Bigger than the game

I learned a long time ago that no matter how much I cheer (yell) or root (swear), nothing I do will help WVU win or make a big play. However, following yesterday's way-too-close-for-comfort win over Marshall I started looking ahead to UConn coming to Morgantown this weekend.

Would QB Jarrett Brown be healthy enough to play after suffering what appeared to be a concussion on the first drive Saturday? If freshman Geno Smith has to play this weekend how will he do against a much better Huskies defense? This is an important Big East game for the Mountaineers, and these are pressing questions.

None of that seems to matter now. Injuries are part of the game. Tragic deaths of 20-year-olds are not. The terrible news out of Storrs is that Jasper Howard, a starting cornerback, was stabbed to death early Sunday morning near the student union -- just hours after the Huskies defeated Louisville 38-25.

According to a report in the Hartford (Conn.) Courant, police said the stabbing happened when a school-sponsored dance at the student union was let out. A fire alarm was pulled at 12:26 a.m., an altercation happened outside the building between two groups of people and then two people were stabbed.

On Saturday, I'll still be cheering and rooting for WVU. But I'll also be grieving for the UConn family.

UConn prepares for Big Ten

UConn is the new Penn State.

According to a story at nesn.com, Connecticut coach Randy Edsall has given the OK to a new-look for 2009 that will simplify the Huskies uniforms in the style of Penn State. The new duds were crafted by the geniuses at Nike, which gave us these unis.

Now I doubt the new uniforms look exactly like the one I posted above, but it may not be too far off base either. However, by simplifying things UConn is either letting the Big Ten know it is prepared to join the conference once it decides to expand, or Edsall is trying to let Penn State officials know he's interested in replacing JoePa once he retires.

Picks of the Week

OK. My little experiment last week was a complete and utter failure. I took four huge favorites, and not a single one covered. I also went with Marshall at East Carolina, and despite the Herd's best effort they fell in OT (however, they did cover but I can't count it).

This week I'm going back to a more traditional selection method (flip a coin). If that doesn't work, I'm asking my 3-year-old next week to help. So here are this week's picks.

Connecticut (-9.5) over Syracuse
Syracuse's season has sort been up in smoke. Thank that's a stretch? Did you see where two Orange players opened a hookah bar and the grand opening was Friday night. UConn's players are a little more focused than this. The Huskies win big in the Carrier Dome.
Pick: Connecticut 32, Syracuse 9

UCLA (-7) over Washington
OK, maybe this isn't fair. Picking against another team with a coach who won't be back next year. You'd think the Huskies might get fired up to play against former coach Rick Neuheisel. Only problem, the current UW players have no idea who Slick Rick is. UCLA should execute better and pull out an easy win in Seattle.
Pick: UCLA 21, Washington 3

South Carolina (+22.5) over Florida
Not picking the straight up upset, but the Gamecocks have one of the nation's best defenses. If Steve Spurrier could learn to coach an offense again South Carolina could be a factor in the SEC. Tim Tebow will lead the Gators to a win, but it should be a slugfest in The Swamp.
Pick: Florida 28, South Carolina 10

Nebraska (-6) over Kansas State
If Bo Pelini thinks the defense deserves the Black Shirts again (despite giving up 35 last week) then I'll bite. If the Cornhuskers defense lives up to the Black Shirt tradition they should rolle past K-State in Manhattan.
Pick: Nebraska 32, Kansas State 14

Upset of the Week
Rutgers (+8) over South Florida
This is a match up of teams going in opposite directions. The Bulls know a Big East title is out of reach now, but they've been talking all week about finishing with 10 victories. But the numbers don't lie. USF has lost 3 of its last 4, while the Scarlet Knights have won three straight. Also, Matt Grothe is so overrated. Not only does Rutgers cover, but they upset the Bulls in Tampa.
Pick: Rutgers 18, South Florida 15

Last Week: 0-5
Season: 17-23