2011 NCAA Football Conference Previews- The Big East
The 2011 NCAA college football season is still over two months away, but it is not too early to take a look at each of the six major conferences in college football to see which teams have the best chance to end up in this year’s BCS Championship Game. This time around, we will briefly preview all the teams in the Big East along with their current odds to win the conference as provided by BetOnline.com.
West Virginia +175
The Mountaineers are use to being one of the perennial favorites to win the Big East every year, but they will have special motivation this season after back-to-back losses to Syracuse and Connecticut cost them the 2010 title. Leading the charge on offense will be QB Geno Smith, who appears poised for a breakout year if all the right pieces fall into place. One of those pieces is last season’s leading receiver Tavon Austin. Look for him to improve upon last year’s 58 receptions for 787 yards.
South Florida +250
After three straight 8-5 seasons, the Bulls are ready to step things up a notch in 2011. A key to winning this conference will be more consistent play from QB B.J. Daniels. He threw for 1,685 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010, but completed just 58.4 of his passes and threw 13 interceptions. South Florida’s defense should once again be the strength of this team after finishing last season ranked 22nd in the nation in points allowed.
Pittsburgh +500
As another perennial Big East power, the Panthers are also looking to regroup from a less than stellar 2010 campaign. They finished 8-5 overall, but lost to every high-profile team they faced. Todd Graham takes over for the departed Dave Wannstedt as head coach. He brings a high-flying offensive philosophy with him that should benefit QB Tino Sunseri, who really struggled at times last year. The defense returns seven starters including DE Brandon Lindsey, who should flourish in Graham’s 3-4 scheme.
Cincinnati +500
The Bearcats fall from grace in 2010 after the departure of Brian Kelly, who left to take the head coaching job at Notre Dame after a 12-1 season in 2009, was swift and steep resulting in a 4-8 record overall and just two wins in the conference. They should be able to bounce back this season with the return of QB Zach Collaros, RB Isaiah Pead, and WR D.J. Woods. It also does not hurt that second-year Head Coach Butch Jones has 11 starters returning on defense. This unit gave up points in bunches last season, but should be able to benefit from another season of playing together.
Louisville +800
The Cardinals qualified for a bowl last season for the first time since 2006 with an overall record of 7-6 and knocked-off eventual conference champion UConn 26-0. This should work to provide a solid foundation to build off of for this year. The loss of RB Bilal Powell will be hard to replace, but Victor Anderson is healthy and coming off a strong Spring which is an encouraging sight. The defense returns a solid tandem of safeties in Hakeem Smith and Shenard Holton, who combined to lead the team in tackles in 2010.
Syracuse +1200
The Orange are coming off one of their best seasons in years after qualifying for a bowl with an overall record of 8-5. They went 4-3 in the conference including wins over West Virginia and South Florida. The biggest loss from last year’s squad was RB Delone Carter and his 1,233 rushing yards. Syracuse will look to Antwon Bailey, who was second in rushing with 554 yards, to fill the void. More will also be asked of QB Ryan Nassib and the passing game to help balance out the offense. Nassib threw for 2,334 yards and 19 TD’s in 2010. This team also has a number of holes to fill on defense with only four starters returning from last year’s unit.
Rutgers +1200
The Scarlet Knights gave back most of the ground they had gained in the Big East in 2010; regressing to a 4-8 record overall and posting just one win in the conference. The prospects for a return to respectability this season are not that promising unless QB Chas Dodd and WR’s Mark Harrison and Mohamed Sanu can elevate their games to a whole new level. One player to watch is freshman RB Savon Huggins, who comes in as Rutgers most highly touted recruit.
Connecticut +3000
The Huskies predicted fall this year, is just has fast as their dramatic climb to an 8-5 record and Big East title last season. Gone are QB Zach Frazer and RB Jordan Todman as well as Head Coach, Randy Edsall, who left to take the head job at Maryland. Connecticut will look to rebuild around a defense that is returning eight starters including its entire line and secondary. This will hopefully give new Head Coach Paul Pasqualoni a little bit of time to develop some new talent on offense at the skill positions.
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