CFN Prediction...

[Jim Johnson]

Big East Game of the Week

Rutgers (4-0) at South Florida (3-1)  8:00 PM EST ESPN2 Friday September 30th

Why to watch: After sneaking into the No. 23 slot of both polls this week, Rutgers’ Q rating has never been higher, and now the spotlight is on with a 4-0 record for the first time in 26 years.  The program’s done a terrific job getting to this point, but how will it handle the increased pressure and scrutiny that comes with expectations? A loss on national television will almost certainly cost the Knights a lot of the equity they’ve amassed this month as people now will be watching.  South Florida had hoped to join Rutgers in perfection before dropping a 13-7 decision to Kansas on Saturday. With their opponents getting all of the attention, the Bulls would love nothing more than to grab the spotlight, while getting an early jump on the third spot in the Big East pecking order behind West Virginia and Louisville.  While he’s in Tampa, Greg Schiano might want to shoot down I-75 for a cup of coffee with Miami athletic director Paul Dee.

Why Rutgers might win: Yeah, the running tandem of Ray Rice and Brian Leonard has been Rutgers’ chief catalyst, but the defense has been the unsung hero of the program’s emergence.  The unit, which hasn’t allowed more than 16 points in a game and is No. 4 nationally in total defense, will suffocate a Bull attack that’s far too dependent on one player, freshmen QB Matt Grothe.  South Florida has scored just 31 points the last two weeks, getting absolutely no support from the running backs.

Why South Florida might win: No one Rutgers has played this month comes close to the South Florida defense.  Spurred by a tenacious trio of veteran linebackers, the Bulls allow only 15 points a game and have given up just a pair of touchdown passes all year.  One of these days, sporadic Scarlet Knight QB Mike Teel will have to do more than dish out handoffs, and that day is this Friday.

Who to watch: Bulls Stephen Nicholas and Ben Moffitt are two of the best linebackers you’ve never seen play. Now you’ll get a chance. Their jobs on Friday night are simpleâ€â€contain Rice, the country’s fourth-leading rusher and don’t forget about Leonard, who can demoralize a defense in a multitude of ways.  If they can force Teel to make plays on third and long, South Florida will hand Rutgers its first loss of 2006.

What will happen: No matter what happens Friday night, the big winner is the Big East, which has a showcase game involving someone other than West Virginia and Louisville, for a change.  Although South Florida always plays well in Raymond James Stadium, it won’t have the offensive artillery to out gun the Scarlet Knights.

CFN Prediction: Rutgers 26 ... South Florida 20 ... Line: Rutgers -4

Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) ... 3.5

http://cfn.scout.com/2/571571.html

[dabull80]

really nice to see a 3.5 rating to watch the game.

[GetAHobby]

They are pretty high on both teams, as well as the Big East. Nice to see/read

[FLIPSTYLE]

i enjoyed it, even though they did over play the our linebackers.

[smazza]

usf will need everyone to have their A game

[matei]

Why did the overhype your LBs?

Nicholas is a player I would rather not have to face - 1st/2nd team All-BE IMO.

http://mb18.scout.com/frutgersfrm7