Sometimes, you can’t help but think back to the classics when watching a good weekend of college football. This week, it was all about tracks from classic band R.E.M., as every game (yes, even Rutgers vs. Kent State) seemed to follow a path set out in the title of one of their 1980s and 90s songs. So, without further ado, here’s what Michael Stipe (lead singer of R.E.M.) would have thought of the weekend’s Big East action.

Stand (from the 1988 album Green): West Virginia 19- Maryland 16

West Virginia took a stand on Saturday, and they refused to fold up their tent and lose, even though they gave Maryland more than enough chances to pull out the win. Rasheed Marshall did just enough to get the win, passing for 132 yards and a touchdown, and Kay Jay Harris ran for 142 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Chris Henry also finally had a huge catch, his 7-yard touchdown grab in overtime that pushed the Mountaineers past the Terps and sent some idiot scaling the goal post in Morgantown. Special props in the post victory madness go to Henry’s mother, who actually beat the rest of the mob to him and celebrated with the senior wide-out in the end zone. Not to look too far ahead, but the WVU is 3-0 for the first time since 1996, and Rich Rodriguez’s troops seem to have two tough games separating them from a potential undefeated cake walk: at Virginia Tech on October 2 and when Boston College visits Morgantown on November 13. BCS officials would be advised to tune in.

Talk about the Passion (from the 1988 album Eponymous): Boston College 27- UConn 7

It was hyped a year ago as the budding rivalry in the great white north. Finally there were two Division I football programs in New England who could compete as conference foes every year. As ESPN’s Lee Corso loves to say, “Not so fast my friend!” BC is bolting for greener pastures starting in 2005, and Coach Tom O’Brien has made it no secret that he has no plans for renewing an annual game against the Huskies. So, UConn’s first conference game will also be its last against the Eagles, at least for the foreseeable future. If Friday’s results are any indication, it couldn’t come soon enough for Dan Orlovsky, who passed for 193 yards and one interception without a touchdown. BC used a variety of passing patters from Paul Peterson, who, while listed at 6-foot, is rapidly gaining the nickname of “Little Flutie” in Chestnut Hill, and a resurgent running game behind Andre Callender, who had 98 yards and a touchdown on the evening. Only running back Cornell Brockington was effective for UConn against the BC defense, as the sophomore finished with 145 total yards and a touchdown. Needless to say, by game’s end Huskies’ coach Randy Edsall had received all the Passion he needs for the next few years anyway.

Everybody Hurts (from the 1992 album Automatic for the People): Nebraska 24- Pitt 17

So close yet so far. It could probably be said about both teams so far this season, but was particularly applicable for Pitt’s performance on Saturday, which had them within a batted pass in the end zone on the game’s final play from sending it into overtime. The Panthers used a resilient comeback from Tyler Palko to get them back in the game in the fourth quarter, but in the end it was too little, too late. Palko did his best Joe Dailey imitation, throwing three picks a week after his Nebraska counterpart had three in a loss to Southern Miss. Dailey was as clean as he has been all year, with only one interception and a touchdown, but completed only 50 percent of his passes and finished with only 142 yards. All in all, it was clear that Pitt lost a golden opportunity to beat a traditional powerhouse program that may be as vulnerable as it will get for a number of years, which made the loss hurt all the more.

Orange Crush (from the 1988 album Green): Syracuse 19- Cincinnati 7

If you’re quiet enough you can hear the heart of the great orange nation beat a little calmer now. After being demolished by Purdue and responding with a lackluster win over Buffalo, the Orange needed a win over a decent program. It may not have been pretty, but they beat the Bearcats soundly on Saturday, using only sophomore Perry Patterson as the signal caller for the first time this year. Patterson had 156 yards and a touchdown through the air, but also threw two interceptions on the day. Luckily, Cincinnati senior quarterback Gino Guidugli was even worse, with a touchdown and three picks. In the end, Walter Reyes, who finished with 117 yards and a touchdown, and Damien Rhodes, who had 203 combined yards and a touchdown, were enough to get the Orange through with a win in the home opener.

It’s the End of the World as we Know It (from the 1988 album Eponymous): Rutgers 29- Kent State 21

OK, don’t look now, but the Scarlet Knights have a winning record after three games. We know, it’s early, but just imagine if they had held on to beat I-AA Northeastern and were 3-0! Ryan Hart had two interceptions but also threw for 238 yards and a pair of scoring strikes for Rutgers. The Knights’ defense also created an astonishing eight fumbles, and had a 23-7 halftime lead before hanging on in the second half. The Rutgers defense also had eight sacks in the game, as the Golden Flashes were severely outclassed along their offensive line.

Binky the Doormat (from the 1996 album New Adventures in Hi-Fi): Temple 38- Florida A&M 7

Wow, Stipe was on the money with both of these teams. Temple may have some rough spots, but they proved that even they could pound on the hapless Rattlers, who have now fallen prey to Illinois, Tulane and the Owls. Quarterback Walter Washington powered the Temple attack, passing for 222 yards, rushing for 119 and racking up a combined three touchdowns. Temple broke out of a 7-7 tie with 31 unanswered points to turn a potential close game to another blowout loss for road weary Florida A&M.

Board bytes: Some select posts from the Rivals.com Big East message boards during week one action.

From EagleTalk.net:

tboone_pickens: This defense team played a great all-around game. Shut down DanO. Only 3 TD's through 3 games?????? I love it!!!!

We really didn't even have to blitz much (Pruitt’s nice blitz aside). Did you see the play where both Mettling and Kiwi Bull-rushed those O-lineman and got the sack?? Awesome to see.

From WVSports.com

WVUcrazed: I was pretty hesitant to write, because I know that arrogant prick sportswriters like you get a kick out of getting hate mail when you bash a team. Especially West Virginia. But I thought I'd give you something more for you to chortle about with your elite ACC buddies down in NC.

WVU fans were excited to beat Maryland because they had dominated us in recent years. They are a good team who has one of the best (if not the best) coaching staffs in America, and has won 10 games each of the last 3 season. They find a way to win the close ones, usually. Our fans did not storm the goal-posts - they are taken down after every game. Know what you are talking about before you spew crap in an article for anyone to read and believe as truth.

Which one loss "big boy" team will WVU unjustly keep out of the BCS picture if we end up going? Could it be the Ohio State team that needed a missed field and then a 50+ yard field goal to beat a MAC team? Or perhaps the mighty Wolverines who had to hang on for dear life against mighty San Diego State? Or is it LSU and their gift from God -3 missed field extra points by Oregon State. No wait - it's Georgia and their 28 points and 300+ rushing yards given up to 1-AA Georgia Southern. Iowa, who just got drilled by Arizona State? Nebraska, who lost at home to Southern Miss? Who?

Ask mighty ACC power Miami what it is like to play in Blacksburg before you call a victory over Virginia Tech there meaningless. Ask Nebraska fans if their win over Pitt this weekend was a gimme. As Michigan State out of the mighty Big 10 if a win at Rutgers is a guaranteed proposition. As all the ACC teams the Fridge has beaten the last few years to see if there is any value to a win of the Terps. Penn State might be able to give you a few clues about whether or not Boston College is a decent team.