Big East Update

I find it funny that the Big East bashing that annually occurs this time of the year is no different than any other year. Of course, this year the conference has not impressed while in the past it was not nearly as bad as national pundits and fans would lead you to believe. Yet the silly bashing done in the past has not worsened, proving that the bashing was done without any pretense to fact or an actual viewing of Big East game. They disliked the Big East whether the conference was good or bad.

Either way, the very competitive league does have to crown a champion and that program will secure a BCS spot. Pittsburgh is currently the leader at 3-1, but the Panthers have to play two of their remaining three games on the road against South Florida tomorrow and Cincinnati in December. Pitt is 1-3 on the road this year. With their one remaining home game being rival West Virginia, the Panthers are not even close to wrapping up the league title.

Syracuse is currently in second place in the conference at 4-2, which is stunning. The revival of the Orange program under head coach Doug Marrone is crucial to the conference as they have a legitimate presence in New York City--thanks to a strong alumni group there--and have the tradition needed to attract national interest. They only have one remaining game in conference, tomorrow night's clash with UConn in the Carrier Dome, and need to win it and then get some help. For one thing they need Pitt to lose twice as the Panthers have already beaten Syracuse or a three-way tie that could eliminate head-to-head as a factor. Either way they need to win and while they are at it beat former conference rival Boston College next week. The conference needs as many wins against members of other BCS conferences as possible. Win both and then the bowl game and Syracuse will have won ten games. Unbelievable. But let's not get too ahead of ourselves.

Of the remaining contenders, South Florida, at 3-2 in the conference, is the most intriguing as they are not only on a three-game win streak but play their remaining two Big East games at home against Pitt and Connecticut. They also have a crucial non-conference game remaining at Miami on November 27. The always talented Mountaineers of West Virginia cannot be counted out, sitting at 2-2, although they have road games against improved Louisville and Pitt next up on their schedule. After beating West Virginia and Pitt in back-to-back weeks, UConn cannot be completely dismissed either. They are a long shot however due to the fact that they still have to play both Syracuse and South Florida on the road. In four road games this season the Huskies are 0-4 and have been outscored by a combined 113-50.

The remaining schools are all hoping to become bowl eligible. Everyone has something to play for and there should be some compelling action--not that anyone outside the conference will tune in.