2012 Pre-Spring Preview
Why To Be Grouchy - Big East
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Cincinnati
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Connecticut
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Louisville
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Pittsburgh
- Rutgers
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South
Florida |
Syracuse
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West
Virginia
2012 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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2012 Big East Recruiting Rankings
- Cincinnati
There are losses. Plenty of losses. From the veteran team that rebounded in 2011 comes a less experienced one that must break in a swath of new starters on both sides of the ball. The offensive line needs to develop three new regulars, and the backfield of Zach Collaros and All-Big East RB Isaiah Pead was one of the most productive in school history.
- Connecticut
The situation at quarterback is as big of a mess as it was last season. While Johnny McEntee took the bulk of the snaps, three players were auditioned for an offense that ranked 100th nationally in passing efficiency. Connecticut is still pining for a successor to Dan Orlovsky seven years after he graduated from the school.
- Louisville
Charlie Strong’s D, which played so well throughout 2011, has holes that need to be filled before the start of another campaign. The graduations of LB Dexter Heyman and ends Greg Scruggs and William Savoy, in particular, could force Louisville to promote some of its unproven youngsters from the last two recruiting classes.
- Pittsburgh
The defensive line is set to undergo an overhaul. While underrated DE Aaron Donald returns for his junior year, he’ll be surrounded by a bunch of fresh faces along the front wall. Hybrid end Brandon Lindsey and tackles Chas Alecxih and Myles Caragein, three terrific veterans in the trenches, are all looking for jobs in the NFL.
- Rutgers
The early departure of WR Mohamed Sanu leaves a huge void to be filled on offense. More than just a record-breaking pass-catcher, No. 6 was the ideal security blanket for erratic quarterbacks Gary Nova and Chas Dodd. The Knights are going to lose a lot of pop where they can ill-afford to do so.
- South Florida
The quarterback position remains a concern in Tampa. Yeah, B.J. Daniels is back to vie for his fourth year as a starter, but it remains to be seen if he can finally put it all together. He’s tossed more than one touchdown pass in only seven of his last 25 games, raising doubts about his ability to blossom into a complete player at the position.
- Syracuse
From the team that finished two games below .500 in 2011, a lot of starters will need to be supplanted. Four of Syracuse’s five players who were named First Team All-Big East, RG Andrew Tiller, TE Nick Provo, RB Antwon Bailey and DE Chandler Jones, are no longer on campus.
- West Virginia
The defense is going to take a bunch of hits from graduation. Linemen Julian Miller and Bruce Irvin, LB Najee Goode and defensive backs Keith Tandy and Eain Smith all played as seniors in 2011. And all but Miller, who’s a solid pass rusher, earned a spot on either the All-Big East first or second team.
-
Cincinnati
|
Connecticut
|
Louisville
|
Pittsburgh
- Rutgers
|
South
Florida |
Syracuse
|
West
Virginia
2012 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
-
2012 Big East Recruiting Rankings