BIG EAST teams make back-to-back appearances on ESPN’s Thursday-night slot in the next two weeks, beginning with tonight’s game between Cincinnati at North Carolina State (7:30 p.m. ET). Cincinnati is 1-1 after pulling away for a 40-7 win against Indiana State last Saturday and looks to hand the Wolfpack their first loss. Pittsburgh, which has a bye this week, takes center stage next Thursday, when the Panthers host Miami (Fla.).

 

The BIG EAST drew plenty of attention in the preseason due to each of the eight schools’ returning its leading rusher from last year. Even with that depth in the offensive backfield, BIG EAST teams have seen additional players emerge as quality runners. Louisville’s Bilal Powell is second among BIG EAST players with an average of 122.5 yards through two games, while Pittsburgh’s Ray Graham ran for a career-high 115 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win against New Hampshire.

 

BIG EAST teams have not been reticent when it comes to scheduling as seven of the eight conference teams have played at least one road game in 2010. Syracuse, meanwhile, is the only team from an automatic-qualifying BCS conference that has played two road games this season. BIG EAST teams have played a combined eight road games thus far – the most of any automatic-qualifying BCS conference. The ACC and Big Ten have played six road games each, while the SEC and Pac-10 have played five each.