2011 Big East Conference Preview
To some football analysts (so-called experts), the Big East Conference does not deserve and automatic bid to a BCS Bowl game. Not since Louisville in 2006 has a team from this league won a BCS Bowl and finished in the top 5 in the same season. It has been four seasons since the league champion won a bowl game (West Virginia over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl when they had Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Noel Devine). Cincinnati ran the table in 2009, but they showed they were not up to top tier standards when Florida blew them out 51-24 in the Sugar Bowl.
2011 does not look like the season where a Big East team challenges for a national title. Things should change in 2012 when TCU joins the circuit. For now, this season should be an excellent one for competition in the middle of the standings. Last year, three teams finished tied for first at 5-2, and a fourth finished 4-3. While we believe that one team may win the title going away this year, it isn’t impossible that another logjam at the top of the standings could be in the offing again this season.
Pittsburgh
Todd Graham takes over as head coach after winning at both Rice and Tulsa. In Graham’s five years as a head coach, his teams have averaged more than 37 points per game, 287 passing yards per game, and 475 total yards per game. In the last five years, Pitt has averaged less than 28 points per game, 208 passing yards per game, and 358 total yards per game. To say that Panther fans are hyped is an understatement.
Graham’s first year at Heinz Field may not be as “offensive” as the fans expect, but there is enough talent to grab a piece of the Big East crown, especially since Pitt’s defense is going to be as good or better as last year’s stellar stop unit.
The offense will change from a multiple pro look to more of a spread look similar to that run by Auburn. Piloting the new no-huddle, hurry-up attack is Tino Sunseri. Sunseri completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,572 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, but those numbers will look like beginner’s numbers compared to what he should do this season. He worked hard over the summer and now has better arm strength to go with a little more muscular frame. Expect big things from Sunseri—maybe 3,500 yards passing and 25 touchdowns, as well as the possibility of national recognition.
The Panthers have to replace their leading receiver from last year, but this area is not much of a concern this year. Mike Shanahan finished second with 49 receptions and 589 yards, while sophomore Devin Street proved to be a breakaway threat while grabbing 25 passes. He started four times and played some at H-Back and some at wideout. Hubie Graham will be the H-Back this year now that he is eligible after transferring from Illinois.
The running game will not suffer in the new offense. Graham’s Tulsa teams averaged more than 200 yards rushing per game in his four years there. Even with the loss of Dion Lewis, Pitt is in good shape here with the return of Ray Graham, who gained 922 yards while averaging better than six yards per try. The one big question mark on this side of the ball is the depth at this position.
The Panthers are in good shape in the offensive trenches with seven quality players capable of starting. Chris Jacobson is solid at one guard spot with Jordan Gibbs flanked outside him at tackle. Ryan Turnley will move into the starting spot at center, while Lucas Nix will line up at either right guard or right tackle. Depending on where Nix goes, either guard Corey King or tackle Greg Gaskin will fill out the line.
This offense might have a slight adjustment period getting used to the new offense, but once it gels, Pitt fans will get exactly what they were hoping for. Pitt has averaged 35 points per game exactly one time in its entire history—1977. We think this team is capable of achieving that mark in year one of the Graham regime.
We are even more optimistic on the stop side of the ball. Not only is Pitt talented, all three units have quality depth. This is hands down the best defense in the league, and the only reason Pitt may give up a few more yards and points per game this year is because the new offense will cause an extra 10 plays per game on average, about five more for the defense to be on the field.
The Panthers run a hybrid 3-4 defense that looks a lot like the old Oklahoma 5-2 defense of the 1970’s. Pitt’s second team defensive line may be the second best D-line in the conference. The first team line is composed of ends Aaron Donald and Chas Alecxih and nose tackle Myles Caragein. Alecxih produced nine tackles for loss including 7 ½ sacks. Donald played sparingly as a true freshman and proved to be a very capable pass rusher. Caragein plugged the middle, allowing the inside linebackers to roam freely.
The four-man linebacker crew is without a doubt the best in the league. Panther linebacker (a glorified term for a walkaway end) Brandon Lindsey could emerge as a Butkus and Bednarik Award contender. Last year, he recorded 10 sacks and 17 ½ stops behind the line, the latter leading the Big East. Inside linebacker Max Gruder finished second on the squad with 84 tackles. His sidekick at the other inside linebacker position is Tristan Roberts, but he is being pushed hard by Shane Gordon. Look for the two to split time here. Spur linebackers (a combo linebacker and safety) Todd Thomas and Greg Williams will platoon the position.
More riches abound at the cornerback position. Graham considers three players as regulars, even though just two can start. Antwuan Reed, K’Waun Williams, and Buddy Jackson should force quarterbacks to look away from the sidelines or throw short. Safety Jarred Holley led Pitt with five interceptions last year, and he will be joined by bandit safety (a hybrid safety/cornerback) Jason Hendricks.
Pitt gave up 19 points and 305 yards per game last year. We believe those numbers will suffer slightly in the new up-tempo style, but don’t fret Panther fans; your team still has the top defense in the Big East.
If the offense can gel and play up to its potential in September, Pitt could actually contend for national honors. We think the Panthers are a strong favorite to win the Big East with a decent shot at running the table in conference play. Can the Panthers go 12-0? It is a slight possibility. There are four possible roadblocks. A road game at Iowa could be tough on September 17. The Hawkeyes are rebuilding, but they are always tough at Kinnick Stadium. A week later, Notre Dame comes to Steeltown. It should be the game of the week. On October 15, Pitt entertains Utah, which is always dangerous. Then, of course, there is the backyard brawl, and this year, Pitt travels to Morgantown to face West Virginia. The Mountaineers could be in line to win the Big East with a win in this game, so it should be a great renewal of the rivalry with two teams capable of scoring a lot of points.
Cincinnati
We must admit that we were a bit surprised when our computer ratings spat out the Bearcats as the second best Big East team at the start of the 2011 season. Coming off a 4-8 season under first year coach Butch Jones, the Bearcats will be much stronger on defense, but a rebuilding offensive line will make it hard to duplicate the offensive effectiveness of recent years.
The Bearcats are well-equipped at the offensive skill positions. Quarterback Zach Collaros is one of four or five highly accomplished passers in the league. Collaros passed for 2,902 yards and 26 touchdowns last year while finishing second on the team in rushing.
Isaiah Pead returns to his running back spot after gaining 1,029 yards at a 6.6 yards per attempt rate. He did not start every game, so he could push that number over 1,200 yards this season. True freshman Jameel Poteat could see extensive action in a backup role.
Bearcat receivers finished one-two in receptions in the Big East last year, and number two is back for an encore. D. J. Woods was good for 57 catches and 898 yards with eight touchdowns. Junior college transfer Kenbrell Thompkins should inherit the spot vacated by Armon Binns.
It is the blocking corps that worries us and makes us wonder if our computer didn’t byte on a bad bit when it calculated Cinti’s rating. Only two starters return to the line. One of those is tackle Alex Hoffman, a 2nd Team All-Big East selection last year.
UC averaged 27 points and 417 yards per game last year. We expect those numbers to drop a little bit this year. Look for 24-25 points and 375 yards.
After Pittsburgh, the Bearcats may have the best defense this season (West Virginia may have something to say about that). The top 11 tacklers and 17 of the top 18 from 2010 are back. 15 players that started at some point will contend for the 11 starting positions.
The four-man defensive line will be strong. Tackles Derek Wolfe and John Hughes will be tough to run on, while end Brandon Mills will contend for the conference lead in sacks and tackles for loss.
J. K. Schaffer and Maalik Bomar led the team with 111 and 70 tackles respectively. The two linebackers combined for 17 ½ tackles for loss.
In the backfield, UC is stocked with depth albeit not quite up to par with the secondary at Pitt. The Bearcats did not stop many passes last year, and if they are to live up to this rating, they must improve on their 2010 showing. The entire two-deep returns and adds juco star Maclcolm Murray, who could crack the starting lineup by the season opener. True freshman Trenier Orr is working his way up the depth chart.
The Bearcats gave up 28 points and 370 yards per game last year. It should be easy besting those numbers this year with all the experience and depth. If UC can shave a touchdown and 50 yards off those numbers, they might be able to live up to our lofty expectations.
Cinti’s non-conference schedule features two very winnable games, one possible trap game, and two games against teams that should be favored to beat the Bearcats. All five of these games precede the Big East schedule. If UC is 4-1 headed into the off week of October 8, the rest of the league better beware. The Bearcats host West Virginia, but they must face Pittsburgh and South Florida on the road. A 5-2 league mark is possible.
West Virginia
Welcome back to our prime time soap opera. In today’s episode, Bill tries to go behind Dana’s back to spread nasty rumors and get him fired, but he gets caught and Bill loses his job.
Yes, that soap opera was no fantasy story. Former coach Bill Stewart really did try to get his future replacement, Dana Holgorsen, fired by feeding a media source information to try to slander his offensive coordinator. Instead, it was Stewart that was sent packing. Holgorsen now ascends to head coach a year earlier than expected.
Holgorsen authored the offensive revival at Oklahoma State, after tutoring Case Keenum as OC at Houston and serving on Mike Leach’s Texas Tech staff. The explosive spread offense used by the Mountaineers during the Rich Rodriguez era will return in spades this year. However, WVU’s defense will take a major step backward.
Geno Smith may not be the running threat that Pat White was, but he has a better arm. Smith tossed for 2,763 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 65% of his passes in 2010. Those numbers led the league in passing efficiency. WV averaged about 32 passes per game last year; that number could top 40 this year. Smith could easily top 3,500 yards passing.
Smith has three excellent options to fire his passes to this year. Tavon Austin, Brad Starks, and Stedman Bailey teamed for 101 receptions 1,421 yards, and 16 touchdowns last year. Starks could lose his starting spot to Ryan Nehlen, and we could see this trio topping 150 receptions, 2,000 yards, and 20 touchdowns this year.
Noel Devine is no longer around in the Mountaineer backfield after it seemed like he was there for a decade. His replacement will be a three-headed monster known as Andrew Buie, Dustin Garrison, and Vernard Roberts. All three are true freshmen, so there will be a decline at this position.
The offensive line had to do some shuffling following the Spring Game injury of 2nd Team All-Big East guard Josh Jenkins. The best center in the league returns in Joe Madsen. Don Barclay returns at left tackle after earning 1st Team All-Big East accolades in 2010.
The Mountaineers’ offense ground to a near halt at times last year. In a period of four weeks, WVU scored just 14, 13, and 17 points against three conference opponents. Expect a dramatic increase in offensive production this year. The Mountaineers could top 30 points and 425 yards per game in year one of the Holgorsen era.
Now, to the defense: West Virginia’s stop troops were almost as tough as TCU’s last year. The Mountaineers gave up just 13.5 points, 86 rushing yards, and 261 total yards last year. This year’s defense is missing five all-conference players and seven starters overall. Factoring into the equation the real possibility that the new offense will not produce long, time-consuming drives (WVU ran 105 more scrimmage plays than their opponents) and cause this team to defend as much as a dozen more scrimmage plays this year, WVU will not come close to matching their 2010 numbers.
One starter returns to the front line of the 3-3-5 defense, but the designated pass rusher from last year gives WVU the equivalent of two starting ends returning. Julian Miller earned a spot on the 2nd Team All-Big East list after coming up with 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Bruce Irvin led the league with 14 sacks and also made the 2nd Team All-Big East list.
The biggest rebuilding will take place in the second line of defense, as middle linebacker Najee Goode is the only holdover. Goode contributed 8 ½ tackles for loss.
The back line is the strength of this side of the ball. Safety Terence Garvin led the team with 76 tackles. Cornerback Keith Tandy finished tied for first in the league with 17 passes defended. Six of those were interceptions, and it earned him a 1st Team All-Big East Selection.
How much the defense regresses will determine how far WVU falls in the standings. They tied for first last year. We could see them challenging for first again this year, but we believe they will probably come in two games back and in third. The Mountaineers will pick up three or four non-conference wins (LSU and Maryland on the schedule), so Holgorsen will guide his forces back to a bowl game.
Connecticut
2010 was the cherry on top season for the Huskies, as Randy Edsall guided UConn to the conference title and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl. Edsall left for Maryland, and the new man is former Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni. Pasqualoni won 107 games in 14 years at Syracuse, including four Big East Championships. The ‘Cuse went to bowl games nine times in the 14 seasons.
The cupboard is not bare in Huskietown, but there is quite a bit of rebuilding to do, especially on offense where five starters have departed and one unit has been decimated with the loss of four key parts.
That one unit comes on the offensive side of the ball, where UConn already faced some major losses. Starting Wide receiver Michael Smith led the Huskies last year with 46 receptions and 615 yards. He was declared academically ineligible. Three more receivers expected to figure in the mix all quit. Gone are Malik Generett, Gerrard Sheppard, and Leon Kinnard. That leaves just six receivers on the roster, and two of those six are nursing minor injuries. Kashif Moore and Isiah Moore are capable second and third options, but now they will have to become the feature receivers.
Just who will throw the passes is still a mystery. As late as mid-August, Pasqualoni had not settled on a starting quarterback. True freshman Michael Nebrich appears to have a slight edge over redshirt freshman Scott McCummings, but sophomore Michael Box and junior Johnny McEntee are also in the mix. Nebrich will probably be under center when Connecticut hosts Fordham on September 1. Last year’s co-quarterbacks did not produce bang-up numbers, so the eventual starter will not be that far behind what they had and could even be a little better.
The news is not as good at the running back position. Jordan Todman has used of his eligibility after rushing for a conference-leading 1,695 yards with 14 touchdowns. Number two rusher Robbie Frey is also missing. Former Southern Cal fullback D. J. Shoemate takes over as the starter after rushing for 115 yards in limited action last year. Shoemate had a problem holding onto the ball and was relegated to the bench.
The brightest spot of the offense is a talented and experienced offensive line. Center Moe Petrus has been a 1st Team All-Big East pick in the past. Tackle Mike Ryan made the 1st Team all-conference squad last year.
Connecticut will make a lot more mistakes on this side of the ball this season. The Huskies limited mistakes last year, finishing the season +12 in turnover margin. Don’t expect a repeat, even with a defense that could be just as good or even better than last year. Look for about 20-24 points and 275-300 total yards out of this offense.
If the Huskies can plug some holes at linebacker, the defense could be a major plus in 2011. UConn gave up 22 points and 367 yards per game last year, but it was a hit or miss season. Against the weaker teams, the defense shut them down. Against the stronger teams, the defense faltered. Oklahoma, Michigan, Rutgers, and West Virginia combined to gain 1,864 yards (466/g), while the other nine opponents totaled 2,904 yards (323/g).
In the trenches, tackles Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin return as starters. They combined for 15 stops for loss. Reyes was able to intercept two passes and knock away four others. End Jesse Joseph returns after leading the team with 8 ½ sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
The secondary returns intact with cornerbacks Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz looking to top their production of 2010 when they teamed for 20 passes defended. Safeties Jerome Junior and Harris Agbor round out the secondary.
Only one experienced player returns at linebacker, and a freshman could actually become one of the new starters. Sio Moore is the lone holdover from last year. He was selected to the All-Big East 2nd Team after he recorded 110 tackles with 11 ½ stops for loss.
It is hard to predict what we believe the defense will allow this season. It all hinges on what the offense does. If Shoemate can hang onto the ball and produce a year similar to what Todman produced, Connecticut could control the clock, and the defense could be okay. If the offense never gets untracked and cannot keep the defense off the field, the defense could take a step backward even with all the returning players. We believe in finding a happy medium and will call for numbers just a little weaker than last season.
UConn benefitted from having a lot of scoring punch in their special teams last year. Kicker Dave Teggart connected on all 36 of his point after attempts as well as 25 of 31 field goal attempts. He was two for two beyond 50 yards. Kick Returner Nick Williams averaged an eye-popping 35+ yards per return with two touchdowns. Both specialists return and could be a major factor once again.
The schedule will save the Huskies this year. The non-conference slate includes games with Fordham, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, Buffalo, and Western Michigan. The Huskies will do no worse than 4-1 in these games. With Syracuse, Rutgers, and Louisville visiting Rentschler Field, UConn will win the two conference games they need to return to a bowl game. It will not be a BCS Bowl this year.
South Florida
The Bulls finished 3-4 in league play last year, 3-4 in 2009, and 2-5 in 2008. They have finished with winning records the past three years thanks to a non-conference record of 16-2. Second year coach Skip Holtz lost half of his 2010 starters, but his main returnee is causing him sleepless nights.
Quarterback B. J. Daniels is nursing an injured hamstring. The third year starter does not have much depth backing him up. Without him, USF is not going to move the ball through the air and will be less predictable on the ground. Daniels did not have a stellar sophomore year after having a breakout year as a redshirt freshman. If he cannot go at the start of the season, backup Bobby Eveld will get the nod. Eveld completed 56% of his 75 passes, but behind him are a couple of true freshmen who are not ready to play at the BCS level.
Holtz’s top receiver from last year has used up his eligibility. Dontavia Bogan led the team with 47 receptions, 19 more than the next guy. That guy was Evan Landi, who returns after averaging close to 14 yards on his 28 receptions. Former starter Sterling Griffin missed all of last year, and he should give Daniels or Eveld a decent second option. Griffin caught 14 passes in 2009.
The backfield shows promise even if it does not return its starter from last year. Demetrius Murray returns after rushing for 542 yards and four scores, but he could be supplanted by former Colorado Buffalo top recruit Darrell Scott. Scott is eligible after sitting out last year.
The offensive line has to replace three starters. The two returning starters are guards Chaz Hine and Jeremiah Warren.
USF averaged 24 points and just over 300 yards per game last year. It was considered a major underachievement. Even with the loss of personnel and the injury to Daniels, we have to believe that the Bulls will be able to better those stats. Look for 25-28 points and 325-350 total yards in 2011.
The defense has some holes to fill as well. Gone are last year’s top tackler and tackler for lost yardage, co-top sack producer, and top passes defender. Six starters return, and defensive coordinator Mark Snyder should find enough talent to mold a decent stop unit.
The biggest rebuilding job is in the trenches where three of four defensive linemen must be replaced. Nose tackle Cory Grissom is the lone returnee. At about 320 pounds, he can control two gaps on the line, but he will not make many tackles. The true star of this unit is likely to be end Ryne Giddins. In limited action as a redshirt freshman last year, he made six tackles for loss with 3 ½ sacks.
Linebackers Sam Barrington and DeDe Lattimore return after combining for 134 stops. At the Sam Linebacker position, Reshard Cliett and Curtis Weatherspoon are likely to share reps this year.
The secondary is in good hands with the return of three starters, but none of the trio can be considered a game-changer. Cornerback Quenton Washington recorded 59 tackles last year, but he only intercepted one pass. Free safety Jerrell Young intercepted three passes to lead the team in 2010.
The Bulls don’t open the season with a cupcake like other teams. They face Notre Dame in South Bend. Other non-league tilts include three cupcakes—Ball State, Florida A&M, and UTEP. The Bulls host Miami in November, and who knows how the Hurricanes will be playing by this point of the season. They could even be facing the “death penalty” and players could be jumping off ship by this time. Even if USF finishes below .500 in the league this year, they can return to bowl eligibility once again.
Syracuse
Coach Doug Marrone pulled off the biggest surprise of the league last year. His Orangemen beat South Florida, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Rutgers to finish with SU’s first winning Big East record since 2004. The Orangemen played in their first bowl since that season and defeated Kansas State in the most exciting bowl game of the season—the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
SU won with their defense in 2010, but that defense was decimated by graduation losses. Only five starters return, and one of those will miss the first game and maybe more. All is not gloom and doom, because they get back two key players that missed most of last year.
It is the secondary where all this good and bad news resides. Free safety Phillip Thomas suffered a broken jaw and will miss at least the season opener. Thomas is the leading returning tackler with 92. Shamarko Thomas returns to the strong safety position. He finished fourth with 67 tackles last year. The two players returning from injuries should be the starting cornerbacks. Kevyn Scott has 17 starts under his belt, while Ri’Shard Anderson saw action in seven games two years ago as a freshman.
Two new starters will open up at linebacker, one of whom could be a true freshman. Marquis Spruill is the lone returning starter; he registered nine tackles for loss in 2010.
Up front, two defensive linemen return. End Mikhail Marinovich recorded just three sacks and needs to improve on that number. His counterpart, Chandler Jones, is the star of the stop side. Jones earned 2nd team all-conference honors after recording four sacks, 9 ½ total tackles for loss, and five additional QB hurries. He also knocked away four passes.
After giving up just 19 points and 300 yards last year, look for those numbers to head south in 2011. We foresee the ‘Cuse giving up 23-28 points and about 340 yards per game.
The offense really did not improve much upon 2009’s production, increasing scoring by just a point per game while actually gaining fewer yards. This year, The Orangemen should produce the most points and yards in at least seven years.
There is one big distraction as this team enters fall drills. Speedy receiver Marcus Sales is suspended indefinitely following a drug arrest. His trial does not begin until February of 2012, so he could play the 2011 season. Whether or not Marrone allows him to participate is another question. Sales had 26 receptions with a 16 yard average per catch. Syracuse still has some quality receivers on hand. Van Chew led the team with 41 receptions. Alec Lemon caught 32 passes. Both players should add to their totals this season. Tight end Nick Provo is a proven option in the middle, and he should see more passes come his way this year after grabbing 33 receptions.
Quarterback Ryan Nassib returns for his junior season, his second as a starter. Nassib passed for 2,300+ yards with 19 touchdowns. Nassib will throw more passes this season, and he should top 2,500 yards.
The running game will miss star back Delone Carter, who departs after rushing for more than 1,200 yards last year. Antwon Bailey rushed for 554 yards and a couple of scores with a 4.9 yard per carry average. He is strictly a speed back, so when SU needs to pound the ball and convert short yardage situations, expect true freshman Adonis Ameen-Moore to see a lot of action.
Four starters return to the offensive line, led by tackle Justin Pugh. Pugh earned 2nd Team All-Big East accolades last year. Guard Andrew Tiller could be on the cusp of making an all-conference team.
Syracuse is known for having great place kickers. Ross Krautman is the current top kicker in the Big East. He nailed 18 of 19 field goal attempts last year, including 6 of 7 from beyond 40 yards.
We see the ‘Cuse averaging about 24-27 points and 325-350 yards per game this year. They will fall in the conference standings, but there is still a chance the Orangemen can become bowl eligible for the second consecutive season. Four of five non-conference games are winnable, with Wake Forest, Rhode Island, and Toledo visiting the Carrier Dome. A visit to Tulane is winnable as well, while the trip to Southern Cal should be a losing proposition. The Orangemen should only need two conference wins to get to six. Rutgers, USF, and Cincinnati visit the Carrier Dome. SU could win two of those games.
Rutgers
After five consecutive winning seasons and four consecutive bowl wins, the Scarlet Knights took a step backward last year, finishing with just four wins. RU coach Greg Schiano made some changes, gutting the Spread Formation and bringing in former Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. The Knights will switch back to a pro-style offense this year.
Rutgers’ biggest problem on offense last year was pass protection. The offensive line gave up an unbelievable 61 sacks! That is no typo. Louisville dumped RU QBs nine times. Army’s double eagle flex did the trick eight times. The number was seven for both Pitt and Cincinnati.
Cignetti was a quarterback coach with the Saints and 49ers, and he will spend extra time tutoring RU quarterback Chas Dodd. The sophomore started the final eight games and passed for 1,637 yards and 11 touchdowns. Should Dodd need to be replaced, two freshmen could be in line as the next two options.
If Dodd can get adequate pass protection, he will have a stable of quality receivers to choose from. Mark Harrison, Mohamed Sanu, Brandon Coleman, Quron Pratt, and Tim Wright and tight end D. C. Jefferson make the receiving corps as strong as any in the league. Harrison showed breakaway ability last year when he caught 44 passes for 829 yards and nine touchdowns. Sanu was more of a possession receiver, and he also caught 44 passses.
On paper, the running game appeared to be weak, but it was not so. Factoring out sacks, the backs averaged 4.2 yards per rush. Fullback Joe Martinek could be an important key this season. In the new offense, he will block for a quartet of excellent backs. Jeremy Deering may miss the start of the season with a head injury, after he averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year. However, a true freshman may be the featured back this year. Savon Huggins rushed for 1,891 yards and 35 touchdowns as a high school senior. Jawan Jamison and De’Antwan Williams will see action.
The offensive line has nowhere to go but up, and with four starters returning, it will be improved. Guard Desmond Wynn is the best of the bunch; his counterpart could be former prized recruit Antwan Lowery over returning starter Art Forst. Desmond Stapleton and Andre Civil will man the tackle positions, while David Osei will be the new center.
Rutgers’ offense should make strides toward becoming powerful this year, but there will be some adjusting with the new offense. Look for about 25-30 points and 375-400 yards per game.
Rutgers will need to outscore opponents to win, because their defense is going to resemble Swiss cheese at times. The Scarlet Knights gave up 27 points and 375 yards per game last year, and with six key players gone, that number could weaken in 2011.
The strongest unit on defense will be at linebacker. Steve Beauharnais and Khaseem Greene return after teaming for 156 tackles with 8 ½ for losses.
Up front, Rutgers uses a 4-man line, but one of the ends is more of a linebacker than a true end. Marvin Booker and Ka’Lial Glaud will probably alternate at that hybrid position. At the other end position, Manny Abreu has a leg up on Marcus Thompson and Micheal Larrow, but as of this writing, Larrow is the only healthy player of the three.
The secondary is deep with average talent. Cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Brandon Jones will be challenged by Mason Robinson and Marcus Cooper. Safeties Duron Harmon and David Rowe make this unit deep albeit not outstanding.
With an offense that might hold onto the ball a little longer, RU could improve a little bit on the defensive side. Still, this defense is anything but dominating, and the Scarlet Knights will have weeks where opponents torch them for 30-40 points.
The schedule is manageable, and RU could actually eke out enough wins to become bowl eligible. Non-conference tilts with North Carolina Central, Ohio U, Navy, Army, and North Carolina are all winnable, but four of those opponents are dangerous.
Louisville
Charlie Strong’s first year at UL was a success; he guided the Cardinals to a 7-6 record and bowl win. If he repeats that effort in 2011, he should receive votes for National Coach of the Year!
UL has endured major losses on both sides of the ball, and it looks to us as though the Cards are headed back to the basement this year.
Just three starters return to an offense that was credible but not spectacular a year ago. The Cards’ two-man quarterback tandem both moved on, and the new quarterback figures to be Will Stein. Stein threw a grand total of 14 passes last year, completing nine for just 72 yards. True freshman Teddy Bridgewater is the QB of the future.
Stein has some talent at the receiver position. Josh Bellamy is an All-American trash-talker, but he may be able to back it up. He snatched 29 passes and scored five touchdowns last year. Andrell Smith and Michaelee Harris will be aided by promising true freshman Eli Rogers.
The big loss on offense is at running back, where Bilal Powell leaves after rushing for more than 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns. Victor Anderson replaces Powell; he rushed for 286 yards last year.
The offensive line has just one returning starter, and he is center Mario Benavides. No other offensive lineman on the roster has ever started a game, so the Cards could have some troubles moving the ball this season.
After averaging 26 points and 370 yards a game last year, the drop could be as far as 17 to 20 points and 300-325 yards this season.
While seven starters return on the defensive side, the Cards took a major hit on this side of the ball with the departure of six of the top 10 tacklers. The biggest concern is in the trenches, even though three starters return. Ends B. J. Butler and Greg Scruggs combined for just 37 tackles, and Butler missed Spring Practice with an injury. The Cards will miss designated pass rusher Rodney Gnat and his team-leading nine sacks.
Linebackers Daniel Brown and Dexter Heyman combined for 14 ½ tackles for loss, but neither will challenge for 1st Team All-Big East honors.
Safeties Hakeem Smith and Shenard Holton led the Cards with 88 and 74 tackles respectively. They combined for just one interception. Cornerback appears to be a major liability. Johnny Patrick was high NFL draft choice after leading the conference with 17 passes defended. Expected starter Darius Ashley was picked up twice on DUIs and is indefinitely suspended.
Louisville will have a difficult time avoiding the Big East cellar. However, there is still a small chance the Cards could become bowl eligible. The non-conference slate gives them a small chance to win five games and a decent chance to win four. UL plays Murray State, Florida International, Kentucky, Marshall, and North Carolina. If they can win at least four of those five, they could go 2-5 in the league and repeat at 6-6 in the regular season.
|
2011 Big East Conference Media Poll
|
| Team |
1st Place Votes
|
Points
|
| West Virginia |
21
|
188
|
| Pittsburgh |
2
|
162
|
| South Florida |
1
|
151
|
| Syracuse |
|
98
|
| Cincinnati |
|
96
|
| Connecticut |
|
76
|
| Louisville |
|
60
|
| Rutgers |
|
33
|
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2011 Big East Conference PiRate Ratings
|
| Team |
PiRate #
|
Prediction
|
| Pittsburgh |
111.5
|
7-0/11-1
|
| Cincinnati |
108.7
|
3-4/6-6
|
| West Virginia |
106.6
|
5-2/8-4
|
| Connecticut |
102.1
|
3-4/7-5
|
| S. Florida |
101.4
|
5-2/9-3
|
| Syracuse |
94.8
|
2-5/6-6
|
| Rutgers |
94.5
|
1-6/6-6
|
| Louisville |
92.2
|
2-5/5-7
|
