Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Runway Challenge Week 10

First things first: The conference call with coach Edsall. No new injuries, everyone injured previously (Lunn, Frazer, Dillon) are "good to go" on Saturday.

We still don't know who the quarterback will be. That's on a need to know basis, Edsall said, and we (and you) don't need to know. The decision has been made, and Frazer is healthy enough this week to be in the mix. We'll know on Saturday.

As for the Darius Butler situation, Randy claimed he didn't know anything about Kevin Duffy's New Haven Register story yesterday which Butler said he'd be playing "full-time" wide receiver instead of cornerback. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I have no comment on it," Edsall said. Later in the call, however, Edsall said Robert McClain or Terry Baltimore "just might be starting this week" at cornerback. Hmmmm.

On to my own, personal ramblings. The Huskies are now bowl eligible, so it's time to start thinking about just where they might end up in December or January. A lot has been said about this being a down year in the Big East, including a story in Sports Illustrated this week that said the league is nothing more than a glorified mid-major. The same story said people were too quick to proclaim the league a powerhouse in 2006 when three teams finished in the top 12. Don't get lost in the irony, Mark Beech.

Is it a down year? The league is still 7-7 in non-league games against BCS opponents, and that includes a bad Syracuse team's losses to very good Northwestern and great Penn State. Pitt's game with Notre Dame Saturday could make a statement for the league. Plus, the Big East could well have seven bowl eligible teams out of eight. Don't knock the league because of parity. There isn't a dominant team as of now, but West Virginia (one game away from a berth in the national championship a year ago!) seems to have figured things out and could be on its way to beating another "power" in the BCS.

Here's a breakdown of the remaining schedules for every Big East team, with my very conservative predictions of what might happen and bowl picks.

UCONN (6-2, 2-1)
11/1: West Virginia (L)
11/15: at Syracuse (W)
11/23: at South Florida (L)
12/6: Pittsburgh (W)
Predicted record: 8-4 (4-3)

CINCINNATI (5-2, 1-1)
tonight: South Florida (L)
11/8: at West Virginia (L)
11/14: at Louisville (L)
11/22: Pittsburgh (W)
11/29: Syracuse (W)
12/6: at Hawaii (W)
Predicted record: 8-5 (3-4)

PITTSBURGH (5-2, 2-1)
11/1: at Notre Dame (L)
11/8: Louisville (W)
11/22: at Cincinnati (L)
11/28: West Virginia (W)
12/6: at UConn (L)
Predicted record: 7-5 (4-3)

SYRACUSE (1-6, 0-3)
11/1: Louisville (L)
11/8: at Rutgers (L)
11/15: UConn (L)
11/22: at Notre Dame (L)
11/29: at Cincinnati (L)
Predicted record: 1-11 (0-7)

WEST VIRGINIA (5-2, 2-0)
11/1: at UConn (W)
11/8: Cincinnati (W)
11/22: at Louisville (W)
11/28: at Pittsburgh (L)
12/6: South Florida (W)
Predicted record: 9-3 (6-1)

SOUTH FLORIDA (6-2, 1-2)
10/30: at Cincinnati (W)
11/15: Rutgers (W)
11/23: UConn (W)
12/6: at West Virginia (L)
Predicted record: 9-3 (4-3)

LOUISVILLE (5-2, 1-1)
11/1: at Syracuse (W)
11/8: at Pittsburgh (L)
11/14: Cincinnati (W)
11/22: West Virginia (L)
12/4: at Rutgers (W)
Predicted record: 8-4 (4-3)

RUTGERS (3-5, 2-2)
11/8: Syracuse (W)
11/15: at South Florida (L)
11/22: Army (W)
12/4: Louisville (L)
Predicted record: 5-7 (3-4)

Which would make the Big East standings
1. West Virginia 6-1
2. UConn 4-3
Louisville 4-3
USF 4-3
Pitt 4-3
6. Cincinnati 3-4
Rutgers 3-4
8. Syracuse 0-7

And the Big East bowl shake-out
Orange Bowl: West Virginia vs. Florida State
Meineke Car Care Bowl: UConn vs. Boston College (wishful thinking? maybe.)
Papajohns.com Bowl: South Florida vs. Kentucky
St. Petersburg Bowl: Louisville vs. Memphis
International Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Western Michigan
Cincinnati gets sent somewhere with an opening...

On to the picks. I went long this week, so my sarcastic remarks will be short and sweet.

Game 1: Miami-Fl. (+2.5) over VIRGINIA - Cavs turnaround has been remarkable, which is why I'm not so sure about this pick.

Game 2: Louisville (-14) over SYRACUSE - Greg Robinson's stay on death row growing shorter by the game.

Game 3: CONNECTICUT (+4) over West Virginia - Picked against the Huskies last week and got burned.

Game 4: NOTRE DAME (-4.5) over Pittsburgh - Two immensely overrated coaches. A week ago, I would have thought Pitt had a chance, but that turd sandwich against Rutgers changed my mind.

Game 5: GEORGIA (+6) over Florida - Neither team has really beaten anyone. That includes LSU. Dawgs win over Vandy the only quality 'W' for either team so far.

Game 6: Oregon (+3) over CALIFORNIA - The Big East catches all kinds of flak, but why isn't anyone calling for the Pac-10's automatic BCS berth?

Game 7: Texas (-4) over TEXAS TECH - Vegas has the over for this one at 75.5. Yep. 75.5!

Game 8: GEORGIA TECH (-2.5) over Florida State - Better coaching prevails.

Game 9: OKLAHOMA (-22) over Nebraska - Most exciting conference this season, hands down.

Game 10: MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Northwestern - Just pitcure all those cheese-eaters ice fishing in their shanty's on Lake Wabasha, watching something other than Gopher hockey on their portable black-and-white TVs, and the ensuing mayhem. Here's how I imagine the conversations will go.
"Whatch'ya watchin'?"
"Gophers."
"Dey got a game?"
"Football."
"Oh, ya??"
"Ya."


"Gophers got a good team this year. Darn tootin'!"

Game 11: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (-45) over Washington - Gotta love the 45-point spreads.

Game 12: SACRED HEART (-13) over Wagner - Jeez, I can't even pretend I care about this game. But, I needed a game for the local special, and Yale has been awful this season.

Last week's results
1. UConnhuskies86 7-4-1
SeanO 7-4-1
Caleb 7-4-1
4. Dano 6-5-1
wil 6-5-1
ian 6-5-1
den 6-5-1
8. JZ 5-6-1
gary 5-6-1
rich 5-6-1
kevin 5-6-1
dougo 5-6-1
vinny 5-6-1
14. chip 4-7-1
sammy 4-7-1
16. pete 3-8-1

Standings
1. Kevin 51
Caleb Mandrake 51
3. Vinny from East Haven 50
Dougo 50
5. ian 49
6. Rich 48
7. pete 47
chip 47
9. JZ 45
Den of Stupidity 45
11. DanO 41
12. Wil 38
13. Sammy 37
Sean O 37
15. Gary 29
uconnhuskies 86 29
17. Stretch 21
18. Big Donny Bertolotti 13

Get your picks in by clicking "comments" below.

21 comments:

  1. Chip's picks
    Game 1: Miami-Fl. (+2.5) over VIRGINIA
    Game 2: Louisville (-14) over SYRACUSE
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT (+4) over West Virginia
    Game 4: NOTRE DAME (-4.5) over Pittsburgh -
    Game 5: GEORGIA (+6) over Florida -
    Game 6: Oregon (+3) over CALIFORNIA -
    Game 7: Texas (-4) over TEXAS TECH
    Game 8: GEORGIA TECH (-2.5) over Florida State
    Game 9: OKLAHOMA (-22) over Nebraska
    Game 10: MINNESOTA (-6.5) over Northwestern
    Game 11: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (-45) over Washington
    Game 12: SACRED HEART (-13) over Wagner

    ReplyDelete
  2. Need a big week, not that I have a chance joining 5 weeks into the contest.

    Game 1: Virginia
    Game 2: Cuse
    Game 3: WVU
    Game 4: Pittsburgh
    Game 5: Fla
    Game 6: Ducks
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: FSU
    Game 9: Oklahoma
    Game 10: Northwestern
    Game 11: USC
    Game 12: Wagner

    ReplyDelete
  3. By the way Chip, if you haven't been to Minnesota, they actually talk just like that. They deny they have an accent right to your face, don't-cha-know. Not that I'm one to talk with my Rhode Island accent.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 3-8-1 last week?? ...

    Game 1: Miami-Fl.
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: West Virginia
    Game 4: Pittsburgh
    Game 5: Florida
    Game 6: CALIFORNIA
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: Florida State
    Game 9: OKLAHOMA
    Game 10: MINNESOTA
    Game 11: Washington
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't been to Minnesota, but I have been to North Dakota. Fargo. Grand Forks. That trip is a blog entry waiting to happen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. JZ's Picks:

    Miami
    L-Ville
    WVU
    Pitt
    Florida
    Cal
    Texas Tech
    G-Tech
    Oklahoma
    Minnesota
    USC
    Sacred Heart

    ReplyDelete
  7. Notre Dame is going to the Cotton Bowl from what I've read...opening up the Sun or Gator for West Virginia. Since UConn will be in the Orange Bowl...

    Sean O's picks
    Game 1: Miami-Fl.
    Game 2: SYRACUSE
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT
    Game 4: NOTRE DAME
    Game 5: Florida
    Game 6: CALIFORNIA
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: Florida State
    Game 9: Nebraska
    Game 10: Northwestern
    Game 11: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rich's picks
    Game 1: Miami-Fl.
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT
    Game 4: Pittsburgh
    Game 5: GEORGIA
    Game 6: CALIFORNIA
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: GEORGIA TECH
    Game 9: OKLAHOMA
    Game 10: MINNESOTA
    Game 11: Washington
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wil's pick's

    Game 1: VIRGINIA
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT
    Game 4: Pittsburgh
    Game 5: GEORGIA
    Game 6: Oregon
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: Florida State
    Game 9: Nebraska
    Game 10: MINNESOTA
    Game 11: Washington
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  10. Game 1: VIRGINIA
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: West Virginia
    Game 4: NOTRE DAME
    Game 5: Florida -
    Game 6: CALIFORNIA -
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: GEORGIA TECH
    Game 9: OKLAHOMA
    Game 10: MINNESOTA
    Game 11: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    Sammy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Huskybarker's Pick's:

    Game 1: VIRGINIA
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT
    Game 4: Pittsburgh
    Game 5: GEORGIA
    Game 6: Oregon
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: GEORGIA TECH
    Game 9: OKLAHOMA
    Game 10: MINNESOTA
    Game 11: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  12. Danoooo's picks
    Game 1: VIRGINIA
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT
    Game 4: NOTRE DAME
    Game 5: GEORGIA
    Game 6: CALIFORNIA
    Game 7: Texas
    Game 8: Florida State
    Game 9: Nebraska
    Game 10:Northwestern
    Game 11:Washington - cant give up 45 pins
    Game 12:SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  13. Game 1 - Miami +2.5
    Game 2 - Louisville -14
    Game 3 - Connecticut +4 (total homer pick)
    Game 4 - Pitt +4.5
    Game 5 - Florida -6
    Game 6 - Oregon +3
    Game 7 - Texas -4
    Game 8 - Florida St +2.5
    Game 9 - Oklahoma -22
    Game 10 - Northwestern +6.5
    Game 11 - USC -45
    Game 12 - Wagner +13

    ReplyDelete
  14. Game 1: Miami over UVA
    Game 2: L'ville over Cuse
    Game 3: WVU over UConn
    Game 4: Pitt over ND
    Game 5: Florida over Georgia
    Game 6: Oregon over Cal
    Game 7: Texas Tech over UT
    Game 8: Georgia Tech over FSU
    Game 9: OU over Nebraska
    Game 10: Norhwestern over Minnesota
    Game 11: USC over Washington (I can't believe I just laid 45 points.)
    Game 12: Wagner over Sacred Heart

    ReplyDelete
  15. Game 1: Miami-Fl.
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: West Virginia
    Game 4: NOTRE DAME
    Game 5: Florida -
    Game 6: CALIFORNIA -
    Game 7: TEXAS TECH
    Game 8: Florida State
    Game 9: OKLAHOMA
    Game 10: MINNESOTA
    Game 11: Washington
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vinny's picks:

    1. Miami. NEVER pick a team coached by Al Groh. Especially if it is favored to win.
    2. Louisville. Syracuse is redecorating the head coach's office for Randy Edsall as we speak. Don't let his denials fool you (he has a history of deceipt and opportunism - like suspending players for violations AFTER they play in the game).
    3. West Virginia. By a LOT.
    4. Notre Dame. Chip, you're absolutely right. Two of the three most overrated coaches in the country. Guess who the third is?
    5. Florida. I think Georgia stinks.
    6. Oregon. When in doubt, pick the team with more meatheads on it.
    7. Texas Tech. I think they are ready to take the next step.
    8. Georgia Tech. Fantastic coach and a style of football that will frustrate the Seminoles.
    9. Nebraska.
    10. Minnesota.
    11. Washington. 45 points? Really?
    12. Sacred Heart.

    No Trinity pick this week? The undefeated Bantams take on rival Amherst in Hartford on Saturday (the Lord Jeffs have only one loss). It's the only REAL football game in CT this week. Before you delusional UConn people go crazy on me, remember that the Trinity game will probably be more exciting...the Mountaineers will have the game at the Rent wrapped up by halftime.
    Why not come on over and join the Vinster at Trinity to see some real football? Everyone's invited, so long as you're not some pea-brained Westie.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow. I forgot about Trinity-Amherst. Plus, I went with Sacred Heart-Wagner instead. That's inexcusable. My bad.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Game 1: VIRGINIA
    Game 2: Louisville
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT
    Game 4: NOTRE DAME
    Game 5: GEORGIA
    Game 6: CALIFORNIA -
    Game 7: Texas Tech
    Game 8: Florida State
    Game 9: OKLAHOMA
    Game 10: Northwestern
    Game 11: Washington
    Game 12: SACRED HEART

    ReplyDelete
  19. UConnHuskies86
    Game 1: VIRGINIA -2.5
    Game 2: Louisville (-14)
    Game 3: CONNECTICUT (+4)
    Game 4: Pittsburgh +4.5
    Game 5: Florida -6
    Game 6: Oregon (+3)
    Game 7: TEXAS TECH +4
    Game 8: Florida State +2.5
    Game 9: Nebraska +22
    Game 10: Northwestern -6.5
    Game 11 Washington +45
    Game 12 Sacred Heart -12

    ReplyDelete
  20. results
    1. JZ 10-2 (impressive)
    2. dougo 9-3 (dougo is consistent)
    3. Gary 7-5 (late to the party, showing his stuff)
    Pete 7-5 (on the rebound)
    SeanO 7-5 (over .500 again)
    sammy 7-5 (that 1-10 week is a distant memory)
    caleb 7-5 (making his move)
    8. chip 6-6 (unimpressive once again)
    rich 6-6 (figuring out the spreads nicely)
    den 6-6 (miss his commentary)
    vinny 6-6 (still near top despite recent struggles)
    12. huskybarker 5-7 (making his debut)
    ian 5-7 (a better blogger than prognosticator...not a bad thing)
    uconnhuskies86 5-7 (working way out of basement)
    15. dano 3-9 (had better weeks)
    16. wil 2-10 (might need a hug)

    ReplyDelete
  21. standings
    1. Dougo 59
    2. Caleb Mandrake 58
    3. Vinny from East Haven 56
    4. JZ 55
    5. ian 54
    Rich 54
    Pete 54
    8. Chip 53
    9. Kevin 51
    Den of Stupidity 51
    11. DanO 44
    Sammy 44
    Sean O 44
    14. Wil 40
    15. Gary 36
    16. uconnhuskies 86 34
    17. Stretch 21
    18. Big Donny Bertolotti 13
    19. HuskyBarker 5

    ReplyDelete