5 Burning Questions: Big East Edition

1)   Can the conference really be that bad? Not one Big East team made the coaches top 25. Not one? Really? The Mountain West had three ranked teams. Does anyone really believe that if there was an ACC/ Big Ten Challenge-like competition in football between the two conferences that the Big East would come out on the losing end? Rutgers, West Virginia, South Florida, Pitt, and Cincinnati should all finish with eight or more wins. One would think that the disrespect would light a fire under some of these squads.

2)   Why is no one buying into South Florida? Matt Grothe’s back under center. Mike Ford returns in the backfield with Moise Plancher providing a nice change of pace. George Selvie’s put on weight and should be more experienced at handling double teams. This is an experienced and talented team with quite possibly the most underrated coach in the game at the helm. The Bulls have to answer some questions along the offensive line and in the linebacking corps, but the rest of the team looks solid. A change to a more consistent spread offense should help limit Grothe’s turnovers as well. Bold prediction: USF beats both Miami and Florida State this year.

3)   How many of the league’s coaches won’t survive the season? We only see one coach receiving their walking papers at the end of the year. Pitt should win 8 or 9 games which is just enough to save Wannstedt’s job. People often forget that Bill Stewart still won 10 games at WVU last year. He should be fine after another 9 or 10 win campaign. Steve Kragthorpe, however, is a dead man walking. Petrino would have won 10 games with the team that Krags garnered 6 W’s with in 2007. Last year the team underachieved as well. It doesn’t help that Harry Douglas was a solid contributor with the Falcons last year and Hunter Cantwell looks good so far in camp. When players don’t excel for a college coach, but do at the next level, there’s an issue with player development.

4)   Is this the year that Pittsburgh doesn’t underachieve? It depends on your definition of underachieve. We have a hard time seeing them win the league even though they’re the most talented team in the conference. The Panthers are stout on both lines of scrimmage, but must replace their top rusher and receiver, along with defensive MVP Scott McKillop. Senior QB Bill Stull isn’t striking fear into the hearts of opposing DB’s anytime soon after his 9 touchdown 10 interception campaign in 2008. Pitt should be able to pound the rock behind their experienced line and the defense should be among the stingiest in the nation.

5)   How much will Syracuse improve in year one of the Doug Marrone era? Quite a bit but the record may not reflect it. We’ve got a hunch that Paulus will work out at QB, but the Orange aren't ducking anyone with the only easy games being against FCS Maine and at home against Akron. Rob Spence will probably scheme them to a win or two in conference against a more talented team, but opening the season 1-5 heading into their bye week looks like more than a distinct possibility.