The Upset/Blowout Game of the Week:

In honor of International Talk Like A Pirate Day, which was yesterday, this week’s Upset/Blowout game of the week is East Carolina at West Virginia. The Pirates play the Mountaineers at Noon EST on ESPN2.

Why there is potential for an upset:

1. Though East Carolina lost to West Virginia last year by a score of 27-10, the Pirates held the Mountaineers rushing game to 200 yard less than their season average.

2. East Carolina Coach Skip Holtz’s, son of Lou Holtz, defense contained Heisman candidate Steve Stalton to 80 yards, his lowest rushing total in 2006. He averaged almost 140 years per game last year.

3. Late in the game a long pass play sealed the Mountaineers victory, but the Pirates intercepted quarterback Patrick White three times. White only threw seven interceptions all season.

4. This year the Pirates have defeated North Carolina 34-31 and lost in close games to Virginia Tech and Southern Miss.

Why there is potential for a blowout:

1. West Virginia freshmen running back Noel Devine is unstoppable this year. At the moment, he’s averaging more than 15 yards rushing per game.

2. Devine, Stalton and White are averaging a combined 344 yards rushing per game, the best in the nation.

3. White hasn’t throw an interception this season.

4. In WVU’s first three games, the Mountaineers have outscored opponents 93-27 in the third and fourth quarters.

Predication:

West Virginia over East Carolina, 30-17.


Other Early Saturday Games Worth Watching:

1. Florida at Ole Miss, 12:30 p.m. on Lincoln Financial Sports. Five years ago the No. 6-ranked Gators were upset by the Rebels in Oxford.

2. North Carolina at South Florida, Noon on ESPN. USF may set or match their home attendance record on Saturday.

Every Thursday we'll pick one Saturday game that’ll be either an upset or a blowout. Every match up will include one Southeast team.

Suggestions for next week's Upset/Blowout Game of the Week? Let us know in the comments box.