2008 Big East Predictions
Written July 15, 2008 by Jason Lowry
To get your ready for the upcoming season, professional handicapper Jason Lowry is ready to bring you his 2008 Big East Conference football predictions. The Big East is easily one of the most competitive leagues top to bottom in the country, as 8 teams battle for a chance to be the champion. Last year 5 teams went to a bowl game, and with almost every team bringing back plenty of talented starters there is a chance that they can send 7 teams to a bowl game this season. While that might not be that likely it just shows you how tough this conference is 1-7. So with that said here is our take on how we see the 2008 season playing out.
1) South Florida Bulls
We are taking the Bulls to take over the Big East this season, as they bring back 17 starters this season. The Bulls only real question comes at the running back spot, but we don’t think that will be enough to keep them out of first.
2) West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers should have another high flying offense this season, with 8 starters coming back on that side of the ball, but the reason we got this team falling to 2nd is that they only bring back 4 starters on the other side of the ball.
3) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
We think that after a disappointing season last year, after surprising everyone back in 2006, that the Scarlet Knights are going to be back near the top of this conference again. They bring back 15 starters, but have a tough schedule playing South Florida and West Virginia on the road.
4) Pittsburgh Panthers
After a down year for the Panthers we got them jumping back up to the top of the Big East. The Panthers should have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball including a young star at running back in LeSean McCoy. Look for the Panthers to go bowling for the first time since 2004.
5) Connecticut Huskies
Its hard picking a team that finished 9-4 last season and 5-2 in the conference at No. 5 with 17 returning startes, but we just think that this conference is so packed in the middle that its hard telling where anyone will finish 3-7. We wouldn’t be surprised if the Huskies finish better than what we have them.
6) Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats are another team that was a slight surprise going 10-3 overall, but all 3 of their losses came in conference play. With only 12 returning starters and a new face at quarterback, we think that this team is going to drop sightly in the Big East. Keep in mind that we do think the Bearcats will be going to a bowl game for a 3rd straight season.
7) Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals lose star quarterback Brian Brohm and are hoping that senior Hunter Cantwell can step in and keep the offense from missing a beat. The reason we got this team this low is that they only return 9 starters this season, the least in the conference.
Syracuse Orange
The Orange have been near the bottom of the Big East the last 3 seasons, and we think they stay at the bottom in 2008. The Orange do bring back 14 starters this season, and while the offense is young with only 2 seniors expected to start, the defense has 6 seniors, so it might be a year before this team climbs out of the cellar.
So there you have it our 2008 look at the Big East Conference, if you want a good place to do all your Big East betting head over to Sportsbook.com and get an account started today. Also feel free to leave any comments in our comment box.
