Big East Preview: West Virginia King of the Mountain
Danny Dabiri |Sep 05,2007
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When heavyweights Miami and Virginia Tech fled the Big East Conference in 2004, the future appeared bleak. A year later, Boston College followed Miami and Virginia Tech to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Pundits questioned whether the Big East Conference champion was even deserving of a spot in the Bowl Championship Series. The 2006 season was a clear indication that the Big East is a conference on the rise. Big East teams compiled a remarkable 32-8 non-conference record, equaling the SEC for the highest winning percentage (.800). The Big East backed up their non-conference success with an impressive 5-0 bowl record last season.
Heading into the 2007 season, the Big East figures to play a pivotal role in determining the national champion and Heisman Trophy winner. In addition, the conference could produce the number one overall pick in next year's NFL Draft. The conference is top heavy with West Virginia, Louisville and Rutgers as potential national title contenders. The University of South Florida enjoyed a breakout campaign a year ago and will look to narrow the gap between the top three. The rest of the conference is in a rebuilding mode and will be fighting for a bowl berth.
Here's how the conference should break down.
1. West Virginia Mountaineers: Led by Heisman candidate running back Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White, the Mountaineers have the firepower to take the conference crown and contend for a national championship. Head coach Rich Rodriguez and company have a favorable schedule leading up to their visit to Rutgers. If they can escape Piscataway with a victory, they will have an opportunity to avenge last season's loss to Louisville. The game will be played in Morgantown and should determine the conference champion. Expect the Mountaineers to ride the home crowd to victory and finish the regular season undefeated.
2. Louisville Cardinals: Brian Brohm is the best quarterback in the country. New head coach Steve Kragthorpe takes over a very talented squad, particularly on offense. The Cardinals look to return to a BCS game for the second consecutive season. That goal will hinge on their visit to Morgantown.
3. Rutgers Scarlet Knights: The Rutgers program emerged onto the national scene last season with their upset victory over undefeated Louisville. Head coach Greg Schiano turned down the Miami job to continue building the Scarlet Knights into a national power. Heisman candidate running back Ray Rice leads the offense again this season. Rutgers should win ten games but are not ready to overtake conference powers West Virginia and Louisville.
4. South Florida Bulls: The program has earned a bowl berth each of the last two seasons under head coach Jim Leavitt. The Bulls are a popular dark horse in the Big East this year. Led by sophomore quarterback Matt Grothe, South Florida is a team on the rise. The Bulls will beat up on weaker conference opponents but are probably a year or two away from seriously challenging for a conference title.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats: Incoming transfer quarterback Ben Mauk should take over the starting job from incumbent starter Dustin Grutza. New head coach Brian Kelly inherits an experienced defense, good enough to earn a bowl bid.
6. Pittsburgh Panthers: The program has yet to meet expectations under head coach Dave Wannstedt. Despite his NFL accolades, Wannstedt has struggled to build a winner. The departure of starting quarterback Tyler Palko spells trouble for Wannstedt's future at his alma mater. A bowl bid may be the only way to save his job.
7. Syracuse Orange: Head coach Greg Robinson is definitely on the hot seat. He has yet to have a winning season. The Orange will be breaking in a new quarterback which is not a good sign for Robinson's employment status.
8. Connecticut Huskies: Head coach Randy Edsall will have a tough time getting the Huskies back to a bowl game for the first time since 2004. Despite a laughable non-conference schedule, it is unlikely the Huskies will earn a bowl berth.
When all is said and done, the Big East will earn five bowl bids this season. West Virginia will finish undefeated and play for the national championship. Brian Brohm, Steve Slaton and Ray Rice will all be invited to New York for the presentation of the Heisman Trophy. The Big East will establish itself as one of the premier conferences in the country.
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