ESPN Big East Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

Since the "new" Big East began in 2005, no game has been more reliably thrilling than the West Virginia-Louisville series.

The first meeting between the two produced a 46-44 triple overtime Mountaineers victory that served as the coming-out party for Pat White and Steve Slaton. Louisville got revenge in 2006, winning 44-34 when both teams were ranked in the top five. Last season, the game was tied at 31 until White scored on a 50-yard touchdown run with 1:36 to go in Morgantown.

"It's a great matchup," West Virginia senior receiver Dorrell Jalloh said. "No matter where we play, even if we played on the street, we'd have a great competition."

But will that continue this year? More specifically, can Louisville hold up its end of this up-and-coming rivalry?

The Cardinals are currently riding a three-game losing streak, their longest in 11 years. The school is promoting a "Black-Out" for Saturday's game at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, just like it did for the 2006 game. But there is almost no buzz around the city for this game this time. Fans are too busy debating Steve Kragthorpe's coaching ability or talking about their No. 3-ranked basketball team. There's a lot of negativity around the football team right now, and it's something the players hear about.

"I guess because I'm 6-4, 305 pounds and have a baby face and curly hair that I'm pretty visible," senior center Eric Wood said. "I went out to eat last weekend and some people voiced their opinion a couple of times. They'll usually say stuff like, 'Good game,' but they also definitely express their negative viewpoints on the season in general."

At 5-5, Louisville comes into this game desperate. One more loss, and the Cardinals likely will be staying home for bowl season for the second-straight year.

"This would be a big win for us," Wood said. "We need to get bowl eligible and back to winning. This losing streak isn't any fun for us. I know the fans are taking it hard, but as players we're taking it even harder, I promise."

West Virginia (6-3, 3-1 Big East) is hoping to keep pace in the conference race and will need a Cincinnati loss in order to defend its league title. The Mountaineers had a bye week after falling to the Bearcats in overtime at home.

"Sometimes you hate to get out of rhythm, and sometimes it's good to get out of rhythm and rest," coach Bill Stewart said. "It worked well prior to Auburn and I can only hope that it will work well prior to Saturday's game. I can't tell you that it will, but I can hope that it will."

Neither team has scored fewer than 31 points in the three previous Big East installments of this series. That trend is in danger of ending. Louisville hasn't scored more than 24 points in a conference game this season, while West Virginia's offense usually waits until the second half to get going.

So it might not be the thrilling shootout we've come to expect from these two teams. But both sides still envision a hard-fought game.

"In the four years I've been here, it's been a battle every time," West Virginia offensive lineman Ryan Stanchek said. "I expect nothing less this time. We know they're going to come out with their best game."