Hopefully this will help. Probably some holes in it, but I'll give it a shot.

It's been what seems like a month since USF and WVU have played a game. Of course, the hurricane postponed the Oct. 15 game, but they also had scheduled open dates the week after which has resulted in a rather bizarre elongated mid-season break.

UConn vs. WVU: Maybe the long break helped WVU in a couple respects. For one, it helped them come off their emotional high of the UL game. But that's a minor point compared to getting some extra time for injuries to heal. Intangible: WVU is a hard-hitting team, and as the saying goes, they're probably sick of hitting each other. I give this to WVU going away, but UConn should be in it for a while, as backup QB Brown seems to have created some excitement among Husky fans. Still way too many injuries on the UConn side of the ball: WVU 28, UConn 13.

Pitt vs. UL: Pitt is finally embracing Wannstadt's system, having won their last three games. Stephens and Jennings seem to be giving Wanny the running game he likes, and - oh yeah - that Lee guy has been sighted. Still not getting enough throws, but averaging a huge YPC in conference play. However, UL is loaded, especially on the offensive end. Bush and Stripling both ran up a century vs. us, and they seem to be able to go coast to coast whenever they want. Oh yeah, their defense is underrated. UL 45, Pitt 20.

USF vs. RU: Rutgers is coming off a bowl clinching victory over Navy on a flawless effort by Ryan Hart (18-21 201), but they have RBs Brian Leonard and Raymell Rice to balance out the offense. If Rutgers is going to win, they need to do a better job stopping the run (>250 yds vs. Navy). USF has had a while to get over the funk associated with losing to Pitt. Offensively, they'll need more than just Andre Hall, and on defense they'll have to limit the big plays that killed them vs. Pitt. RU is more than capable of hitting those. There are a lot of Florida guys playing for the Knights, so there could be some familiarity. This will be an interesting: RU 24, USF 20.

I think it will be very tough for UCONN on Weds night. I haven't been incredibly high on this WVU team, and I thought they could very well lose 3 or 4 games, even after their good start. But I don't think UCONN will have much luck against the WV defense, and the fact that it is a night game definitely hurts them. WVU is much tougher and its a MUCH more intimidating environment at night. I usually don't pick WV going away, but I think the fact that they've been off for so long, and UCONN is facing possibly their toughest road game environment of the season, should translate into an easy WV win.

WVU 45
UCONN 13


Louisville has been dominant at home, and I expect that to continue. Pitt is getting better each week, but unless Palko has a performance like he did against ND last year I don't think he'll be able to keep up with UL.

Louisville 41
Pitt 23


I am VERY tempted to pick USF in this one, but I just can't bring myself to do it because they haven't shown anything on the road all season. If this was a home game, I think they win big. Who knows, this might be the game they come out of their shell on the road, but Rutgers has proven to be too tough for me to pick the Bulls. Rutgers just beat a Navy team that was 6 points away from being 6-0 and probably ranked in the Top 20 going into that game.


Rutgers 30
USF 24

WVU over UCONN 35-10
UofL 45 Pitt 28
Rutgers 31 USF 17

WVU wins
UofL wins
USF wins

wvucrazed Wrote:I think it will be very tough for UCONN on Weds night. I haven't been incredibly high on this WVU team, and I thought they could very well lose 3 or 4 games, even after their good start. But I don't think UCONN will have much luck against the WV defense, and the fact that it is a night game definitely hurts them. WVU is much tougher and its a MUCH more intimidating environment at night. I usually don't pick WV going away, but I think the fact that they've been off for so long, and UCONN is facing possibly their toughest road game environment of the season, should translate into an easy WV win.

WVU 45
UCONN 13


Louisville has been dominant at home, and I expect that to continue. Pitt is getting better each week, but unless Palko has a performance like he did against ND last year I don't think he'll be able to keep up with UL.

Louisville 41
Pitt 23


I am VERY tempted to pick USF in this one, but I just can't bring myself to do it because they haven't shown anything on the road all season. If this was a home game, I think they win big. Who knows, this might be the game they come out of their shell on the road, but Rutgers has proven to be too tough for me to pick the Bulls. Rutgers just beat a Navy team that was 6 points away from being 6-0 and probably ranked in the Top 20 going into that game.


Rutgers 30
USF 24

nice prediction, if I do say so myself :) :D

Wow...this is impressive.
Good job!