Considered the worst of the BCS conferences, the Big East is routinely home to one of the most exciting conference races in all of college football. Last year Connecticut won a 3-way tie, and this year it could be another close race. Look below for our picks for the 2011 season.
- 1. West Virginia (6-1): The excitement in Morgantown is growing as new OC Dana Holgorsen brings his high-powered offense to West Virginia and QB Geno Smith. Smith will have plenty of speedy WR’s to spread the ball around to, but losing RB Noel Devine will take its toll. The WVU defense, led this year by DE Bruce Irvin, is always among the best in the conference. Though the D returns just four starters, we expect it to be good enough to allow Smith and company to put the Mountaineers back into a BCS bowl game. One thing is for sure, the season’s final two games (Pitt and at USF) will decide the conference.
- 2. Pitt (5-2): No Dion Lewis, no problem for the Panthers. RB Ray Graham is ready and able to step into the void left by Lewis. Tino Sunseri is an underrated quarterback, and Mike Shanahan is a budding star at WR. Much like WVU though, Pitt’s real strength is on defense. Eight starters are back from a solid unit, led by LB Max Gruder, one of the best players in the conference. It’s tough to predict the impact new coach Todd Graham will have, but the Panthers will be right in the thick of the Big East race once again. (more…)
