NCAA Big East

Big East Preview

Next up in college previews is a look at the Big East Conference (www.bigeast.org).

Last year, I suppose you could say parity prevailed with six of the eight conference teams’ final win-loss record finishing between 7-6 and 9-4. There was a three way log jam at the top with Connecticut, West Virginia and Pittsburgh finishing the conference slate at 5-2. UConn, by virtue of wins over both West Virginia and Pitt received the conference’s BCS bid. The Huskies were trounced 48-20 by Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. This season, the Huskies have to travel to both West Virginia and Pitt so the road to a repeat conference title may be bumpier.

West Virginia is looking to consolidate last season’s 9-3 regular season record. The Mountaineers will again present a tough defensive front for any opponent. After opening with in state rivals Marshall, West Virginia will make the short trip to Maryland to face the improved Terrapins in week three before hosting Top 5 squad LSU at home the following week.  The Mountaineers should battle their way through the conference season, getting bot UConn and Pit at their home stadium. Trips to Syracuse and South Florida could be stumbling blocks on the way to an outright Big East title and BCS berth.

Pittsburgh will be pressed to equal last season’s 8-5 mark. The Panthers face tough road games at Iowa and West Virginia in addition to hosting Notre Dame, Utah, South Florida and Syracuse. The Panthers should play in the post season but not as conference champs.

In Syracuse, the Orangemen will be out to improve on last season’s 8-5 record. A cross country trip to USC on September 17 will be a major test but will put the team on the national stage. In conference, the Orangemen host West Virginia in October and end the season with a trip to Pitt. If West Virginia slips, Syracuse could snatch the conference title and BCS berth.

The South Florida Bulls start the season at Notre Dame and will go in looking to shock the Irish. To improve in the conference, the Bulls will have to beat one of the top four (UConn, W VA, Pitt or Syracuse).

As for the Big East Champions, I will go with West Virginia and warn others, don’t take South Florida lightly.