Picking the Big East

Sometimes you feel like the smartest person in the college football world.

Sometimes you throw darts.

Welcome to the Big East where all you need is flexible wrist. Don't worry about a bulls eye. Anywhere, you throw it, you could be a winner. Since 2003 eight different schools have claimed at least a share of the Big East title. A lot of that has to do with realignment after ACC expansion. But the conference remains perhaps the most competitive BCS conference.

Last season six of the eight teams made it to a bowl. In 2006-2007, three Big East teams had made it to the top three in the polls. With only eight teams, the league had one less NFL draft pick (27) than the Big Ten's 11 teams (28).

The demise of the Big East was greatly exaggerated. In the four years since realignment it is 3-1 in BCS bowls.

A case can be made for at least four schools being good enough to win the league this season.

Picking the Big East ...

1. Rutgers -- This dart lands in Piscataway. The Scarlet Knights will go to their first BCS game mostly because they have the league's most favorable schedule. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, South Florida and West Virginia have to come up the Jersey Turnpike. Even though Greg Schiano loses his quarterback (Mike Teel) and two best receivers (Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood), there is enough talent to fill in. All five starters are back on the offensive line, including 325-pound NFL prospect Anthony Davis at left tackle. Schiano gave up his play-calling duties on defense, handing them over to assistants Bob Fraser and Ed Pinkham. The pressure will be on but the Knights have time to wade into the deep end. They get Howard, Florida International and Texas Southern at home before playing their second Big East game. The momentum created by a seven-game winning streak to end '08 will carry over with 16 returning starters.

2. South Florida -- It helps to have the Big East's best offensive (quarterback Matt Grothe) and defensive (George Selvie) players. The offense gets more of a pure spread with the promotion of Mike Canales to offensive coordinator. Grothe might have to use those magic legs more than ever with only one returning starter on the offensive line. Selvie can be a freak at times off the edge. He slipped back in '08 after 14 1/2 sacks in 2007. The Bulls must learn to finish. They started 6-0 in '07 and 5-0 in '08. If they are going to get off to a similar start this season they must win at Florida State on Sept. 26.

3. Pittsburgh -- I really want to pick the Panthers to win. I really do. Dave Wannstedt might have the most talented team in the league but he will have to prove it. The loss of tailback Sean McCoy to the NFL was a killer. Early enrollee Dion Lewis has a shot at the job. If senior Bill Stull doesn't hold onto the quarterback job (nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions, there's always junior Pat Bostick. The defense will be stout again with Mick Williams at defensive tackle. Linebacker Adam Gunn returns for a sixth year of eligibility after breaking his neck in the '08 season opener. Wanny has stockpiled talent with three consecutive top 25 recruiting classes. Coming off a nine-win season, he needs to take the next step and win a bowl game in his fifth year at Pittsburgh.

4. Cincinnati -- The Bearcats were lucky enough to hold onto coach Brian Kelly. The ultimate coaching ladder climber (three jobs since 2003), recently signed an extension through 2013. If Kelly sticks around long enough, Kelly could make Cincinnati into a watered down version of Miami in the old Big East, an urban school waiting to bust out. In his second full season, Kelly produced 11 wins, a conference title and an Orange Bowl berth. Injuries forced Kelly to use five quarterbacks last season. The survivor, senior Tony Pike, is back. He'll throw to Marty Gilyard, the leading returning receiver in the league.

5. West Virginia -- Sorry, West Virginians. You lose Pat White and your prospects don't improve. White was one of the Big East's best-ever players and perhaps the best player in West Virginia history. The slippery quarterback cannot be fully replaced, but Jarrett Brown will give it a shot. The senior gets his shot to start in his final season. The 6-foot-4 Brown is more of a physical dual-threat quarterback. What Brown can't do, tailback Noel Devine can. After rushing for almost 2,000 yards in his first two seasons, this could be Devine's breakout year. A Heisman run wouldn't be surprise. The Mountaineers will have to win at least nine again to make it happen. That could be a struggle.

6. Connecticut -- UConn forces you to pay attention. The basketball team has a higher profile. In a league of football overachievers, it is not the first option. South Florida is in its 13th year of existence, but UConn has been in I-A only seven years. The country had to pay attention last season. Donald Brown led the country in rushing, the Huskies blew out conference champ Cincinnati and won eight games. Coach Randy Edsall's name continued to pop up for higher profile jobs. Edsall stayed. However, Brown is gone to the NFL so don't expect another 2,000-yard season. Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazer will take over at quarterback throwing to 5-9 Kashif Moore, the team's leading receiver.

7. Louisville -- This has to be a make or break season for Steve Kragthorpe. He is 11-13 in two years. Last season crashed with a five-game losing streak. The once powerful offense is now struggling. Tailback Victor Anderson rushed for 1,000 yards but only 207 of those came in the last four games. Louisville desperately needs something good to happen. The schedule is not kind. In consecutive weeks the Cardinals play at Kentucky, at Utah, Pittsburgh, Southern Miss, at UConn and at Cincinnati.

8. Syracuse -- If Doug Marrone's work ethic could be transformed into wins, the Orange would be back in a major bowl. Cuse Nation is excited about one of their own taking over. Still, Marrone is a rookie head coach inheriting a train wreck. The new coach has embraced Syracuse traditions. Redshirt freshman Ryan Nassib was named starter in spring practice but there is the small matter of a former Duke guard in the mix. This was a good place for Greg Paulus to land. A one-year cameo could get the Cuse back on track. Before missing last season for academic reasons, Mike Williams caught 60 passes in '07 and was second-team all-Big East. The defense finished last in the conference in total defense. Look to the Jones brothers for improvement. Senior Arthur is a defensive tackle who has 31 1/2 career tackles for loss. His brother Chandler is an end who could get into the lineup as a redshirt freshman.

1. Rutgers- an up and comer, however despite their slow start last year their late season winning streak will take them out of the category of under the radar as mention of Rutgers football and the possibility of Schiano replacing Paterno when he finally retires makes Rutgers a first teir team. Lets see how they handle it.

2. South Florida- Every year I watch South Florida get on a roll and then fall apart late in the year. They have worked their way up to being ranked as high as #2 in the country before going on their losing streaks that always seam to place them in second tier bowls. can this be the year they take the step forward and win consistantly throughout the season? That's a tough step for a team without allot of history.

3.Pittsburgh- Dave if you can't make it to a BCS bowl game with a roster loaded with talent at a school with a rich tradition of winning then you will officially be out of excuses for why you can't win as a head coach.

4. Cincinnati- Talk about coming out of nowhere.... Cincy had a great run last year despite losing multiple players (including more than a few QBs) to injury. This year they will not be under the radar but I think kelly has them headed in the right direction.

5. West Virginia- WVU for the previous 10 years had the perfect storm going of course Rodriguez leaves for Michigan and he can't do anything there and now most of his star players have left for the NFL and the recruits are remembering that this is West Virginia.

6. UCONN- The Susquehannock alum has UCONN football in the public mind with Donald Brown going to the Colts in the 1st round, they have only been in 1A for 7 years and already have a 1st round pick not bad, the question is can they continue to grow?

7. Louisville- Apparently the Petrino disease takes longer to recover from int he NCAA than it does in the NFL.

8. Syracuse- Sorry this one is too easy

to sum up the Big East has three fast risers (South Florida, UCONN, anc Cincy), two sinking ships in Lousiville and West Virginia, a dark horse in Rutgers and a dead horse in Syracuse......

No ownder Dodd thinks anyone can win this league

Devofan Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 22, 2006	Posted on: June 23, 2009 3:21 pm Score: 75 Picking the Big East No mention of Paulus to Syracuse whatsoever? Dantley has no shot at being the Starting QB bro, it's between Nassib and Paulus. [ Reply to Comment ]
travis34uk Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: May 18, 2009	Posted on: June 23, 2009 4:02 pm Score: 64 Picking the Big East Once again Louisville is screwed. That stretch with Kentucky, Utah, Southern Miss, UConn, and other teams I don't remember will be too much for the Cards to handle. They lose by 3 touchdowns to Kentucky, and fall apart finishing either 3-9 or 4-8. Go Cats [ Reply to Comment ]
bobtilton Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 8, 2007	Posted on: June 23, 2009 4:19 pm Score: 140 Picking the Big East I don't think this race is a s close as Dodd does, no offense to Dodd or any of the teams involved. I'm inclined to believe that South Florida goes on a tear again this year, but actually finishes strong for a change. It's just a matter of time before they put it all together and play with some consistency. Obviously, games are won in the trenches, and I can see why people would be hesitant to pick the Bulls given their O-Line holes (and past late-season collapses). But something tells me that the experience and talent in the surrounding positions will pull them through in what may be a reloading year for the Big East. [ Reply to Comment ]
Have a Cigar Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 8, 2007	Posted on: June 23, 2009 4:36 pm Score: 35 Who Cares The Big East is a joke and should not be taken seriously. [ Reply to Comment ]
handsomerobWV Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 16, 2008	Posted on: June 23, 2009 4:37 pm Score: 91 Picking the Big East Nice to hear positive comments on the BE...can't say I agree where WV is...clearly...Jarret Brown is no Pat White, but who is? It's not Brown's first BBQ though, as he's seen action in about 20 games...WVU also has Reed Williams returning with an excellent D-Fense...also with some great targets for Brown to throw to and Noel in the backfield...The O-Line is what worries me...not to the point of putting WVU in the lower half of the conference. Come on...I pity the fool [ Reply to Comment ]
wvu1980joel Reputation: 85 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 17, 2007	Posted on: June 23, 2009 4:43 pm Score: 40 Georgia Joel says you're full of it Picking West Virginia....5th? Are you kidding me?! Big, big, big mistake. by the way, USF at #2? South Florida has NEVER finished better than 3rd in Conference USA or the Big East. They're pretenders. Oh well, check back in early December....when West Virginia is playing for a chance at a BCS game. [ Reply to Comment ]
roarlion Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 9, 2007	Posted on: June 23, 2009 5:00 pm Score: 90 Picking the Big East If WVU finishes fifth, good ole boy Billy Stewart is out of a job. I don't think that will happen, WVU finishes at least 3rd. I think USF, WVU, Rutgers, and Pitt, could all finish anywhere from 1-4, just one man's opinion. I will be shocked if WVU finishes lower than #3. I think their D will be very good. [ Reply to Comment ]
cardsfan25 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 19, 2006	Posted on: June 23, 2009 5:06 pm Score: 123 Picking the Big East Just like a Kentucky fan to come on here and bash the Louisville program even though all Kentucky does is make it to the "Music City" bowl every year. You guys might have the best corner in the country but I'm sure you will be clawing at the back side of the SEC the entire year. And wouldn't it just be embarassing for one of the all might SEC squads to get beat by a bottom dweller meaningless Big East squad? You haters come out every year before the season starts I love it. All the Louisville fans will be real scared when we play the Big Bad Kentucky Wildcats this year. [ Reply to Comment ]
SMURPH Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 20, 2006	Posted on: June 23, 2009 5:06 pm Score: 88 Picking the Big East Well Dodd. You were at your usual pathetic level. West Virginia will not finish 5th in the BE. Want to place a bet on it? Let's bet our jobs. That way we won't have to listen to your drivel any more. By the way, where were the usual Big East insults? [ Reply to Comment ]
tat2dpsu Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 24, 2008	Posted on: June 23, 2009 5:12 pm Score: 111 Picking the Big East 1. Rutgers- an up and comer, however despite their slow start last year their late season winning streak will take them out of the category of under the radar as mention of Rutgers football and the possibility of Schiano replacing Paterno when he finally retires makes Rutgers a first teir team. Lets see how they handle it. 2. South Florida- Every year I watch South Florida get on a roll and then fall apart late in the year. They have worked their way up to being ranked as high as #2 in the country before going on their losing streaks that always seam to place them in second tier bowls. can this be the year they take the step forward and win consistantly throughout the season? That's a tough step for a team without allot of history. 3.Pittsburgh- Dave if you can't make it to a BCS bowl game with a roster loaded with talent at a school with a rich tradition of winning then you will officially be out of excuses for why you can't win as a head coach. 4. Cincinnati- Talk about coming out of nowhere.... Cincy had a great run last year despite losing multiple players (including more than a few QBs) to injury. This year they will not be under the radar but I think kelly has them headed in the right direction. 5. West Virginia- WVU for the previous 10 years had the perfect storm going of course Rodriguez leaves for Michigan and he can't do anything there and now most of his star players have left for the NFL and the recruits are remembering that this is West Virginia. 6. UCONN- The Susquehannock alum has UCONN football in the public mind with Donald Brown going to the Colts in the 1st round, they have only been in 1A for 7 years and already have a 1st round pick not bad, the question is can they continue to grow? 7. Louisville- Apparently the Petrino disease takes longer to recover from int he NCAA than it does in the NFL. 8. Syracuse- Sorry this one is too easy to sum up the Big East has three fast risers (South Florida, UCONN, anc Cincy), two sinking ships in Lousiville and West Virginia, a dark horse in Rutgers and a dead horse in Syracuse...... No ownder Dodd thinks anyone can win this league [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

Dodds and Ends