Your 2009 Starting Quarterback:  Greg Paulus

Alright ladies and gentlemen, the season is finally right around the corner.  Throughout the 2009 season I'll be taking a look at the current week's Big East games, and offering you up some brief thoughts and predictions.  Don't worry, we'll keep track to see how crappy miserable awesome my picks were throughout the 2009 campaign.

Big East Game of the Week:  Cincinnati Bearcats @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9/7 4:00)

Seriously?  Who thought this one up?  I understand it's good exposure for both teams, but this game could all but end one team's hope of a Big East Championship and BCS bowl by the end of Week 1.  The home crowd should be rockin' with the opening of Rutgers' stadium expansion, and though Rutgers lacks a true playmaker on offense, their defense should be fantastic.  In a low scoring slugfest, the RU puts the ball in the endzone 1 more time than Tony Pike and the UC are able to and comes away as the team to beat in the Big East.  RU 17 Cincy 13.

Minnesota at Syracuse (9/5 12:00)

Can a back-up PG from Duke basketball save the fortunes of a once proud football program.  It's not going to be easy for Greg Paulus and Doug Marrone this season, but it looks like the pieces are in place for SU to turn it around over the next few seasons.  And I think it starts on Day One.  Anything can happen Week 1 when teams haven't had a chance to gel, and I think that 'Cuse steals one from the Golden Gopher at the Carrier Dome.  Syracuse 31 Minnesota 27.

Liberty at West Viriginia (9/5 12:00)

You can skip this one.  The only reason to watch is to see how Jarrett Brown does replacing Pat White under center.  You'll probably only get to see him for 3 quarters or less as WVU turns this game into a rout, early and often.

Youngstown State at Pitt (9/5 1:00)

Pittsburgh traditionally struggles in the first weeks of the season against lesser opponents, but I don't think they'll have any problem this year.  The Youngstown State offense is actually pretty decent, but the defense is lackluster.  Expect the "Stache" to air it out with Bill Stull and give him a chance to get comfortable with his offense as tougher games lie ahead for the Panthers.  Pitt 31 Youngstown St. 6

Wofford at South Florida (9/5 7:00)

Another game you can skip.  South Florida gets out early and runs away with it.  USF 42 Wofford 7

UConn at Ohio (9/5 7:00)

Wait?!  What's this?!  A Big East team going on the ROAD to face a team from the MAC in Week 1?  Now there's a surprise.  UConn had better be careful because the Bobcats are no pushover.  Last year they nearly knocked off Ohio State when they were a Top 3 team, and UConn is no OSU.  The Huskies will gang up on QB Boo Jackson though (have you seen this guy play?  He's a treat), and force the run game to beat them.  Not gonna happen.  UConn avoids the upset bug in Week 1, and keeps the Big East unbeaten in OOC play.  UConn 24 Ohio 13.

Indiana State at Louisville (9/5 7:30)

Even Steve Kragthorpe can't screw this one up.  Louisville 38 Indiana State 6

Record to Date: 0-0

Agree, disagree?  Let me know in the comments section and make your own predictions.  Check back next week to see how I did, and for Week 2 picks.