2011 Pre-Spring Preview
Why To Be Excited - Big East
Click for each team's pre-spring
lookback and lookahead
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Cincinnati
|
Connecticut
|
Louisville
|
Pittsburgh
- Rutgers
|
South
Florida |
Syracuse
|
West
Virginia
2011 Big East Pre-Spring Preview
- Big East Pre-Spring Rankings
-
Why Every Team Should Be Excited
- Why Every Team Should Be Grouchy
- What Every Team Needs To Work On
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Cincinnati
The defense didn’t start a single senior in 2010 and three of the team’s best playmakers will be back. With
QB Zach Collaros, RB Isaiah Pead, and WR D.J. Woods returning,
Cincinnati will again vie for a top ranking in Big East offense and
should be far more consistent and far more productive than last year.
- Connecticut
Yeah, the linebackers will have a lot of fresh faces, but the D-line and secondary will be strengths. Eight starters return to a unit that’ll have to carry the team in the early going.
Head coach Paul Pasqualoni should be able to do big things with this
group right away, and for the first time in a long time, there should be
some semblance of a passing game for the offense.
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Louisville
The excitement around the ‘Ville has more to do with the coaches than any individual player
... but new QB recruit Teddy Bridgewater could change that. Head coach
Charlie Strong had an immediate and positive impact, and after turning
the ship around in a year and making the program relevant again in the
Big East, there's a growing feeling - and it's a national one - that
UofL might have the next big thing in coaching.
- Pittsburgh
Even with a few key graduations, the defense will have the potential to be salty.
DE Brandon Lindsey, DT Chas Alecxih, S Jarred Holley, and LB Greg Williams will form the foundation of an
rock solid D that could be among the best in the Big East right away,
New head coach Todd Graham didn't have a defense like this at Tulsa
(actually, he didn't have a defense, period).
- Rutgers
The quarterbacks are still young - but took a hit with Tom Savage
transferring - and the skill position players figure to be healthier. RB Joe Martinek and WR Mohamed Sanu, two key ingredients, were never quite right last fall
and should be playmakers if they get some help from a line that was
miserable. Any improvement up front could make a night-and-day
difference.
- South
Florida
Skip Holtz might be the
real deal head coach, and while his recruiting classes haven't been
jaw-dropping, the program appears to be taking more and more positive
steps forward. If he can milk eight wins from Jim Leavitt’s players, a Big East championship
isn't a crazy next step in the near future.
- Syracuse
The Orange finally has a tailwind to take into a new season
after finally, FINALLY coming up with a positive campaign. There’s a rare buzz surrounding the program and a sense that the players and the community are buying into
head coach Doug Marrone’s message. Football season matters again.
- West
Virginia
The beginning of the end of the
Bill Stewart era has already been set in motion, and Dana Holgorsen brings a fresh approach, energy,
and an attack that made Oklahoma State unstoppable. He should have an instant impact on
QB Geno Smith, the league’s top young quarterback, and the offense
should be full of fireworks soon enough.
Click for each team's pre-spring
lookback and lookahead
-
Cincinnati
|
Connecticut
|
Louisville
|
Pittsburgh
- Rutgers
|
South
Florida |
Syracuse
|
West
Virginia
2011 Big East Pre-Spring Preview
- Big East Pre-Spring Rankings
-
Why Every Team Should Be Excited
- Why Every Team Should Be Grouchy
- What Every Team Needs To Work On