2011 Big East Football Predictions


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The Big East title came right down to the wire in 2010, as  Connecticut, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh each finished tied for the best conference record at 5-2. With wins over both the Mountaineers and Panthers, Connecticut won the tie-breaker and represented the Big East in a BCS Bowl. The Huskies would go on to lose 20-48 against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. This year Connecticut doesn’t figure to be in the title hunt after losing head coach Randy Edsall, but Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and South Florida all appear to have a legit shot at winning this conference. Here is quick look at how I see the Big East playing out this season.

1. Pittsburgh Panthers -Even though the Panthers will be in their first season under head coach Todd Graham, I will call for them to rise to the top in the Big East. The Panthers have what appears to be the best defense in the conference with eight starters back from a unit that allowed just 19 ppg. They also bring back starting quarterback Tino Sunseri, who I think is going to make some significant improvements in his second full season as a starter. Pittsburgh does lose running back Dion Lewis, but junior Ray Graham had 922 yards and eight touchdowns in a backup role in 2010. Pitt gets both USF and Cincinnati at home, but does have to go on the road to take on West Virginia.

2. Cincinnati Bearcats – I think the Bearcats are a dangerous team heading into 2011. They really disappointed in 2010 with a 2-5 conference record, but should show bounce back in the second year under Butch Jones. Cincinnati has just five starters back on offense, but return one of the top quarterbacks in the Big East in Zach Collaros and a 1,000 yard rusher in Isaiah Pead. Defensively the Bearcats have 10 starters back, and I will call for them to make huge strides on this side of the ball. For Cincinnati to win the Big East they will likely have to win one of their two road games against USF and Pittsburgh and beat West Virginia at home.

3. West Virginia Mountaineers – The Mountaineers two conference losses came by a combined eight points, but one of those losses was at home against Syracuse. Junior starting quarterback Geno Smith is the real deal, and with the offense planning on throwing the ball more in 2011, the loss of running back Noel Divine won’t be as big as some might initially think. The concern I have with West Virginia is they have just four starters back on the defensive side of the ball. While they have some very talented players ready to step in, I can’t see them matching their 13.5 ppg that they allowed  in 2010.

4. South Florida Bulls - The Bulls are an interesting team heading into 2011. They went just 3-4 in conference play last year and have just 11 starters back, but were in their first year under head coach Skip Holtz. I really think Holtz is going to turn this program around sooner rather than later, but I think they are still a year away from seriously competing for the Big East Title. If they can upset Pittsburgh on the road to open conference play, they could end up winning it all this year, as they get both Cincinnati and West Virginia at home.

5. Louisville Cardinals -You have to be impressed with what head coach Charlie Strong did in his first season at Louisville. The Cardinals finished 7-6 with just 12 starters back after going just 4-8 in 2009. Strong will have to be even better in his second season if the Cardinals are going to compete in the Big East, as they bring back just 10 starters. Only three of those starters are back on the offensive side of the ball. They have to find a new starting quarterback, and must replace leading rusher Bilal Powell (1,405 yards).   Louisville also has a difficult schedule with USF, Cincinnati, and West Virginia all on the road.

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights -The Knights opened conference play with a surprising win over Connecticut at home, but that was the only conference win they would get all season. This year they bring back 14 starters, but just five return to a defense that went from giving up 17.9 ppg in 2009 to 26.5 in 2010. The lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball will keep this team from challenging for the conference title, but I think they pickup a couple more wins and finish safely in the middle of the pack.

7. Connecticut Huskies - I was shocked when the Huskies won the Big East last year. Rarely will a team that is outgained by an average of 86.1 ypg when a conference title, but that is exactly what Connecticut did last year. A lot of that credit goes to head coach Randy Edsall, who got the absolute best out of what he had on his team. With Edsall leaving town to coach at Maryland, I will call for a major drop off in 2011. Connecticut does have 16 starters back, but I don’t think new head coach Paul Pasqualoni will come close to getting what Edsall got out of these players. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t end up finishing last in the conference. They luck out with home games against Louisville, Rutgers, and Syracuse, but those are the only three conference games I think they even have a shot at winning this year.

8. Syracuse Orange – I had a difficult time picking the Orange to finish in the bottom of the Big East after their impressive turnaround in 2010. After winning just four games in 2009, Doug Marrone led Syracuse to an 8-5 season, including a 36-34 win over Kansas State in the Pinstripe Bowl. It was the first bowl game for Syracuse since 2004. The Orange bring back eight starters on the offensive side of the ball, but have just five starters back on defense. They lose their top two tacklers in Derrell Smith (114) and Doug Hogue (95), which I believe will lead to a major drop off defensively. Even though I have the Orange slated to finish last, this is no longer a team that opposing teams look forward to playing.

Big East Football Predictions by Team
Cincinnati Football Predictions Connecticut Football Predictions
Louisville Football Predictions Pittsburgh Football Predictions
Rutgers Football Predictions South Florida Football Predictions
Syracuse Football Predictions West Virginia Football Predictions

 

College Football Predictions
ACC Football Predictions Big 12 Football Predictions
Conference USA Football Predictions Independents Football Predictions
PAC 12 Football Predictions SEC Football Predictions
Big East Football Predictions Big Ten Football Predictions
MAC Football Predictions Mountain West Football Predictions
Sun Belt Football Predictions WAC Football Predictions

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Comments

2 Responses to “2011 Big East Football Predictions”

  1. Evan I on June 28th, 2011 11:04 PM

    Syracuse to finish last? Behind Rutgers and UConn? Are you kidding me? You, my friend, have not done your research. Your credibility is completely lost.

  2. Robert P on August 18th, 2011 10:20 AM

    Rutgers ahead of UCONN and ‘Cuse? lol…

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