Big East down but not out

[Apis Bull]

College Football Plus: Big East down but not out

Monday, September 27, 2004

BY TOM LUICCI

Star-Ledger Staff

There's no denying the obvious. Big East football is mediocre this year. The league absorbed another body shot to its reputation this weekend when Temple lost to Toledo, Syracuse was manhandled by Virginia and Boston College was beaten at Wake Forest.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh needed everything it had to escape with a 41-38 overtime victory over Division 1-AA Furman.

But the future of the league looks brighter.

Dead-weight Temple will be gone next year. Boston College, which wanted out, is getting out -- although the Eagles, like Virginia Tech, appear headed for lean times in the ACC if Saturday was any indication.

Adding Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida -- while losing BC and Temple -- is going to help the Big East.

The Cardinals moved to 3-0 with a 34-0 victory at North Carolina on Saturday. That's an ACC school they beat.

South Florida improved to 2-1 with a 45-44 victory at TCU -- the Bulls' only loss is at South Carolina -- and Cincinnati is 2-2, with the Bearcats' losses at Ohio State and Syracuse.

No, the Big East isn't about to become the Big 12. But it will be better next year than it is this year, and it should be respectable in the future because of the three additions.

"I just don't think that a lot of national analysts give us respect because of the conference (C-USA) we're in," Louisville running back Eric Shelton said. "We can play with a lot of teams. Any team, really."

The Cards have two shutouts this year, having also blanked Kentucky (that's an SEC school). They've won seven straight over teams from BCS conferences.

So things should get better for the Big East in football. If they don't? There's always basketball, where the Big East can look down its nose at everyone -- the ACC included.

[bulls96go]

right on the money

he forgot Uconn

if everyone makes one step forward the BE will be fine

wvu, ul and one (usf) or two (uconn, pitt cuse) ranked will help on an annual basis