The day after Thanksgiving could bring mania to shopping centers around the country, but it will also bring a different kind of frenzy in West Virginia. The 104th annual Backyard Brawl comes to Morgantown on November 25th when the Panthers face the West Virginia Mountaineers in this Big East fight. Adding intensity to this heated rivalry, simply 75 miles of Interstate 79 separate these 2 great schools. Both squads have a handful of things in common with each other; predominantly on the list of similarities they both have first year head coaches with Todd Graham manning the helm in Pittsburgh and Dana Holgorsen top the West Virginia Mountaineers. The West Virginia Mountaineers defeat Pitt 19-16 on a last 2nd 43-yard FG by Tyler Bitancurt the most recent time this game was hosted in Morgantown in 2009. However at 61 wins, 39 losses, and 3 ties, Pitt holds the advantage in the total series.
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Pittsburgh arrives with a 5-5 record and a 3-2 record in the Big East Conference. They’ve gone 1-1 against rated competitors this year with a victory over #16 South Florida and a loss against the #23 Bearcats. The offense and defense of the Panthers are not precisely stellar yet they finish the job. The Panthers average 25.6 points per game and their competitors are held to 22.8 points per game. The Panthers offensive attack is lead by junior Qb Tino Sunseri (2,037 passing yards – 63.7 completion pct. – 125.3 rating – 9 Touchdown / 8 INT). The rushing attack is led by junior Ray Graham (958 rushing yards – 5.8 yards per carry – 9 Touchdown) and the receiving core is led by sophomore WR Devin Street (39 catches – 572 yards – 2 Touchdown).
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West Virginia holds court with a 7-3 record plus an identical 3-2 record in the Big East Conference. The West Virginia Mountaineers also hold a 1-1 record against rated competitors this year. They hold a loss against #2 LSU and a victory over #23 Cincinnati. The West Virginia Mountaineers are offense personified with junior powerhouse Qb Geno Smith (3,497 passing yards – 64.5 completion pct. – 151.5 rating – 24 Touchdown / 5 INT) top the West Virginia attack. WR’s Tavon Austin (72 catches – 907 yards – 4 Touchdown) and Stedman Bailey (57 catches – 1,037 yards – 10 TD’s) place enemy safeties and DB’s on notice. The rushing attack is led by freshman Dustin Garrison (600 rushing yards – 5.5 yards per carry – 5 TD’s).
Fans of Iowa and Nebraska Football have been arguing eternally about their respective programs. Having won more National Championships and have more National Prominence, Husker Fans have the decided advantage. Because Nebraska has just joined the Big Ten Conference, the rivalry between the Fans and Competitors will merely heat up. Ideally, the powers that be will be certain that Nebraska-Iowa is an annual matter.
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Even though they have changed to the Shotgun read option, Power Blocking is what Nebraska does best and still applies some of these principles in their run-Blocking schemes. Personally, I believe that the Cornhuskers made a mistake by joining the Huge Ten. Nonetheless, the Big Ten is a Conference of Bruisers, used to standing mano-a-mano, Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust. There is more passing than in the Woody Hayes/Bo Schembechler Days, however the Run is still the Calling Card of this Conference; Nebraska would have been much greater served going to the PAC 10, where their new kind of Offense isn’t watched as much.
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The Iowa Hawkeyes are sort of a Jekyll/Hyde kind of Program, it appears that they constantly lose to someone that they should not, and beat an opponent that they should not each year. Because they’re at Home, and the game is in November, this year should be in Iowa’s favor. Taylor Martinez can’t hit the Ocean from the beach. All Iowa (Or any Squad, save Ohio State) has to do is put eight or nine in the box and dare the Cornhuskers to throw, which they can’t. Furthermore, this alignment gives the Iowa Hawkeyes the additional man/men to keep disciplined, and to stop the read option, especially Martinez, who does not like to and frankly cannot pitch to his Tailback. I see Iowa as a 4 1/2 to 5 point fave, and should cover handily, as the Cornhuskers are getting a little Arrogant these days, even following a loss to Northwestern. Nebraska isn’t very great on defense either, not plenty of speed, but jumpy. Screens, Traps Draws, and other types of misdirection Plays will keep Nebraska on their toes. I’ll be observing to see if Bo Pelini’s head in fact blows off of his Shoulders. If the sportsbooks make the Cornhuskers the fave, jump all over the Iowa Hawkeyes, as they’re going to win straight up.
When Al Golden’s Miami Hurricanes take home field in Sun Life Stadium on November 25th vs the Eagles, they are going to do so as the team wondering about the year that escaped them. Close losses to teams like Virginia Tech and Kansas State have launched the ‘Canes into the ncaa football wilderness this year.
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The killer for the ‘canes has been on the defensive side of the ball although the offense has played inconsistently at times. An injury-riddled defensive tackle unit that cannot stop the run has been undermining reliable to fantastic qb pressure from senior defensive end Marcus Robinson and freshman eye-popper Anthony Chickillo.
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Add in a secondary which has produced just two interceptions this year, and it’s no surprise Miami rates 51st among Division I teams, giving up 372.1 yards per game. Qb Jacory Harris has what it requires to make the offense hum, but will his defense back him up?
Like the under-performing Miami Hurricanes, Frank Spaziani’s Boston College Eagles crumbled into a 3-7 disaster following they commenced the year with their head coach whispering Orange Bowl dreams into their ears. Their only hope of post-season bowl competition is the local bowling alley now that they currently own a dismal position of 5th in the ACC Atlantic division.
The loss of their leading playmaker, senior running back Montel Harris, has been the greatest handicap on the offensive side of the ball for the Boston College Eagles. It has not helped that sophomore qb Chase Rettig has struggled in his development. Defensively, a lack of depth in the secondary and the loss of senior defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey has left this unit a pathetic team defense position of 89 among Division I teams.
The Eagles managed a win in their last outing vs North Carolina State, however they won’t win this one. Look for the ‘canes to become bowl eligible on the 25th, if they don’t do it the week before vs South Florida. And watch for them to do it big.
This fight in the south will highlight the Falcons and the Tennessee titans. The Atlanta Falcons are currently in second place in the NFC South and are looking to actually make a run and get caught up to the Saints. The Tennessee Titans are trailing the Houston Texans and are furthermore in second place in the AFC South. Both organizations still see the playoff picture though both squads are having respectable seasons. The divisions are relatively close and this game will actually help either squad become even closer their dreams.
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The Atlanta Falcons will look to actually center on this game as they just lost a major game against the division leading Saints.
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The Atlanta Falcons are at 5-4 and have been struggling to actually get any momentum for the season. Before the loss, the Atlanta Falcons were on a three game winning streak until they lost in ot against the Saints. The Tennessee Titans had a greater week arriving into this game against the Atlanta Falcons, as they beat the Panthers 30-3 and will actually look to continue that momentum. This match at the Georgia dome will demonstrate to be a game that will highlight on which squad will have the ability to control the clock.
Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons will highlight on trying to control the passing game and make an effort to hit his targets all throughout the game. The Tennessee Titans will have a harder time with trying to stop Atlanta’s passing game yet they will attempt to dominate in addition to Matt Hasselbeck will look to go toe to toe with Ryan. Both squads have enough talent to arrive at the playoffs and it will actually all only rely on which squad will get hot. Look to see the Tennessee Titans use this game to maintain their winning streak and win by a close margin.
