Another big game in the Big East

[AppGuy04]

Thursday Night football

#3 Louisville(8-0) at #15 Rutgers(8-0)

Another undefeated goes down. If Louisville wins this, they pretty much wrap up the Big East Title. Rutgers still has a date with WVU down the line. This game will show what Rutgers is really made of.

[DinoDex200]

Thursday Night football

#3 Louisville(8-0) at #15 Rutgers(8-0)

Another undefeated goes down. If Louisville wins this, they pretty much wrap up the Big East Title. Rutgers still has a date with WVU down the line. This game will show what Rutgers is really made of.

I said right after the Ville/WVU game that I think Rutgers will win this game.

a) 'Ville is coming off their "Biggest Game in School History". The one they had marked on the calendar since the year started.

b) This is Rutgers' "Biggest Game in School History", and it's at home

c) Rutgers can actually play defense. Something neither WVU and the Cards seemed interested in doing on Thursday.

d) Rutgers will be able to control the clock with their running game.

We'll see what happens...but I'll have some money saying that Rutgers will cover the 5.5 point spread.

[EKU05]

Yes, but who exactly has Rutgers defended? And don't give me Tyler Palko and the overrated Pitt offense. If anyone bothered to notice...Louisville (statistically) also had one of the nation's best defenses until they faced WVU's unbelievable running game. People seem very eager to point out Louisville's faults before they recall that the Cards just put up 44 points against the nation's #3 team (and they say on the ball the last two times they had it).

Was anyone complaining about the terrible defense after last year's BCS title shootout between Texas and Ohio State? Of course not, they were raving about Vince Young and Reggie Bush. There is more than one way to look at the stats from a game.

Rutgers can absolutely win this game, but if Louisville's offense comes out firing the same way it did against WVU you will see a similar result in terms of the point total. Rutgers best hope is that Rice can replicate what Slaton did without the fumbles. If he does that then it should be a good game. However...here is where Rutgers might be in trouble...

Contrary to popular belief Pat White can actually throw. Though it wasn't used a lot, Louisville at least had to respect the throwing game a little. That Rutgers QB is pretty questionable. The best things RU could do would be to complete a few 20 yard passes early to really spread the Louisville defense thin. If they don't they Cards will stack the box against a running attack that is very good, but not nearly as multi-dimensional as WVU.

[DinoDex200]

Was anyone complaining about the terrible defense after last year's BCS title shootout between Texas and USC?

I was. That was shoddy. Defense wins championships, and since USC had no real defense to speak of last year, they lost.

When Syracuse and Cincinnati can hold Louisville to less points than WVU then I can say with fair certainty that it was more of a lack of defense than two great offenses (on both sides).

I watched the game, and WVU's defenders were nowhere to be found on most passes. Their gimmicky 3-3-5 defense was about as effective at mounting a pass rush as the Prevent Defense is.

The problem is that everyone thinks it is smooth sailing for L'Ville now that they beat WVU. The truth of the matter is that they could easily lose 3 of their last 4 games. USF, Pitt, and Rutgers are all gunning for them now...and Rutgers has just as much of a chance at getting into the BCS as they do.

BTW, as much love as everyone gives the Cardinals O and Brian Brohm...it's hard to believe that Brohm has only 5 TD's and 3 INT's in 6 games (Cantwell has as many). I don't think their offense is as unstopabble as people believe...

[Tribefan]

I've changed my mind about Ruttie. If there is a fraud undefeated team this season then it's Ruttie. I saw their game against Connecticut on Sunday night a few weeks ago and they looked really unimpressive.

-They gave up 200 yards rushing to redshirt freshman running back (his breakout game)

-They were outscored by the UConn offense. If not for the hapless UConn special teams and have not talent at QB, Connecticut would have won that game.

-The UConn defense which is 109th in the country against the run held Ray Rice to under 100 yards.

-Mike Teel is a terrible QB. If Louisville can keep Ray Rice under control then Rutgers may not even score a touchdown.

I look for Louisville to roll in this game. 41-10 And Ruttie will drop to #22/#23 in the polls. They'll also lose toe WVU and then drop out the top 25 completletely. Also, losing Cincinnatti isn't out of the question either.

Ruttie is on the way up, but they are not ready to beat an opponent of this caliber.

[DinoDex200]

It's not so much that I think Rutgers is superior or even equal to UL in talent. It's more that I think UL is coming down off a major high while Rutgers is getting ready for their "program game".

On top of that, it's in Piscataway (or is it New Brunswick?), and Rutgers had a bye week to get ready for this one. I think it will be alot closer than most think, and I do feel like Rutgers will pull the upset, leaving the door open for WVU to get back in the BCS picture (although not the title game).

[Tribefan]

Even when it is sold out, there is nothing intimidating about playing in Piscataway.

Rutgers hasn't played anyone this season who has the premier athletes like the ones Louisville has. There's mismatches all over the field. I don't think Louisville will have a down week, they play in a settled state.

[DinoDex200]

Even when it is sold out, there is nothing intimidating about playing in Piscataway.

Rutgers hasn't played anyone this season who has the premier athletes like the ones Louisville has. There's mismatches all over the field. I don't think Louisville will have a down week, they play in a settled state.

Is that the state they were in when they got rolled by USF at the intimidating environs of a half-full Raymond James Stadium last year?

Their worst losses in recent memory have usually come on the road. They seem to be world beaters at the Pizza Palace, but it's a different story when they leave those confines.

[BlueHen86]

It's interesting how the Big East got stronger and the ACC got weaker once Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College defected.
I know it's early and this year may be a fluke, but I wonder how the ACC feels about Miami now. I also wonder how BC feels about their move.
I also agree that Rutgers is a fraud unbeaten. I don't think they will finish undefeated and should be ranked between 15 - 20.

[DinoDex200]

It's interesting how the Big East got stronger and the ACC got weaker once Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College defected.
I know it's early and this year may be a fluke, but I wonder how the ACC feels about Miami now. I also wonder how BC feels about their move.
I also agree that Rutgers is a fraud unbeaten. I don't think they will finish undefeated and should be ranked between 15 - 20.

The odd thing is that if you look at the Big East schedule, the tough games have really just started for most of the teams.

Rutgers has survived Pitt and USF...but still has UL and WVU. UL beat WVU, but still has Rutgers, Pitt, and USF. WVU still has USF, Rutgers, and Pitt. Pitt...as mentioned still has WVU and UL.

I think BC has to be kicking themselves. They'd likely be fighting for a Big East title right now, instead of losing to Wake Forest. :)

Miami has been hurt by the sudden appearance of 4 other I-A programs (all public schools, too) in the Southern part of Florida. They aren't losing starters, but valuable depth. I think they'll be competitive again, but I doubt it will be to the level that they had back in the 80's, 90's and early 00's.

[Tribefan]

It's interesting how the Big East got stronger and the ACC got weaker once Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College defected.
I know it's early and this year may be a fluke, but I wonder how the ACC feels about Miami now. I also wonder how BC feels about their move.
I also agree that Rutgers is a fraud unbeaten. I don't think they will finish undefeated and should be ranked between 15 - 20.

Must be karma.

But I think the ACC is just having a down year. The ACC obviously doesn't give a crap about BC, they are just a conference championship enabler, and the conference can ship them off to Boise every bowl season since nobody else wants to play the MPC Blue Carpet Bowl.

[DinoDex200]

Must be karma.

But I think the ACC is just having a down year. The ACC obviously doesn't give a crap about BC, they are just a conference championship enabler, and the conference can ship them off to Boise every bowl season since nobody else wants to play the MPC Blue Carpet Bowl.

It's geographically out of whack now. Heck, WVU would have been a more sensible choice. I wouldn't be surprised to see BC lured back to the Big East someday.

And it kind of cracks me up how the ACC Title Game will likely be Ga. Tech vs. either Wake or Maryland. Not the matchups they were hoping for when they set up those divisions!!

[Tribefan]

Originally it was supposed to be Miami and Syracuse in the expansion. UNC, Duke and UVA were opposed to exansion. Virginia Governor Mark Warner told the UVA President to vote against the move if Virginia Tech wasn't in the picture, so VT took Syracuse's spot.

Swofford then sought to lure Notre Dame into the ACC (yeah that made lots of sense:rolleyes: ) so that they could have 12 teams and the cash cow of a championship game and when that failed they invited Boston College (who had already pledged to stick with the Big East and lead it into the new era).

No word yet on whether or not BC Chancellor Father Leahy has gone to confession yet for lying and screwing over his former partners.

[BlueHen86]

I think top to bottom the ACC is stronger than the Big East, although Louisville and WVU are probably better than any ACC school.
The Big East only has two or three good schools and they've just begun to play each other.
The top ACC schools are all about equally good and have been beating on each other all year. I also don't like the 12 team playoff rule. It may make more money for the conference, but decreases your chance of winning the NC. Thats why the SEC probably won't have a team in the NC game even thought it may be best confence this year.
Division I-A football is messed up, but we already knew that.

[BlueHen86]

I wouldn't want BC back if I were the Big East, screw 'em. The Big East would be better off adding Navy and Army. They would also have a better chance of getting Notre Dame as long as ND didn't have to commit to too may conference games and could keep its bowl money.
I know ND isn't looking to join a conference, but someday the economics of the game may demand it.

[DinoDex200]

Originally it was supposed to be Miami and Syracuse in the expansion. UNC, Duke and UVA were opposed to exansion. Virginia Governor Mark Warner told the UVA President to vote against the move if Virginia Tech wasn't in the picture, so VT took Syracuse's spot.

Swofford then sought to lure Notre Dame into the ACC (yeah that made lots of sense:rolleyes: ) so that they could have 12 teams and the cash cow of a championship game and when that failed they invited Boston College (who had already pledged to stick with the Big East and lead it into the new era).

No word yet on whether or not BC Chancellor Father Leahy has gone to confession yet for lying and screwing over his former partners.

I remember all that...it didn't seem to make any sense at the time, outside of their desperation for a ACC Title game. Syracuse didn't either, as they haven't been a viable football school since D. McNabb left.

BlueHen, I don't think the Championship game will be what keeps the SEC Team out of the National Title game. Depending on who plays, it might help them...

[BlueHen86]

I remember all that...it didn't seem to make any sense at the time, outside of their desperation for a ACC Title game. Syracuse didn't either, as they haven't been a viable football school since D. McNabb left.

BlueHen, I don't think the Championship game will be what keeps the SEC Team out of the National Title game. Depending on who plays, it might help them...
You're right Dino. But in general it's one more tough game that needs to be won.
Big 10, Pac 10 and Big East schools will typically have an easier path.

[DinoDex200]

You're right Dino. But in general it's one more tough game that needs to be won.
Big 10, Pac 10 and Big East schools will typically have an easier path.

Agree on that point...although, in this day of SOS being so important to getting to that National Title game, it can help a team too.

[EKU05]

I was. That was shoddy. Defense wins championships, and since USC had no real defense to speak of last year, they lost.

When Syracuse and Cincinnati can hold Louisville to less points than WVU then I can say with fair certainty that it was more of a lack of defense than two great offenses (on both sides).

I watched the game, and WVU's defenders were nowhere to be found on most passes. Their gimmicky 3-3-5 defense was about as effective at mounting a pass rush as the Prevent Defense is.

The problem is that everyone thinks it is smooth sailing for L'Ville now that they beat WVU. The truth of the matter is that they could easily lose 3 of their last 4 games. USF, Pitt, and Rutgers are all gunning for them now...and Rutgers has just as much of a chance at getting into the BCS as they do.

BTW, as much love as everyone gives the Cardinals O and Brian Brohm...it's hard to believe that Brohm has only 5 TD's and 3 INT's in 6 games (Cantwell has as many). I don't think their offense is as unstopabble as people believe...

Yes, I'm sure the 'cuse and Cincy games had nothing to do with Brian Brohm rushing back from surgery to play in those two games. I watched the Syracuse game...he just wasn't himself. Other than that Louisville coughed up the ball in the Syracuse game and that cost them dearly. The don't usually do that. If Louisville had more of a normal day turnover-wise the final score would have been AT LEAST 42-13 if not worse than that. On the other hand, Louisville was a huge beneficiary of some turnovers last week...so no real complaints here in that department.

Cincinnati has a hell of a defense. Even Ohio state only got to the 30s against them (and as I recall Troy Smith had not had surgery on his throwing hand less than a month before the game).

Finally...that defense wins championships argument is paper thin when you call USC a team with "no real defense to speak of"...yet somehow they came within seconds of the national title. Things swung the other way by the thinnest of margins (and it's not like the Texas defense faired much better in that game...Fresno State looked just as good).

Still, this Rutgers game scares me to death for a variety of reasons. I can't decide if it's a good or bad thing that the Cards whipped them by 50 last year in the ville. As far as the games after that...there are some tough teams, but they are all at home except for Pitt who has looked very mortal their last few times out. U of L just needs to take it one game at a time, and we can inch closer and closer to that "collision" that Howard Schnellenberger spoke of over 20 years ago.

[DinoDex200]

Just full of excuses, aren't you? My point is that Ville is too reliant on a QB that, other than the WVU game, where WVU played terrible defense...he hasn't really performed up to expectations.

This would be a different story if Michael Bush was healthy, of course...that's when I really started to wonder if the Cards would make it through the season. A guy like that is hard to replace.

My point on the Defense thing is this...it's well documented that when you put a genuinely solid Defense (not just one that looks good on paper) against a good Offense...usually the defense wins that battle. They may not win the game, depending on the quality of their O, but they will make that offense look pretty ordinary.

[Tribefan]

Rutgers is too one dimensional to win this game. Mike Teel is a trainwreck.

[unknown-swac]

Everything in me says Rutgers will get blown out...but something in me is hoping they win.

[BlueHen86]

Everything in me says Rutgers will get blown out...but something in me is hoping they win.
I think Rutgers will keep it close...
they are at home
they are a good (but not great) team
most importantly - Louisville will have a slight letdown after WVU:twocents:

[DinoDex200]

I think Rutgers will keep it close...
they are at home
they are a good (but not great) team
most importantly - Louisville will have a slight letdown after WVU:twocents:

That succinctly states why I think it will be a close game.

[EKU05]

That succinctly states why I think it will be a close game.

I agree with that summary as well. This will be a tough game all the way around. I think the biggest question is...can Rutgers pass? It's one thing to succeed with WVU's running attack when you've got both White and Slaton. You never quite knew what was coming. Sometimes WVU didn't either until the middle of the play. That's what makes them so dangerous.

Rutgers has a great running game, but it's pretty much all about Rice. Leonard is a outstanding fullback, but his role will be mainly blocking here.

But it won't be a blowout to whoever said that. I'll say Cards by a TD. It scares the hell out of me that Rutgers has had some much longer to prepare. But as always...In Petrino we trust here in the ville.

[Tribefan]

Rutgers has one of the worst passing offenses in the country. If they have to pass to win then they will lose. Teel's record as a starter is really deceptive. At least two of those games he started in he was either benched or was taken out due to injury. A team with good defensive backs will give him fits.

[DinoDex200]

But as always...In Petrino we trust here in the ville.

Unless some traditional power is landing their private jet somewhere nearby. xlolx

[LacesOut]

Rooting for Louuuieville, as I would like to see them in the championship game vs. OSU or Meeeechigan.

But I also hope Rutgers keeps it close.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I'll be rooting for Rutgers for the lone reason that I have become a Florida Gators fan and want to see Louisville knocked out of that #3 spot. I too think it will be a close game.

[EKU05]

Unless some traditional power is landing their private jet somewhere nearby. xlolx

That was pretty good. He's certainly had his moments. We were all encouraged this past summer though when he very quietly turned down 5 years and $18 million to coach the Oakland Raiders. I heard he's like the fifth highest paid coach in the country now anyway. We'll keep our figers crossed on that one.

[DinoDex200]

That was pretty good. He's certainly had his moments. We were all encouraged this past summer though when he very quietly turned down 5 years and $18 million to coach the Oakland Raiders. I heard he's like the fifth highest paid coach in the country now anyway. We'll keep our figers crossed on that one.

Good move...he stayed with the better team! xlolx xlolx xlolx

[MR. CHICKEN]

DUH LOUIE'S....LEFT IT ALL ON DUH FIELD.....WHOMPIN'......DUH REAL MOUSEKETEERS..........LAST THURSDAY................NUFFIN' LEFT IN DUH TANK....FO' DUH COUPE D' VILLE..............RUTGERS.......WINS GOIN' AWAY.........GIMME UH R....U.....T........:hyped:...AWK!

[roberb7]

7-7 with 4:43 left in the first. The Knights dodged a bullet, however. They were down 7-0, and the Cardinals had good field position after an interception, but the Knights intercepted back, got a good return, then Teel threw a 26-yard TD pass to tie it.

Rice has only 9 yards rushing.

[AppGuy04]

15-7 now, 100 yard kickoff return for Louisville

[redbirdtim]

Big fan of both Coaches. Petrino is turning the Cards into a national power, and Schiano has done wonders with the Scarlet Knights.

[BlueHen86]

25 - 22 Louisville, 4:42 left in the third. Rutgers was down 25 - 7.

[UMass922]

It's great to see such an important, big-time college football game being played in the northeast. Certainly not something we get very often. I'm definitely rooting for Rutgers. Too bad they have zero chance of playing for the national championship, even if they win out.

[BlueHen86]

25 - 22 Louisville, end of 3rd quarter

[Peems]

petrino=montana pride(as in the state not school, he actually went to my hometown school carroll college)

[unknown-swac]

Anyone doubt Rutgers is a quality team now? Their defense looks GREAT. Had it not been for a few mental mistakes they'd be leading now but they do still look very good.

[UMass922]

Rutgers' defense has been huge; they're playing with a ton of energy. Louisville reached 25 halfway through the second quarter but has done absolutely nothing since.

[unknown-swac]

Ray Rice time...

[UMass922]

Tied at 25! Go Knights!

[BlueHen86]

25 - 25, 46 yd FG Rutgers, 10:13 remaining

[Peems]

so far rutgers has outgained louisville 256-234.

[BlueHen86]

Rutgers has the ball on their 8 with about 5:30 remaining, 1st and 10. Still 25 all.

[roberb7]

petrino=montana pride(as in the state not school, he actually went to my hometown school carroll college)

Is that Dave Dickinson in your avatar?

Tied at 25 with 5:18 left, the Knights starting a drive from their own 8. Overtime coming?

[UMass922]

Knights are driving . . .

[UMass922]

Rice!

[BlueHen86]

Rutgers inside the 20, less than a minute remaining. Louisville using timeouts

[BlueHen86]

Rutgers about to try a 33 yd FG with 21 seconds left.......

[unknown-swac]

Well...its gonna come down to this field goal....

[BlueHen86]

No good, Louisville offsides

[unknown-swac]

Field goal good...Rutgers up 28-25 with 13 secs left

[BlueHen86]

Next kick, is good from 28 yards, 28 - 25 Rutgers 18 seconds left

[BlueHen86]

SWAC is right 13 seconds

[unknown-swac]

Fans storm the field with 1 sec left on the clock lol

[roberb7]

Knights kick a FG, lead 28-25 with 13 seconds left.

The Cardinals have been shut out in the second half.

Rice for Heisman?

[UMass922]

Louisville will have a Hail Mary shot with two seconds left . . .

[Peems]

Is that Dave Dickinson in your avatar?

Tied at 25 with 5:18 left, the Knights starting a drive from their own 8. Overtime coming?

yes it is.

and the knights take the lead!

[unknown-swac]

RUTGERS WINS!!!!!!!!!

[BlueHen86]

28 - 25 Rutgers, final

[EKU05]

Congrats to the Knights. We were just completely out-played tonight.

[UMass922]

Herbstreit is right: this win by Rutgers is huge for the Big East.

[89Hen]

Herbstreit is right: this win by Rutgers is huge for the Big East.
I couldn't disagree more. All this win did was make Louisville, a team that everyone thought was legit, look bad to Joe Public. No offense to Rutgers, but they won't sniff the NC game and Louisville was a probable lock for it. People perceived the Miami win as good for UL. RU for comparison beat UNC, the worst team in the ACC (other than Duke). I'm not saying that's fair, but that's the perception IMO. RU's wins are UNC (1-8), Illinois (2-8), Ohio who is actually having a pretty good year but most people don't know it, Navy who is Navy and Howard (a bad I-AA). Again, I'm not making a case against RU, I'm just making an observation on how people will perceive them.

Now the BE rep will play in one of the other BSC bowls against a weaker than normal ACC team (could be Wake!) and will be lost in the shuffle. Louisville playing in the NC game would have done a HELL of a lot more for the BE. And now we have to suffer through which one loss team will be playing in the NC game. : smh :

[BlueHen86]

I couldn't disagree more. All this win did was make Louisville, a team that everyone thought was legit, look bad to Joe Public. No offense to Rutgers, but they won't sniff the NC game and Louisville was a probable lock for it. People perceived the Miami win as good for UL. RU for comparison beat UNC, the worst team in the ACC (other than Duke). I'm not saying that's fair, but that's the perception IMO. RU's wins are UNC (1-8), Illinois (2-8), Ohio who is actually having a pretty good year but most people don't know it, Navy who is Navy and Howard (a bad I-AA). Again, I'm not making a case against RU, I'm just making an observation on how people will perceive them.

Now the BE rep will play in one of the other BSC bowls against a weaker than normal ACC team (could be Wake!) and will be lost in the shuffle. Louisville playing in the NC game would have done a HELL of a lot more for the BE. And now we have to suffer through which one loss team will be playing in the NC game. : smh :
I couldn't agree more. This win is great for Rutgers, but terrible for the Big East.

[DinoDex200]

I couldn't disagree more. All this win did was make Louisville, a team that everyone thought was legit, look bad to Joe Public. No offense to Rutgers, but they won't sniff the NC game and Louisville was a probable lock for it. People perceived the Miami win as good for UL. RU for comparison beat UNC, the worst team in the ACC (other than Duke). I'm not saying that's fair, but that's the perception IMO. RU's wins are UNC (1-8), Illinois (2-8), Ohio who is actually having a pretty good year but most people don't know it, Navy who is Navy and Howard (a bad I-AA). Again, I'm not making a case against RU, I'm just making an observation on how people will perceive them.

Now the BE rep will play in one of the other BSC bowls against a weaker than normal ACC team (could be Wake!) and will be lost in the shuffle. Louisville playing in the NC game would have done a HELL of a lot more for the BE. And now we have to suffer through which one loss team will be playing in the NC game. : smh :

Well, it's not like the power conferences haven't had undefeated teams get shutout of the National Title game before.

I would say the reason this is big for the Big East is that it shows that this won't be a two-horse race every year...and that the program that appeals to it's (hell, THE) largest market might become a mainstay...if Schiano doesn't do something stupid like go back to Miami.

[89Hen]

I would say the reason this is big for the Big East is that it shows that this won't be a two-horse race every year...
The MAC and WAC aren't two-horse races but that doesn't mean they are thought of as good conferences. High profile OOC wins and a team that is very highly ranked is what you need to be perceived as a strong conference. :twocents:

[Tribefan]

Don't listen to 89Hen, he's a fan of the unctuous conference that failed in its attempt to kill the Big East.

UVA football is looking saaaaaweeet this season by the way. I wonder how many more recruits Rutgers and UConn will steal away from Al Groh this season.

Last season it was:

Kenny Britt 4 star (RU)
Kordell Young 4 star (RU)
Brad Kanuch 3 star (UConn)
Greg Robinson 3 star (UConn)

[Tribefan]

The MAC and WAC aren't two-horse races but that doesn't mean they are thought of as good conferences. High profile OOC wins and a team that is very highly ranked is what you need to be perceived as a strong conference. :twocents:

How many high profile OOC wins does that midget nutkicking league know as the ACC have?

Really? So I guess WVU's smacking around of lightweight Maryland doesn't look so lightweight any longer. Back when Miami was still ranked Louisville beat them up pretty good.

[89Hen]

So much for having a legit discussion about the BE. Nice try at hijacking the thread Tribefan. : smh : : smh :

[Tribefan]

Yeah... Nice way to admit that you have no argument. What was known as the worst program in football history is now kicking Groh's butt up and down the Atlantic seaboard. Hopefully UVA will extend his contract yet again.

[UMass922]

The MAC and WAC aren't two-horse races but that doesn't mean they are thought of as good conferences. High profile OOC wins and a team that is very highly ranked is what you need to be perceived as a strong conference. :twocents:

But the MAC and WAC aren't BCS conferences. For lower-profile conferences it's perhaps better to have one or two dominant teams that make national headlines, but for BCS/"power" conferences, the perceived strength of a conference has a lot more to do with its depth. The Big East wasn't considered a strong conference when it sent a mediocre Pitt team to the Fiesta Bowl a couple years ago--but it wasn't considered a strong conference when Miami was beating up on everyone and competing for the national championship every year, either.

The true model of a strong conference is the SEC, which has the combination of depth/parity and teams that compete for the national championship every year. The Big East isn't close to being on that level yet, but having a third team (Rutgers) enter the national picture is huge. What's good for the Big East is that two weeks in a row in November it had a game with national title implications--and now it's going to have a third highly visible game in a row with Rutgers-WVU. It's got to help recruiting in that league top-to-bottom when week-in week-out there's a closely-contested conference game with national implications.

Of course it wouldn't have been bad for the Big East to have Louisville playing for the national title, but there's a lot for the conference to be excited about in Rutgers legitimizing itself on a national stage.

[89Hen]

Yeah... Nice way to admit that you have no argument. What was known as the worst program in football history is now kicking Groh's butt up and down the Atlantic seaboard. Hopefully UVA will extend his contract yet again.
Again, nice try hijacking. This is a thread about the Big East. The ACC and UVA have nothing to do with this. :nonono2:

[89Hen]

but having a third team (Rutgers) enter the national picture is huge.
I'm not sure they have. Their big win is against another BE team. They (the BE) need a couple more marquis wins OOC. Again, I'm talking perception, not reality. I think I'm a pretty good observer of national sentiment, and while the media is having fun with RU, I'm not sure people in the south, mid-west and west coast are buying it.

[Tribefan]

Suddenly Louisville's win against K-State in Manhattan with Hunter Cantwell at QB doesn't look to shabby, and neither does WVU's complete demolition of Maryland.

I think Louisville and WVU would love to play some more serious OOC games, but what are they to do hold a gun to other AD's heads?

Pretty good article about how the leather helmet era establishment tries to keep emerging programs down.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2652451

"The loudest Big East bashing seems to be coming from Southeastern Conference advocates. Here's the funny thing about that: Ask how many SEC teams are willing to schedule Louisville.

The number is two. According to the Louisville administration, everyone else in the league has ducked, dodged and squirmed away from games with the Cardinals."

[DinoDex200]

Suddenly Louisville's win against K-State in Manhattan with Hunter Cantwell at QB doesn't look to shabby, and neither does WVU's complete demolition of Maryland.

I think Louisville and WVU would love to play some more serious OOC games, but what are they to do hold a gun to other AD's heads?

Pretty good article about how the leather helmet era establishment tries to keep emerging programs down.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2652451

"The loudest Big East bashing seems to be coming from Southeastern Conference advocates. Here's the funny thing about that: Ask how many SEC teams are willing to schedule Louisville.

The number is two. According to the Louisville administration, everyone else in the league has ducked, dodged and squirmed away from games with the Cardinals."

And you can't really count one of those since Kentucky is almost required by law to play 'Ville.

[Tribefan]

Last week Colin Cowherd criticized WVU for playing Marshall, well if he would bother to do the research, then he would know that WVU is forced to play Marshall per the Governor. WVU wants nothing to do with Marshall, I think that they play the game for a piece of coal or something.

Maryland also just wussed out of their series with WVU.

[89Hen]

Maryland also just wussed out of their series with WVU.
FWIW, UM and WVU are scheduled to meet in 2007, 2010 and 2011.

[89Hen]

"The loudest Big East bashing seems to be coming from Southeastern Conference advocates. Here's the funny thing about that: Ask how many SEC teams are willing to schedule Louisville.

The number is two. According to the Louisville administration, everyone else in the league has ducked, dodged and squirmed away from games with the Cardinals."
The other one is UGA vs. UL in 2011 and 2012.

[89Hen]

Rutgers...

2007
9-8 Navy
TBA @ Buffalo
TBA Maryland
TBA @ Army

2008
9-20 @ Navy
9-27 North Carolina
TBA Buffalo
TBA Army

2009
10-10 Navy
TBA Buffalo
TBA @ Maryland
TBA @ Army

2010
9-25 North Carolina
TBA @ Navy
TBA Army
TBA @ Notre Dame

2011
9-10 @ North Carolina
TBA Navy
TBA @ Notre Dame
TBA @ Army

[89Hen]

WVU...

2007
9-1 Ball State
9-8 @ Marshall
10-20 Mississippi State
TBA @ Maryland
TBA East Carolina

2008
9-6 @ Auburn
9-13 Marshall
TBA Villanova
TBA @ East Carolina

2009
9-5 Auburn
10-3 vs. Marshall (site TBA)
TBA Villanova
TBA East Carolina

2010
9-11 @ Marshall
TBA Michigan State
TBA Maryland

2011
9-3 Marshall
TBA @ Michigan State
TBA @ Maryland

2012
9-1 Marshall
9-8 Florida State

2013
9-14 @ Florida State

[Tribefan]

Read the Pat Forde article.... There's not too many teams willing to play Louisville or WVU on a home and home basis, because they are looked on as trap games. I'm hoping hoping that you're not totally clueless on the politics of OOC scheduling.

Rutgers is obviously finding success much quicker than they thought. They need to put some more BCS opponents on their schedule.

[Pard4Life]

Rutgers...

2007 mediocre
9-8 Navy
TBA @ Buffalo
TBA Maryland
TBA @ Army

2008 PITIFUL
9-20 @ Navy
9-27 North Carolina
TBA Buffalo
TBA Army

2009 Mediocre
10-10 Navy
TBA Buffalo
TBA @ Maryland
TBA @ Army

2010 mediocre
9-25 North Carolina
TBA @ Navy
TBA Army
TBA @ Notre Dame

2011 mediocre
9-10 @ North Carolina
TBA Navy
TBA @ Notre Dame
TBA @ Army

If they want to contend for the NC each year, Rutgers needs to get a real OOC schedule... Buffalo and the service academies will not do..

[Tribefan]

Rutgers plays five OOC games a year so there is still room for better opponents, so Mulcahy better get busy. If he starts scheduling more MAC and C-USA teams then that won't cut it. They need to be looking at PAC-10, SEC and Big 12 (Give Texas a call, UConn and BC just turned down 2 for 1 deals) teams. They should leverage the use of the Meadowlands ($$$$) and get to work on expanding their own stadium.

But from the looks of it, they are slated to play against Charlie Weis and Butch Davis five times according to what 89Hen posted.

It shouldn't be hard for RU to find some quality OOC opponents. New Jersey is a recruiting hotbed.

[Pard4Life]

Rutgers plays five OOC games a year so there is still room for better opponents, so Mulcahy better get busy. If he starts scheduling more MAC and C-USA teams then that won't cut it. They need to be looking at PAC-10, SEC and Big 12 (Give Texas a call, UConn and BC just turned down 2 for 1 deals) teams. They should leverage the use of the Meadowlands ($$$$) and get to work on expanding their own stadium.

But from the looks of it, they are slated to play against Charlie Weis and Butch Davis five times according to what 89Hen posted.

It shouldn't be hard for RU to find some quality OOC opponents. New Jersey is a recruiting hotbed.

Yeah the Notre Dame game goes beyond the listed dates above. That game is definetely being played in Giants Stadium/whatever they have there. That's fact... read it in the paper. Whenever ND plays around here, it's Giants Stadium.

[89Hen]

I'm hoping hoping that you're not totally clueless on the politics of OOC scheduling.
You keep missing the part where I'm talking about perception and reality. I'm in no way bashing the BE, I'm telling you what I think the perception of the BE is.

That said, I'm not 100% on the "they won't play us" arguement. There are other teams that I would considered to be "trap games" opponents that haven't had any problem scheduling BCS teams:

Marshall - Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee...
Southern Miss - Alabama, Nebraska, Cal...
Boise State - Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina...

Maybe they're doing 2 for 1 and UL won't go for that. I don't know all the behind the scenes scheduling, but very few people do. Are we to just take the UL AD on his word alone?

[89Hen]

Yeah the Notre Dame game goes beyond the listed dates above. That game is definetely being played in Giants Stadium/whatever they have there. That's fact... read it in the paper. Whenever ND plays around here, it's Giants Stadium.
Not surprising. ND at Navy is played in the Ravens stadium in Baltimore.

2012
TBA Notre Dame @E. Rutherford, NJ
TBA Army

2013 - @ Notre Dame
2014 - vs. Notre Dame
2015 - vs. Notre Dame
2016 - vs. Notre Dame