2009 College Football Preview: Big East

The Conference Previews Continue: Big East
Format: Returning Starters/Top Returning Players/Recruiting Class-Impact Newcomer/Quick Fact/Toughest Non-Conference Game


1. South Florida - The Bulls, led by fiery head coach Jim Leavitt, lost a lot of starters (returning 5 on offense, 6 on defense) but will look to senior QB Matt Grothe lead the young Bulls to a Big East title. The defense is led by two time All-American, including 2009 pre-season All-America, DE George Selvie. Selvie is the current NCAA leader in TFL and Sacks. Leavitt got the #25 recruiting class, led by JUCO DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who is a 5-star who could see some playing time opposite Selvie as part of a D-line rotation. Grothe will have to make some moves in the pocket as USF loses 4 of 5 offensive linemen and could struggle upfront. The trio of Grothe, RB Mike Ford, and WR Jesse Hester along with Selvie on defense have USF as #1 in the Big East. Jim Leavitt wanted to challenge his young team this season by scheduling Florida State in Tallahassee and having a very good, young Miami team come to Tampa. Should be really fun to watch.

2. Pitt - The 2009 Panthers return 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense. Unfortunately two of those lost starters was All-Big East performers RB LeSean McCoy and LB Scott McKillop. Pitt will be looking find a playmaker to replace Shady and the answer may be 6'5 sophomore WR Jonathan Baldwin who showed flashes of brilliance last season. Defensively the bread and butter will continue to be the D-line, led by All-Big East DE Greg Romeus. Pitt's 31st ranked recruiting class may produce the replacement to McKillop in LB Dan Mason. Like I said, Pitt's strength will definitely be their D-line who will have not only Romeus back, but opposite DE Jabaal Sheard as well as DT Mick Williams who I feel is poised for a breakout season. Pitt was able to win a 4-OT thriller @ Notre Dame last season and this year they welcome the Irish into Heinz Field. However, Pitt's toughest will not be Notre Dame, but rather in Raleigh against NC State.

3. West Virginia - The Mountaineers return 5 offensive starters but one man they may not be able to replace is the do-it-all QB Pat White. Jarrett Brown has gotten some playing time in the past but has shown he wasn't ready to handle the big stage. WVU should be able to ride speedy RB Noel Devine but will need Brown to step up eventually and use some of the good wide-outs like Jock Sanders and Wes Lyons. Defensively WVU returns 8 players led by DE Scooter Berry who was All-Big East a year ago. 2nd year head coach Bill Stewart lured some very nice recruits to Morgantown with the 22nd best recruiting class led by very fast WR Logan Heastie who could be a threat to break a big play whenever he touches the ball. Though WVU returns their RB, FB, and top 3 WRs they lose 4/5 of their O-line and may struggle to gel early. The Mountaineers lost last season in Boulder and should be hungry for payback this season when they host Colorado.

4. Rutgers - Greg Schiano is a very hot coach right now but he continues to show his loyalty to Rutgers. This season he returns 8 starters on O and 6 on D. Losing your QB and top 2 WRs will be difficult to replace but whoever does fill those shoes will be well protected by All-Big East OT Anthony Davis. All-Big East LB Ryan D'Imperio leads the Scarlet Knight defense that will need to improve if Rutgers wants to contend. #29 recruiting class is headlined by RB Aaron Hayward who could step in and help bolster an offense that will undoubtedly struggle to replace a majority of their production. In addition to Anthony Davis, the rest of the Rutgers O-line comes back intact which will be huge for a first time starting QB. Rutgers will have an early season matchup in College Park vs the Terps of Maryland.

5. UConn - The Huskies will need to replace their QB as well as Big East Offensive Player of the Year RB Donald Brown who led the nation in rushing. With only 5 returning offensive starters it may be tough but 2007 All-Big East selection RB Andre Brown seems to be up for the task. UConn also loses a lot on defense only bringing back 6 players led by DB Robert Vaughn, who is one of very few seniors returning. The #76 recruiting class isn't very impressive but OG Steve Greene may come in to help on the O-line. The Huskies will need to replace 3/4 of their defensive line but have 3 sophomore linebackers who will return as juniors. Despite playing in South Bend this season, UConn's toughest game will be earlier in the season vs rising North Carolina.

6. Cincinnati - The defending Big East champs had one of the most explosive offenses in America last season and with 9 returning starters things shouldn't change. WR Mardy Gilyard is a stud and makes big plays. So why the #6 ranking? The Bearcats lose 10 starters on defense. The sole returning starter is DB Aaron Webster who will need to provide some kind of leadership for Cincy to compete. In addition to Gilyard, USC transfer Vidal Hazelton has appealed to the NCAA to not sit out a year and if eligible would make Cincinnati's receiving corps one of the best in the nation. However losing your entire front 7 and 10/11 starters on defense will be too much to overcome, especially early with a trip out to Corvallis to take on Oregon State,

7. Louisville - The Cardinals have been placed into mediocrity of late and things don't look to change this season. Though 14 starters return (8 offense, 6 defense), not a lot of playmakers on either side of the ball make things look too promising. The offense should be paced by RB Victor Anderson while LB Brandon Heath is a solid anchor on the D. The #64 recruiting class may bring some help upfront with JUCO DT Peni Fiu'angaihetau. The offense may improve with the QB, RB, and top 2 WRs coming back but not enough to make Louisville a bowl team. An early trip to Utah should bring Louisville fans down to Earth and let them know it's going to be a long season.

8. Syracuse - The Least of the East again for what seems like the 100th straight season, Syracuse will be the bottom dwellers of the Big East (again). The young Orange do return 19 starters (9 offense, 10 defense) but unfortunately the team remains very young and getting beat every week doesn't normally help players grow. RB Delone Carter should be the star on offense and DB Nico Scott can make plays in the defensive secondary. A horrendous 102nd ranked recruiting class doesn't bring much hope although WR Alec Lemon may fill in the vacant spot next to sophomore Mike Williams, who is starting this year after serving a season-long suspension last year. Thing will get ugly early when the Orange travel to State College and get slaughtered (again) by Penn State.