Big East Preview

[cubuffsman78]

Big East

1. West Virginia – 12-0 (7-0)
There’s been a lot of distractions in Morgantown, W.V., based all around former coach Rich Rodriguez. However, the Mountaineers are still one of the most explosive offensive squads with or without Rodriguez as long as QB Pat White and Sophomore RB Noel Devine are in the backfield.

2. South Florida – 10-2 (5-2)
Will have a tough time replacing some of their best defensive players, but still have one of the nation’s best pass rushers in DE George Selvie. Offensively, it’s all about dual-threat QB Matt Grothe.

3. Louisville – 9-3 (4-3)
A team not nearly as good as their record. Still tons of questions defensively and the hype surrounding QB Hunter Cantwell is currently more impressive than his resume.

4. Cincinnati – 8-5 (3-4)
The Bearcats have the ability to beat anyone in the Big East because of their defensive prowess. Can’t help but think they’ll suffer some tough losses, though.

5. Pittsburgh – 6-6 (3-4)
Currently a popular sleeper pick in the Big East. RB Lesean McCoy is the center of most of the team’s hype.

6. Rutgers – 8-4 (3-4)
The Scarlet Knights could easily see their first losing season in three years with tough non-conference games against Fresno State, North Carolina and Navy. The conference schedule sees them travel to West Virginia, Cincinnati, Pitt and South Florida. Also, how good will Rutgers be without Ray Rice?

7. UConn – 6-6 (2-5)
This team overachieved last season. Hard to see them accomplishing to same feat again in a more talented Big East.

8. Syracuse – 2-10 (0-7)
Very deep in the Big East cellar. The Orange aren’t digging out anytime soon, either.

Overall assessment: South Florida isn’t exactly the sexy pick to win the Big East, but Grothe’s ability to put up clutch performances makes them a contender. The Dec. 6 matchup with West Virginia will basically be a conference championship game, although it isn’t officially billed as such.

I really wanted to give USF the title and if Mike Jenkins and Ben Moffitt were still there, then I would. However, they aren't and I don't know that USF has the defense equipped to stop Pat White and Noel Devine.

I would not be surprised at all to see Cincinnati or Pitt come away with this conference title. I think both teams are definitely better than Louisville, but the Cardinals have a favorable home schedule and should be able to win a few shootouts.

It’s hard to see Rutgers being the same threat it has been in the past. They lost some key cogs in its success the last two seasons. Some new faces will definitely have to step up.

All but one of the Big East schools are bowl eligible and I see West Virginia contending for a spot in the national title game.

[cubuffsman78]

All-Big East 1st Team

Offense

QB Pat White West Virginia
Can he pass the ball efficiently enough to surprise defenses?

RB Noel Devine West Virginia
Steve Slaton who? Devine is more explosive than the RB he replaces.

RB LeSean McCoy Pitt
Great size/speed ratio. Best Pitt RB since Tony Dorsett.

WR Tiquan Underwood Rutgers
Biggest playmaker Scarlet Knights have left.

WR Kenny Britt Rutgers
Really Rutgers has great options at WR. Can QB Mike Teel be efficient enough to take advantage of them?

WR Derek Kinder Pitt
Returning from injury. Had 850 yards receiving two years ago.

TE Steve Brouse Uconn
Not much to get crazy about at the TE position in the Big East.

OL Anthony Davis Rutgers
Another key piece if Rutgers is to have a successful season since there has to be a bigger emphasis on passing the ball.

OL Trevor Canfield Cincinnati

OL Eric Wood Louisville
One of the biggest pluses in Louisville is the OL. Wood is the best of the group.

OL Greg Isdaner West Virginia

OL Joe Thomas Pitt

K Pat McAfee West Virginia

Defense
DE George Selvie South Florida
Great story. Fantastic pass rusher with an even better motor.

DT Terrill Byrd Cincinnati
One of the best interior pass rushers in the nation.

DT Arthur Jones Syracuse
A good player stuck on a very bad team.

DE Cody Brown UConn
7.5 sacks. 16.5 TFL

LB Tyrone McKenzie South Florida
Few realize McKenzie was USF's leading tackler in 2007.

LB Scott Lutrus UConn
Third on team in tackles with 107. Tied for second with four INTs.

LB Reed Williams West Virginia
Underrated linebacker corps' leader.

LB Mortty Ivy West Virginia
Six sacks from the LB position.

CB Mike Mickens Cincinnati
One of the nation's elite cover corners.

S Courtney Greene Rutgers
An All-American candidate.

S Quinton Andrews West Virginia
Impressive at times as a sophomore. Expectations climb for junior season.

CB Darius Butler UConn
Very good tackler from the CB position.

P Kevin Huber Cincinnati

[cubuffsman78]

All-Big East 2nd Team

Offense

QB Matt Grothe South Florida
One of the most underrated QBs in the nation. He's just a gamer.

RB Mike Ford South Florida
Had two 100-yard rushing games as a freshman. Should get more carries this season.

RB Andre Dixon Uconn
Splits carries with Donald Brown, but Dixon is the more talented.

WR Oderick Turner Pitt
Pitt doesn't throw the ball as much as it did in the past, but Turner gets most of the looks when the Panthers do air it out.

WR Dominick Goodman Cincinnati
Bearcats biggest playmaker offensively.

WR Mike Williams Syracuse
If he were at another program, Williams would receive much more attention for his ability.

TE Kevin Brock Rutgers

OL William Beatty UConn

OL Ryan Durand Syracuse

OL Mike Dent West Virginia

OL Brian Roche Louisville

OL Ryan Stancheck West Virginia

K Tony Ciaravino Uconn

Defense

DE Greg Romeus Pitt
Four sacks. 11.5 TFL

DT Scooter Berry West Virginia
Key NT in WVU's 3-3-5 scheme.

DT Rasheed Duncan Pitt
Two sacks. Seven TFL.

DE Jamaal Westerman Rutgers
Eight sacks. 14 TFL.

LB Adam Gunn Pitt

LB Scott McKillop Pitt
Teams with Gunn to give Pitt a solid LB corps.

LB Ryan Manalac Cincinnati

LB Lawrence Wilson UConn

CB DeAngelo Smith Cincinnati
Other half of nation's best CB tandem.

S Nate Allen South Florida
Needs a strong season for USF to contend.

S Glen Lee Rutgers

CB Jason McCourty Rutgers

P Desi Cullen UConn

[kevmvp]

I think you underate Rutgers a little. Their better then Pitt. Now that doesnt mean they will have a better record but in my opinion they really should. Schiano is one of the better coaches in the Big East and Teel has really grown into a very capable College QB.

Losing Rice hurts but I still think Rutgers will be up there. It least higher then Pitt and maybe Cincinatti as well.

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by kevmvp I think you underate Rutgers a little. Their better then Pitt. Now that doesnt mean they will have a better record but in my opinion they really should. Schiano is one of the better coaches in the Big East and Teel has really grown into a very capable College QB. Losing Rice hurts but I still think Rutgers will be up there. It least higher then Pitt and maybe Cincinatti as well.

I think you got blinded by your own homerness on Rutgers. I'm watching a mediocre North Carolina team dominate the Scarlet Knights right now. I think I rated Rutgers right on.