the lowly on the résumés of these two teams as far as those wins. A step toward Big East contention is totally up for grabs by both teams. Cooler, less humid weather in Tampa will help Syracuse. This is homecoming, so expect a huge crowd for USF. Lots of Syracuse supporters in the Tampa Bay area as well.

B.J. Daniels for USF, Ryan Nassib for Syracuse—two young quarterbacks will have a lot to say in the outcome of this game. USF returns Demetrius Murray at running back, a nice surprise so far for Skip Holtz. Syracuse counters with Delone Carter.

Look for a close, close game.

Slight edge: USF

ESPN3.com, noon

Pittsburgh (2-2) at Notre Dame (2-3)

A MUST win for Brian Kelly and the Irish. Kelly has been a thorn in Dave Wannstedt's side from the Cincinnati days, and with this one being played in South Bend, Notre Dame has a nice home field advantage.

Pitt has been iffy at best, and the defensive game plan for Notre Dame is very simple: Stop Pitt's running game and get after Tino Sunseri. No genius needed to figure that one out.

National telecast for Notre Dame, as usual.

Edge: Notre Dame

N(otre Dame) B(roadcasting) C(ompany), 3:30 p.m.

UNLV (1-4) at West Virginia (3-1)

Should be nothing more than a glorified scrimmage for the Mountaineers. Too much talent on both sides of the ball, and UNLV won't be able to do much about it.

West Virginia should winning going away.

Big edge: West Virginia

ESPN3.com, 3:30 p.m.

Memphis (1-4) at Louisville (2-2)

We'd give Memphis a great shot in this one if it were a rib-fest competition, but it's not. Charlie Strong gets his third win of the season.

Big edge: Louisville

ESPN3.com, 2 p.m.

Miami Ohio (3-2) at Cincinnati (1-3)

You think Cincinnati's desperate for a win? Make that real desperate. Bearcats have a made-to-order opponent to help them get things in order before they make the jump into conference play.

Have some Skyline chili and order up five touchdowns to go.

Big edge: Cincinnati

ESPN3.com, 7 p.m.

There you have it. The Big East opener on Friday night—get your UConn-Rutgers scouting report. In the meantime, enjoy the chili, and we'll see you on Monday for the grades.