Big East-easy Preview

Time for the final conference look for the upcoming college football season presented by SportsbyFletch. We've checked out all of the REAL BCS conferences, so now, we come to the Big Easy -er- East. There are actually two pretty good teams this season in the Big East, Pitt and West Va. The Neers need a QB, but they still have a dynamic running game. Pitt meanwhile has an even more dynamic ground attack with Dion Lewis a legit Heisman contender even as a sophomore.

Let's get it on with the Big East. Projected order of finish

1) Pitt. Could this FINALLY be the Year of the Stache? I say yes. Dion Lewis churned it up 325 times last year for 1799 yards, and was Big East Offensive PotY, over Pike, Devine and the rest. This season, they open @ Utah, have Miami in September, travel TO Notre Dame and end in Cincy in December. The schedule might jump up and bite them, but they'll likely only lose one conference game and they get West Va at home in the Backyard Brawl. On defense, Greg Romeus is back after winning Co-Defensive PotY for the Big East. A LOT to like about the Panthers.

2) West Va. Noel Devine is BACK after missing some time with an ankle injury. Yeah, he missed time, but the dude still racked up nearly 1500 yards with 13 TDs. I am not a huge fan of Bill Stewart and they need a QB, but whomever that is will have Ivan McCartney to throw to. West Va not getting a lot of love from everyone else because of the QB situation, but SBF will give them some love. Well, sort of. I'll turn on these guys so quick if they start winning too much, it won't be funny. I still hate the Neers dating back to the 2005-06 Sugar Bowl and that a-hole fan from College football Live that would send a video blog in EVERY friggin' day.

3) Cincy. I like Butch Jones. And he has a pretty nice returning QB that got some run last season in Zach Collaros. He is back and can move around well in the pocket. Factor in the two USC transfers and you've got yourself some weapons.

4) Rutgers. Every time I think about Rutgers, I always laugh at Greg Shiano for not taking the Miami job several years back and for thinking he'll get the Penn State job. HAHAHA. Then I cry a bit when thinking about Tom Savage, a guy that Georgia really could have made a move on, but backed off to go after Aaron Murray. Hopefully Murray works out but last season Savage looked good as a true freshman, throwing for 2211 yards and 14 TDs. Let's just hope Murray is the real deal. I have no reason to think he isn't but I just hope I'm not cursing Savage's (and Richt's and Murray's) name in the next two-three years.

5) UConn. They lose Scott Lakatos (as DB Coach to UGA. YEAH BOY) but HC Randy Edsall is still pretty strong for the Huskies. The running game will feature Jordan Todman, who had some nice flashes last season. he'll have a nice OLine this season and some of those close losses could become wins this season. They were really hurt last year by the death of Jazz Howard. This season, hopefully that won't still be weighing on them.

6) South Florida. No Grothe and no Selvie. But Skip Holtz is there and SoFla does have BJ Daniels. He can pass it (nearly 2000 yards) and run it (nearly 800 yards) after coming on in the fourth game. Holtz has a few talented players that were sent packing by other schools and the Bulls should once again challenge for a bowl.

7) Louisville. Charlie Strong will eventually get this thing going and he stole BJ Butler from UGA near signing day. As long as they don't get going next season on Opening weekend. Victor Anderson can run it for Strong's offense. He was hurt last year but went over 1000 in 2008.

8) Syracuse. Poor Doug Marrone. I hope Da Cuse wins enough games to keep his job. he knows football but is behind the 8-ball right now.

PS, think it is SOOOO friggin' funny how the MWC and the WAC are exchanging members left and right. Fresno State and Nevada are going TO the MWC while BYU is going independent in football and to the WAC for everything else.

solution: COMBINE THOSE TWO CONFERENCES for a superconference of 18 and the big boys can see how it works, that new SUPERCONFERENCE can get an auto-bcs bid and we can see legitimately how TCU, BYU, Boise State and (well, Utah is already going) maybe Houston or SMU(get them from Conference USA) do against each other in real competition. if you can call those teams "real"

Tomorrow: Heisman contenders