2011 Pre-Spring Preview
What To Work On - Big East
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
-
Cincinnati
Turnovers. Cincinnati was last in the Big East in takeaways and turnovers, a devastating cocktail that exacerbated the program’s problems. It has to revert back to 2009, when it was far more opportunistic on the defensive side of the ball.
- Connecticut
Getting more from the quarterback position. The early departure of
RB Jordan Todman means the Huskies won’t be nearly as dangerous on the ground,
even though the team is still built to run the ball. After finishing 112th nationally in passing efficiency, the passing game must be a bigger factor in 2011.
It will be.
-
Louisville
Developing a capable quarterback. Adam Froman and Justin Burke graduate, and neither were
exactly legendary Cardinal passers. In their place, however, is almost no experience, meaning one of the top-flight rookies,
hopefully Teddy Bridgewater, could get the ball right away.
- Pittsburgh
Red zone scoring. The Panthers have to do a better job of scoring touchdowns when they move deep into enemy territory. They were among the nation’s worst in this area last year, routinely sputtering and leaning on PK Dan Hutchins.
- Rutgers
The offensive line. For the second straight year, Rutgers was a sieve in pass protection, allowing a nation’s-high 61 sacks. If the
line can’t be patched up in a hurry, nothing the backs or receivers do
will matter for the second year in a row.
- South
Florida
Improving offensive efficiency. The Bulls were 113th nationally in third down conversions and 98th in red zone touchdowns, the kinds of numbers that’ll keep the team from reaching its goals if they can’t improve
dramatically.
- Syracuse
The offensive line. LT Justin Pugh is a nice building block, but two starters are graduating and the entire unit needs to evolve. The Orange was 93rd nationally in sacks allowed and averaged just four yards a carry.
- West
Virginia
Scoring touchdowns in the red zone. The Mountaineers ranked 74th nationally in this area, which didn’t match their speed and overall talent. They have to start maximizing their potential, which is where
Dana Holgorsen’s expertise will come into play.
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