For a conference that was very good about three years ago, the Big East has fallen on hard times football-wise. From RichRod's failure to take West Virginia to powerhouse status, to Cincinatti going belly-up after Brian Kelly walked away from a undefeated team going to the Sugar Bowl, there has been more wimper than bang at the end of the year. Without a real dominant team this year, I can't really see anyone in this league doing much of anything unless you go on a game-by-game basis.
Contenders:
Connecticut Huskies: Last year 8-5 (3-4)
There was a lot of heartache last year with this team. Not only was there a lot of close games that didn't go Randy Edsall's way, the October death of Jasper Howard made a lot of things come into perspective for such a young team. However, the Huskies stayed the course and finished with a very respectable 8 win season. Virtually every starter comes back, starting with Zack Fraser leading an offense that wasn't bad at all (31.2 ppg, 27th overall in FBS). However, this team will live and die with the secondary, which was a little green last year. Maturity and Edsall's leadership will help this team contend, along with a pretty favorable schedule. They do open at Michigan, and with how everyone in Ann Arbor walking on eggshells to see RichRod finally open with a win, the victory is their's for the taking.
Cincinatii Bearcats: Last year 12-1 (7-0)
Oh, Brian Kelly.. what I would have given to see you go against Florida in the Sugar Bowl. But alas, you had to run to $outh Bend where you needed to get started. There will be two constants from 2009 that will stay in Cincinatti. That Zack Collaros will be just as good if not better than he was while replacing a injured Tony Pike, and how the defense has little to zero depth. Butch Davis will be going to a 3-4, but it won't matter if they are still bad in the secondary. Expect to play the overs a lot from this team, especially when they play in Norman.
Pittsburgh Panthers: Last year 10-3 (5-2)
Remember a couple of years ago when we thought Dave Wannestet was going to go the way of Bill Callahan and flame out as another guy who should stay in the NFL? He's actually done very well now, but there is a consensus that he just can't take the next step. Tino Sunseri steps in to replace much maligned Bill Stull. Expect this defense to be just as good as it was last year, which will be needed because this offense will struggle with interior line issues. Yes, they have Dion Lewis. But it won't matter behind this line. It also doesn't help to start your season at Utah either.
West Virginia Mountaineers: Last year 9-4 (5-2)
Dear Bill Stewart, the natives are restless! They won't care if Geno Smith is a Sophomore, they want to win. Noel Devine is going to have to make or break you, because I have no clue who you expect to throw it to. Defensively, you're going to have to be as good as you think you will be. While I think you will be better than people think, your best way to prove it is going to Death Valley Sept. 25th.
Pretenders:
South Florida Bulls: Last Year 8-5 (3-4)
Jim Leavitt built a lot of this program. Unfortuanely, temper tantrum and beating kids got him a infinite day pass away. I'm not a Skip Holtz fan (i'm not a Holtz fan period, but that's another show), but it's too hard to overlook what they lost on defense. Pierre-Paul, Selvie, and Allen? Gone. Matt Grothe? Gone. B.J. Daniels does have some experience coming back, and they will be closer than people think, but opening with Stony Brook, followed by going to the Swamp will not treat this team well. However, the rest of the out of conference schedule will get them ready for the meat of the schedule.
Syracuse Orangemen: Last Year 4-8 (1-6)
Doug Marone, damnit, you are trying hard! You will probably be 3-1 going into conference play, but not having Delone Carter will hurt you when the weather gets cold and you have to move out of the toasty air of the CarrierDome. Ryan Nassib is a step up from a unwanted Duke point guard, but I can't see you being too much better this year. The max for this team would just to make a bowl game, which would be better than anything Greg Robinson ever did for you.
Louisville Cardinals: Last Year 4-8 (1-6)
Charlie Strong is a great hire for the other team in Kentucky. He is a great offensive mind who can make anything happen.. and even he will have his hands and a dumptruck full trying to get this team over 20 ppg. Adam Froman will get the keys to the Edsel first, but I have a feeling there will be much to see from Justin Burke. With a new offensive scheme and two good runners in Jeremy Wright and Victor Anderson, they will be better, even if the defense can't stop anyone (which they wont).
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Last Year 9-4 (3-4)
Greg Schiano is a good coach, but it also just seems like he's waiting for JoePa to finally retire from Penn State so he can get out of Jersey. This team came out like champs but fizzled badly last year, and it doesn't help that three offensive line starters need to be replaced. If they can show anything of a running game, Tom Savage will do his thing and be able to move this offense. The schedule helps early (recurring theme with this conference, no?), but when all your tough conference games are on the road, you better be able to move the line of scrimmage on both sides. I don't think they will be able to.
BT'S CONFERENCE WINNER: West Virginia
The differnce that sets WVU over UConn and Pittsburgh is the defense. Bill Stewart has a hot seat in Morgantown (hotter than it should be, because RichRod is coming back?)and will win at Pittsburgh on Nov 26th for the title. Experience isn't a bad thing, and West Virginia has it in the right places for this season.
Player of the Year: Noel Devine
Coach of the Year: Doug Marone (For getting Syracuse to a bowl game? Easy!
No comments:
Post a Comment