Hot off the presses (or, um, out of my e-mail inbox), the Big East Conference’s weekly honorees…

BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Dion Lewis • Fr. • RB • Pittsburgh • Albany, N.Y. Lewis ran for 180 yards on 31 carries, including touchdown runs of 1 and 58 yards, to help Pittsburgh improve to 3-0 in the BIG EAST with a 24-17 win at Rutgers. Lewis averaged 5.8 yards per carry against a Scarlet Knight defense that had limited opponents to just 2.3 yards per attempt. Lewis leads the BIG EAST and ranks third nationally in rushing (131.1 yards per game).

BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Lawrence Wilson • Jr. • LB • Connecticut • Tuscaloosa, Ala. Wilson had a game-high 16 tackles — the most by a BIG EAST player this season — to go with a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery to lead a Connecticut defense that forced four turnovers in a 38-25 win against Louisville. Wilson leads the BIG EAST with 66 tackles this season and is 19th nationally with 11 tackles per game.

BIG EAST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jacob Rogers • Jr. • K/P • Cincinnati • Warsaw, Ind. Rogers was a key player in Cincinnati’s 34-17 win at No. 21/21 USF as he scored 10 points and averaged 45.1 yards on seven punts. Rogers made field goals of 37 and 29 yards, had a long punt of 53 yards and had two kickoffs go for touchbacks.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

Zach Collaros, QB, Cincinnati — Came off the bench to rush for 132 yards and two touchdowns while going 4-for-7 with 72 passing yards in a 34-17 win at No. 21/21 USF.

Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut — Ran for 153 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in a 38-25 win against Louisville.

Jon Dempsey, LB, Louisville — Had a game-high 16 tackles — the most by a BIG EAST player this season — with a half sack and a tackle for loss in a 38-25 loss at Connecticut.

Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers — Had 11 tackles, including a tackle for loss, and registered his fifth career blocked kick with a punt block in a 24-17 loss to Pittsburgh.

Reed Williams, LB, West Virginia — Had eight tackles with a forced fumble and two pass breakups to help hold Marshall to 207 yards of offense in a 24-7 win.

Again, it’s tough to focus on the nuts and bolts of Big East football this mornin. In case you missed them, a bunch of links on Jasper Howard’s violent stabbing.

The police have not released any information about any alleged perpetrators. (Norwich Bulletin)

Randy Edsall and Desi Cullen on Jasper Howard. (New Haven Register)

Condolences. I suggest a tissue. (Hartford Courant)

Okay, because football is being played this weekend…

Cincinnati fans, breathe easy. There might not be that many available jobs better than the one Brian Kelly has. (Sporting News)

Cincinnati’s no. 5 in the AP Poll and the BCS standings. Kelly’s finally taking on those title-game doubters, Cincinnati detractors. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

The Bearcats aren’t done rising. (Rivals.com)

Tony Pike may actually play this week. (ESPN.com)

There’s no way Steve Kragthorpe gets a Year Four. At least the U has Rick Pitino and hoops. (Louisville Courier-Journal)

Pitt’s in the polls. And facing a real gut check this weekendwhen South Florida comes to town. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Dion Lewis had the chance to talk trash about a Rutgers program that passed him over. He refused. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

The player Rutgers took instead, DeAntwan Williams, isn’t exactly being pushed to the field. (Star-Ledger)

It was the season’s worst offensive output, but Schiano is fine with his co-offensive coordinators’ play-calling. (Home News Tribune)

Thursday’s Bulls game at Raymond James outdrew Sunday’s Bucs game at Raymond James by 12K. (St. Petersburg Times)

Keith Moody’s going into the Syracuse Hall of Fame because he was a whale of a player. He has a heckuva life story too. (Syracuse Post-Standard)

The WVU offense is flashy. The WVU defense gets the job done. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Jarrett Brown’s going to be day-to-day. (Rivals.com)

Bill Stewart’s the type of man who will tear up for another program’s player. (Times West Virginian)

His players are visibly upset too. (Charleston Gazette)

And finally, a highlight video of Jasper Howard’s career, courtesy Sox and Dawgs. (soxanddawgs.com)

Was anyone watching this balloon boy drama? I’m starting to think it was a stunt…

Cincinnati 34, South Florida 17. (AP)

Cincinnati used five QBs last year en route to the Orange Bowl. Obviously a back-up would work fine last night. (AOL Fanhouse)

High-profile names, no-names, doesn’t matter: Cincinnati’s going to find a way to beat you. (ESPN.com)

Pike’s definitely out for next week’s game against Louisville. (NBC Sports)

In the end, South Florida beat itself. Even with white helmets and a 50-yard field goal. Photos. (St. Petersburg Times)

It’s going to take a while for the country to take a flyer on South Florida again. B.J. Daniels was up and down. It was a helluva scene. (Tampa Tribune)

Louisville has a better run game than UConn has a run defense. Not that it will matter. (Connecticut Post)

Scott Lutrus is out. (Hartford Courant)

Jon Gruden’s not talking about the rumors. (NBC Sports)

Scouting Rutgers-Pitt. (Home News Tribune)

Here’s Tom Savage’s first real test. (NY Times)

One brother’s a Rutgers safety. The other’s a Pitt running back. Where’s the family going to sit? (Star-Ledger)

Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin, Rutgers CB Devin McCourty. There could be some playmaking. (SNY.tv)

Dave Wannstedt’s banking on Rutgers using everything including the kitchen sink. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

That’s a deceiving headline. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

If you’re in West Virginia, there’s always room to slide in a shot at Pitt. (Times West Virginian)

Only three teams in the whole country rank in the top 30 in rushing and passing. West Virginia’s one. (Charleston Gazette)

The fans, the talking heads, the college football pundits, they all undervalue the Big East. Is it any surprise Vegas does too?

From 2000-2008, Big East teams have covered the spread 56.3 percent of the time. That’s better than every other league in the country. Ed Gunther of The National Championship Issue did the research and came up with some fun finds, like UConn (covers 55.8%) and Louisville (55.7%) are two of the most notably underrated teams. Or Rutgers has won when it was favored 72.2 % of the time and when it was the underdog 25.4% of the time. (Cincinnati, Pitt, South Florida and West Virginia have all won as the underdog at least 35 percent of the time.)

The Wiz of Odds took the numbers and made a few neat charts to illustrate things. It’s something fun to look at. Check it out.

The top 50 shooters in college basketball: six from the Big East, one from my alma mater… Malcolm Gladwell compares football to dogfighting. An outstanding read… Rush Limbaugh’s Rams-buying friends dumped him… These fans are not happy. And they’re doing something about it…

It’s game day in Tampa! The Next Big Game is really South Florida’s Next Big Chance. USF-Cincinnati is really a hot ticket. Craig James: “I don’t expect USF to win, quite honestly.” (Tampa Tribune)

This USF team may just be the one to avoid the October swoon the last two have suffered. Bulls’ o-coord Mike Canales has a FTS section in his playbook: feed the studs. Mel Kiper, Jr. has a USF defensive end at no. 12 on his draft board. It’s not George Selvie. (St. Petersburg Times)

The home team in this series has won five of the last six games. (Commercial Appeal)

Here’s the scouting report. By the way, Cincinnati DOES have a defense too. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

It doesn’t take long for Cincinnati to take control and “suck the life out” of a game. But South Florida’s always been a defense first team. (Sporting News)

Well, that’s a buzzkill. Isn’t he too young to be such a cynic? (The News Record)

Yes, the Big East has an image problem. Yes, it’s unfair. But don’t worry: the BCS bid is safe. The Bearcats are cool in Bengals-town because Brian Kelly is cool. Tony Pike has practice at being a rising back-up. (SI.com)

(more…)

Rev, Sun Myung Moon is back at it… Gov. Schwarzenegger says his wife will be punished… The GOP says Jackie Robinson would’ve been one of them… Money quote of the day: “Let’s be real. Everybody’s a little crazy to play that game.”

You have to love Mardy Gilyard. He said Cincinnati’s coaches are “licking their chops” to face former colleague – and current USF defensive coordinator – Joe Tresey. “They can’t wait to face Coach Tresey down there… Those guys are really, really ready to get us going.” Here’s more from Mardy. (Tampa Tribune, Cincinnati Enquirer)

Brian Kelly’s take on that: “Joe’s a great guy.” (Rivals.com)

Tresey’s take: “We just need to play.” Jim Leavitt on ESPN: “The Big East doesn’t have to defend itself.” (St. Petersburg Times)

John Goebel’s ready to join Cincinnati’s offensive arsenal. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

The man leading that arsenal, Tony Pike, thinks the Heisman talk is crazy. This classmate thinks Pike as an NFL prospect is crazy.(News Record)

The Bulls, meanwhile, are ready themselves. Honestly, these programs are building in very similar environments. Oh, and did you know a former Miss America does diabetes research at USF? (Tampa Tribune)

(more…)

The 10 Most Beloved College Football players ever…

 Cincinnati’s not too worried that its old defensive coordinator is now South Florida’s defensive coordinator. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

UConn isn’t finishing games. “It sucks,” said Andre Dixon. (Republican-American)

Randy Edsall still hasn’t announced a starting QB. The race for the Big East title is on. (Connecticut Post)

Steve Kragthorpe is prepping for UConn. Yes, he still has a job. (Hartford Courant)

A NJ high school lineman believes that so much, he committed to play for Kragthorpe and Louisville over Rutgers, UConn and No. Carolina. Ryan Payne’s an old hat at making game-winning kicks. He’s been doing it in his imagination for years. (Louisville Courier-Journal)

Pitt has an albatross. It’s Rutgers. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

(more…)

The Chicago Cubs have filed for bankruptcy?!

In other news… the Big East office has released its list of weekly honorees. It looks like very little of what happens against a Football Championship Subdivision is worth noting.

BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Noel Devine • Jr. • RB • West Virginia • Fort Myers, Fla. Devine scored two touchdowns and finished with 103 all-purpose yards in West Virginia’s 34-13 win at Syracuse. He had his first career touchdown reception on the Mountaineers’ first offensive play and added his BIG EAST-leading seventh rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Devine finished with 91 rushing yards on 22 carries and had two receptions for 12 yards as the Mountaineers won their BIG EAST opener.

BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Robert Vaughn • Sr. • S • Connecticut • North Attleboro, Mass.Vaughn had 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and two interceptions, including a 20-yard INT return for a touchdown, in the Huskies’ 24-21 loss at Pittsburgh that wasn’t decided until the game’s final play. Vaughn had his 11th and 12th career interceptions to remain the active leader among BIG EAST players and fourth among active Bowl Subdivision players.

BIG EAST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Dan Hutchins • Jr. • K/P • Pittsburgh • Williamsport, Pa. Hutchins scored 10 points, including the game-winning field goal as time expired, in Pittsburgh’s 24-21 win against Connecticut. He made field goals of 42, 19 and 18 yards and averaged 43 yards on three punts, dropping two inside the 20-yard line and one inside the 10. Hutchins is 7-for-7 in field goal attempts this season and ranks second among BIG EAST kickers in scoring at 7.5 points per game.  (more…)

                                                    Michael Jackson’s This is It is out… Maybe we wouldn’t have so many football “widows” if America did this… If you’re into Stephen Colbert, this will be fun…

The weekend off didn’t affect Cincinnati’s poll position. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

The season’s turning into a training nightmare for Scott Lutrus. (Hartford Courant)

The injuries are definitely adding up for the Huskies. (The Day)

Not that the Huskies couldn’t stand a little toughening up. (Connecticut Post)

Rick Pitino’s woes are not over. Jerry Smith and Terrence Jennings were arrested over the weekend. Cops needed a taser on Jennings. (Courier-Journal)

Pittsburgh says the missed opportunities and messes of Saturday make it a better team. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

The conditioning the Panthers do – and did – is starting to show dividends. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

There’s plenty of bulletin board material for the Scarlet Knights’ locker room. If Greg Schiano was into tacking up clips. (SNY.tv)

Rutgers is moving past the cupcakes and into real meal territory. Khaseem Greene’s starting to make an impact. (Home News Tribune)

A round-up of a few of Greg Schiano’s day-after thoughts. (Star-Ledger)

For all the hope and hype, rebuilding at Syracuse was never going to be anything but a P-R-O-J-E-C-T. (Syracuse Post-Standard)

Is the Greg Paulus experiment over? (Dr. Saturday)

South Florida’s so far in pretty decent shape for Thursday’s big match-up with Cincinnati. Joe Tresey last year was Cincinnati’s DCoord. This year he’s South Florida’s. Who has the bigger advantage? (Tampa Tribune)

The Bulls slid up in the polls. (St. Petersburg Times)

West Virginia’s secondary is getting the job done. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

West Virginia likes scoring first. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Brian Bennett’s weekly awards. (ESPN.com)

Okay, that might be pushing it a little. But Chuck Sullivan at the league office sent out a pretty impressive set of numbers today. With two conference games (West Virginia at Syracuse and UConn at Pitt) and two out-of-conference games (Texas Southern at Rutgers and Southern Miss at Louisville) coming tomorrow, the Big East is so far 23-7 against opponents outside the league. The record of the seven teams who’ve beaten Big East teams is 23-10. The Big East is 6-6 against BCS schools (only the SEC, at 7-3, is better) and the Big East is one of only two leagues without a loss to an FCS opponent (the Pac-10′s the other).

If the league can keep up this pace in its final 10 nonconference games (including tomorrow’s two), the .767 winning percentage would be second-best in Big East history. Not bad for a supposed down year. Not bad for a league that couldn’t get a single team in the preseason AP poll.