Big East College Football Preview - jmik58's Blog

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Big East College Football Preview Stuck

Posted on August 17, 2012 at 10:36 AM.

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If college football conferences were slow-pitch softball players, the Big East would play catcher. And if they were a part of your family, it would be your middle brother Steve who has lived in your parents' basement for the last twelve years.

But regardless of what you think of Steve, he's still your brother and you still need a catcher.

Love 'em or hate 'em, they're the ignored step-child of the BCS but will always have a spot at the dinner table. Ladies and gentlemen, the Big East.

As much as I want to dive into the Big East in 2012, the reality is that the past and future offer much more excitement than anything the current season can give us for such a wounded conference. Fresh off the departure of West Virginia and the fake-out by TCU, the Big East is in a holdover pattern in wait for next season when the likes of Boise State, San Diego State, SMU, Houston, UCF, and Memphis will join (Navy in 2015). While Temple did fill the numerical void left by West Virginia, no one brags about the addition of a potential last-place team in the last-place BCS conference.

In all fairness, the Big East did go 3-2 in bowl games last season and finished the year with two teams in the Top 25. But can this year's collection of eight make enough noise to justify an automatic placement in a BCS bowl game?

1. Pittsburgh Panthers 11-1 (7-0)
New head coach Paul Chryst (former Wisconsin offensive coordinator) takes over the team I feel has the Big East's most talented offensive and defensive units. The Panthers have gone through more coaching changes than you can count on one hand in the last year, but if any team in America was equipped for such an adjustment, it's this veteran group. Nine starters return on offense led by senior quarterback Tino Sunseri and halfback Ray Graham (1st team Big East).

On the other side of the ball only five men return with significant starts, but talent is littered throughout the depth chart. Led by defensive tackle Aaron McDonald (2nd team Big East) and free safety Jarred Holley (1st team Big East), the defense hopes that the switch to a pro style attack on offense will lead to less time on the field and subsequently better health (30 starts lost to injury in 2011).

2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 10-2 (6-1)
The coaching carousel continues atop the conference as Greg Schiano bolted for the NFL to take over as head man of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New head coach Kyle Flood -- a Rutgers assistant since 2007 -- is familiar enough with the program and the switch should be little more than a formality.

Luckily for Flood and Co. the cupboard is anything but empty as the new regime takes over. Seven starters return on offense and eight on the defensive side of the ball. While Pitt may have the most talented defense in the league, that doesn't necessarily translate to guaranteed performance. Rutgers not only has the talent but also has proven their worth with ample amounts of experience back -- see below if they make it in as my pick for best "D" in the conference. Scoring shouldn't be much of a problem either as halfbacks Savon Huggins and Jawan Jamison should provide a dangerous one-two punch for opposing defenses.

Mark your calendars for November 24th as the Scarlet Knights travel to Pitt for what I feel is the de facto Big East championship game.

3. Louisville Cardinals 10-2 (5-2)
Like any sport, sometimes the who is less important than the where -- as in, where the game is played. The Cardinals field coach Charlie Strong's best squad in his third year a the school and Louisville should be on par competitively with the best in the league. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they draw road contests against Pittsburgh mid-season and versus Rutgers to close out the regular season on a Thursday night.

Key performers for Louisville look to be quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and receivers Eli Rogers and Michaelee Harris on offense. To go along with the offense's seven returning starters, the defensive side returns eight of their own. Led by first-team Big East corner Adrian Bushell and safety Hakeem Smith -- also a first teamer in 2011 -- the Cardinals secondary looks to be the best in the league and should be able to force teams to attempt to beat them on the ground.

4. Cincinnati Bearcats 7-5 (3-4)
While it will be very difficult to replicate their ten-win season of last year, the Bearcats are still talented enough to make noise this year in the Big East. Only four starters return for an offense that will likely struggle early on. The strength of the unit -- offensive line -- should help to temper the growing pains as all-name team Munchie Legaux learns the ropes at quarterback. On defense the 'Cats are more experienced with seven returners back with serious time in 2011, but unfortunately for fans of Cincinnati the talent combination just isn't there. Strong safety Drew Fry returns from a first-team Big East year in '11, but familiar faces will have to find a new gear to balance out the defensive attack.

5. South Florida Bulls 5-7 (3-4)
I typically agree with college football analyst Phil Steele on a lot of areas -- apparently the Big East in 2012 isn't one of them. If you picked up his publication this year you'll notice that his fourth-place prediction (Pitt) for the Big East is my favorite to win it. Additionally, his favorite to win the conference (USF) clearly didn't make the cut on my list as they fall all the way to fifth. A tough non-conference schedule doesn't help matters much, but it's road trips to Louisville and Cincinnati that will truly show how legitimate their run will be this year.

If experience has anything to say about it, Skip Holtz's squad should cause some damage in the Big East this year (8 returning starters on offense, 7 on defense). But it's a lack of talent that has me hesitant to expect much out of this year's Bulls team -- combined with the aforementioned less-than-pleasant schedule. Quarterback B.J. Daniels and receiver Sterling Griffin will do their part to win games, but a lack of playmakers throughout the rest of the offense tear down any real optimism I have for USF in '12.

6. Syracuse Orange 4-8 (2-5)
The first thing that stands out about the 'Cuse in 2012 is their questionable schedule. Someone forgot to mention that the Orange had the option to go with an SEC-like non-conference schedule. Instead, a mediocre Syracuse squad will take on the likes of Northwestern, Minnesota, Southern California, and Missouri out of conference -- at least they get Stony Brook as well. Led by receiver Alec Lemon, Syracuse actually looks dangerous enough to make a push toward bowl eligibility.

The big question -- besides the schedule -- will be how well can the defense perform and will it be enough to force an upset or two? A linebacker corps led by Dyshawn Davis hopes the answer is "yes," but a week one collapse against a down Northwestern squad could hitch a serious plow in the confidence of the Orange.

7. Connecticut Huskies 4-8 (2-5)
As running back Lyle McCombs goes, so will the Huskies. A second-team Big East and freshman All-American last season, McCombs looks to build on his 1,100+ rushing yard campaign. A well-seasoned offensive line unit should help boost the cause, and a veteran defensive unit might be just enough to get the Huskies in bowl contention. The defensive line, linebackers, and secondary return all-conference performers, but untimely matchups with equal foes on the road are just enough to spell disaster and letdowns as the season wears on.

8. Temple Owls 2-8 (0-7)
On the bright side it's a transition year for new member Temple and expectations aren't extremely high. Unfortunately, that's about the only bit of sunshine that Owls fans will get this year. Like any team, an upset or surprise win is always a possibility, but only eight returning starters don't mix well for the first year jump from the MAC to a BCS conference. Not surprisingly, little in the way of talent is available in reference to former highly touted recruits. One man to watch -- and it's hard to miss him -- will be nose tackle Levi Brown. This is a clear rebuilding year, but with approximately half of the team's starters being seniors it's uncertain what next year has in store as well.

Big East Champion
Pittsburgh Panthers

Best Offense
Pittsburgh Panthers

Best Defense
Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Offensive Player of the Year
Ray Graham, HB - Pittsburgh Panthers

Defensive Player of the Year
Khaseem Green, LB - Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Coach of the Year
Charlie Strong - Louisville Cardinals

Coach on the Hot Seat
Doug Marrone - Syracuse Orange

Team on the Rise
Pittsburgh Panthers / Louisville Cardinals

Team on the Decline
Temple Owls

Toughest Schedule
Syracuse Orange

Easiest Schedule
Temple Owls

Teams Going Bowling
Pittsburgh Panthers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Louisville Cardinals, Cincinnati Bearcats

Sound Off: What are your predictions for the 2012 Big East college football season?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. Follow him on Twitter @long_snapper or send him a PM with your comments, questions, or future blog ideas.