After a season of serious flux, the Big East is reconstituted as a league based on the East Coast, but stretching into the Midwest and Deep South. It is rather ungainly, but no more so than the New England is part of the Mid-Atlantic farce that the ACC features. The new Big East, without Miami and Virginia Tech, managed to keep its BCS bid just in time for the incoming Louisville Cardinals. Louisville finished #6 in the nation, but as the champion of the C-USA they ended up playing in the Liberty Bowl against Boise State. The Cardinals are overwhelming favorites this year, but don’t count out Pittsburg or West Virginia making a run at the top.
1. Louisville Cardinals
Offense
In 2004 the Cardinals featured a PlayStation offense that racked up just a tick under 50 points per game (49.75) and featured the nation’s most efficient passer in QB Stefan LaFors. LeFors is gone now, along with running back Eric Shelton and all-league receiver JR Russell.
And they just might be better this year. Sophomore Brian Brohm takes over for LaFors, something he nearly did last year. The most heralded recruit in L’Ville history, Brohm played extensively (and well) as a true freshman. Shelton’s replacement is do-everything Michael Bush. Bush was recruited as a QB, and can play at wideout, TE or anywhere in the backfield. Brohm’s main targets will be the big and physical Montrell Jones and the even bigger Joshua Tinch. Four of five starters on the offensive line return. This team will be dangerous, especially against some truly awful Big East defenses.
Defense
The defense might be dangerous to both itself and others. The Cardinals haven’t been known for their defenses, but last year was a nice turnaround. Louisville pitched two shutouts and gave up under 20 points per game. This year might be different, as coordinator Mike Cassity has to replace six starters, including ¾ of the defensive backfield. Brohm and Co. might have to outscore people.
Overview
Coach Bobby Petrino is 20-5 since taking over for John L. Smith two years ago. Now, the Cardinals have a legitimate shot at both the BCS and contention for the National Championship. The offense is downright frightening, and the defense should mature into an adequate unit.
2. Pitt Panthers
Offense
New Coach Dave Wannstedt wasted no time in removing Walt Harris’ West Coast offense, and installing a pro-style, power-running attack. That may be a questionable decision in the short run, as QB Tyler Palko was excellent down the stretch last year, and the returning starter at RB, senior Raymond Kirkley doesn’t strike fear into anyone. The receiving corps is also pretty special, led by stud junior Greg Lee. Three starters on the line return, but that may change as Wannestedt and coordinator Matt Cavanaugh switch to a bigger, more physical line.
Defense
Major changes abound here too, as Wannestedt installs the speed-based system that he was so successful as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator back in the 1990s. The Panthers have some talent that already fit the bill, such as linebacker HB Blades and corners Josh Lay and Darrelle Revis. Look for a lot of movement at the other positions as Wannestedt tries to get his best athletes on the field.
Overview
A highly respected defensive coordinator in the NFL, a moderate failure as a head coach in the NFL, now trying his luck at an urban university with a proud football tradition. Is that Wannestedt or Pete Carroll at USC? After the tenure of Walt Harris, which was successful despite the feeling that neither party really liked the other, this hire (of a Pitt alum no less) makes a lot of sense. Harris recruited well, and the talent gap between Pitt and Louisville is much slimmer than most realize.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers
Offense
Rich Rodriguez’s unorthodox-but-effective run-based spread offense will be lead by someone other than Rasheed Marshall for the first time in his tenure. Sophomore Adam Bednarik, freshman Pat White and perhaps former Pittsburgh Pirate Minor League Player of the Year JR House are the main contenders to take over. Star receiver Chris Henry will have to be replaced as well. The most productive returnee at wideout is Brandon Myles with… ummm…six catches. Tailback Jason Colson returns after gaining 700 yards as a part-timer, but he will be pushed by freshman Jason Gwaltney.
There is much work to be done here.
Defense
Despite the exit of NFL 1st round pick Adam “Pacman” Jones, the secondary will continue to be the best unit from WVU’s 3-3-5 stack defense. It will also be the only unit with much returning this season. The lineman and linebackers were weakened by graduation. The Mountaineers haven’t been a particularly aggressive defense the last few years, and that probably won’t change this season.
Overview
This could be a long year for West Virginia. Last year was their window, and now they’ve lost each of their three best players. Rodriguez has recruited well –witness Gwaltney and QB Nate Sowers- but they will be very young in 2005.
4. Connecticut Huskies
Offense
Life after Dan Orlovsky begins this season. The record-setting UConn QB is gone, leaving junior Matt Bonislawski and freshman DJ Hernandez to take his place. While the Huskies don’t have much returning at QB, they do have an embarrassment of riches at running back. Last year’s starter Cornell Brockington will compete with 2003 star Terry Caulley. Both have rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season. The line will flip-flop this season, but three starters return.
Defense
The Huskies build their 4-3 on speed, not size. All four starters from the line return, none over 284 pounds. They do lose 2 ultra-productive linebackers in Alfred Fincher and Maurice Lloyd, but James Hargrave is a talented returnee. The defensive backfield will be young, but more athletic than recent teams.
Overview
The Huskies did alright their first season in the Big East. The only retuning league team that won a bowl game in 2004 should contend for another. They lost a lot in the passing game, but coach Randy Edsell has recruited well, and this young program is still going forward.
5. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Offense
If Ryan Hart can cut down his interceptions –a very big “if”, considering he’s thrown 38 the past two years combined- this offense could be the Big East’s second best after Louisville.
Consider that for a moment: Rutgers could be good a something on a football field that doesn’t involve being run-over. Hart is now a senior, and barring injury he should finish his career with every Rutgers passing record. Brian Leonard is a nifty run/catch dual-threat fullback that most coaches in the nation would love to have. Receiver Tres Moses led the Big East in receptions last year with 81, and Shawn Tucker, the team’s best wideout in 2003, returns after missing 2004 with an injury. Add in two all-league candidates on the line (tackle Jeremy Zittah and guard John Glass), and you have a talented bunch.
Defense
They better be good at scoring points, because the defense is…well, last year the Scarlet Knights were spectacularly awful, giving up over 30 points per game and ranking a lovely 104th in total defense. Coach Greg Schiano (who must have nightmares about his career choices –he’s a Jersey native who, had he waited a week or two, would have been named Miami’s head coach over Larry Coker when Butch Davis left), takes over the defensive coordinator duties in an attempt to improve. The cupboard is not entirely bare. End Ryan Neill was an All-Big East performer in 2004, and safety Ron Girault showed enough to start as a true freshman.
Overview
You can make a case for Rutgers as the most difficult job in major college football. Despite being in an excellent recruiting area, this program is so historically awful that winning video game championships has been deemed worthy of inclusion on professional resumes. Schiano may need to update his resume as well; though the case can be made that Rutgers won’t find anyone better. Schiano has poured his heart and soul into this program. If this team can avoid collapses like losing to New Hampshire (New Hampshire!) after last year’s seeming breakthrough win over Michigan State, the offense might propel this team into a minor bowl. Considering RU has gone 37 years since its last (and only) bowl appearance, that could be Coach-of-the-Year material.
6. Syracuse Orange
Offense
For years Syracuse has had one of the more exotic offenses in America, With the dismissal of Paul Pasqualoni and the hiring of Greg Robinson, the Orange have switched from their multiple-formation, freeze-option offense to a more conventional West Coast scheme. First Robinson will have to find a quarterback, as neither Perry Patterson nor Joe Fields moved the team with any authority. Fields might be the better bet, as he started as a true freshman last year. One position in fine shape is tailback, as senior Damien Rhodes finally gets to be The Man. The offensive line is solid, so look for a run-oriented team to start out.
Defense
Robinson will also serve as his own defensive coordinator, and he has work to do. In 2004 the Orange opened up giving up 51 to Purdue and closed the year giving up –you guessed it- 51 in a Champs Sports Bowl loss to Georgia Tech. Unless Robinson is a miracle worker (and judging from his NFL past, he’s not), the Orange just don’t have the talent to stop people with much regularity.
Overview
After being on the hot seat seemingly from the Nixon administration on, Paul Pasqualoni was finally fired. Robinson, though a little older than most first-time head coaches, brings a freshness and enthusiasm to a program that had grown decidedly stale.
7. South Florida
Offense
Pat Julmiste, the starter at quarterback the past two seasons, might lose his job to Auburn transfer Courtney Denson. Denson was actually switched to corner as a Tiger, but left to play QB for the Bulls. Whoever wins the job will primarily hand off to senior tailback Andre Hall, who fulfilled all expectations after coming in as a juco transfer, rushing for over 1,300 yards. The Bulls return 3 of their 4 starting wideouts from their spread offense, but lose three starters on the line.
Defense
The defense returns eight starters, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing. The Bulls were beat up in 2004, giving up just a tick under 400 yards per game. South Florida’s biggest problem was a lack of big plays, as they only generated 11 turnovers. Coach Jim Leavitt will be counting on experience improving his defense’s performance. The Bulls were young last season.
Overview
Last season was South Florida’s first under .500 as a D-I program. It could happen again, as they move up from C-USA to the Big East. This team could surprise though, as Leavitt recruits as well as anyone in the conference. While this team has hit a bump, the program is still on the right track.
They still lose points for not knowing geography. Tampa is not South Florida.
8.Cincinnati Bearcats
Offense
Who knows? The Bearcats lose a 4-year starter at QB in Gino Guidugli, a 1,000-yard rusher in Richard Hall, both starting wideouts and 4 starters on the offensive line.
Other than that, Cincinnati is fine.
Defense
Yikes! Cincy loses eight more starters on this side of the ball. The strength of this D, if you can call it that, will be on the line, as end Anthony Hoke returns after an effective freshman year. The linebackers are decimated enough to force Coach Mark Dantonio to move –and install as a starter- fullback Jon Carpenter to an outside ‘backer spot.
Overview
It could be a rough initial season in the Big East. In his first season, Dantonio rode a senior-laden team to a bowl victory. Now the team must be completely overhauled. Cincy lost 16 starters and could list two-dozen freshmen on the depth chart. First point of order is finding a replacement for Guidugli. First up is Dustin Grutza.