Big East – 2009 Football Betting Preview

2009 Big East Football Betting Preview

The Big East had a tough ’08, as the Mountain West success gave rise to the question who deserves an automatic BCS Bowl berth more? The Big East or Mountain West? To us it is shocking to see how short the media’s memories are. The Big East won 3 straight BCS Bowls from ’05-’07, with victories over the SEC, ACC and Big XII champions. With that said, the Big East regrouped in the postseason, posting a solid 3-3 record, but they had their BCS Bowl winning streak snapped and forced the media to praise the Mountain West instead of denigrating the Big East.

The 2008 season was marked by turmoil. The Big East lead was given away seemingly every week, all the way up to the end of the season. Cincinnati emerged from the fray with a 6-1 conference record to win their first championship since joining the Big East. We admit we wrote them off after the Huskies blew them out in the second game of the conference schedule but they proved us wrong, winning their last 5 conference games, including 3 against ranked teams. Our preseason favorite was South Florida and they disappointed, us losing all 3 conference away games and stumbled their way to a 1-4 finish.

Our other top team from last year was Pittsburgh, who we picked to narrowly lose to South Florida in the standings. Pittsburgh fared much better than South Florida and their late November loss at Cincinnati was a defacto conference title game. The Panthers are the only Big East team that year end and year out recruits top 25 classes and should continue to be a force for years to come. But don’t forget, this IS the Big East, which has had 4 different champions in the past 5 seasons, so expect another crazy year that will surprise even the most knowledgeable Big East fans.

OUR 2009 BIG EAST STANDINGS PREDICTIONS

1. Pittsburgh Panthers
2. West Virginia Mountaineers
3. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
4. South Florida Bulls
5. Cincinnati Bearcats
6. Syracuse Orange
7. Connecticut Huskies
8. Louisville Cardinals

Pittsburgh Panthers

Year 3 of the Dave Wannstedt era went well and ended up with a Sun Bowl trip. The Panthers hung around and battled for a Big East championship and that will be the same goal this season. There are some huge losses on offense and defense, but Pittsburgh is building their talent now that Wannstedt has had a few years to recruit.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 6-1)

Pittsburgh 2009 Season Preview – Pittsburgh 2009 Season Schedule

West Virginia Mountaineers

Fans were skeptical of the Coach Bill Stewart hiring following the ’07 season, but he managed to do a good job in ’08 and things are looking up for the future Mountaineers. WV should be contenders for the Big East title every year, so last season was certainly disappointing, but it could happen this year if they can replace Pat White.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 5-2)

West Virginia 2009 Season Preview – West Virginia 2009 Season Schedule

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Any time the Scarlet Knights go to a bowl game, it cannot be a disappointing season. Rutgers finished conference play 5-2 and were in contention for a BCS berth. That is success by Rutgers standards, even if those standards are further away from the standards they had years ago before Coach Greg Schiano took over the Scarlet Knights. They will have ups and downs, but they will be Big East competitive as long as the coach is there.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 5-2)

Rutgers 2009 Season Preview – Rutgers 2009 Season Schedule

South Florida Bulls

The Bulls have gone to 4 straight bowl games and Jim Leavitt hopes to make it 5 this season. South Florida might not have the firepower to win the Big East in ’09, but they should be in the mix and go to a 5th straight bowl game thanks to DE George Selvie.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 4-3)

South Florida 2009 Season Preview – South Florida 2009 Season Schedule

Cincinnati Bearcats

The Cincinnati Bearcats took advantage of a weak Big East and ended up in a BCS game. However, Cincinnati won some tough games, in West Virginia and Louisville. If a squad in the Big East can come up with W’s against the Mountaineers and the Cardinals on the road, they have earned a Big East title. Coach Brian Kelly is heading into his 3rd season and the good times should continue.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 3-4)

Cincinnati 2009 Season Preview – Cincinnati 2009 Season Schedule

Syracuse Orange

Four dismal years were enough for Syracuse, and Coach Greg Robinson was fired. Following a 3-9 season and ranking at the bottom of every major category in the Big East, it was time for a change. The Orange hired Coach Doug Marrone and he will have his hands full to get this program on track. Syracuse returns 7 starters on offense and defense, so he has some experience to work with, but the Orange will be expected to finish at the bottom of the pack in the Big East again this season.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 2-5)

Syracuse 2009 Season Preview – Syracuse 2009 Season Schedule

UConn Huskies

You may have not noticed, but the Huskies have turned into a successful Big East team . 2 straight bowl games is a huge accomplishment and Coach Randy Edsall is still making the most of the talent that he can recruit to Uconn. The Huskies have some big shoes to fill, like RB Donald Brown and QB Tyler Lorenzen, but another bowl trip is possible.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 2-5)

UConn 2009 Season Preview – UConn 2009 Season Schedule

Louisville Cardinals

The Cardinals headed into ’08 with high expectations. But those expectations did not last long. Louisville ended the season winning just 1 Big East game and have missed going to a bowl game two seasons in a row. That is not good news for Coach Steve Kragthorpe. The ’09 Cardinals better at show some signs of turning around fast or Kragthorpe will be on the hot seat soon.

(Our Predicted 2009 Conference Record: 1-6)

Louisville 2009 Season Preview – Louisville 2009 Season Schedule

Big East – 2009 Football Season Overview

Despite what you might hear from the media talking heads , the Big East is a strong conference and is worthy of an automatic berth in the BCS. While we wish they had another team to prevent the unbalanced schedule that comes along with an 8 team conference, expansion doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon. Be on the lookout for Central Florida and East Carolina whenever the issue does come up again.

As for ’09, there are many teams that could have a legit shot to compete for the Big East title. Rutgers has a favorable schedule and a strong finish to the ’08 year going for them, along with the coaching of one of the league’s best head coach. Cincinnati has the 2x defending Big East Coach of the Year and a strong offense. South Florida has a great “D” and a senior QB to validate their chances. West Virginia has the most dynamic player in the Big East and an imbedded culture of success to guide them on their way to title.

But, all of them fall short to the Pittsburgh Panthers that have a great defense front to back and the most talented roster in the conference. The Panthers have a solid “O” line and 2 good options at QB. The also have the advantage of 4 conference home games and to us that advantage puts them on top of our list. After last year’s breakthrough 9 win season, we are picking Pittsburgh to win their 1st Big East title since ’04.