Big East Predictions

Can't believe I'm picking an unbeaten team in both the Big Ten and the Big East, but here goes...

1. West Virginia (7-0, 12-0)
White, Slaton will lead Mountaineers into BCS picture

2. Louisville (6-1, 11-1)
Brohm-to-Urrutia won't be enough in Morgantown

3. Rutgers (5-2, 10-2)
Even if Scarlet Knights upset WVU, finale @ Louisville gets them

4. South Florida (4-3, 8-4)
Grothe gives Big East three QBs that will eventually play on Sundays

5. Pittsburgh (3-4, 6-6)
Road schedule too tough for first-year starter at QB

6. Cincinnati (2-5, 7-5)
Brian Kelly will have Bearcats near top of conference by 2009

7. Connecticut (1-6, 5-7)
Favorable non-con schedule has 4-1 written all over it

8. Syracuse (0-7, 3-9)
Relatively tough non-conference schedule provides little relief for Orange

Next blog: NFL predictions

Big Ten Predictions

I know I'll be accused of being a homer when you see the following predictions, but here goes...

1. Michigan (8-0, 12-0)
Wolves squeak by PSU and Wisconsin

2. Penn State (7-1, 11-1)
Only loss a tight one in Ann Arbor

3. Wisconsin (6-2, 10-2)
Not going to win a night game in Happy Valley

4t. Ohio State (5-3, 9-3)
Last four game are a gauntlet

4t. Purdue (5-3, 9-3)
Boilers best of the second tier

4t. Iowa (5-3, 9-3)
Ferentz staves off restless natives

7t. Illinois (3-5, 6-6)
Not enough Juice to beat the big boys

7t. Northwestern (3-5, 6-6)
First two BT games: @ OSU, vs. Michigan

9t. Indiana (2-6, 6-6)
Could go 4-4 in BT with victories @ MSU, @ NW

9t. Michigan St. (2-6, 5-7)
Good running game, but Dantonio has to rebuild D

11. Minnesota (0-8, 4-8)
Not much in the cupboard for Brewster

Next blog: Big East Predictions

This, That, and The Other

Notes from the weekend:

Drew's Birthday: My oldest turned seven on Saturday. I'd always heard "they grow up so fast", but sheesh...

Joba the Nut: Yankee fireballer Chamberlain is this year's edition of Joel Zumaya.

Quarless Locker Emptied: If Penn St. TE is really off the team "for good", how are Scirrotto and Baker still on the roster? What about punishment fitting the crime?

Too Little, Too Late: Pirates have won three of their last four over playoff hopefuls New York and Philadelphia. Get ready for another September tease...

Running Back Derby: Through three pre-season games, the Steelers look like they'll be choosing between Carey Davis and Gary Russell for the final running back spot. Parker, Davenport, and Haynes are locks. At least Kevan Barlow will be able to get home within minutes of his release.

Curve Taken Out at the Knees: A troubled Pirates' GM continues to make questionable moves to try to show ownership some progress. The non-sensical promotions of Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker to non-playoff contender Indy for the final two weeks of the season rendered the Curve offense impotent in key series against Erie. As a result, Altoona will miss the post-season for the first time in five seasons.

Bow Do You Do?: My five-year old, Gabe, has gone from burying his head in his arms at church to quite the participant the last three months. On Sunday, he joined in responses and prayers (at the appropriate times with an appropriate volume); reverently bowed (repeatedly) before both Eucharistic Ministers, and greeted Monsignor with a "How ya doin', buddy?" while exiting the Cathedral.