College Football Predictions & Preview – Big East

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This is a continuation of our series on 2009 college football predictions. Today, we continue with a look at the Big East.

College Football Predictions

Big East

1) West Virginia
2008 Record: (9-4, 5-2)
Coach: Bill Stewart, 2nd year (10-4)
Off. Coordinator: Jeff Mullen (2nd year)
Def. Coordinator: Jeff Casteel (8th year)
Returning Starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

Offense: This should be a rebuilding year for Bill Stewart and the Mountaineers even with seven starters. Why? Because Pat White, one of the best to ever run the spread offense and most dangerous Big East quarterback ever, has moved on to the NFL (or baseball). The good news is senior quarterback Jarrett Brown (6-4, 221) returns and has won both career starters. Brown is considered a better pure passer than White, but does not have the great quickness or agility. At running back, junior Noel Devine returns after rolling up 1,289 yards last year with a 6.3 yards per carry average. He also notched 35 receptions last season. Senior Alric Arnett is the leading man at receiver with 35 receptions for 466 yards. The main concern other than Brown , is the offensive line which loses three quality starters including All-American Ryan Stanchek. It may take this unit some time to become cohesive.

Defense: The Mountaineers return seven starters on defense and should be especially-strong at linebacker. They return Reed Williams (6-1, 228), who missed most of last season with double shoulder surgery along with junior J.T. Thomas (6-2, 224) back as the leading returning tackler. Up front, Scooter Barry (6-1, 280) moves inside to tackle from end. Junior Brandon Hogan (3 INTs) is back at cornerback after missing their bowl game against North Carolina for a personal matter. He also had 60 tackles and broke up seven passes. SS Sidney Glover (5-11, 210) also returns after recording 61 stops in 2008. They also need to find a kicker and punter as Pat McAfee graduates after handling all the kicking duties the last two seasons.

Outlook: West Virginia is a very dangerous team in the Big East, but they won’t be the same without Pat White. They open with Liberty and East Carolina and then take on Auburn on the road. If the offensive line works out, they’ll be back in the major bowl picture.

2) Pittsburgh
2008 Record: (9-4, 5-2)
Coach: Dave Wannstedt, 5th year, (25-23)
Off. Coordinator: Frank Cignetti (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Phil Bennett (2nd year)
Returning Starters:14(7 offense, 7efense)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes(Bill Stull)

Offense: Dave Wannstedt finally seemed to have turned things around after going 9-4 last year. It all starts with getting players and Pitt has recruited top-25 classes the last three seasons. This year, they could use some consistency at the quarterback position to get to the next level. Senior Bill Stull (6-3, 215) returns at quarterback but he will have some competition. Stull completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,356 yards and just nine TDs with 10 picks last year. The offense relied on RB LaSean McCoy last season and now he’s not there to save the offense. Junior Pat Bostick (6-3, 220) was the starter in 2007, but has been injury-prone. At running back freshmen Dion Lewis and Chris Burnes should vie for the starting job. The Panthers have big-play tight ends in seniors Dorin Dickerson (6-2, 230) and Nate Byham (6-3, 255). At receiver, sophomore Jonathan Baldwin (6-5, 220) averaged 22.4 yards per reception, catching 18 passes for 404 yards. The offensive line has some experience and natural talent with three starters returning.

Defense: The defense allowed 21.5ppg and 317.2 yards per game last year. They return seven starters including three from the defensive line. Senior Mick Williams (6-1, 285) is a dominant player on the inside and one of the best on the line. Juniors Greg Romeus (7.5 sacks) and Jabaal Sheard (5.5 sacks) seem to always be in the backfield at defensive end. At linebacker, they lose top MLB Scott McKillop, but the loss was eased when Adam Gunn was granted a sixth year of eligibility. In the secondary, they return three starters and junior Elijah Fields (6-2, 220), who finally gets a chance to show his enormous ability.

Outlook: The Panthers have a fairly easy opening three games facing Youngstown State, Navy and Buffalo. After that, NC State at home and Louisville on the road are not gimmes. They also take on Notre Dame at home and West Virginia on the road, which could decide the conference. Wannstedt should be safe for another year, but it would be nice if they can find a dynamic starting quarterback.

3) South Florida
2008 Record: (8-5, 2-5)
Coach: Jim Leavitt, 13th year (87-52)
Off. Coordinator: Mike Canales (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Joe Tresey, David Blackwell (1st year)
Returning Starters: 13, (5 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Matt Grothe)

Offense: The Bulls return struggled last year on offense compared to 2007, when they averaged 35ppg in Big East play and less than half of that last season. So they re-hired Mike Canales who was the offensive coordinator from 1997 to 2000. They should run a more pure version of the spread offense with Canales in control. Senior QB Matt Grothe (6-0, 203) returns, but he is just one of five on offense. He’s one of the nation’s top dual threats, who has thrown for more than 8,000 yards in his career and rushed for just over 2,000 over three seasons. What the Bulls need is more balance and not just reliance on Grothe. They do have a very deep receiving corps led by senior Jessie Hester, who had a team-high 54 receptions for 579 yards last season. Junior RB Mike Ford (6-2, 225) struggled last season but dropped 20 pounds and should be the starter though he’ll be pushed by senior Moise Plancher. The offensive line returns just one starter and their only other definitive starter, junior Jacob Simms (6-5, 285) will either play center or left tackle.

Defense: The defense was the strength of the team last year, allowing just 20ppg and 287.6 yards per game (10th in the nation). This year, the Bulls return six starters on defense including DE George Selvie (6-4, 255). Selvie has 25.5 career sacks, but had just 5.5 last year due to constant double teams. He needs some help from senior Aaron Harris (6-4, 260) and juco transfer Jason Pierre-Paul. At linebacker, they return just one player in senior Kion Wilson (6-2, 235). Senior Donte Spires (6-3, 222) does return after missing 2008 to concentrate on academics and will challenge Chris Robinson (6-3, 233) for the weakside spot. In the secondary, senior corner Jerome Murphy is the leading returning tackler with 67. Senior FS Nate Allen, who had five picks last year, also leads the way.

Outlook: Jim Leavitt will have his hands full with a young team that features an inexperienced offensive line. They open with Wofford, Western Kentucky and Charleston Southern. After that, they face Florida State on the road and the reset of a mediocre Big East. With Grothe and Selvie back, there’s always a chance that the Bulls are at or near the top of the Big East.

4) Rutgers
2008 Record: (8-5, 5-2)
Coach: Greg Schiano, (46-51 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Kyle Flood and Kirk Ciarroca (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Bob Fraser (1st year) and Ed Pinkham (1st year)
Returning Starters: 16 (8 offense, 6 defense, punter, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

Offense: College football is all about “next man up”. That’s the case with Rutgers as they must replace record-setting quarterback Mike Teel and their top wide receiver (Kenny Britt). Fifth-year seniors Domenic Natale (6-2, 210) and Jabu Lovelace (6-2, 215) will battle it out for the starting job. Watch out for redshirt freshman D.C. Jefferson (6-6,2 40). The top four running backs, return including junior Kordell Young who led the Scarlet Knights with 554 yards and five TDs in just eight games. The receiving corps has been decimdate with Britt and Tiquan Underwood gone to graduation along with Dennis Campbell (dismissed). Tim Brown is the only returning wideout who hauled in a touchdown pass last season. The strength will be the offensive line, as they return five starters including second-team All-Big East selection Anthony Davis (6-6, 325) at left tackle.

Defense: Greg Schiano relinquishes his duties as defensive coordinator and hands the reins to assistants
Bob Fraser and Ed Pinkham. The defense returns six starters from a unit that allowed just 18.9ppg and 326.9 yards per game (33rd in the nation). The defensive line returns the ends and not the tackles. Junior Alex Silverstro (6-4, 250) was a tackle last year, but moves to end. At linebacker, senior Ryan D’Imperio (6-3, 240) becomes the leader after recording 93 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a junior. In the secondary, there is some concern at one corner spot. Senior Devin McCourty returns as a three-year starter at the other position.

Outlook: Rutgers has to find a quarterback first and foremost. If they find one, they should be able to get through Army, Texas Southern, Howard and Florida International with no problem. A road game against Maryland is tough, but they have West Virginia, Pitt and South Florida at home. That’s beneficial for a good but not great team to win the Big East.

5) Cincinnati
2008 Record: (11-3, 6-1)
Coach: Brian Kelly, 3rd year (22-6 at Cincinnati, 41-22 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Jeff Quinn (3rd year)
Def. Coordinator: Bob Diasco (1st year)
Returning Starters: 9 (7 offense, 1 defense, kicker
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Tony Pike)

Offense: The no-huddle spread offense will have to carry the team, as they have seven returners including senior QB Tony Pike (6-6, 210). Pike has great size and can move well out of the pocket. He completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,407 yards with 19 TDs and 11 INTs last year. His top target is senior WR Mardy Gilyard, who caught 81 passes for 1,276 yards and 11 TDs last year. At running back, they return junior John Goebel and senior Jacob Ramsey who combined for 1,271 yards last year. They’ll be pushed by RB Isiah Pead, a speedster who saw limited action as a freshman. The line will be anchored by left tackle Jeff Linkenbach (6-6, 311), a potential all-conference pick. The line is strong and deep despite returning three starers.

Defense: Here is the problem. Free safety Aaron Webster is the only returning starter, though the Bearcats have some replacements who saw extensive action last year. There’s no doubt, there will be some bumps in the road as Cincy moves from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. Most feel that this is the best defense to count the spread offense, which most teams are now using in college football. The depth on the defensive line is fine, but they need somebody to step up. Sophomore Derek Wolfe (6-5, 302) has the most potential to be a disruptive force at NT. They even moved former quarterback Demetrius Jones to linebacker and wide receiver Marcus Barnett to cornerback. Barnett has a legitimate chance to start.

Outlook: Cincinnati averaged 25.9ppg last season and may have to score 35ppg to get back to a bowl game. They open at Rutgers, then face S.E. Missouri State and are at Oregon State, followed by a home game at Fresno State. After all that, they have to travel to their state rival, Miami-Ohio. Not brutal, but certainly no cakewalk for a team trying to rebuild its defense. It will be a tough task for Brian Kelly, but he certainly has the ability to find a way to get to a bowl game.

6) Connecticut
2008 Record: (8-5, 3-4)
Coach: Randy Esdall, 11th year (58-60)
Off. Coordinator: Joe Moorhead (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Toll Orlando (5th year)
Returning Starters: 14 (6 offense, 6 defense, punter, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

Offense: The Huskies have their work cut out for them as they have to replace star RB Donald Brown and need to find a consistent quarterback to replace the erratic Tyler Lorenzen. New offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead will look towards senior RB Andre Dixon or sophomore Jordan Todman to carry the load. Todman rushed for 296 yards as a backup to Brown, while Dixon missed all of last season, after sharing carries with Brown in 2007 (ran for 828 yards). At quarterback, junior Zach Frazer (6-4, 231) or soph. Cody Endres (6-3, 227) will battle it out for the starting job. Frazer at least has some experience, having thrown for 536 yards last year. Both played last year, but neither stood out. At receiver, sophomore Kashif Moore is the leading returner with 27 catches for 273 yards. That’s not saying much, but the passing offense was almost non-existent last season. The offensive line took a hit with the graduation of LT William Beatty and center Keith Gray. The return three linemen, with sophomore Moe Petrus (6-2, 282) moving from guard to center.

Defense: The Huskies return six starters to a defense that allowed just 19.7ppg (22nd in the nation) and 278 yards per game (6th in the nation). The concern starts on the defensive line as they return just one starter. Senior DE Linsdey Witten (6-4, 248) does have experience and did record five sacks last year. The real strength is at linebacker, where junior Scott Lutrus (6-2, 235) leads the way after finishing third in the Big East in tackles with 106 last season. In the secondary, they have to replace corner Darius Butler, who became a second-round pick. Junior Jasper Howard returns at the other corner spot after starting all 13 games last season and picking off four passes. At safety, senior FS Robert Vaughn returns after finishing third on the team with 67 tackles.

Outlook: Randy Edsall will have less expectations this season and he really has taken the program to new heights. The question is whether he can take them to the next step. A schedule that features Ohio on the road, North Carolina at home, Baylor on the road, Notre Dame on the road, and Rhode Island at home is not impossible. They have tough games in conference against West Virginia and Pitt on the road.

7) Louisville
2008 Record: (5-7, 1-6)
Coach: Steve Kragthorpe, 3rd year (11-13 at Louisville, 40-35 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Steve Kragthorpe (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Brent Guy (1st year)
Returning Starters: 18 (9 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

Offense: The Cards’ offense was just mediocre last season, averaging 376.7 yards per game and 24.7ppg. This season, head coach Steve Kragthorpe takes over as the offensive coordinator and is hoping to turn to either junior Adam Froman (6-3, 217) or junior Justin Burke (6-3, 229) as his starting quarterback. Froman is a juco All-American from California, while Burke is a transfer from NC State, who played three games in 2007 before sitting out last season. At running back, sophomore Victor Anderson returns after being named Big East Rookie of the Year in 2008. He rushed for 1,047 yards, averaging 5.7ypc. The top receiver is junior Doug Beaumont, who caught 62 passes for 750 yards, although he did not score a touchdown. They do get a lift from the return of senior WR Scott Long (6-2, 214), who tore his ACL last October.

The offensive line returns three starters, but the two they lost were center Eric Wood, a first-round NFL Draft pick and tackle George Busey.

Defense: They defense allowed a whopping 29.8ppg last season and 368.8 yards per game (70th in the nation). This season, they return seven starters but lose defensive coordinator Ron English to Eastern Michigan (as head coach). They ranked 106th in the nation in sacks last year and have to find a way to get to the quarterback. The linebacking unit is the strength of the team, led by senior Jon Dempsey (6-0, 241), a second-team All-Big East performer last year, who recorded 80 tackles last year. The D-line is inexperienced and will have to grow as the season moves on. The secondary is in decent shape, even with the loss of two starters to graduation. That’s because senior FS Richard Raglin returns after missing the last nine games with a broken wrist.

Outlook: The Cards open with Indiana State and later on, faces Arkansas State at home. But tough games at Kentucky at Utah and Southern Miss at home, make this a tough schedule. Finding a quarterback is a must for a team that will need to put up some points on the board.

8 ) Syracuse
2008 Record: (3-9, 1-6)
Coach: Doug Marrone, 1st year (0-0)
Off. Coordinator: Rob Spence (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Scott Shafer (1st year)
Returning Starters: 14 (6 offense, 7 defense, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Cameron Dantley)

Offense: New head coach Doug Marrone comes in to a program that has been a doormat since the Big East began, but has one of the greatest traditions. Marrone’s background is in the NFL as an offensive coordinator and line coach with the New Orleans Saints. He’s also fortunate to have some talent in running back Delone Carter (5-10, 214) and junior WR Mike Williams. Carter rushed for 713 yards in 2006 before missing all of 2007 with a dislocated hip. A hamstring injury limited him to four games last year. Williams had 837 receiving yards and 11 TDs as a sophomore in 2007 before sitting out last year due to academic reasons. He joins junior Donte Davis, who had a team-leading 29 catches in 2008. The quarterback is Cameron Dantley (6-1, 218), a senior who threw for just 1,298 yards last year, but has more weapons this season. The O-line returns just two starters and the inexperience will be on the right side.

Defense: The Orange return seven starters from a unit that allowed 32.7ppg and 414.5 yards per game. The rebuilding job starts on this side of the ball. The D-line returns junior NT Arthur Jones (6-3, 282), who has 31.5 tackles for loss. At linebacker, the Orange has two starters returning. The problem with the unit is that they are undersized, but they are active. Junior Derrell Smith (6-1, 224) is the top returning tackler with 73. The secondary returns three starters and will move former corner Mike Holmes to free safety. Holmes had a two picks and a forced fumble. He’s also a solid kick returner, averaging 23 yards per return.

Outlook: Syracuse is not really backing down. They play three Big Ten teams to start the season in Minnesota at home, Penn State on the road and Northwestern at home. They also face Akron and Maine at home and their only road contests in conference are against Pitt, Louisville and Connecticut. Marrone has the offense to at least pull off a few close calls and maybe an upset or two.

• 2009 College Football Predictions: Syracuse Orangemen
• 2009 College Football Predictions: West Virginia University Mountaineers
• 2009 College Football Predictions: Louisville Cardinals
• 2009 College Football Predictions: South Florida Bulls
• 2009 College Football Predictions: Connecticut Huskies