2010 Big East Football Predictions
Below, I have made my predictions on how I see the Big East Conference shaping up in 2010. If you are also interested in seeing how I have all the other conferences playing out, be sure to check out my 2010 college football predictions preview. If you’re going to bet on college football this season, you might as well bet your college football picks at BetUS, where our readers can get $500 in free bonus cash!
1. Pittsburgh Panthers – The Panthers were left with a very sour taste in their mouth when they lost their last two Big East games by a total of 4 points to West Virginia and Cincinnati. It was still a hugely successful season. In fact, it was Pitt’s best season in nearly three decades, but thoughts of what could have been will fuel this team to an outright league title in 2010. Running back Dion Lewis, who rushed for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns in his freshman season, leads the offense, and defensive end Greg Romeus, who tallied 11.5 tackles for loss, leads the defense. Pittsburgh is listed at +4000 to win the BCS title.
2. Connecticut Huskies – If there is one school that might be able to give Pitt a run for its money, it’s UConn. The Huskies finished 8-5 last season and all five of their losses came by four points or less. UConn will be very competitive once again. So with a little luck, the Huskies could be right in the thick of things. Plus, they get Pitt at home this season. Offensively, the Huskies should remain one of the best in the league. They scored 31.2 points per game in 2009. Defensively, UConn could be even better with a lot of talent and experience coming back. Connecticut is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers – The Mountaineers return a lot of talent on both sides of the football, including star running back Noel Devine. Devine rushed for 1,465 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, but he may have to work harder to match those numbers now that QB Jarrett Brown is gone. Brown kept opposing defenses a little more honest. Teams won’t respect WVU’s new signal caller the same way. WVU will boast one of the best defenses in the league, but it gets a tough break from the schedule makers by having to play at UConn and Pitt. West Virginia is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.
4. Rutgers Scarlet Knights – Rutgers finished 9-4 last season while making its fifth straight bowl appearance. Head coach Greg Schiano wants more though, and so do the Scarlet Knight fans. When I say more, I mean the school’s first Big East title. The defense is elite, bringing back six starters from a unit that led the league in both scoring and total defense. Whether Rutgers can win the Big East this year will depend on the offense, and more specifically, the offensive line. Rutgers is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats – Cincy’s reign at the top of the Big East will likely come to an end this year. I really like QB Zach Collaros, and new head coach Butch Jones should know how to use him. After all, Collaros can do a lot of the same things that Dan LeFevour did at Central Michigan. The thing to note about each of the four teams I have ahead of Cincy is that they are much more solid defensively. Plus, it is going to be tough to navigate a schedule that finishes as follows: at WVU, Rutgers, at UConn, Pitt. Cincy could surprise if the defense surprises though. Cincinnati is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.
6. South Florida Bulls – Defense has been the strength of the Bulls, but it figures to take a big hit in 2010 with just 4 starters returning. The unit will especially miss defensive ends George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul, who were both taken in the NFL Draft. Led by QB B.J. Daniels, the offense has the potential to improve on the 26.5 points per game it averaged last season. Unfortunately, I don’t think it will be able to improve enough to make up for all that was lost on the defensive side of the football. I really like the hire of Skip Holtz. I’m confident he’ll win a lot of football games at South Florida, but it’s going to take a couple years before he gets the Bulls back in title contention. South Florida is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.
7. Syracuse Orange – Syracuse is still a bottom-tier BCS school when it comes to football, but its progress under Doug Marrone should be noted. The Orange won 4 games last season, and two of those wins came against schools that won bowl games (Northwestern, Rutgers). It will be difficult for the Orange to exceed last year’s win total, though, when you consider all that has been lost on the offensive side of the football. Syracuse struggled offensively throughout 2009, only scoring 21.2 points per game (99th nationally). The good news is that the defense is showing progress. It returns almost the entire unit that led the Big East in rushing defense, allowing only 101.8 yards per game. Syracuse is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.
8. Louisville Cardinals – It’s sad to see how far Louisville has fallen the last few seasons, but good news should be on the way now that Charlie Strong has been hired. It will take a little time, but I’m confident the former Florida assistant will get this ship sailing in the right direction. Right away I expect him to improve a defense that was among the worst in the league, allowing 371.1 yards per game and 26.3 points per game. Louisville’s offense was horrible last season, but it should improve with the installation of a new spread attack. It just won’t improve enough to help the Cards avoid one of the bottom two spots in the conference. Louisville is listed as part of the field at +5000 to win the BCS title.
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