Butler Does It Again... Another Sweet 16 And Another Controversy

((HT: Fox59/CBSSports/NCAA/TBS))

Okay, just so you have all your information...
Here's the ending with Pitt...


And, yes, the HQ knows about all the hub-bub and hullabaloo, but the bottom line is this: The Big East complains that a game isn't officiated until its end in the post-season conference tournament, and then complains when a game IS officiated until its end in the post-season tournament...???

Can't have it both ways...

Here's Matt Howard after the win...
 

Kemba Walker breaks Pitts ankles and wins game at buzzer

If you ever want to look up the term "Ankle-Breaker" in the basketball dictionary, this will be the associated video.

One of the sickest crossovers you'll ever see, followed by a stop and pop buzzer beater to win the game 76-74 over 3rd ranked and Big East Tourney favorite Pittsburgh.

All in a day's work for UConn guard Kemba Walker.



And for Walker's reaction...CBSSports caught up with him:

Broseph's Bits And The Tuesday Gospel

The real conference tournaments kick off this week as teams make their last second push to glory and a chance to be one of 68 in the NCAA tournament or one of seemingly hundreds who will play in a tournament that only gamblers will care about. With that, let's take a look and see who is going to make some noise.

ACC (3/10 - 3/13) -- It's a down year for the conference despite what their fans want to tell you. North Carolina and Duke are the cream of the crop with Florida State being the 3rd seed by default. They are a shell of themselves without Chris Singleton. It would be a major upset if Carolina and Duke didn't meet again this season for the 3rd time in the title game. If you are looking for a sleeper, it could be the winner of UVA and Miami. The Hoos grind it out and force you to play at a pace you just aren't used to while the Canes are the head scratching team with a ton of talent that just hasn't been put together. CHAMPION: North Carolina

Atlantic 10 (3/8 - 3/13) -- This is a conference that always seems to have upsets and intrigue. Xavier and Temple are the cream of the crop and definite tournament teams. The Spiders have the talent to knock off anyone in the conference. The Musketeers haven't exactly treated the tournament as life or death and that strategy has paid off in the NCAA Tournament. Temple should heed that and look to bow out gracefully as the Owls don't have the depth they had in past years. If Richmond can get past Rhode Island, a team they lost to at home this season, the Spiders will be your conference champion. CHAMP: Richmond

Big 12 (3/9 - 3/12) -- Plenty of intrigue with Texas sliding and Kansas State seemingly hitting their stride. The Wildcats are a dangerous team and a quarterfinal matchup against the Jayhawks will light up the Sprint Center. On the other half of the bracket, Baylor and Missouri will present problems for the two and three seeded squads from Texas. This conference is a tough one to call so I'm going to go chalk and take the Jayhawks. Their road isn't tough until the title game. CHAMP: Kansas

Big East (3/8 - 3/12) -- The best tournament in America gets underway this week in the historic Madison Square Garden. This one is WIDE open with a whole host of teams who could take it. We've seen the squads with the double bye fail last season so those teams aren't a guarantee to take it. The best matchup could be the eventual 4/5 game with St. Johns looking to wrest away the title "New York's team" from Syracuse. Ninth seeded UConn would win a lot of conferences, but they are playing in the first round in this monster. I don't think the double byes will be an issue this year. CHAMP: Pittsburgh

Big 10 (3/10 - 3/13) -- Yawn. I'll admit it...this conference is about as intriguing as paint drying in my eyes. I keep waiting for Michigan State to wake up and play like Tom Izzo teams do. They'll have to roll thru Iowa, Purdue and Wisconsin before getting to the title game. I don't see much intrigue out of this conference. Give me the chalk. CHAMP: Ohio State

Conference USA (3/9 - 3/12) -- This one is on UTEP's campus as the Miners get the benefit that Memphis had all those years it was in their town. The one seed is UAB. This conference is a one big league barring one of the bubble teams making an uber run. Remember UCF? Yeah, they fell down big time after their undefeated start. Homecourt rules in this one. CHAMP: UTEP

MAC Conference (3/8 - 3/12) -- Some may be asking why this is here. This conference has always provided excitement and fun as the teams battle on campus sites and then Cleveland. Kent State is the class of the conference, but Ohio may be the hottest team in there. Buffalo is about as dangerous an eight seed as there is in ANY conference in the country. They've had some good wins this season and could upset Kent State in the second round. We're going to take the team playing some of the best basketball right now. CHAMP: Ohio

Mountain West Conference: (3/8 - 3/12) -- It's Jimmer's world vs. UNLV's home court. This tournament will be intriguing to see if BYU can handle the step up in talent without Brandon Davies. UNLV gets a tough first matchup with Air Force who makes you work for every basket and takes time running their offense. Should they win that, they'll most likely face the Aztecs and their balanced attack. This is an underrated conference with Jimmer vs. the Running Rebs my final. CHAMP: UNLV

PAC-10 (3/9 - 3/12) -- The Staples Center will host this spectacular tournament as the PAC 10 tries to get more teams into the tournament. Washington and USC are on the bubble as well as UCLA. Arizona held on for dear life at home against the Huskies. U-Dub has way too much talent, but a first matchup with Wazzu could prevent any sort of run and a postseason bid. Still, I think Washington puts it together and gets help from USC who will knock off Arizona. CHAMP: Washington

SEC (3/10 - 3/13) -- Underwhelming. Outside of Florida and Kentucky, this conference has a lot of teams that you can mix and match. The one squad to keep a look out for is Mississippi State who has been a thru a ton with the problems of talented Renardo Sidney and Ravern Johnson. Still, when they want to play, they are going to beat a lot of teams. Mississippi State may have the most talent outside of UK and Florida. Tennessee and Georgia are also intriguing if they get past their first round matchups. Who knows what Volunteers team will show up on a day-to-day basis. CHAMP: Mississippi State

The Carousel Continues: Todd Graham heading east to Pittsburgh

Todd Graham/Courtesy: eyeandeerblog.com

((ht: collegefootballtalk.com))

It looks as though another pairing has been made on the coaching carousel. KTUL-TV in Tulsa is reporting that University of Tulsa head coach Todd Graham will be leaving Oklahoma and heading towards the pastures of Pittsburgh to replace the recently hired and more recently fired Mike Haywood.

The station reports that there was a 3:30pm (central) team meeting scheduled. It happened, though Graham wasn't there. He was apparently in Pittsburgh boarding a plane that is expected to return to Tulsa around 5pm (central).

Graham actually has a pretty good track record and a good amount of success at Tulsa. It's mildly surprising he had not surfaced for someone else's job.

Here's your KTUL-TV report (It hasn't been on TV yet) RIGHT HERE

The Tulsa World says things are still a bit murky, their story RIGHT HERE

While Fox 23 in Pittsburgh says the deal is done. Read it RIGHT HERE

The Fox story says Graham will be getting a 5-year, $10 million deal. He wasn't doing badly at Tulsa at roughly $1.3 million, but this would be a big jump in pay. But then again, he's heading to an alleged BCS Conference too.

Can Steve Pederson Hire A Football Coach? He's 0-2

If I'm a university president would I want Steve Pederson, the current athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh, hiring my head football coach?

Let's go back to 2003 when as athletic director of Nebraska fired Frank Solich as head football coach of the Cornhuskers. All Solich did was win 75 percent of his games in six years as Tom Osbourne's hand picked successor.

Pederson decided the Nebraska program needed a new direction so he brought in Bill Callahan from the Oakland Raiders, a total outsider.

The move was a total disaster as Callahan dropped his pants on the "Nebraska Way" that was begun by Bob Davaney, fostered by Tom Osbourne and maintained by Frank Solich. The classiest fan base in all of college football became disillusioned and it took the return of Osbourne as athletic director replacing Pederson to restore Nebraska's storied traditions.

Pederson has moved on to the University of Pittsburgh and once again he's bitten in the backside by another head football coach hire.

Dave Wannstedt had a mediocre six years as the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh and perhaps a move needed to be made. Wannstedt was pressured to resign which he did.

Pederson hired Mike Haywood as head coach and well, you know what happened.

For the second time Steve Pederson's head football coaching hire goes down in flames leaving a blackeye on the university.

The University of Pittsburgh should find a good head coach because it is a good job it just do you trust Pederson to find that guy? His track record is pathetic.

"It's turned into a bit of a national embarrassment," Mike Farrell, a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com said to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "It's going to take a long time to recover from (the Haywood hiring and firing).

"Would coaches jump at this job? Absolutely. But the glimmer has faded in the span of less than a month."

You wonder if University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg will have a much more active role in the new search for a head football coach or take it out of Pederson's hands all together.

I'm just wondering what kind of Pittsburgh team will show up in the BBVA Compass Bowl Saturday, one that's heading South?

Photo Courtesy: AP

Haywood Pleads Not Guilty

((HT: South Bend Tribune/Parrott))

A magistrate in Indiana has entered a not guilty plea on a felony domestic violence charge for former Pittsburgh coach Mike Haywood.

Haywood walked out of the St. Joseph's County ((IN)) courtroom with his attorney and family, and didn't speak to reporters as he left the property. His next appearance is set for January 11th in St. Joseph County ((IN)) Superior Court in South Bend.

Haywood faces six months to three years in prison if convicted of the domestic battery charge. Police say Haywood was arrested after an apparent custody issue developed at his house in South Bend with a woman Haywood has a 21-month old child.

Here's Angelo DiCarlo's coverage of the firing and arrest at the time...
((HT: WNDU-TV South Bend))


More when we know more...

BREAKING: Haywood Fired From Pitt

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

The University of Pittsburgh has fired coach Mike Haywood, who was released on bond after his arrest on a domestic violence charge that has been upgraded to a felony.

Haywood was released on $1,000 cash bond and is scheduled to appear in court at 1PM Monday.

The charge against Haywood was upgraded from misdemeanor domestic violence to felony domestic battery in the presence of a minor, an officer from the St. Joseph's County ((IN)) Police Department said.

Haywood, most recently head coach at Miami of Ohio University, was named head coach at the University of Pittsburgh on December 16th. In a statement released Saturday, it was announced that he has been let go from that position.

Here's the statement from University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg:

“After careful consideration of recent events, the University of Pittsburgh has dismissed Michael Haywood as its head football coach, effective immediately. He was advised of that action this afternoon.

“To be clear, the University’s decision is not tied to any expectation with respect to the terms on which the legal proceeding now pending in Indiana might ultimately be concluded. Instead, it reflects a strong belief that moving forward with Mr. Haywood as our head coach is not possible under the existing circumstances.

“This is a matter of real regret for the many people at Pitt who had looked forward to working with him. However, head coaches are among the University’s most visible representatives and are expected to maintain high standards of personal conduct and to avoid situations that might reflect negatively on the University.

“We will immediately re-open our search for a head football coach, expanding the process to include a larger pool of candidates. Our goal is to move swiftly, but prudently, to find the right person to successfully lead the Pitt football program for what we hope will be an extended period of time.”

Here's a story from our friends at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh at the time of the Haywood arrest...
Ralph Iannotti is live and, apparently, cold...

Mark Schlabach explains the deal to FOSG Adnan Virk...
((HT: ESPN))


Before the firing was announced on Saturday, Haywood told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "It isn't fair. The truth will eventually come out."

More when we know more... especially where Haywood's quote is concerned...

Haywood Goes Haywire In South Bend...Allegedly...

((HT: KDKA-TV))

The former Notre Dame football player/offensive coordinator/head coach at Miami of Ohio was arrested on domestic violence charges Friday and booked into the St. Joseph County ((IN)) Jail, according to local police.

County police arrested Mike Haywood at a home he owns in South Bend after police received a 9-1-1 call from a woman with whom Haywood has a child. The woman said Haywood became angry when she tried to leave with their 21-month-old child, and he allegedly put the woman in a choke-hold, and then pushed her.

The circumstances around the reason for the woman's departure are unclear at present.

St. Joseph's County police officer Diana Landry noticed "red marks" on the woman's neck, back and arms, and she then arrested Haywood on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence battery.

Because this is a domestic violence case in the state of Indiana, Haywood is being held without bond in the county jail. He will spend his New Year's weekend there and will be arraigned before a judge Monday afternoon.

Haywood cooperated with police as he was being arrested, according to police reports.

Here's coverage from our friends at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh...


Remember, Haywood was named head coach at Pitt back on the 16th.
The HQ thinks the university response will be interesting...

Is Mike Haywood the guy at Pitt?

Mike Haywood/Courtesy: thebestdamnpoll.com

It sure sounds like he is. The coach at Miami (Ohio), would appear to be the guy who will replace the Wannstache at Pitt.

There are a couple of reports that it's a done deal, well actually it started with the 4-letter (ESPN). The Panthers had been targeting now former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Halgorsen, but he appears to be the new coach-in-waiting at West Virginia...which we might add, is roughly the same place as Pittsburgh.

Haywood is coming off a hugely successful turnaround with the Redhawks who've struggled over the past several seasons. He took them to their first bowl game in years this season, with the team winning the MAC and getting a berth in the GoDaddy.com bowl in Mobile, come January.

Read more from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review RIGHT HERE

Really, despite Haywood coaching a mere 45 minutes from the Satellite office, we aren't that familiar with him. His team works in relative anonymity in Southwest Ohio an area that honestly isn't to particularly into College football. He appears to be able to coach, getting success in D-I football from a relatively small school not far from a fairly big city. Whether or not he's the answer at the underachieving Pittsburgh, remains to be seen.

Here is video of Haywood pumping up his troops earlier this season:

Wannstedt Is Gone At Pitt

The Holiday season wasn't going to go well for University of Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt. Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson wanted to make a coaching change. According to Pittsburgh Post Gazette sources Wannstedt was going to be releived of his coaching duties and Pederson gave him a chose, resign and stay with the Panther family or your fired. Wannstedt took the first option.

Surrounded by his players and assistant coaches Wannstedt made a short and emotional statement. (Thanks The Pittsburgh Paint/Youtube.com)



Here's Pederson's statement, by the way he stood at the podium alone. (Thanks The Pittsburgh Paint/Youtube.com)



Wannstedt has the option to coach in the BBVA Compass Bowl but hasn't made a decision. He will remain at the school in a new position as the special assistant to athletic director Steve Pederson.

That should be a great gig.

BREAKING: Is The Wann - stache Going To Be Shaved At Pitt?--Update--Yes he is

[HT: Pittsburgh Post Gazette and KDKA Radio]

University of Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson will reportedly meet with head coach Dave Wannstedt about his future.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10341/1108937-100.stm

Rumors are beginning to fly that Wannstedt will be out when that meeting takes place with Pederson.

The Panthers did finish 7-5 and co-Big East Conference champions. Pitt will play Kentucky January 8th in Birmingham, Alabama in the BBVA Compass Bowl.

More when we know it.

We know it. As of 4:26pm, WPXI in Pittsburgh is reporting that he's gone. Fired. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting the same thing. No word yet as to who will coach the bowl game for the somewhat disappointing Panthers.

Photo Courtesy: AP

Mascot Proves More Exciting Than UC Game, Gets Benched

Cincinnati's Bearcat mascot was cited for disorderly conduct after a snowball-throwing incident in the stands during a game against Pittsburgh.

It's probably this one...
((HT: Youtube))


In what Brother Phil regarded as "Snowmageddon 2010," and Pitt's Dion Lewis scored the second of his three touchdowns in the first half, students threw snowballs at his person and were told to stop.

A UC spokesman says the mascot was told to stop throwing snowballs in the stands ((above)) and pushed a security guard ((not shown)), knocking both of them, apparently, to the ground.

The mascot was detained and cited ((below)). He was not identified. A backup mascot took his place at halftime.

What the folks at UC don't tell you was that had to have been the most offense shown by a Bearcat all day in the Pitt blowout...

Here's the arrest, the police actually took the guys head clean off...

Pitt Star DE Suspended Indefinitely For Assault

((HT: KDKA-TV))

For, allegedly, tossing someone through a doorway and stomping on them...

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a fight between Jabaal Sheard and the "tossed." Police yelled for the two to stop, but Sheard continued to punch the man in the face.

Eventually, he threw the guy through a doorway and kept punching, anyway.

Sheard was charged with felony aggravated assault and team officials are still gathering information about the incident.

Here's what Sheard did last year, and what he may not do this year...
((HT: ESPN/AloAloysius))

Dixon doesn't want to go to Oregon either...

It looks like the Phil Knight's of Oregon can cross another name off of their list. Jamie Dixon, the coach at Pittsburgh, who was being wooed by the folks in Eugene is no longer available to them.

You see Dixon signed a contract extension with the Panthers just this afternoon.

More from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette RIGHT HERE

((Jamie Dixon likes Pitt//Courtesy: Matt Freed/Post-Gazette))

And the list shrinks. Oregon along with DePaul remain the 2 significant coaching vacancies in college basketball and also the biggest example of overestimating themselves.

Oregon has held the belief that Knight's Nike money can buy them the best of the best coaches. However, reality has set in because everyone that has been publicly courted has turned them down.

DePaul on the other hand, nobody can figure out. The once proud Blue Demon program is in shambles and aside from some interest in Tony Barbee and Barbee had interest in them, however the school dragged its collective feet and now Barbee is at Auburn.

It will be interesting to see how both of these jobs play out. Both schools may need to realize that they aren't the "Plums" that they think they are. There are plenty of lower level coaches who would jump at the opportunity and if the schools do their homework they might even find a keeper out there. Just sayin'.

Here is an interesting Dixon highlight...from when he played at Texas Christian University...in 1986. Enjoy the buzzer beater. Thanks You Tube:

Penny For Your Thoughts... Or Upside The Head...

((HT: FSN Pittsburgh))

The "Backyard Brawl" between West Virginia and Pittsburgh is always cool to watch- regardless of the sport that's played. But things got a lot out of hand last night.

Panther associate coach Tom Herrion had been hit in the cheek by a coin thrown from the crowd after a call went against the Mountaineers.

First thing WVU Head Coach Bob Huggins did was get on the stick to talk his fans off the ledge.


But the fans didn't stop... so much for that idea... that's when Herrion got hit.


WVU won by 19, somewhat comfortably, and it was the 18th win in the last 21 games for them in the series...

"We're not going to make a big deal out of it,'' Pitt's Jamie Dixon said afterward to the West Virginia Gazette. "[Herrion is] OK. Neither teams' players did anything. It was just wrestling.

"It was an unfortunate incident, but I don't want one person to reflect on an entire university... Our guy's OK.''

TWTW: Pitt Feeling Butch, Beats UNC In Charlotte

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

Pitt's Dion Lewis rushed for 159 yards and a TD to bump Tony Dorsett in the Panthers record books for freshman yardage and Dan Hutchins kicked a 33-yard field goal with 52 seconds left, giving 17th-ranked Pitt a 19-17 victory over North Carolina in the Car Care Bowl.

Winning 10 games for the first time since the Marino era in 1981, Pitt finishes their year at 10-3.

"It's back," Lewis said of Pitt football. "We're not satisfied with just 10 wins. We want to get more next year."

Lewis was only recruited by three schools coming out of high school- Miami of Ohio, Tulane, and Pitt. Head Coach Dave Wannstedt, as legend has it, watched four plays of Lewis on TV and offered Lewis a full ride on the spot.

Nice going for the rest of Division One...

Here's a boatload of postgame comments from Butch Davis, thanks to our friends at WRAL-TV and wralsportsfan.com

The Big 10 Conference Becoming 12?

The Big 10 conference going to a dozen is gaining traction to the point where the league itself is exploring the possibility of inviting a 12th member.

Explore heck do it. The Big 10 right now is the only league that could compete with the mega - SEC for supremacy in college football. The Big 10 is held back because they do not have a championship game which would add millions of dollars. Then the snow ball rolls, the Big 10 network benefits, ESPN ups the ante for Big 10 football, another network throws money at the Big 10 and so on and so on.

Who will that 12th team be? That question was open for discussion at the OSG HQ and here's our take.

Missouri - Most in the Big 10 feel Mizzou fits the conference's profile, large state university with some football tradition, good basketball tradition, boosters with deep pockets and a strong fan base. Should Mizzou be on the Big 10's short list the university will listen.

“The University of Missouri has not been contacted by the Big Ten." University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton said in a statement to the Kansas City Star. "Should there be an official inquiry or invitation, we would evaluate it based upon what would be in the best interest of MU athletically and academically."

The Big 10 would like Missouri in the fold. odds: 2-1

Notre Dame - The Big 10 and Notre Dame have been dancing for decades. Yes they would be a great get for the conference but Notre Dame still prints its own money and won't share. The Big 10 will dangle the carrot again and it will depend if NBC wants to continue to fund Notre Dame athletics. We will set the odds at 20-1.

Pittsburgh - This would be great for Penn State because the Nittany Lions can renew what was a great rivalry with the Pitt Panthers. Adding Pitt would give the conference another school in a large market who is football mad. While the Panthers have great support the fan base is a little questionable and how many boosters can write large checks? Odd 25 - 1

Rutgers - There are reports that Rutgers is openly lobbying for an invite into the Big 10. Greg Schiano desperately wants to raise the profile of the football program and the University is on board with that. Joining the Big 10 conference would give a huge boost to Rutgers for recruiting and profile. You wonder if the fan support and booster funds are there but Rutgers has the intangibles though. Odds 30-1

West Virginia - We are just throwing them out there but the Mountaineers would be a great fit in the Big 10. Great football tradition, willingness of the boosters to spend liberally and a terrific fan base. You just have to wonder if the Big 10 likes West Virginia's academic profile but WVU should be a no brainer for consideration. It's a football program dying to prove itself against the powers of the sport, this would do it. Odds 40-1

Nebraska - The Big 10 will study Nebraska hard. The Cornhusker fans are legendary for their support and being well behaved. While taking its lumps lately, Nebraska's football program is always top of mind. A change of scenery might help Nebraska but this would definitely be a hard sell. Nebraska would give up rivalries with Oklahoma & Colorado, have to refocus their recruiting territory and you can bet the Big 12 conference would fight like hell to keep one of its brand names in the fold. Odds 100-1.

Here's a few other schools to consider: Cincinnati (If they can upgrade their facilities big time but a big time long shot.), Kentucky (Talk about stirring the pot, raiding the SEC. We're just sayin')

Big 10 expansion is going to happen. Will the conference change its name? That's another discussion.

Meanwhile Drew Smith of WLUK Fox 11 in Green Bay, Wisconsin adds his own take and he even brings up Kentucky. Great minds think a like.

Thanks WLUK-TV/Youtube.com

TWTW: Cincy Comes From 21 Down To Take Big East

Boy, did Sean McDonough know what he was talking about...

A mishandled PAT gave the Bearcats an opening, and Tony Pike took it...

96 seconds was entirely too much time for the visitors to get the game back from the Pitt Panthers. A TD pass to Armon Binns placed perfectly was good enough for 28 yards and the game-winning score for a 45-44 win at Heinz Field.

The drive only took them 1:03...

The winner of the game gets the Big East automatic berth, and will probably play the winner of the ACC title game.

This win also keeps Brian Kelly focused on his BCS bowl game and not the opening at Notre Dame that everyone says is his if he wants it...

Here's the insane ending of the game, thanks to our friends at ESPN/ABC/Big East

OSG College Football 2009 Predictions: Big East Conference

Pittsburgh: Last Year (9-4, 5-2 in the Big East). Losers in the Sun Bowl.

Offense: This is a senior laden experience crew that has high expectations for Coach Dave Wannstedt’s crew. Coming off of a 3-0 loss in the Sun Bowl last season, seniors Bill Stull and Pat Bostick are the guys to run the show at Quarterback. It’s rare for a team to have 2 seniors at QB, but the Panthers do. Receiver Jonathan Baldwin is expected to be a breakout star at Receiver as well.

Defense: The Defense loses Conference Player of the year Scott McKillop but, they will be led this season by Defensive End Greg Romeus and Cornerback Aaron Berry.

Strengths: They should be able to score in bunches, senior leadership is always a good thing and the Panthers are an experienced team.

Weaknesses: Some question marks on Defense, guys are going to have to step up. Some are still not convinced that Wannstedt is the guy to make them a consistent national power.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: The Panthers have been a decent team for the past couple of years but something seems to always hold them back. They haven’t come up big when necessary. Is that Coaching? You have to wonder a bit. They should be a good program and they have improved, but can they go further?

Wilkie: Pitt hired a new offensive coordinator (Frank Cignetti) to mix things up on offense. The key is QB Bill Stull to get the ball to the playmakers on the perimeter. If the Panthers can create some excitement on offense then I really like this Pitt team. The “Backyard Brawl” on Nov. 27th should be appointment viewing.

Jon: Look to November 27th for the game in Morgantown. That will determine the conference title.

West Virginia: Last Year (9-4, winner in the Meinke Car Care Bowl)

Offense: It all begins and ends with Noel Devine. The high flying running back was by far the best player on the team and he is back for another season. Jarrett Brown is prepared to step in for the departed Pat White and run the Mountaineer offense. Between the 2, expect these guys to score…a lot.

Defense: No real standouts here. The leader is probably Middle Linebacker Reed Williams, but much like Pitt, this is the unit that is going to have to improve for these guys to be a major factor in the conference.

Strengths: As always, offense. With Brown and Devine, scoring should not be an issue. They will score and sometimes very quickly.

Weaknesses: Defense and depth. With the quick strike offense, it is important the defense play well. Coach Bill Stewart just has to figure out if his guys are up to the task.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Again, can they stop people? They should be decent, but just how decent? There are athletes here, but I just don’t know that they have enough to run the table. Upper part of the conference, but I don’t see a championship…this season.

Wilkie: If the offensive line performs up to expectations then the Mountaineers will return to the top of the Big East conference. West Virginia has the best athletes and speed in the league. With that said, we will know this year if Bill Stewart can keep the express rolling in Morgantown.

Jon: The schedule sets up nicely for the Mountaineers. They get East Carolina, Auburn and Colorado early. That should tell Coach Stewart just how ready they really are. Heading in to November, they should only have two losses- max- and the challenges of going to USF, Cincinnati, and Rutgers will determine who gets the title on the 27th.

Cincinnati: (Last Year: 10-3, Lost in the Orange Bowl)

Offense: Quarterback Tony Pike and Receiver Mardy Gilyard return to the Bearcats for another season. They should lead Cinci who is coming off of its first conference title last season. Coach Brian Kelly is known for having a prolific offense and these guys don’t…and won’t disappoint.

Defense: Coach Kelly, your mission is: Replace 10 starters from last year’s defense. Folks that is a tough one for anybody to make up for. Much like the other teams in the East, they’ve got work to do on Defense. We will see how much work they have done in just a few weeks.

Strengths: Like the other teams, it’s all about the “O”. They should not have much trouble scoring, but they may need it to outscore the other team. Look for both Gilyard and Pike to have big seasons this year.

Weakness: Look at the defensive section and that will explain it all.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: They won’t repeat, but they will be a decent team. They will compete for the title, but you just can’t replace 10 starters on one side of the ball in one season and expect miracles. Bowl game for sure though.

Wilkie: The good news is that Brian Kelly is still the head coach and plans to stay awhile. The bad news is the defense, 10 starters gone. No sense beating on a dead horse (or Bearcat). The offense will have to outscore opponents and they should. No repeat in Cincy but a bowl game.

Jon: Their out-of-conference schedule has Fresno, at Oregon State, and Illinois. Brian Kelly isn’t messing around. But because of everyone graduating on defense, it’ll be a year where Pike and Gilyard have to match and surpass the points given up every week. They won’t set another school record, but it’ll be another bowl game.

South Florida: (Last Year: 8-5, Winner Magic Jack St. Petersburg Bowl)

Offense: It all starts with Matt Grothe. Grothe seems to have been around forever and there is a reason for that. He played early and often and very well and he is the undisputed leader of the Bulls offense. He will need some help and there are several guys who will need to step up and take a significant role if the Bulls want to make in impact this year.

Defense: Much like on offense, it all starts with one guy: George Selvie. Selvie, a perennial All-American returns for one last season and will try and carry the defense on a team and in a conference lacking in defensive standouts.

Strengths: Leadership. Coaching. Star Players. All the things needed to be a successful team and now they can say that they have a track record to boot.

Weaknesses: Depth. Lack of experience or at least standout players. They have 2 very good players and a lot of other guys. At least a few of them are going to have to step up in order for the Bulls to be successful.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: While Grothe and Selvie are very good players and Jim Leavitt is a very good coach, I don’t think they currently have the horses to make a significant impact this year. They will be very similar to last year’s team. Middle of the pack, but a bowl game.

Wilkie: Ditto to Phil’s point. Middle of the pack and a bowl game.

Jon: South Florida made their run in the polls by upsetting some folks, but they faded down the stretch in 2008. I’m thinking there’s a repeat performance there. I think it’s another pre-Christmas bowl game for one of the true magician-coaches out there.

Rutgers: (Last Year 8-5, Winner PapaJohns.com Bowl)

Offense: 2 Words…rebuilding year. It will be hard to duplicate last years team that won its last 7 games in large part due to the roster turnover. The Scarlet Knights are very young at Quarterback and Wide Receiver and someone will need to separate from the pack. The “O” line however is in good shape; All-Conference Tackle Anthony Davis spearheads what should be this unit’s strength.

Defense: Well, there really isn’t much discussion, pretty much anywhere about this unit. That probably is not a good thing. If there are no standouts, don’t expect this to be the team’s strength.

Strengths: O-Line. Youth. Coaching. There really isn’t much else to say. Greg Schiano is a good enough coach that they will be competitive, but they don’t have the horses to run…even with the big guys in this conference.

Weaknesses: They are very young and very inexperienced. They will struggle early but hopefully will improve as the season goes.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Expectations should be low for these guys. Hope is not gone, they should get better as the year goes, but don’t expect much in 2009.

Wilkie: I’m afraid it’s going to be a long year in Jersey. I don’t share the same optimism that my colleagues have. 6 wins will be the max for Rutgers, good enough for a bowl.

Jon: In the street fight that is the Big East, Schiano has shown he can take nothing and turn it into something. The out-of-conference games will boost the win total ((Howard, FIU, Texas Southern, Army)), but will it do their bottom line any good…? Another bowl… Another winning season… But they’ll get lost in the logjam…

Connecticut: (8-5 Last Season, Winners of the International Bowl)

Offense: They lost a lot when Donald Brown graduated to the NFL. Zach Frazier will be expected to take over the offense despite struggling mightily the last half of last season. Plus, the Line has to find someone to replace the massive William Beatty who also graduated to the NFL.

Defense: Darius Butler and Cody Brown have gone…who is going to step up. This unit was hit pretty hard too. They will be young and looking for leaders to emerge. Perhaps Defensive End Lindsey Witten?

Strengths: Coach Randy Edsall and his staff. This will be their best challenge yet; trying to get this bunch of young pups to succeed.

Weaknesses: Youth and inexperience pretty much everywhere. Frazier has some experience, but didn’t do much with it. Can he improve?

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Are we noticing a trend here with most of these teams? Most a rebuilding and most are really young; these guys are no exception to that. UConn fans like most Big East fans are going to need a lot of patience this year.

Wilkie: The Huskies have some doozy’s on their schedule, hosting North Carolina, travelling to South Bend to play Notre Dame (on NBC) and league road games at Pitt and at West Virginia doesn’t bode well for a team so inexperienced. Randy Edsall is the type of coach that can squeeze 6 wins out of a team like the 2009 UConn bunch. That alone is a big accomplishment.

Jon: Donald Brown’s loss is beyond-huge… and those of us here at OSG HQ have tremendous respect for what Randy Edsall has done in Storrs. But the losses on the field will add up to more losses on the field. They may be odd-man out for bowling in the East.

Louisville: (5-7 in 2008, no bowl game)

Offense: This was supposed to be Coach Steve Kragthorpe’s bread and butter; it was more butter than bread. Running Back Victor Anderson returns, so all is not lost, but there were indications last year that nobody either liked or understood the offense.

Defense: They didn’t exactly make their coaches look like geniuses either, giving up 39.5 points per game over the last 6. Something is going to have to give; it is just a question of what.

Strengths: Anderson for sure, nobody else knows for sure, this team pulled a Jekyll and Hyde routine, and they will have to play a few games for anyone to get a good read.

Weaknesses: Defense first and foremost; you aren’t going to survive in any major D-1 conference giving up points like that.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Though Kragthorpe appeared to be the perfect fit for these guys, there were some cracks in the armor last season. There is some talent here and not a really good excuse for them to not at least be competitive in the conference.

Wilkie: Steve Kragthrope cleaned house of his offensive coaching staff and now he is the OC. His seat will be warm this year and Coach Krag knows it but he has an A.D. that will give Coach Krag some slack right now. 2009 will be a watershed year at Louisville but challenging for the Big East title just won’t be in the “Cards”. At least reaching a bowl might be.

Jon: Isn’t there a Brohm Coach Krag can find somewhere…??? Going to Utah and playing Southern Miss early may send the team into an early hole. The schedule softens late, but I don’t think it’ll be in time. Someone know what the patience level on Coach Krag is these days…??? It may be less after 2009.

Syracuse: (3-9 in 2008, no bowl game)

Offense: Improvement from the Gregg Williams regime, but there is still a long, long way to go. Give Coach Marrone some time and the Orange should be back.

Defense: 2 Words. Arthur Jones. Jones is one of the Beasts’ of the Big East and the undisputed leader of Syracuse’s defense. If he is fully recovered from his injury last year…look out.

Strengths: Continuity. Jones.

Weaknesses: Depth and the recovery from the previous regime.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: It is going to take awhile, but these guys are on the right track. They showed improvement last year and that should continue. They will be trouble later in the season.

Wilkie: A former Duke point guard (Greg Paulus) is in the mix for your starting QB position, head coach Doug Marrone has never run a college program, the offense, defense and special teams are works in progress and your fan base appears to be apathetic. Other than that Syracuse is fine. Good luck.

Jon: With Greg Paulus running the point, he should be good for 12 and 8 every game out. But the Orange will be lucky to repeat at 3 and 9.

Best of the Big East:

Winners: Phil - Pitt.
Wilkie- West Virginia
Jon- WBGV


Offensive MVP:
Phil: Noel Devine – West Virginia
Wilkie: Noel Devine
Jon: Noel Devine

Defensive MVP:
Phil: Arthur Jones - Syracuse
Wilkie: George Selvie – South Florida
Jon- George Selvie

Fear The Wann-stache!!!

And then there was the victory by Pitt over Notre Dame in South Bend...
The Panthers haven't been this excited since Tyler Palko blurted out a word he wasn't supposed to the LAST time they beat the Irish...
((HT:NBC Sports/the youtube))