Mountaineers are new beasts of Big East

McKillop and the Panthers have yet to reach a bowl in three season under coach Dave Wannstedt, but last season's huge upset against West Virginia has Pitt a trendy pick for a breakout season.

South Florida was the feel good story in the Big East for the first half of last season, before a three-game losing streak knocked them out of championship contention. The Bulls have quarterback Matt Grothe and sackmaster George Selvie back, and own a two-game winning streak against the Mountaineers. They'll try to extend that in the season finale at Morgantown, a game already being talked about as a de facto conference championship.

A capsule look at the teams in predicted order of finish:

WEST VIRGINIA - Key players: QB Pat White, Sr.; RB Noel Devine, Soph.; S Quinton Andrew, Jr.; LB Mortty Ivy, Sr. Returning starters, 8 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Devine, who averaged 8.6 yards per carry as Steve Slaton's backup last season, is now White's primary running mate ... The offensive line returns intact and new offensive coordinator Dan Mullen, imported from Wake Forest, should provide some new wrinkles. ... The defense, which ranked in the top 10 in both yards and points allowed, needs reworking up front.

SOUTH FLORIDA - Key Players: QB Matt Grothe, Jr.; RB Mike Ford, Soph.; DE George Selvie, Jr.; LB Tyrone McKenzie, Sr. Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Grothe led the team in rushing with 872 yards, but coach Jim Leavitt would probably like to have Ford (645 yards and 12 TDs) take a bigger role ... Bulls have top three wide receivers (Carlton Mitchell, Jessie Hester, Taurus Johnson) and TE Cedric Hill back. ... Friday night home game against Kansas (Sept. 12) matches two of last season's surprise teams.

PITTSBURGH - Key players: RB LeSean McCoy, Soph.; WR Derek Kinder, Sr.; DE Greg Romeus, Soph.; LB Scott McKillop, Sr. Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Wannstedt is 16-19 in three seasons at his alma mater, but he's recruited well and those efforts should start paying off now. At least Pitt is banking on that, because Wannstedt received a three-year extension the day before he beat West Virginia. ... McCoy set a Big East freshman record with 1,328 yards rushing ... McKillop led the NCAA in tackles per games with 12.6.

RUTGERS - Key players: QB Mike Teel, Sr.; WR Kenny Britt, Jr.; S Courtney Greene, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Who replaces Ray Rice and his 2,012 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns? Sophomores Mason Robinson and Kordell Young, recovering from knee injury, are the top candidates. ... Britt (1,232 yards) and Tiquan Underwood (1,100) became the first 1,000-yard receiving duo in school history.

LOUISVILLE - Key players: QB Hunter Cantwell, Sr.; C Eric Wood, Sr.; DT Earl Heyman, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Coach Steve Kragthorpe's first season was disappointing (6-6) and he spent this offseason cleaning up a roster with too many troublemakers. ... Cantwell backed up Brian Brohm for three seasons, flashing promise in a handful of starts. NFL scouts like his arm and size (6-foot-5, 236 pounds).

CONNECTICUT - Key players: QB Tyler Lorenzen, Sr.; RB Andre Dixon, Jr.; LB Scott Lutrus, Soph. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Surprising UConn was the Big East co-champion last season with West Virginia, though that 66-21 loss to the Mountaineers makes it tough to take the championship banner seriously ... Coach Randy Edsall passed on chance to take over at Georgia Tech in offseason.

CINCINNATI - Key players: WR Marcus Barnett, Soph.; DT Terrill Byrd, Sr.; CB Mike Mickens, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: There's still a chance Ben Mauk, who passed for 31 touchdowns and is appealing for a sixth year of eligibility, could be back. If not, senior Dustin Grutza, who has 24 starts, is the guy. ... The Bearcats were plus-16 in turnover, tying for the national lead with 42 takeaways in coach Brian Kelly's first season.

SYRACUSE - Key players: LB Jake Flaherty, Sr.; QB Andrew Robinson, Jr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Coach Greg Robinson must get the Orange to improve this season after going 7-28 in three years or he'll be gone. ... Ranked last in the league in total offense and total defense.