WVU, Cincinnati step up in Big East race

Last weekend’s Big East slate of games was a tantalizing preview of what might happen in one of… Last weekend’s Big East slate of games was a tantalizing preview of what might happen in one of the most hotly contested conference titles in the nation. Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Cincinnati had impressive performances in their last games and look to be the three teams in the best position to win the conference down the stretch. Here’s the kicker. None of those three teams have played each other so far. That could make for an interesting November in the Big East. To recap, Pitt won, 36-33, in a thrilling, quadruple overtime game against Notre Dame. The Pitt offense struggled in the first half. But Pitt quarterback Pat Bostick bounced back after being benched for two possessions in the first quarter, then led the Panthers to three touchdown-scoring drives in the second half. Elsewhere, last Thursday night, the Bearcats showed the country they’re real contenders in the Big East. The Bearcats roughed up South Florida through the air en route to a 24-10 victory. Cincinnati’s junior quarterback Tony Pike played with a soft cast to protect his surgically repaired left forearm, only to have one of the best games of his career. He threw for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Back to Saturday’s action, West Virginia traveled to Connecticut in a matchup of last year’s Big East co-champions. The Mountaineers took sole possession of first place in the Big East, improving to 3-0 in the conference with a 35-13 win. Quarterback Pat White led all players 109 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while throwing for 121 yards and a score. And then there was Syracuse, which surprised Louisville with a 28-21 win. Curtis Brinkley ran for 166 yards and a touchdown for the Orange. Big East Beast of the Week (Offense) LeSean McCoy is a lock here with his 169 yards and a touchdown. But throw in the Bearcats’ Marshawn Gilyard, too. Not just for his four receptions for 98 yards and a score, but for the fact that he used those same receiving hands to pick up and help a young Cincy fan after he barreled over him in the stands. On behalf of Gilyard, he just wants to thank his hands for being so good. As for the kid, well, all he got was an interview with Erin Andrews. Big East Beast of the Week (Defense) Mike Mickens of Cincinnati earns this award for his career-record 13th interception against the Bulls. It was one of three picks on the day for the Bearcats’ defense. Big East Beast of the Week (Special Teams) Hands down, Pitt’s Conor Lee earned this. Lee made five field goals against Notre Dame, including one in each of the four overtimes, and he sealed the game on a 22-yarder. Big East Least of the Week Having to pick someone or something to blame for Louisville’s embarrassing loss to Syracuse, you have to look toward the Cardinals’ defense. It let the worst-scoring offense in the Big East run up 28 points and gain 385 yards of total offense. Ouch. In other news, Orange coach Greg Robinson is still keeping his suitcase under his desk just in case he gets that phone call. Big East Game of the Week Pitt vs. Notre Dame was the longest game in each school’s history and became somewhat of a classic. Even though there’s only one Big East team in the game, it gets the nod because, well, at least Notre Dame is in the Big East in other sports. Pitt survived three Bostick interceptions and finished off the Irish after some help from a missed field goal in the fourth overtime by Notre Dame. Big East Stat(s) of the Week This award is about the thousands. McCoy eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for a second straight season, further cementing himself as one of the most explosive backs to play at Pitt. Meanwhile, West Virginia quarterback Pat White surpassed 4,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 career passing yards against Connecticut. Big East Week Ahead Just like ‘The Haunting,’ everything happens in-house this weekend. The No. 25 Panthers (6-2, 2-1) host a steamed Louisville (5-3, 1-2) squad at noon on Saturday. Since Louisville joined the Big East, the Panthers have not beaten the team. This weekend’s marquee matchup kicks off at the same time in Morgantown. The No. 20-ranked Mountaineers (6-2, 3-0) host the Bearcats (6-2, 2-1) in the first of many November battles for Big East supremacy. The third and final matchup, Syracuse (2-6, 1-3) at Rutgers (3-5, 2-2) is far from a battle for supremacy but does pit two teams on winning streaks.