Big East Preview
Time once again for my college football conference previews. This year, we’ll start with the Big East because I’m still working out the details of my picks for the other conferences. This should be a fun season and I’m really looking forward to it. So, without further ado.
1. Rutgers – Not quite the best of the top teams, however I think the schedule sets up for them to make it out on top. They get the top 3 teams at home, and on top of that, Pitt on a short week, USF in November, and WVU the week after their Backyard Brawl.
2. Pittsburgh - I think they are the best defense in the conference and have the most returning starters of any team in the league.
3. USF - I’ve felt they were the best team in the conference the last 2 years, but they have dissappointed me each time so I can’t justify picking them above the 3 spot this year. I can easily seem them winning the conference if they play up to their ability every week.
4. Cincinnati – They year, the Bearcats were underrated most of the season, but finished the regular season an amazing 11-2 despite QB problems. This year, they return 9 starters on offense, but only 1 on defense. They should be much improved on offense this year and I think Brian Kelly is one of the best coaches in the league, so he will find a way to overcome the holes in the defense and salvage a decent season and a decent bowl bid.
5. West Virginia – Tough pick here as the defense will be tough and keep them in every game and they have a good QB, RB, and WR combo that are game changers. But they have no depth and 4 Big East road games I think do this team in. I predict their lowest Big East finish since 2001, but they should still be bowl eligible.
6. Connecticut – They have just 6 starters back on offense and 6 back on defense, and lose their best player on each side of the ball and will need to get better play out of the QB position if they hope be bowl eligible again this season. Randy Edsall has done a great job as coach here over the last 11 years but I think that this season ends without a bowl appearance.
7. Louisville – It feels odd picking Louisville so low, but it could be a tough season for the Cards. They are coming off their first losing season since 1997, so Steve Kragthorpe will be on one of a very hot seat this season (joining Al Groh). They are breaking in a new QB and have just 13 returning starters, so it will be an uphill battle in every game, not to mention 9 teams on the schedule that went to a bowl last year with 6 of those games on the road.
8. Syracuse – Dragging up the rear again this year, the Orange, who start the season with 3 straight Big Ten games since the Big Ten seeks out the weakest members of other conferences them and makes sure they get on their schedules. 1st year coach Doug Marrone didn’t go himself any favors hiring Rob Spence as his offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator who is working at his 4th school in 4 years, so either he realyl likes a change of scenery every year, or he’s not that good. At least the offense will be dreadfully predictable with Spence at the helm. On their schedule, they should be able to beat Maine and Akron. Enjoy your two wins Syracuse fans.