Posts Tagged ‘Big East Football Predictions’



Big East Football Predictions – 2011 Season


Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

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.

rosters

  • 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…)

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Big East Football Predictions – 2010 Season


Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

rosters

  • 1. Pittsburgh (6-1): Dion Lewis burst onto the scene last season with nearly 1,800 rushing yards. The sophomore is back again this season to lead the offense and give defenses fits. QB Bill Stull is gone, but there are high expectations for sophomore Tino Sunseri. Sunseri will have some huge targets to throw to in Jonathan Baldwin and Mike Shanahan. Baldwin is one of the best receivers in the nation and a physical freak. On defense, two premier DE’s lead a deep line, and LB Max Gruder and S Dom DeCicco will solidify the back seven. The Panthers were at the top of the nation last year in sacks, and with Greg Romeus back to wreak havoc on the edge they should be again. There is a good chance for Pitt to get off to a fast start in conference play, but the final four games will be brutal on the Panthers’ hopes for a Big East Championship; they close @ UConn, @ USF, vs. West Virginia and @ Cincinnati.
  • 2. West Virginia (5-2): The Mountaineers return more than any team in the Big East. If they can get reliable play from the QB position, this may be the year for Bill Stewart’s club to get back on top. Anticipated starter Geno Smith missed the spring but is still expected to start. His main goal will be to get the ball in the hands of electric RB Noel Devine and shifty WR Jock Sanders. With four of five starters back on the line WV’s offense should be very tough to stop, as long as Smith can be at least adequate at the QB position. The 3-3-5 defense should be amongst the best in the conference as well and will keep the Mountaineers in every conference game. Road games at UConn and Pitt will be tough to win, but if they take care of those two and handle business in Morgantown, West Virginia will find themselves in the fight for the Big East until the end.

    • (more…)


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