Big East Bookend: End of the Grothe Era
September 21st, 2009 by Vince Mullins
Our conference bookend series reviews the previous week then provides a look ahead to the upcoming matchup.
South Florida 59, Charleston Southern 0
While the score is impressive, the story of the conference is the ACL injury that puts an end to Matt Grothe’s career. It is fair to say that no team depends so much on one man as USF to Grothe. BJ Daniels took over and will likely start but will be pushed by Evan Landi if the spring is any indication. I still do not see any Bull to trust with a roster spot now that RB Moise Plancher has to split carries with Mike Ford.
NEXT: at FSU
I am in the camp that the Seminoles are for real and traditionally the Bulls do not travel well anywhere. Since Grothe-less and adding back in the goal-line hunger of Ford, I cannot endorse starting anyone.
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Syracuse fans not the only thing jacked up - Delone Carter does a Michael Pittman impersonation (Icon SMI)
Syracuse 37, Northwestern 34
Greg Paulus-palooza is in full effect now 346 yards and a couple TDs have the Orange at full lather. One of the more exciting games of an exciting weekend, WR Mike Williams may have just put himself back on the national stage with a 11-209T2 line against what I thought was a good defense.
Great balance of 36 passes and 32 runs (18 by the man with the largest biceps in college football Delone Carter) and this is how we should expect to see Orange games evolve against average comps
NEXT: host Maine
Black Bears will see another full offensive assault. Paulus and Williams, and Carter to a lesser degree, make great starts. USF and West Virginia come for a visit after this so play the hot Orange men while you can.
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No. 17 Cincinnati 28, Oregon State 18
Many picked Oregon State to surprise but I think most “analysts” inclding myself put too much weight on the 10 new starters on defense. Bearcats are for real on both sides of the ball. If you have to pick on something it would be the absence of any running game again. You know Pike and Gilyard, WR DJ Woods led with 7-117T. Even Arman Binns had 6 catches. Elite unit.
NEXT: host Fresno State
Noon start will be hard for the Bulldogs to adapt to since that is 9am PT for them! Even at home they gave up a ton to Boise on Friday night. Expect more Bearcat bonanza, then hold your breath as Coach Kelly takes them to Miami (OH), likely the worst defense in the nation.
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Auburn 41, West Virginia 30
Jarrett Brown returned to Earth after looking like Dr. Manhattan the first two games – if not for some Noel Devine intervention (three TDs) the Mountaineer offense may not have put anything on the board. Brown threw two picks on middle screens and since Devine is expected to be most of the offense I will guarantee that is a point of emphasis in practice.
NEXT: idle Week Four, host Colorado next Thursday Oct 1
So start Brown and Devine without question against the Buffs.
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Kentucky 31, Louisville 27
Cardinals had a heck of a chance to steal one versus their top foe for the Governor’s Cup. It was a very balanced offensive attack but RB Victor Anderson still looks like a great RB3 for any format. K Ryan Payne looks like a great fill-in – put him on your watch list as he has had multiple FG in last two.
NEXT: at Utah
Utes just finished up the nation’s longest win streak with a loss at Oregon, plenty of motivation to beat the Cardinals silly.
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Rutgers 23, Florida International 15
I am ready to call an end to my Rutgers defense fascination – while FIU has some weapons there needs to be a greater margin of victory when playing any Sun Belt school. I am dropping them immediately even if a trip to Maryland, a bye and Texas Southern are in the near future. RB Joe Martinek solidified his spot as the top back with a huge majority of carries – perhaps he just got a break last week against Howard
NEXT WEEK: at Maryland
This could be a shootout as neither team has played great defense – after three weeks they rank 79 and 115 respectively in the BlitzIndex. Terp WR Torrey Smith could go nuts if the Knights couldn’t slow down on TY Hilton, but if the Turtles couldn’t slowdown a Philip Tanner-less MT for the second year in a row then Martinek could go nuts.
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Connecticut 30, Baylor 22
My sleeper RB Andre Dixon made a huge statement this weekend in Waco – 3-149T3, but it wasnt like Jordan Todman was watching from the sidelines much (22-103). Second time this season they both hit triple digits, and with the QB Zach Fraser injury you should expect the same sort of 58/23 run/pass balance.
NEXT: vs. Rhode Island
Why not expect the dynamic duo to both go over 100 yds again?
Pittsburgh 27, Navy 14
The Middies stick with another much bigger school, and TE emerging star Dorin Dickerson became human again as Nate Byham returned. Dickerson is still the athletic choice by far but the 20 fewer pounds are a factor in the run game. QB Bill Stull had an efficient stat line (17-24-245T1) and really has a phenomenal arsenal at his disposal of WRs Oderick Turner and Jon Baldwin. Unfortunately the opponent defenses look pretty good until Halloween.
NEXT: at NC State
One of my value defenses in the preseason has done its job with a #7 BlitzIndex ranking, specifically impressive is barely allowing 3 yards/play (3rd in nation). Lower your expectations on freshman RB Dion Lewis as he has made his name against Buffalo and Youngstown State – college life gets harder form here on out.
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