WVU-USF: NOT QUTE FOR ALL THE MARBLES

December 5, 2008


When the Big East schedule came out, December 6th at 8 PM was when the schedule makers were hoping the Big East title would be decided. Morgantown was set to be the scene of the big match-up when South Florida came to town. However, along the way, neither team was able to hold up their end of the bargain.

Both teams enter the season-ending contest with identical 7-4 overall records, so there are still some NCAA Bowl Game implications on the line. Especially for the Bulls, whose 2-4 conference record is a big disappointment for the team that started off 5-0 and was once ranked in the top 10 in the country. A loss, and a 7-5 record is definitely bowl-eligible, but at 2-5 in the Big East, they distance themselves even more from the other teams that are bowl eligible.

West Virginia will look to finish their Big East schedule at 5-2, good for at least some form of a share of second place in the conference. as one of th ebest traveling schools in college football, the Mountaineers will likely receive the plum bowl invitation outside of conference winner Cincinnati with a win.

The game is also the last home appearance for record-setting quarterback Pat White, the catalyst of the WVU success the last few seasons. Look for the Mountaineers to make every effort to send their quarterback out on top for his home finale.

NCAA Football Odds have WVU as a 7 and a half poitn favorite. Nightime in Morgantown is a tough atmosphere for an opponent, look for WVU and their crowd to be revved up and ready to roll in this one.

Prediction:
West Virginia 34
South Florida 21