The Big East Conference takes the national stage this week with two key conference matchups…. The Big East Conference takes the national stage this week with two key conference matchups. The top four teams in the conference will be playing important nationally televised Wednesday and Thursday night games that can change the picture in the conference and the Bowl Championship Series.

With Miami, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and West Virginia all having Saturday off, players from Temple and Boston College took home the Big East Player of the Week honors.

Miami regains No. 1 BCS spot, prepares for Thursday night

The Miami Hurricanes (9-0 overall, 4-0 Big East) had Saturday off as they get ready for a Thursday night game against No. 18 Pitt.

The week before, Miami defeated Tennessee, 26-3, to extend its consecutive game win streak to 31 straight, which ties for the seventh longest in NCAA history. The Hurricanes regained the top BCS spot after previous No. 1 Ohio State needed overtime to defeat Illinois, 23-16.

Miami has two of the top Heisman Trophy candidates, quarterback Ken Dorsey and running back Willis McGahee.

Dorsey has thrown for 2,265 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, while he averages 251.7 yards per game. McGahee has rushed for 1,188 yards, averages 132 yards per game, and has 17 touchdowns on the year. Head coach Larry Coker thinks that voters have a case for both of the Miami players and said that he would love for one of his players to win the award.

Along with two of the top offensive threats in the country, Miami sports the fifth ranked defense in the nation as they host Pitt in what Coker considers, “the biggest game we’ve played all year.” The game is being considered by much of the media as the virtual Big East title game because the two teams are the only remaining undefeated teams in the conference.

“We’ve been on the road the last three weeks and I’m glad to be back at the Orange Bowl,” Coker said. “I think Thursday’s game speaks for itself. It’s going to be a great matchup and we’re excited for it.”

West Virginia and Virginia Tech set to battle in unusual Wednesday game

West Virginia (7-3, 4-1) and No. 12 Virginia Tech (8-2, 3-2) both had Saturday off as they prepare for a nationally televised Wednesday night game in a battle for third place in the Big East.

Both teams last played Nov. 9, as West Virginia beat Boston College, 24-14, while Virginia Tech lost to Syracuse, 50-42.

The Wednesday night game is unusual for Division I-A football, but both coaches have their teams ready for the game after the 10-day break.

“We are treating gameday as a Saturday,” West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez said. “We’ve moved up our schedule accordingly. I told our players, today [Monday] is Thursday.”

“It’s a chance for both programs to be on TV and make a statement for their programs,” Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said. “It’s been kind of a good little break for us and I think it fits us very well.”

“Our football team is excited for the challenge to play a ranked team,” Rodriguez said. “We’re going to get their best shot, I’m sure of that. We’ve played well in the last several weeks and we’ll go down there and see what happens.”

Last week’s winners, Boston College and Temple, square off

Boston College (6-4, 1-4) and Temple (4-7, 2-4) will battle this weekend after strong performances last week merited all Big East Player of the Week awards between the two teams.

Led by co-Offensive Player of the Week Tanardo Sharps, who rushed for 215 yards and a touchdown on a Big East record setting 48 carries, Temple defeated Rutgers, 20-17. Defensively for the Owls, Terrence Leftwich, who was named co-Defensive Player of the Week, had six tackles, three passes defended, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Big East Special Teams Player of the Week was won by kicker Cap Poklemba, as the Temple kicker had two field goals, including the game-winner from 22 yards with 39 seconds remaining.

Boston College was a winner over Syracuse, 41-20, for its first in-conference victory. The Eagles were led by co-Offensive Player of the Week Derrick Knight, who ran for 171 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Defensively, cornerback Ralph Parent took home co-Defensive Player of the Week award with his six tackles, one interception performance.

Boston College will travel to Temple for the Saturday afternoon game in hopes to solidify their place in a postseason bowl.

“We’ve been in a win-loss cycle with Temple, which makes this a key game,” BC head coach Tom O’Brien said. “We have to break out of it, and hopefully we can get a win at Temple.”

Rutgers tries to come up big against Notre Dame after Temple loss

Rutgers (1-9, 0-6) lost to Temple, 20-17, after letting a 17-3 halftime lead slip away.

Freshman Ryan Hart started at quarterback and threw for 155 yards on 14 of 27 passing and two touchdowns. Receivers Aaron Martin and L. J. Smith scored the two touchdowns for Rutgers.

“We’ve done a good job all season getting ready to play,” Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano. “It’s a great opportunity against a great team and I know we’ll be ready to play.”

Syracuse gets extra week to prepare for Miami

The Orangemen (4-7, 2-4) lost to Boston College last weekend, 41-20. The Syracuse defense struggled, allowing 511 total yards, the third straight game that the team allowed 500 yards or more.

Running back Walter Reyes rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown to become the seventh player in Syracuse history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

Syracuse has a bye week coming up and will next play Nov. 30 against Miami.

“We’ve had eight grueling weeks in a row and are pretty banged up,” head coach Paul Pasqualoni said. “This break comes at a good time so that we can give our kids some time off. Our preparation for Miami will start at the end of the week.”