Big East Preview WSF vs. WVU

[Brad]

Battle of BIG EAST Undefeateds Takes Center Stage Tonight

Listen Live!

www.bigeast.tv

USF 37, North Carolina 10

Highlights Courtesy ESPN

West Virginia 48, East Carolina 7

Highlights Courtesy ESPN

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Last year on Oct. 20, then No. 4-ranked West Virginia and Connecticut squared off in a BIG EAST battle in what would become the highest-rated Friday night college football game ever to be aired on ESPN.  Tonight, fifth-ranked West Virginia (4-0) travels to Tampa to take on No. 18 USF (3-0) (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in a contest that figures to play a major role in determining the champion of the BIG EAST.

Last year’s contest involved a top-five team and was seen in 1,866,698 households.  Considering the hype that has surrounded this game and that it’s between two teams ranked in the top 20, tonight’s contest could push ESPN’s previous ratings record.

Tonight’s game has already broken one record:  Raymond James Stadium will be sold out for a USF football game for the first time in school history.

Coming into the season, USF - while under the radar - was considered by many to be a dark horse in the BIG EAST.  After the Bulls traveled to traditional SEC powerhouse Auburn and defeated the No. 17 Tigers, USF has been under the radar no more. 

Many people thought the Bulls could have a let down at home against North Carolina, coming off their signature victory against Auburn and looking ahead to their battle with WVU, but that idea was quickly put to rest when USF scored 14 points against North Carolina early in the first quarter and never looked back en route to a commanding 37-10 win.

Meanwhile, the Mountaineers, favored in a preseason media poll to win the BIG EAST, have lived up to their billing, winning handily over their four non-conference opponents thus far:  Western Michigan, Marshall, Maryland and East Carolina. 

Heisman Trophy candidates Pat White and Steve Slaton have played an integral role in leading the Mountaineers to this juncture in the season, combining for 22 touchdowns for the nation’s 10th-ranked offense (525 yards per game).

Take a look at what is being written about this marquee match-up:

ESPN.com 

Pittsburgh Tribune Review 

Charleston Gazette

Charleston Daily Mail

Tampa Tribune

St. Petersburg Times

[MikeG]

WSF?