ESPN Big East Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

Just arrived in Pittsburgh, and many thanks to the many locals who have provided suggestions on where to go this weekend. I got an overwhelming amount of recommendations for Primanti Bros., and since I'm a sucker for a good sandwich, I'm going to try and test that out tonight while watching the UConn game.

Now let's get to some pre-weekend mail. No surprise what one of the hottest topics is.

Justin from D.C. writes: I'm sure you'll be getting lots of these questions this week. I was a person that supported and stood behind Bill Stewart preseason, because I had no real way of telling how he would do until we played. After watching last night's game I've gotta ask you, how long until the AD at WVU decides to look for a replacement? Watching the game made it very apparent that he doesn't seem suited to be a head coach. Mainly time management and leadership wasn't there. (I'd say play calling was terrible also but he doesn't do that) The only players he was really involved with were the special teams who he used to coach. It's just so sad to see this talent loaded team perform so poorly against an average Colorado team. I think the thing that makes me so angry is that all we lost from last year was Slaton, Schmitt, and Reynaud. True they were 3 offensive powers, but you have to admit that there are issues with this offense and it all comes down to coaching. My theory is we will go probably 6-6. what do you think our finishing record will be? Also if we finish, say 6-6, do you think we will have have people like Boyd and Heastie decommit?

Brian Bennett: I feel your pain, Justin. The Mountaineers have been rough to watch the last two games, and surely Bill Stewart is going to field some difficult questions. I still say it's too early to judge him after only four games as head coach. What I think this illustrates is just how tough a coaching transition can be, now matter how much talent is on hand. We saw it at Louisville last year with Steve Kragthorpe. West Virginia also has a first-time offensive coordinator. So there are going to be some growing pains. You mentioned the losses on offense (and don't forget about the eight starters gone on defense), and it's clearer than ever that this team desperately misses Owen Schmitt. The Mountaineers have no one to get those power yards, and defenses aren't respecting their inside runs. I think they'll do better than 6-6. If I had to prognosticate right now, I'd say 8-4 or 7-5 at worst.

Brett from New York City writes: Did WVU officials become a little nervous about Coach Stewart's extnension after watching the game tonight. Most commentors are only mentioning the blown clock management at the end of regulation but they blew it in the first half as well when they rushed a 3rd down play with two timeouts. Compound that with taking one shot down the field and 3-13 3rd down efficiency and you have a loss to an inferior team. Something that rarely happened to Rich Rod.

Brian Bennett: Well, Brett, it wasn't an extension per se. It was just the contract that was originally offered to Stewart, but he finally signed it and agreed on the final details. But yeah, if you're a West Virginia fan or higher-up, you've got to be wondering right now if Stewart is the right guy for this program. Stewart is an all-world nice guy, and I don't know anyone who won't be rooting for him to get it done. It was very sloppy on offense for both teams last night, yet if West Virginia completes that perfectly called double-pass that was wide open, it probably wins the game.

R.J. from Louisville writes: Brian: You've been around this program enough over the past few years to probably best qualified to answer this. With the win over K-State, could this be the game where this turns Louisville into Coach K's program & not just being the coach that came in after Coach Petrino?

Brian Bennett: I don't think there's any question this is Kragthorpe's team now after so many players have been dismissed or left. The players at Louisville now want to play for him. If any game started to turn the tide, it might have been last year's comeback against Rutgers. The Cardinals had every reason to fold up the tent after a tough a season, but they made a furious comeback and showed a lot of pride. The Kansas State game was a big, big win for this season's fortunes. But I'm not quite ready to call it a program-changer, mostly because I don't think Kansas State is actually very good.

Robert from Cincinnati writes: OK, I know that the Big East hasn't played the greatest football to start off the season, but it is ridiculous that fans are asking for the Big East's auto-bid. Since the start of last season, Syracuse is the only Big East team not to be ranked in the top 25. How many conferences can say that they have had 87.5% of their teams ranked at some point in just over a year? And in that time frame, Pittsburgh and Syracuse are the only Big East teams to not be ranked in the top 16! (That stat would be much better if UConn made it to 15.) AND they have won 8 of their last 10 bowl games! AND 3-0 IN BCS BOWLS!! GIVE THE BIG EAST SOME RESPECT!!! (At least until they blow this bowl season)

Brian Bennett: I haven't heard anyone seriously suggest the Big East doesn't deserve an automatic BCS bid. But I think what some (especially fans) are wondering is why the Mountain West doesn't deserve equal treatment when it's been just as successful, if not moreso, than the Big East and ACC this year. It just shows how messed up the current system in. And yes, the Big East did some good things the last three years, but this season has been a disaster so far.

Steve from Tampa writes: What's the USF Bulls' chances of going undefeated this season?

Brian Bennett: Looking better and better every day. But let's not get too carried away unless (until) the Bulls get to November unblemished. It's a long season.

Dennis Monahan from Boston writes: Is there any chance the Orange would pull the plug on GRob midseason. The team is a complete mess and it is actually sad to see a once proud program become a total laughingstock. The new movie about Ernie Davis shows the great tradition that Syracuse was in Eastern D-1 football. Who would have taken the bet 10 years ago that a recruit coming out HS would pick UConn or even Rutgers over the Orange in football?? Let's get some pride back here!! If they somehow lose to Northeastern on Saturday (you were generous in your assessment of them) then they should immediately let GRob go, punt on the season and go real hard in the off season for Buffalo's Turner Gill. He has turned that program from nothing to at least respectable in the MAC.

Brian Bennett: Dennis, if Northeastern is up at halftime, I'd make Mitch Browning the interim head coach for the second half. No way Robinson survives a loss tomorrow, and I doubt he makes it out of October, barring a stunning turnaround.

Stan from Syracuse writes: Hey Brian, I have a suggestion for Syracuse AD Daryl Gross (who came from the West Coast) for replacing football coach Greg Robinson (who came from the West Coast): Jim Boeheim has been pretty successful as a basketball coach (see national championship) - he is an alum. John Desko is a pretty good Lacrosse coach (see multiple national championships) - he is an alum. Tom Coughlin is a pretty good football coach (see Super Bowl champs) - he is an alum. Randy Edsall at UCONN has done pretty well - he is alum. Jim Tressel coached at SU.George O'Leary was defensive coordinator at SU. See the pattern?...HIRE AN ALUM! What do you think?

Brian Bennett: I totally understand your reasoning, Stan. I think a big part of Robinson's problems stem from the fact that he had zero ties to the Northeast. I don't necessarily think you have to have a graduate of the school, but someone who at least knows the area and has recruiting ties is a must. What if Syracuse had hired Edsall in 2005 instead of Robinson? I doubt he'd come now, but he might've jumped at it then.

T.D. from Parts Unknown writes: Brian, You need to do a little homework on Northeastern before you write. They have beaten CAA teams that have beaten D-1 schools.Man for man they are more experienced and do have a big time tight end. Did you check out their O-Line? Hope you are wrong in your pickings. Chow.

Brian Bennett: Wait, Northeastern has beaten Colonial Athletic Association teams that have at some point in their history beaten FBS/I-A schools? Why was I not informed of this? This changes my entire view of the college football landscape!

Sarcasm aside, I'm not too impressed. But hey, they have a chance to beat Syracuse, for sure. And I think you mean Ciao as your sign off. Unless you're making a reference to Norm Chow. Or Puppy Chow.