Big East Preview

Projected Records & Standings

1. CINCINNATI          8-4  (5-2)
2. RUTGERS             9-3  (5-2)
3. WEST VIRGINIA       8-4  (5-2)
4. PITTSBURGH          7-5  (4-3)
5. CONNECTICUT         6-6  (4-3)
6. SOUTH FLORIDA       5-7  (2-5)
7. LOUISVILLE          5-7  (2-5)
8. SYRACUSE            3-9  (1-6)

Co-Champions: CINCINNATI, RUTGERS, WEST VIRGINIA

It’s only fitting that the worst of the BCS Conferences ends in a three-way tie. None of the trio of Cincinnati, Rutgers, or West Virginia are solid enough to win the conference outright, but each has the potential to.

Cincinnati is probably the safest bet, with senior Tony Pike returning at quarterback along with weapons like WR/PR Mardy Gilyard and RB Isaiah Pead. But there are huge question marks on defense, especially in the secondary.

Rutgers has the least experience among skill position players, but they have the easiest schedule and have potentially the best offensive and defensive lines in the conference.

West Virginia has arguably the most talent, including senior quarterback Jarrett Brown, who has patiently waited his turn to take over for Pat White. But the Mountaineers still seem to be in a transitional period after the coaching change a year ago. If Bill Stewart can regain the consistency the program had under Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia will be the team to beat in the Big East.

Question the Hype: CINCINNATI
Head coach Brian Kelly was the hot name all offseason. He was mentioned for most of the big openings on the coaching carousel and was recently been named one of the top five best head coaches by The Sporting News. But Cincinnati loses 10 starters off a defense that held the team together while the Bearcats offense suffered through injury after injury at the quarterback position. Isaiah Pead should be an upgrade in the running game, and Mardy Gilyard is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball, but Cincy will need to score more than the 25.9 points they averaged in 2008 in order to keep their spot atop the Big East.

Could Surprise: LOUISVILLE
I’ve been tooting the horn of Steve Kragthorpe for the past two years, urging Louisville fans to be patient – Kragthorpe had quite the house-cleaning project upon arriving in the wake of the Bobby Petrino mess. Well, it’s Year 3 now and so far, not-so-good. But I still have faith in Kragthorpe. He’s gotten rid of just about all the excess baggage and trimmed the roster down to guys who actually want to play football for him. With RB Victor Anderson and a decent receiving corps, I am keeping my eyes on Louisville as a team that could make a significant jump up the Big East standings if a couple breaks fall their way.

Bo Jackson Trophy Candidates:
Top 3:
RB-Noel Devine, West Virginia
WR-Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati
OT-Anthony Davis, Rutgers

Ten to Watch:
RB-Victor Anderson, Louisville
RB-Antwon Bailey, Syracuse
WR-Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
WR-Doug Beaumont, Louisville
QB-Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
RB-Delone Carter, Syracuse
QB-Matt Grothe, South Florida
QB-Tony Pike, Cincinnati
OT-Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh
WR-Mike Williams, Syracuse

Arrington Trophy Candidates:
Top 3:
DE-George Selvie, South Florida
DT-Arthur Jones, Syracuse
DT-Mick Williams, Pittsburgh

Ten to Watch:
FS-Nate Allen, South Florida
NT-Scooter Berry, West Virginia
LB-Ryan D’Imperio, Rutgers
LB-Adam Gunn, Pittsburgh
LB-Scott Lutrus, Connecticut
CB-Devin McCourty, Rutgers
DE-Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
LB-Reed Williams, West Virginia
LB-Kion Wilson, South Florida
LB-Lawrence Wilson, Connecticut

Big East - RB Rankings

1. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
If you don't know who LeSean McCoy is yet, you will soon. The sophomore running back is one of the best in the land with an excellent combination of speed, agility, and vision. There isn't anything he can't do.

2. Noel Devine, West Virginia
Noel Devine grabbed all the headlines with his high school highlight reel, but he proved those were no flukes by providing highlight reel runs as a freshman at West Virginia last season. His rare speed and agility seems to be unmatched on the college level right now, and he'll be an upgrade over the departed Steve Slaton - who was possibly the most overrated college player of the last decade.

3. Donald Brown/Andre Dixon, UConn
These two split time and are both solid backs.

KEEP AN EYE ON
* Kordell Young/Mason Robinson, Rutgers - Just because Ray Rice is gone doesn't mean Rutgers isn't going to run the football any more. Both of these backs will have the opportunity to fill his shoes this season.
* Curtis Brinkley/Delone Carter, Syracuse - These two highly touted backs have missed most of their careers so far because of constant injuries. If one or both can stay healthy, they'll have the opportunity to save coach Greg Robinson's job by providing the offense with at least the threat of a weapon.

Big East's Top QBs

1. Pat White, West Virginia

If it's possible, Pat White might be underrated. He gets a lot of props for his running ability (1,335 yds, 14 td, 6.8 yards per carry), but what often gets overlooked is how well he involves others in the offense. He did such a great job getting Steve Slaton the ball in open space that many actually believed Slaton was a top flight running back. He also has good enough accuracy in the passing game (66.7%) to make the passing game a viable weapon. Pat White is one of the best college quarterbacks in America.

2. Mike Teel, Rutgers

Mike Teel was often the "question mark" heading into games in 2007. According to the announcers Ray Rice was the strength of the offense on the ground, but Teel was questioned repeatedly. Well, Rutgers won 8 games and produced not one but two 1,000-yard receivers. Mike Teel is no question mark, and with uncertainty at tailback he is now the strength of the offense. His underrated arm and poise will keep the offense going in 2008.

3. Matt Grothe, USF

He's six-foot nuthin' and a hundred-and nuthin'. Yet Matt Grothe just keeps taking hits and winning games. As the only weapon in the Bulls' offense, he is always the focal point of opposing game plans. Yet somehow he still managed to produce 2,670 passing yards, 872 rushing yards, and 24 total touchdowns on his way to leading the team to 9 wins, and at one point a #2 ranking in the polls. He's back for only his junior season, and as long as he's on the field you can count on getting everything he's got.

Others To Watch:

Demetrius Jones, Cincinnati

With the departure of Ben Mauk, the quarterback job is up for grabs. That opens the door open for Notre Dame transfer Demetrius Jones. Jones started game one for the Irish last season and was yanked when Charlie Weis realized he couldn't bear to look at Jimmy Clausen's spiked hair on the sidelines anymore. Jones has fantastic athleticism, and the size and strength to excel in this offense if given the chance.

Bill Stull, Pittsburgh

Stull looked great in game one as the Panther starter in 2007, but unfortunately he was injured in the game and had to sit out the remainder of the season. Despite the improvement of true freshman Pat Bostick over the course of the season, Stull won the job in the spring and will be the opening day starter once again in 2008. He has an experienced group around him that includes top receiver Derek Kinder who was injured all of '07.