Big East Preview

Coming into the 2011 Big East Conference season there is only one team ranked in the AP Top 25. That is West Virginia at #23. There is a lack of respect outside the Big East from critics and voters alike. That is mostly due to teams from the Big East failing to win BCS bowl games and fairly just games against BCS schools period. We took at look at ESPN writer and blogger, Andrea Adelson and her predictions for the Big East in 2011. Below are what she says the conference will looks like come season end.

1. West Virginia (Champion)
2. Pitt
3. South Florida
4. CINCINNATI
5. Louisville
6. Syracuse
7. UConn
8. Rutgers

After looking over what Adelson had to say about the Big East and the rankings we got in-depth to the recruits being brought in to every program, the seniors lost and returning starters. More than anything that has to be taken into account in the Big East more than any other it seems, new head coaches. Below we have listed the BNFB rankings for the 2011-12 season along with reasons why we believe the conference will play out like this at season end.

1. CINCINNATI (10-2)
Returning 11 starters on defense and 7 on the offensive side of the ball the Bearcats come into 2011 one of the youngest yet, most experienced teams in the Big East. Returning 3 year-starter at QB Zach Collaros will cut down on his INT's and could potentially throw for over 3,000 yards this season. Adding onto Collaros throwing for over 3,000 is the wide recieving core. Led by Senior, DJ Woods who will be complemented by a bevy of wide-outs including transfer Kenbrell Thompkins, Sophomore Anthony McClung, redshirt Freshman Dyjuan Lewis and incoming freshman Alex Chisum and Shaq Washington. Wondering if we are forgetting someone on the offensive side of the football? Isaiah Pead. The Senior back will have the best season of his Bearcat career if he stays healthy and could be in the running for the Doak Walker award even in Butch Jones spread offense due to the fact Pead can catch the football out of the backfield and makes him a serious threat every play.
Losses: @USF, @Syracuse

2. South Florida (9-3)
The South Florida Bulls this season will no doubt surprise some people. The Bulls in our opinion stand a very good chance of opening the season in South Bend against the Irish of Notre Dame with a victory. The rest of the non-conference schedule for USF following that are pancakes. B.J. Daniels could be poised for an very good break out year and be one of the most surprising players this season in the Big East.

3. West Virginia (9-3)
The Mountaineers have a tough schedule in 2011 including road games at Maryland, CINCINNATI, South Florida, Syracuse and Rutgers. If the road schedule isn't enough to cause headaches for the Mountaineer faithful, playing host to AP Pre-Season #4 LSU in week 4 should be. Though the Tigers will be without starting QB Jordan Jefferson back up Jarret Lee is no push over.

4. Pittsburgh (8-4)
Not very thrilled about the Pitt Panthers this season. A new head coach twice this past off-season affected the recruiting at Pitt greatly and just don't feel Pitt will be able to hang with some teams this year.

5. Louisville (7-5)
Charlie Strong is building a solid program at Louisville and Freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater should be exciting to watch.

6. Rutgers (6-6)

7. Syracuse (6-6)

8. UConn (5-7)