That sound you just heard was a whistle blowing in Hartford and a flag hitting the turf in Tampa. I don’t want to say UConn has anything to worry about as far as objectivity is concerned for its next two games against Cincinnati and at USF… but Robert Sands and Chris Neild and some others who were involved in a certain play in a certain Ohio city last year may disagree.
I can hardly believe I’m typing this — not because I saw what I saw Friday at Heinz Field, but because I really did not anticipate this the night before Halloween — but right now it is in the best interest of the Big East to have WVU as its champion.
Let that sink in.
WVU will travel far, far better than UConn and, quite likely, if the past month is any measure, but just as competitive, but better suited for a win with its defense and a snake-in-the-grass offense. What that means is WVU must beat a very suspect Rutgers while UConn must lose one of its final two games.
In back-to-back years now, Bill Stewart has his signature win against his biggest rival. I don’t think coaches are fired — or retained, for that matter — because of one game. There are exceptions, but mostly it’s more of a body of work. For that, I do believe this was big for Billy. I said it the night of the UConn game and it’s worth repeating now:
– For a long time, WVU was able to thump its chest about a few things: It had a premier Big East program, it operated cleanly and without breaking any rules, it dominated rival Marshall and could be counted on, basically every year, to beat Syracuse, UConn and Rutgers, which went a long way toward establishing and sustaining a high profile in eastern football. A lot of that has come down this year. WVU will share last place in the Big East during its open week. It could be alone in last place when it plays next. The NCAA case is going to make news again soon. WVU was fortunate to beat a terrible Marshall team and has in consecutive weeks lost to Syracuse for the first time since 2001 and to UConn for the first time ever.
Suppose WVU lost to Pitt Friday. Then what? You would add to that sentence and probably draw some serious conclusions. That said, it did not happen. The Mountaineers aren’t losing to Rutgers — and if they do, don’t throw it back in my face. My point is damage control has been performed and has been successful. To that, WVU has been a different and very good team since its back-to-back losses. The win against Pitt was a thorough culmination of what the Mountaineers believe is a return to form. (The offensive line was very good. Must be said. Protected quite well.)
The defense remains unbelievable, but the offense has been clean and efficient and, consequently, effective. Blew up Cincinnati, tailored its plan for Louisville’s blitzes to mixed results and then played deliberate option football wth calculated passes against Pitt’s four-man rush. It’s worked and WVU now becomes very big fans of Cincinnati and USF. If one of them comes through and WVU beats Rutgers, it’s a Big East title and a BCS bid.
Let that sink in.
Till I collapse I’m spilling these texts as long as you feel them, till the day that I drop you’ll never say that I’m not killing them. My edits are in [brackets].
(11:44 AM):
EAT [IT] PITT!
(11:45 AM):
I think my backyard is in better condition than Heinz Field today. Sheesh.
(11:47 AM):
At what point to the Heinz Field people revaluate their field?
(11:52 AM):
Re: TI. At Pitt, rule is “stop stach-in’ “
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