Da Geeks Final Big East Power Rankings and Bowl Invites...

1.  West Virginia University won 3 games in exciting fashion after all but blowing the season at home against Louisville.  Coach Holgorsen has done what no prior coach has done and that is take the Eers to a BCS Bowl game in his first season of coaching.   That was the expectation of the fan base, and though it was a rocky road to get there, he was successful in leading the team to this most important goal.  I see only a very bright future for this team under his leadership.  This team is the best team in the Big East.  They are one of the few teams to begin the season at the top of the conference and end the season there as well.   The Mountaineers are off to face the Tigers in the Orange Bowl on January 4th at 8:30 on ESPN.

2.  The University of Cincinnati had two hiccups against WVU and Rutgers that did ultimately cost them a trip to the BCS.   No question that losing Zach was costly to this team.  They played the most consistent football throughout the Season and until they faced the Eers at Paul Brown were poised to finish atop the conference standings.  Alas, they must settle for Co-champion with the Mountaineers and the Cardinals.  They were awarded a trip to the Auto-Zone Liberty Bowl for their efforts.  They square off against Vanderbilt on December 31st at 3:30 on ABC.

3.  The University of Louisville were a surprise Co-Big East Champion this year.  They certainly had a turbulent season wherein they lost to FIU and Marshall but were able to go 5-2 in the Big East with a signature win over WVU at home.  This series of events really stirred the pot in the Big East race, forcing both Cincinnati and WVU to win their last two games to force a 3 way tie.   I would point out that Da Geek had higher hopes for this team than just about anybody else.  In my preseason poll I picked Louisville to finish 2nd in the conference. (My predictions take a hit after that as USF, Syracuse and sPitt underachieved in huge ways while Rutgers and Cincinnati played better than I expected.)  Charlie Strong is to be commended on this season.  He took a bunch of no-names and made them Conference Co-Champs at season's end.  For that success they are awarded the Belk Bowl.  They drew NC State as their opponent and will play this game December 27th at 8:00 pm on ESPN.  

4. The University of Rutgers played 3 spots better than I thought they would.  An up and down season with this team but the "wood-choppers" played well enough to be a Big East Co-champion up until being dismantled by a game Connecticut team.  This lead to a finish of 4th in the League Standings.  As has been stated on here since before Rutgers became bowl eligible, the Scarlet Knights will be the Big East representative in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.  They will play, the team that cost Oklahoma State a bid to the National Championship, Iowa State on December 30th at 3:20 pm on ESPN. 

5. sPitt, as is usually the case, underachieved this season.   They took some costly injury hits, but the biggest deficiency of this team was Coach Graham's insistence that Tino be his man at quarterback.  But alas they did what they tend to do, let everybody down.  Well I guess not everybody, because their demise is a good thing in my mind.  For their stellar bowl eligible season they are awarded a trip to the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham Alabama.  They shall face off against Conference USA champion Southern Mississippi at 1 pm on ESPN.

6.  University of Connecticut finishes the season they way they played all season without a back to back win.  Though, they gave it the ole college try in second half of the game against the Bearcats they simply couldn't get it done.  For their efforts they get an invite to nowhere.  Only a year after being the Big East BCS representative they are not even bowl eligible. Coach P's second Big East go-around is not looking to be as successful as his past efforts, I am not ready to throw him completely under the bus as he has had no time to recruit.  But his first season must be judged as unsuccessful.  As stated before no bowl for UConn. 

7. University of South Florida.  Wow what a let down of a season.  Skippy just didn't seem to have this team's interest after the win over Notre Dame.  To say that this team underachieved with the athletes they had is a huge understatement.  Several preseason publications picked South Florida to win the Big East this year.  In stead they were able to muster just 1 conference win.  As such they get to reside in a co-chumpion position with the 8th place finisher of this poll.  No Bowl for the Bulls.

8.  Syracuse aka who cares.  This team lead by Coach M. had high hopes for the season.  For his efforts he was awarded a one win season in the Big East.  As I understand their fans though, as long as it is against WVU the season is a successful one.  You see I was informed by at least two of their fans (that represents what 1/2 of them?) that by beating WVU they are in point of fact better than WVU.  As Iowa State is better than Oklahoma State and countless other examples. It was only after this education in "score-board" rules that I came to understand the Orangefan's elite understanding of college football success.  I believe it was stated after that one conference win that WVU would be playing in Beef O'Brady's Bowl, while Syracuse and its laughing faithful would be playing in a BCS Bowl.  (I guess he meant the other team from West Virginia would be playing in that bowl.  See below.)  Well since they were able to win their October bowl game at home, they obviously were slighted by the Bowl selection committees, and like UCLA deserved a pass for being under 500.  I am sure that the Orangefan(s) of the world will be snickering with glee come New Years when they are watching the Eers play Clemson in the Orange Bowl.  Enjoy. 

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't make mention of the fact that Marshall is playing FIU in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl,  aka the "we beat Louisville too Bowl."  Congrats to the Herd on this Bowl Bid.  Enjoy your trip to Tampa Herd fans everywhere.  It should be noted that Marshall defeated both a Big East Co-champion and the Conference USA champion.  Doc must have this team going in the right direction. 


Additional Mountaineer related notes:


Junior wide receiver Taovon Austin has been named the BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week, and sophomore wide receiver Stedman Bailey and senior linebacker Najee Goode have been named to the Weekly Honor Roll for their performances against USF on Thursday night.




Austin had 208 all-purpose yards, including 141 yards on three kickoff returns, to help West Virginia to its 30-27 win at USF, giving the Mountaineers a share of their record seventh BIG EAST championship.
He returned a third-quarter kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, giving him two touchdowns on kickoff returns this season. He also had a team-high seven receptions for 54 yards and added a 30-yard punt return for the Mountaineers.


Bailey had seven receptions for 80 yards, including a pivotal 26-yard catch on fourth down in the game-winning drive, and Goode had seven tackles, a tackle for loss and a key forced fumble in the fourth quarter.

Da Geek