Big East Predictions

1. West Virginia Mountaineers, 8-4 (5-2)
This has definitely been an interesting off season in Morgantown. It all started with Dana Holgerson being named coach in waiting and Bill Stewart being told that this would be his last season. However an unhappy Stewart tried to sabotage Holgerson and ended up being fired. Now Holgerson is the HC and he'll bring his high octane spread offense to rejuvenate an offense that hasn't been the same since Rich Rod left. Holgerson has very talented QB Geno Smith who could be the best QB Holgerson has ever coached. If Smith can continue his development the Mountaineers will be a force to be reckon with.

2. Pittsburgh Panthers, 8-4 (5-2)
A lot of teams change coaches in the off-season, but how many of them have to hire two? After Dave Wannstedt was fired Pitt thought they had their man in Mike Haywood. Haywood was able to turn around Miami (OH) and turn them into MAC Champions. However right after being hired, Hayweeod was arrested for domestic abuse and then fired. Now enter Todd Graham. The good thing for Graham is the cupboard isn't bare. He is inheriting a team with a lot of talent and that has challenged for the Big East Title the past few years. QB Tino Sunseri returns after an impressive freshman year and will lead Graham's wide open offensive attack. ON defense the Panthers will be moving to the 3-4 and they have the best defensive player in the Big East in Brandon Lindsey. Lindsey is a dynamic pass rusher who had 10 sacks last year. With him moving to the rush linebacker spot look for the Panthers to try and take advantage of moving him around. Overall the Panthes are in a good spot. They have a lot of talent, and a fresh new face in charge, and a schedule that is manageable. If they can knock of West Virginia they have a great shot at winning their first conference championship and making it to a BCS Bowl since the Fiesta Bowl in 2004.

3. South Florida Bulls, 7-5 (4-3)
South Florida is a program that has the potential to really be a player in the Big East. They alsways have good player and are in a fertile recruiting grounds, but they usually struggle to put it all together. QB BJ Daniels is a good player, but is very inconsistent and makes some poor decisions. If the offense is going to be successful this season they are going to tneed an improved Daniels. Their secondary is the strength of the defense and if they can get some young players to step up and provide depth along the line and at linebacker they could have the best defense in the conference. Overall South Florida has some talent, but its a work in progress. But HC Skip Holtz is a good coach and he has them pointed in the right direction.

4. UConn Huskies, 7-5 (4-3)
Under Randy Edsall the Huskies were turned around from Big East doormat to conference champions last year. However a blow out loss against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl showed how far the Huskies still have to go. But then this off season Edsall shocked many by leaving UConn for Maryland. Many didn't think he'd be around forever, but you'd think could have left for a better school. But what Edsall saw was that the writing was on the wall. UConn loses a lot of talent and is going to be taking a few steps back. This was his chance to get out while he was at his highest. In his place is Paul Pasqualoni who had some good success while at Syracuse. Pasqualoni has a lot of connections in the Northeast and he is knowing for being able to keep talented players to stay in the area. This year may be tough for him, but UConn many not be down for too long.

5. Cincinnati Bearcats, 7-5 (4-3)
Two years ago Cincinnati finished the regular season undefeated and faced off against Florida in the Sugar Bowl (where they got distroyed). After that season, HC Brian Kelly bolted for Notre Dame and Cincinnati hired Butch Davis (who replaced Kelly at Central Michigan) to replace him. But instead of keeping the momentum going like he did at CMU, the Bearcats won only five games the next season. The Bearcats have some talented skills players but their offensive line is razor thin and that could lead to some problems. On defense they ahve talent but they really struggled last year, giving up the most points in the Big East last year. If they can develop some talent or figure out now to slow some teams down, they could really improve. Otherwise it could be another long season in the post Brian Kelly era.

6. Rutgers Scarlett Knights, 7-5 (3-4)
From 2005-2007 the Scarlett Knights were one of the best teams in the conference and HC Greg Schiano was the hottest coach in college football. But once Ray Rice and Kenny Britt left twon they haven't been the same. Last year they were off to a 4-2 record and then lost their final six games. That stretch of games just so happened to be right after defensive lineman Eric LeGrand was paralyzed during the Army game covering a kick off. I'd have to believe that his injury had something to do with their skid. One could only imagine what his teammates must have had on their minds. For this season the Knights have a favorable non-conference season which should get them at least four wins. If they can bounce back and win some games in conference they could find themselves back in the hunt for the conference title.

7. Louisville Cardinals, 4-8 (2-5)
Oh what a few years can do. Back in 2006 Louisville was one loss away from an undefeated season. But Bobby Petrino left for the Atlanta Falcons and Steve Kragthorpe from Tulsa was brought in. Kragthorpe was highly regarded, but just flopped at Louisville. Now Charlie Strong is trying to remold the Cardinals into his version of what Florida was like when he was there under Urban Meyer. Last year the Cardinals finished the season at 7-6 and despite the average record they were competitive. They lost 5 games by a touchdown or less. Now Louisville will be better, but they still have a ways to go to compete for a conference championship. They'll more than likely start a true freshman at quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater. He is very talented, but will make some dumb freshman mistakes. Louisville has a relatively easy non conference schedule, so if they can get past Kentucky and turn a few of those losses from last year into wins they could have a much better season. But that will be difficult to do with a true freshman at QB.

8. Syracuse Orangemen, 4-8 (1-6)
Doug Marrone is a good coach and has improved the Syracuse program, but they are in for a long road this year. Last year they won 8 games which is nothing short of amazing. However, they have to replace the talented Delone Carter at RB who is now with the Indianapolis Colts. Add in that the injury bug has hit the team and that will make things tough. But the lack of talent at some key positions are going to force them to pay a lot of young players.That is not a recipe for success. Add in that their schedule doesn't do them any favors and that will lead to them being at the bottom of the conference again.


Offensive Player of the Year: Geno Smith QB West Virginia
Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Lindsey DE Pittsburgh
Freshman of the Year: Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
Coach of the Year: Dana Holgerson, West Virginia

All Big East Team
QB: Geno Smith, West Virginia
RB: Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati
RB: Darrell Scott, South Florida
TE: Nick Provo, Syracuse WR: DJ Woods, Cincinnati
WR: Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
T: Lucas Nix, Pittsburgh
G: Josh Jenkins, West Virginia
C: Moe Petrus, Connecticut
G: Andrew Tiller, Syracuse
T: Don Barclay, West Virginia






DE: Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh
DT: Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati
DT: Kendall Reyes, Connecticut
DE: BruceIrvin, West Virginia
LB: Max Gruder, Pittsburgh
LB: Sio Moore, Connecticut
LB: JK Schaffer, Cincinnati
CB: Keith Tandy, West Virginia
S: Hakeem Smith, Louisville
S: Phillip Thomas, Syracuse
CB: Quenton Washington, South Florida

K: Maikon Bonani, South Florida
P: Pat O'Donnell, Cincinnati
KR/PR: Lindsey Lamar, South Florida