With a rare weekend without a game, I asked University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt the other day if he had any special plans with an open date?

“Watch some film,” he said.

So in other words, it will be just like any other day for Leavitt. 

When pressed, Leavitt admitted he’ll watch some games - specifically his alma mater Missouri against Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

“I’m very impressed the way [Missouri is] coached and how they play,” Leavitt said. “I’m impressed with the leadership of [QB] Chase Daniel. He’s enjoyable to watch.

“There’s some awfully good games, but I’d just as soon be playing. We need to see if we can get some guys healthy somehow. Whether we will or not, I don’t know. It’s been very frustrating.”

Leavitt said the injuries aren’t an excuse for the Pittsburgh loss, but said it did make a difference.

“We need people back, there’s no question,” he said. “We’re not quite the same team without a number of guys in there. It’s no excuse, it’s just reality. We were missing a number of guys on our defense last game and it showed somewhat. Reality is we need to get some guys back if we can. If we can.”

LOOK AHEAD: Not that USF is overlooking Syracuse – but yes, I am – the Waterbury-Republican American reports that UConn starting QB Tyler Lorenzen, who suffered a broken foot at Louisville Sept. 26, could make his return Nov. 23 against USF.

With this crazy league, the USF-UConn game could decide the Big East title - or fifth place.

ON TO THE PICKS: The Bulls got the week off, but those who want to stay in the running for the picks contest didn’t. You’ve got until 8 p.m. Friday to enter your picks.

Here are my selections (guesses) for this week. Have a great weekend.

1-Louisville defeats Memphis by more than 6 1/2 points. The last time these two played was a classic – a 56-49 UL win in 2004. Since then UL joined the Big East, while Memphis TV stations have scooped the world that Memphis is in serious discussions about joining the Big East. Here’s a typical day for Mike Tranghese when he walks in the office to retrieve his voice mails: Hello, you have 74 messages, message No. 1: “Really Commissioner Tranghese, we’re serious, we want to join the Big East. Go Tigers.” Delete. Message No. 2: “Hey Mike, congrats on retirement. We’re serious Memphis will join the Big East.” Delete. Message No. 3: “Mike, we sent you some ribs - by FedEx, of course - from Rendezvous ...” .
2-West Virginia will defeat Syracuse by more than 24 1/2 points. The Greg Robinson farewell tour visits Morgantown Saturday. “The Express,” the movie based on a true story about former SU RB Ernie Davis, debuts today and apparently stretched the truth a bit. Several former players from SU and WVU said scenes where WVU fans throw garbage and yell racist remarks at Davis in the movie actually did not occur. After another seal-clubbing by WVU, SU fans wish this season under Robinson or the previous three never occurred either.
3-Cincinnati will not defeat Rutgers by more than 9 1/2 points. Which has fallen faster in the past few weeks: the stock market or Greg Schiano’s chances at being Penn State’s next coach? You’re right, it’s a toss up.
4-Louisville will score the most points of any Big East team this week. I know West Virginia vs. Syracuse is the obvious answer here, but I’ll take a chance with Louisville. Maybe they’ll let Pitino and Calipari coach in the second half.
5-Syracuse points will be greater than Rays runs and hits on Saturday. Syracuse has to score at least 10 points, somehow right?
Bonus#2 (predict score of UC-RU): Cincinnati 27, Rutgers 21.