How big are these next two weeks for West Virginia’s football and men’s basketball teams? Take a look at what’s just around the corner.

Friday

Arkansas (7-4) heads to Baton Rouge to battle No. one LSU (10-1) Friday at 2:30 p.m. Darren McFadden and Felix Jones may be up to the tough task of running against LSU’s stout rush defense. However, the Bayou Bengals have been giving up quite a few points to their Southeastern Conference opponents lately. Kentucky beat LSU scoring 37 points, Auburn lost in the final five seconds managing 24, Alabama rang up 34 in a close loss and Ole Miss dialed in 24. That is the same Alabama team that just lost at home against UL-Monroe and the same Ole Miss that has yet to win a game in the SEC. Ole Miss gained 466 total yards which was 70 more yards than LSU had despite the loss. Another upset may be brewing that would be enormous for the Mountaineer’s cause.

West Virginia’s men’s basketball team (2-0) will battle No. seven Tennessee (3-0) in the Legends Classic tournament in Newark, N.J. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. An early non-conference win over a quality opponent such as UT will bolster the Mountaineer’s NCAA tournament resume down the road. WVU head coach Bob Huggins can claim his first signature win since rejoining his alma mater against a top 10 team.

Saturday

No. 20 Connecticut (9-2) travels to Morgantown Saturday for the Big East championship game against No. three West Virginia (9-1).

WVU has a shot at its fourth Big East title in five years. A win Saturday would also clinch a BCS bowl birth. The Mountaineers smashed the Huskies 37-11 in 2006. West Virginia will hope to add another win to their 2007 campaign while maintaining their national title hopes. Kick-off is set for 3:30 p.m.

WVU will play again in the Legends Classic tournament on Saturday in Newark. They will play either New Mexico State or No. 15 Texas. Most of the Mountaineer nation will hope for a rematch with the Longhorns. Texas ended the careers of Kevin Pittsnogle, Mike Gansey and company in the sweet 16 of the 2006 NCAA tournament on a last second three-point basket. The game will begin at either 4:30 or 7:00 depending on the opponent.

No. two Kansas (11-0) and No. four Missouri (10-1) play at 8 p.m. The game was moved to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO to accommodate the ticket demand. West Virginia will benefit by either of these teams losing, though Missouri is slightly behind WVU in the latest BCS standings.

Next Saturday

Winthrop will visit the WVU Coliseum at 1 p.m. to play against the Mountaineers. Huggstown will get another glimpse of its new coach.

WVU will host Pitt in the 100^th football Backyard Brawl at either 7:45 p.m. or 8 p.m. The Panthers may be the only thing standing in the way of WVU earning a spot in the BCS national championship game. West Virginia’s oldest rival would love nothing more than to spoil the party.

Mountaineer fans will be keeping a close eye on other conference championship games on this day. The Big XII title game could play a major part in WVU being able to slide into the No. two slot for their shot at the national championship. Oklahoma or Texas will have to spoil Kansas or Missouri’s hopes for championship glory.

If Arkansas is unable to get the job done, LSU must still pass a final test in the SEC championship game. Tennessee or Georgia will be licking their chops at a chance to ruin their conference brethren’s shot at a national championship. Georgia needs the Vols to lose at Kentucky to end up the winner of the East division. UGA would essentially have a home game in the SEC championship being played in the Georgia dome in Atlanta on Dec. 1.

Next Sunday

This could be the biggest day. The bowl selections will be made in the evening. If WVU can win their next two games, and get one more upset to swing their way, Mountaineer fans could be singing John Denver’s “Country Roads” all the way to New Orleans for a title shot. If all this action doesn’t get your heart pumping you may need to check for a pulse.