Brad’s 2010 Big East Predictions
Posted by deaconcat08 on July 18, 2010
I think we all saw just how weak the Big East can be when Cincinnati got absolutely demolished in the Sugar Bowl by Florida. The top teams of this conference are just several steps behind the powerhouses in the other five major conferences. However, the depth of the Big East is pretty solid with six teams capable of winning the league.
The number to the left of each team name is their predicted conference ranking with the conference champion displayed in all caps. The number in parentheses to the right of each team name is their predicted rank nationally. Also, after my written analysis for each team, I have provided my prediction of where each team will end up spending their postseason. Furthermore, I have underlined my ten surprise picks and italicized my ten disappointment picks. Separate entries for my surprise and disappointment picks will be posted later on, which will compare my preseason predictions with the average of the (allegedly) expert predictions from Athlon, the Sporting News, and Phil Steele.
1. West Virginia (12)- The Mountaineers play best when they’re being overlooked (see 2007 Fiesta Bowl), and that is exactly what is happening this season in Morgantown. The Pitt Panthers are the trendy pick to win the title, but the Mountaineers are the more experienced group, as they bring back 16 starters from last year’s squad. The defense should be as good as ever, and Devine should provide enough spark on offense to take the pressure off your quarterback Geno Smith. (Postseason Prediction: Orange Bowl vs. Miami-FL)
2. Pittsburgh (21)- The Wannstache has done better than I thought he would at Pitt, but because he has failed to win any kind of championship at any level, as either an assistant or head coach, then I just can’t pick the guy to do it this year. (Postseason Prediction: Champs Sports Bowl vs. Virginia Tech; best early season bowl matchup)
3. Connecticut (25)- Connecticut has had years where they caught all the breaks, such as in 2007 when they almost won the conference crown, and years where they couldn’t buy a break like last year where all five of their losses came by four points or less. If the football gods are on the Huskies side this season, then they could win the conference crown as this is likely Edsall’s most talented team in his 12 years at the school. (Postseason Prediction: St. Petersburg Bowl vs. Central Florida)
4. Rutgers (36)- QB/WR combo Savage and Sanu should lead this team to a solid bowl game and possibly beyond if they catch some breaks. Unfortunately, they play four of the other conference title contenders on the road. (Postseason Prediction: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Baylor; Baylor finally makes a bowl game!)
5. Cincinnati (43)- It’s tough to drop an undefeated conference champ to the bottom half of the conference, but that is what happens when you lose two superstar players, Gilyard and Pike, as well as your offensive mastermind of a head coach. Collaros should still give this team a dual threat attack on offense, but this time they won’t be able to score enough points to compensate for a dreadful defense that became increasingly more exposed as the 2009 season progressed. (Postseason Prediction: Papajohns.com Bowl vs. Kentucky; battle of two basketball powerhouses who never play each other in either sport despite being located only 90 miles apart.)
6. South Florida (55)- This disappointment pick could come back to haunt me, but I’m mad at the Bulls for making me look silly last year by finishing 4th after I picked them to win the conference. I could see B.J. Daniels end up being a one-hit athletic wonder much like Juice Williams or a dual threat superstar like Vince Young. It may also take this team awhile to adjust to Skip Holtz’s new scheme. However, the Bulls, like the five teams in front of them, have the talent to win the conference crown. (Postseason Prediction: Dallas Football Classic vs. Purdue; Big 12 won’t be able to fill this spot)
7. Louisville (68)- Charlie Steele has been one of the best assistants in the nation for over a decade now, and no one deserves a heading coaching job more than he does. I didn’t like the Kragthorpe hire, and I was spot on with my criticism. Steele, however, will be the right man for the job, but new schemes will keep this team near the bottom of the conference for now. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl Game)
8. Syracuse (83)- How long will Syracuse flounder around at the bottom of the Big East? A school of this size with this many resources should be able to rebuild a program rather easily, but the Cuse look more and more look like a school primarily focused on the basketball program. It’s too early to evaluate the Marrone tenure, but questions at about QB and RB should keep this team in the basement. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl Game)