Cincinnati
2009 Big East Ranking: 1st
2010 Outlook: Butch Jones takes over a team that is still stacked offensively, and should once again compete for the Big East Championship.
Things Looking Up: Jones will keep the offense high-flying, and QB Zach Collaros should be one of the most productive players in the conference.
Things Looking Shaky: The defense has been opportunistic the last few years. Translation…good offenses have the ability to crush them.
Can win the Big East if…Collaros finds a big-play WR, and the defense plays consistently.
2010 Prediction: 11-2…1st in Big East
Connecticut
2009 Big East Ranking: Tied for 5th
2010 Outlook: The model of mid-level consistency in the conference is looking to move to the upper echelon of the Big East.
Things Looking Up: Jordan Todman is one of the most productive tailbacks in the country…and is behind a very solid line.
Things Looking Shaky: Having lost some big names over the last few years, can the defense recover?
Can win the Big East if…QB Zach Fraiser plays out of his mind, and the defense finds some playmakers.
2010 Prediction: 7-5…4th in Big East
Louisville
2009 Big East Ranking: Tied for 8th
2010 Outlook: A new coach takes over in the ‘Ville. The question though is what exactly is there?
Things Looking Up: Charlie Strong should bring a new level of attitude to a team that has fallen off the radar.
Things Looking Shaky: The defense lost a lot of key members from a unit that wasn’t exactly great to start with.
Can win the Big East if…There is a Nuclear War and the ‘Ville has the only bomb shelter.
2010 Prediction: 4-8…8th in Big East
Pittsburgh
2009 Big East Ranking: Tied for 2nd
2010 Outlook: Dion Lewis and co will be the Conference favorites in 2010.
Things Looking Up: Greg Romeus anchors a tight defense, while Jonathan Baldwin and Lewis will make plenty of plays for the offense.
Things Looking Shaky: The quarterback situation is far from solid. Tino Suneri is in for an interesting year.
Can win the Big East if…Sunseri can manage a potentially explosive offense.
2010 Prediction: 9-3…3rd in Big East
Rutgers
2009 Big East Ranking: Tied for 5th
2010 Outlook: When you think average, boring, middle of the road, you think Rutgers’ football!
Things Looking Up: The offense has a few playmakers, starting with WR Mohammed Sanu that could be very beneficial.
Things Looking Shaky: QB Tom Savage needs to show consistency, and the defense has to fill some significant holes.
Can win the Big East if…Rutgers finds their inner New Orleans Saints.
2010 Prediction: 7-5…6th in Big East
South Florida
2009 Big East Ranking: Tied for 5th
2010 Outlook: Skip Holtz takes over a problem with a lot of talent, but not a ton of direction.
Things Looking Up: BJ Daniels proved last year that he could be one of the premier QB’s in the conference.
Things Looking Shaky: Now Daniels has to prove to himself that he can be on of the premier QB’s in the conference…and the defense has to find a new line.
Can win the Big East if…USF beats WVU and ‘Nati on the road in successive weeks and ole Mr. Momentum to take over.
2010 Prediction: 7-5…5th in Big East
Syracuse
2009 Big East Ranking: Tied for 8th
2010 Outlook: The Orange bring back 18 starters, and look to make a bowl for the first time since the Carter Administration.
Things Looking Up: The defense remains mostly intact from last year. Expect some solid improvement.
Things Looking Shaky: Offensively it’s still a crapshoot. With possible suspensions and new players, the unit has some catching up to do.
Can win the Big East if…The Black Plague hits and Syracuse is immune.
2010 Prediction: 6-6…7th in Big East.
West Virginia
2009 Big East Ranking: Tied for 2nd
2010 Outlook: The Mountaineers are poised to get back to the top of the conference with an experienced defense and potentially explosive offense.
Things Looking Up: Nine players are back from a stingy defense that will anchor the squad.
Things Looking Shaky: It’s the first time in five years where this is a question about the starting quarterback.
Can win the Big East if…QB Geno Smith plays up to his potential.
2010 Prediction: 10-2…2nd in Big East
1 comments:
I like Pitt to win the Big East this year, with UConn surprising some people and finishing in 2nd. Nice general article though on the conference's outlook and I'm glad I found it.
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