BIG EAST PREVIEW

 

(Each of my conference previews are determined in part by using a simple formula using certain nine variables to determine a teams ability to win games. These nine categories are as follows: Quarterback, RB/WR/TE, Offensive Line, DE/LB, Secondary, Coaching, Schedule Difficulty, Home Field Advantage, and Player Experience. Each team is ranked in descending order according to their strength in these areas. For example, the team in a conference with the best QB will be given a one, the second best rated team by QB will be given a 2, and on down through the remaining teams in that conference. This formula goes on for all categories. After all categories and teams are ranked, those rankings are added up to give the team’s a total score. The lower the score, the more likely a team will be successful this year and win more games than teams with higher overall scores. By no means is it an exact science, just my personal predictions for the upcoming season.)

 

 

 More and more, predicting the Big East is getting to be like predicting the Kentucky Derby winner. Sure there is always a favorite, but any other horse seems just as capable of running away with the prize. Here’s a look at what will take place in the upcoming season, though trust me, everything could completely flip around (Well, not completely. I’ll put $50 on Syracuse NOT winning the Big East this year).

 

Can the Mountaineers run past the rest of the Big East and reclaim the conference crown?

THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS

 

1. West Virginia’s Defense will be the driving force to them winning the conference title.  That’s right. Defense. After all, the team known for flashy talent on offense did manage to rank 11^th nationally last year in scoring defense. And of course the offense is capable to score big even with the loss of superstar QB Pat White. Look for WVU to hold off a hungry Rutgers team and claim the Big East championship.

2. UConn will nearly double their loss total from last year and miss out on a bowl.  That’s a tough pill for Husky fans to swallow after having a successful year last year, one that started off with 5 straight wins. However, with the loss of big time RB Donald Brown to the NFL draft and several other key offensive components, the Huskies will search quickly to find a new offensive identity. That coupled with the most difficult schedule in the conference has the Huskies spending the holidays watching the bowls instead of playing in one.

3. Rumors will swirl again regarding Greg Schiano going to Miami.  There’s no question that many Hurricane fans were disappointed a few years ago when Greg Schiano decided not to take the head job at Miami. However, should the Canes continue their mediocrity in this, Randy Shannon’s 3^rd year, and if that combines with a great season similar to what Rutgers is expected to have, then look for the rumor mill to start up again regarding Schiano. What he’s done at Rutgers with their football program, recruiting, and national exposure to the school is nothing short of miraculous. Trust me, going to 4 straight bowls at Rutgers is a BIG deal.

 

THREE GUYS READY FOR DRAFT DAY

 George Selvie, DE, South Florida–-Don’t let the lack of sacks last year by Selvie fool you. That was more an issue of constant double teams after his huge 2007. This kid is a pass rushing monster. He already has 25.5 sacks for his career, and there’s nothing to keep him from adding to that total this season.

 

 

 

USF's star defensive end Selvie should have a huge senior year.

 

 

Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia—It’s almost as if Steve Slaton never left. Devine, now a junior, racked up nearly 1,300 yards rushing last year, averaging 6.3 per carry. His size is small, but that won’t matter when he’s running a 4.2 40 at the combine.

Anthony Davis, T, Rutgers–-Only a junior, Davis weighs in at 6 feet 6 inches, 325 pounds. Not bad for a left tackle. Expect this guy to be a first round pick barring injury.

 

THREE “CAN’T MISS GAMES”

 

1. West Virginia at South Florida, Oct. 30- Always seems to be a tough game for the Mountaineers. They’ll need to win it to keep their sights on the Big East title.

2. West Virginia at Rutgers, Dec. 5- Could be a de facto championship game. Both teams certainly have the talent. Can they avoid letdowns earlier in the season?

3. Cincinnati at Pitt, Dec. 5- Depending on the outcome of WVU-Rutgers, this game could have title implications of it’s own. Keep an eye on Cincy QB Tony Pike, one of the nation’s most underrated QBs.

 

 

THREE THINGS WE WON’T SEE THIS YEAR

 

1. Louisville be relevant. Remember when the road to the Big East crown went through Louisville? Not anymore. Another bowl-less season for the Cards, and Kragthorpe will find himself on the hot seat (if he’s not there already).

2. An undefeated team in conference. Like I said earlier, this conference always has at least 3 or 4 teams vying for the title, and it’s damn near impossible to pick just one. While I do think West Virginia will hoist the trophy at the end, they won’t make it through unscathed.

3. The conference champ decided before Thanksgiving. There are several key conference games (as mentioned earlier) that come after turkey day that will play big roles in who comes out of this conference a winner. And really, that’s your hope in every conference, that the last few weeks are the most exciting.

 

THREE REASONS TO WATCH THE BIG EAST

1.  The new White and Slaton (Jarrett Brown and Noel Devine). -Don’t think just because Pat White and Steve Slaton are gone from the West Virginia offense that the flash and speed days are over.

2.  Coaching carousel.  -Is this the year the young rising star coaches get plucked from the Big East? Greg Schiano from Rutgers, Brian Kelly at Cincinnati, and Jim Leavitt at South Florida have all been a part of various rumors in recent years. Is this the year one of these guys leaves for a big time gig in the SEC or Big 12?

 

 

 

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly could be targeted by some big name programs if the Bearcats have another big year.

 

 

3.  It’s the most unpredictable conference.  -Like I said, you never know really what to expect from the Big East. You know the names. You know the schools. You just don’t know which one will be left standing once the dust settles. That fact alone makes this conference greatly intriguing.

 

BOWL QUALIFIERS

West Virginia, Rutgers, Pitt, Cincinnati, South Florida