By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
(Note: This is the first in a series of previews of the 'major' conferences in college football, including the BCS conferences - the Big East, the Big 10, the Big 12, the ACC, the SEC and the Pac-10 - as well as the Mountain West Conference, the Western Athletic Conference and the Independents.)
While the rest of college football was dealing with the issue of expansion and realignment, the Big East was going through its own changes. Conference champion Cincinnati lost head coach Brian Kelly to Notre Dame, while South Florida and Louisville also welcomed new coaches. But in general, things were quiet in the Big East. As usual, the conference is looking to gain some legitimacy for its BCS status. It didn't help itself by sending Cincinnati to get slaughtered in the Sugar Bowl, nor West Virginia help by losing to a seemingly weaker Florida State team. However, Pittsburgh did top a talented, yet inconsistent North Carolina, while UConn and Rutgers also won their bowl games.
The Bearcats followed Kelly to a 12-1, 7-0 record and a spot in the Sugar Bowl. Kelly was lured away by the Fighting Irish and without him, Cincinnati folded like a card table, losing to Florida, 51-24. Cincinnati turned once again to Central Michigan for its head coach, plucking the Chippewas' head coach to run the same offense that was run before. Zach Collaros is primed to have one of the best statistical seasons in college football, having a great deal of experience after having to fill in for Tony Pike right in the middle of the season. What's more, he's mobile, adding a whole new dimension to the Bearcats' offense. For that reason - and a manageable schedule - the Bearcats still have a decent chance of making something of themselves this season.
Pittsburgh, however, has to be the favorite in this league. After all, Pitt came ever so close to winning last year's game, snagging a 31-10 lead over Cincinnati before blowing it in the final game. Pitt has two tremendous running backs in Dion Lewis, who racked up nearly 2,000 total yards and 18 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman and Ray Graham. Tino Sunseri is a question mark at quarterback, but the Panthers will be just fine as long as he doesn't make stupid mistakes and turn the ball over. The Panthers still have a very tough defense, including one of the best defensive lines in the country.
West Virginia has a veteran team and once again should have its nose in the middle of things this year, but how far will they actually get? Noel Devine is the most talented offensive weapon and is behind an experienced offensive line and its defense should actually be a major strength this season. Like Pittsburgh, the defensive line is very strong and so are the linebackers. The question mark is at quarterback. Geno Smith, a sophomore, will take the reigns from Bill Stull with Pat White's little brother Coley backing him up. While Devine will be leaned upon, the QB needs to be able to provide some kind of balance.
Connecticut could be a darkhorse in this race after having one of the best 7-5 regular-season records in college football history. Not only did they have a very challenging schedule, but the Huskies lost one of their own in heartbreaking fashion. They lost to the four toughest teams on their schedule, but all of those losses came by four points or less. They lost to No. 19 UNC by two points, to Pitt by three, to No. 23 West Virginia by four and to No. 5 Cincinnati by two. This year, the schedule is much more forgiving, including games against Pitt, WVU and Cincinnati all at home. Jordan Todman is ready to take over as a feature back after splitting the carries with Andre Dixon last year, but just in case, the Huskies brought in D.J. Shoemate, who transferred in from USC after the punishments from the NCAA came down. Like the Mountaineers, the Huskies need to create some balance in their offense in order to take their game to the next level.
Predicted Big East Standings:
1. Pittsburgh
2. West Virginia
3. Connecticut
4. Cincinnati
5. Rutgers
6. South Florida
7. Louisville
8. Syracuse
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