Hope springs eternal in sports, and the hope for the Big East Conference is that the league doesn't duplicate its 2010 campaign. While the league has always been maligned by many, last season proved to be the first in which the criticism was more than justified. Connecticut won the league's BCS berth despite lacking any kind of passing game, while West Virginia and Pittsburgh found ways in which to shoot themselves in the foot.
This season is already off to an interesting start, with Todd Graham the new head coach at Pitt and Dana Holgorsen taking over for Bill Stewart at West Virginia. The league has talent at quarterback, led by Zach Collaros (Cincinnati), B.J. Daniels (South Florida) and Geno Smith (WVU), and that should lead to improved production. There may not be many national stars in the Big East, but there are plenty of players who can have a major impact on the conference title race.
Cincinnati
2010 Record: 4-8
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 32nd
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 63rd
Base Offense: Spread
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/11
Significant Losses: WR
Armon Binns, WR Vidal Hazelton, K Jake Rogers
Newcomer of Note: WR
Kenbrell Thompkins, a JUCO transfer who
had to sit out all of 2010 due to injury, should fit right in with Binns
and Hazelton moving on.
2011 Thoughts: Year one of the Butch Jones era was a tough one for Cincinnati, beginning with USC transfer Hazelton tearing an ACL on a kickoff return in its season-opening loss to Fresno State. Cincinnati was solid offensively, but one year after an opportunistic defense covered up its issues by forcing turnovers it was one of the worst teams in America in turnover margin. Quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Isaiah Pead are two players to watch heading into this season, and wide receiver D.J. Woods can be an impact player both offensively and on special teams.
Final Analysis: The Bearcats should be improved on both sides of the football, with senior linebacker J.K. Schaffer leading 11 returning starters on defense. With more familiarity with the 3-4 scheme, Cincinnati should do a better job of getting off the field. Offensively, the Bearcats will move the ball and produce points, provided Thompkins and others step up to aid Woods on the outside.
Connecticut
2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 95th
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 58th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 6/9
Significant Losses: RB
Jordan Todman, LB Lawrence Wilson, QB Zach Frazer
Newcomer of
Note: Quarterback Michael Nebrich,
an early enrollee from Virginia, was one of four quarterbacks to stake
their claim for the starting job during the spring. But with none of the
four setting themselves apart, there remains a chance that the freshman
can win the job come August.
2011 Thoughts: The Big East's BCS representative got hot at just the right time in 2010, but the Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma exposed the very issues that caused their slow start. The skill positions were either young or lacking the ability to make plays, placing a lot of the load on the shoulders of Todman. The secondary, thanks to Dwayne Gratz and Blidi Wreh-Wilson, will be better, but the receivers are still a question mark. And it doesn't help that the quarterback position is still up in the air, and UConn still needs to sort out the running back situation as well.
Final Analysis: Given UConn's success over the years running the football, thanks to line play in addition to talented backs, D.J. Shoemate and others should be productive. But if a leader doesn't set himself apart under center, and receivers such as Kashif Moore don't step up their play, this could once again be a one-dimensional offense.
Louisville
2010 Record: 7-6
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 71st
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 14th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 4/7
Significant Losses: RB
Bilal Powell, QB Adam Froman, WR Doug Beaumont
Newcomer of Note: Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater, the one-time Miami
(Fla.) verbal, made the move to Louisville once the Hurricanes fired
Randy Shannon, and as an early enrollee had the opportunity to compete
for the starting job. By most accounts Will Stein
had the better spring, but Bridgewater's skill set may get him on the
field sooner rather than later.
2011 Thoughts: Losing a back the caliber of Powell will hurt, but not as much as it would other teams. Why? First off, Victor Anderson returns after dealing with injuries for much of 2010. Anderson was Big East offensive rookie of the year in 2009. And Jeremy Wright, who was named player of the week for his performance in the win at Syracuse, is also back to handle the rushing chores. If Stein or Bridgewater can produce under center, Louisville will move the ball.
Final Analysis: It may be early to consider Louisville to be a favorite to win the Big East, but with the defense being led by coordinator Vance Bedford and head coach Charlie Strong, it will be a team to reckon with. The Cardinals were 14th nationally in total defense in 2010, and with seven starters back, a top 10 finish isn't out of the realm of possibility. But how many games the Cards win will likely come down to what the quarterback position can give them.
Pittsburgh
2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 73rd
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 8th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 6/8
Significant Losses: RB
Dion Lewis, WR Jon Baldwin, DE Jabaal Sheard, K Dan Hutchins
Newcomer
of Note: While Ray Graham
returns at running back, the Panthers will likely need an incoming
freshman or two to step up upon arrival on campus. Malcolm Crockett, who
switched his commitment from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, could be an ideal
candidate to compete with Graham. His speed should fit well with the
system that new head coach Todd Graham brings to the Steel City.
2011 Thoughts: It will be an interesting first season for Graham, who will attempt to take players recruited for more of a pro-style attack and make them work in a spread-based system. The good news is that some experience returns, led by quarterback Tino Sunseri, running back Ray Graham, tight end Mike Cruz and wide receiver Mike Shanahan. Defensively there are some holes to fill, especially at the ends, but Pitt consistently ranked among the best teams in the Big East when it comes to recruiting. Graham arrives with a good resume, making this a good fit between coach and program on paper.
Final Analysis: The reason for the coaching change (other than Mike Haywood getting arrested days after being named head coach) is a simple one: for all the talent Dave Wannstedt and his staff recruited the trophies didn’t follow. At Tulsa, Graham had one of the nation's best offenses on an annual basis, and the hope is that he can do the same with Sunseri running the show. Pitt will need someone to step up at running back and wide receiver, and if they can get contributions, another bowl bid is likely.
Rutgers
2010 Record: 4-8
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 114th
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 65th
Base Offense: Pro-style
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 10/5
Significant Losses: SS
Joe Lefeged, CB Brandon Bing
Newcomer of Note: Running back Savon Huggins chose Rutgers over North Carolina, and his arrival
should provide a boost in the backfield. Jordan Thomas is moving to cornerback, and with DeAntwan Williams not getting many reps last season and Joe Martinek not being a game-breaker, the highly-touted Huggins
will have every opportunity to earn reps come August.
2011 Thoughts: Rutgers' season went downhill following its win over Army, a game known for the severe injury suffered by defensive tackle Eric LeGrand. But the problems, especially on offense, were known well before that point. The quarterback position, manned by Tom Savage (transferred to Arizona) and Chas Dodd, struggled and the offensive line allowed a staggering 51 sacks. Dodd had a good spring, and with receivers Jeremy Deering, Mark Harrison and Mohamed Sanu back (and Frank Cignetti Jr. running the offense), Rutgers should be improved offensively.
Final Analysis: Dodd played well for the most part in 2010, and if the line can keep him upright more consistently in 2011, the Rutgers offense should be improved. The new system should help with that, as will the emergence of players such as Deering and Harrison last season. It can ill-afford to place the responsibility on Sanu, who became more banged up as the season progressed in 2010.
South Florida
2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 105th
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 17th
Base Offense: Spread
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 4/6
Significant Losses: RB
Moise Plancher, WR Dontavia Bogan, LB Jacquian Williams
Newcomer
of Note: Wide receiver Andre Davis
is a player to watch since the receiver situation was one that was in
flux heading into last season thanks to injury. But the departed Bogan
made plays for B.J. Daniels on the
outside, and someone other than Sterling Griffin
and Terrence Mitchell will need to step
up. Also keep an eye on redshirt freshman Deonte Welch.
2011 Thoughts: A second spring in Skip Holtz's system should pay off for Daniels, who played very well in the Bulls' Meineke Car Care Bowl win over Clemson. USF will need to replace Mo Plancher in the backfield, but playmakers such as Lindsay Lamar and Mitchell should help matters. If West Virginia is done in by coaching turmoil, the Bulls may become the team to beat in the Big East.
Final Analysis: USF will be solid on defense and special teams, and with turnover at the kicking position throughout the conference, Maikon Bonani may be one of the Big East's best kickers. The Bulls do have to replace three starters in the secondary but will be solid in the front seven. Unlike prior editions, the 2010 Bulls didn't go into a tailspin once the calendar hit October, and if they can duplicate that, then a BCS berth could be on the line when they host WVU in the regular season finale on Dec. 1.
Syracuse
2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 97th
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 7th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 7/5
Significant Losses: RB
Delone Carter, DB/PR Mike Holmes, LB Derrell Smith, LB Doug Hogue
Newcomer
of Note: Wide receiver Jeremiah Kobena,
the Milford Academy product, took part in spring drills, and while he's
only 5-11, 174 pounds, Kobena could see some action this season. But
with a number of skill position guys due back, it may be tough for many
freshmen to see extended time this season. That's actually a good
problem for Doug Marrone and his staff to have, considering where the
program was when they took over.
2011 Thoughts: Quarterback Ryan Nassib showed significant signs of improvement in 2010 and he should be even better in 2011. The question: Can Antwon Bailey do enough to make up for the graduation of Delone Carter? Bailey, who is also a threat out of the backfield as a receiving option, rushed for 569 yards in 2010. Wide receiver Van Chew and tight end Nick Provo will lead the way in the passing game, and if the defense can replace leaders Hogue and Smith at linebacker, it should once again be solid.
Final Analysis: The losses on defense may prevent Syracuse from being a Big East title contender, but it will be right in the mix thanks to the offense. An early-season contest at USC will be quite the litmus test for Marrone's program, and a win there would ramp up expectations. At the very least another bowl berth should be expected.
West Virginia
2010 Record: 9-4
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 67th
2010
Defensive Rank (out of 120): 3rd
Base Offense: Spread
Returning
Starters (Offense/Defense): 8/4
Significant Losses: RB
Noel Devine, WR Jock Sanders, NT Chris Neild
Newcomer of Note: Even
with Devine moving on to the next level, there's room for running back Vernard Roberts to emerge despite Shawne Alston
and Ryan Clarke back in Morgantown, W.
Va. Roberts, who took part in spring drills, may be a good fit in Dana
Holgorsen's system.
2011 Thoughts: It's been an interesting seven months for West Virginia, beginning with Holgorsen being made the coach-in-waiting and ending with Bill Stewart being forced to resign due to some issues between Holgorsen and himself. But the offensive attack that Holgorsen brings with him from Oklahoma State is a big reason as to why so many expect the Mountaineers to win the Big East. Quarterback Geno Smith may be the league's best Heisman hopeful, and with Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey being two of the weapons on the outside, WVU will not struggle in the passing game.
Final Analysis: If WVU can replace seven starters on defense, it will likely become the clear favorite to win the league. Defensive end Bruce Irvin was one of the top pass rushers in the Big East last season. The secondary should also be solid. Running back is a position to watch offensively, but if the coaching turmoil isn't a distraction, West Virginia will win a number of games. Hosting LSU in September could be a springboard to even bigger things if they find a way to knock off the Tigers.