It’s back for a second week. The Big East Blog Chat returns.

Hosted and moderated once more by Brian Harrison at Orange 44. John Radcliff of Mountainlair and myself will be participating.

There will be a good deal of talk about the bowls and the end of football season. Stop on by around 9pm at Orange 44 to join the fun.

With thirtysomething bowls, every one does these quick hit previews or viewing guides to the bowls. Now, virtually standard. There’s the snap evaluation of the matchup:

Oregon State will win if. . . it does as coach Mike Riley put it, “we can’t whine about that anymore.” He is speaking of Oregon State’s painful 65-38 loss to Oregon that ruined a chance at the Rose Bowl. It also would help to have a healthy RB Jacquizz Rodgers, who ranks 13th nationally at 114 rushing yards per game.

Pitt will win if. . . Running back LeSean McCoy has the ball in his hands–a lot. He steps up in Pittsburgh’s biggest games. McCoy rushed for 183 and 148 in two games against rival West Virginia. He had 169 against Notre Dame. But McCoy also needs QB Bill Stull to be on target to keep defenses honest. The Panthers’ offense has been inconsistent all season, although Pitt has looked much better since that 4OT win over the Irish.

Er, yeah. The offense has been the model of consistency in the final games.

Then there’s looking at the most intriguing/interesting bowls.

10. Sun Bowl – Oregon State vs. No. 20 Pittsburgh, Dec. 31: This game features the best match-up of great young running backs as OSU’s Quizz Rodgers will try and outduel Pitt’s LeSean McCoy. This is also a fascinating sideline battle where you have one of the coaches that is always touted as one of the more underrated coaches (Mike Riley) facing off with one of the guys who is often the most skewered.

That’s the theme.

11. Sun (Dec. 31): Pittsburgh (9-3) vs. Oregon State (8-4). You like watching really good running backs? Allow me to present Pitt’s LeSean McCoy (1,403 yards, 21 TDs) and the Beavers’ Jacquizz Rodgers (1,253 yards, 11 TDs.)

Wondering what schwag the kids get for going to the Sun Bowl:

Sony DVD Handycam
Timely Watch Co. watch
Majestic fleece pullover, VP Sports cap
Armor Gear Dolly Llama luggage
Brut hair dryer

The cheapest remains the Motor City Bowl: a watch and a couple pieces of luggage. The max value on the gift packages is $500. A growing trend is to give a gift card or shopping spree — Best Buy seems to be doing a few of those.