Big East Week 10 Report Cards: South Florida Bulls, Louisville Cardinals Step Up

Just call it Big East insanity. Just when you thought Syracuse might be stepping up its game...well you know the rest. It was a really, really quick schedule last week with only two games so let's get right to it.

South Florida 28, Rutgers 27

This was really a great game to watch. Lots of action, lots of big plays, very entertaining and made for television.

USF got a career performance from Mo Plancher, who seems like he's been there 10 years. Actually it has only been six and he put up 135 yards rushing and caught three passes for another 45. Huge night for Mo and he got bailed out at the end of the game when he fumbled at the Rutgers goal line and tackle Jake Sims fell on the ball for USF's winning score.

Can't figure out who thought USF was a 10.5-point favorite in this one but no doubt the bookies took a pounding with this one. 

USF ended Rutgers' hopes to win in the last minute when Jacquain Williams sacked Chas Dodd on an all-out blitz on a 4th-and-3 near midfield and time running out.

Both teams performed well.

Grades:  South Florida: A; Rutgers: C

Louisville 28, Syracuse 20

How about this one, Syracuse fans? Perhaps Syracuse was overconfident...after all, Louisville was using backup quarterback Justin Burke, filling in for injured Adam Froman and Jeremy Wright took over for Bilal Powell, who is nursing a sore knee.  Wright nearly put up 100 against the Orange defense (19/98) and did a great job.

This game shows that Charlie Strong is way, way ahead of schedule at Louisville and this win gave Cardinal fans something to really get excited about.

Talk about Big East turmoil—it's in full bloom.

Grades:   Louisville: A+; Syracuse: F

There you have it, short and sweet. See you on Thursday for some entrees, appetizers and a few more games you can sink your teeth into.