Curious how the Conference races will pan out? Here is how we here at CFB Kings are predicting the order of finish:
ACC
Coastal
Miami
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech
Duke
Virginia
Atlantic
Florida State
Clemson
Boston College
N.C. State
Maryland
Wake Forest
ACC Championship Game: Miami defeats Florida State
SEC
East
Florida
South Carolina
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
West
LSU
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
Ole Miss
Mississippi State
SEC Championship Game: Florida defeats LSU
Big Ten
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Iowa
Michigan
Penn State
Michigan State
Northwestern
Illinois
Purdue
Indiana
Minnesota
Big 12
North
Nebraska
Missouri
Kansas
Kansas St.
Iowa St.
Colorado
South
Oklahoma
Texas
Texas A&M
Oklahoma St.
Texas Tech
Baylor
Big 12 Championship Game: Oklahoma defeats Nebraska
Pac-10
USC
Oregon
Oregon State
Arizona
Washington
UCLA
Stanford
California
Arizona St
Washington St
Big East
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
UConn
Rutgers
Cincinnati
USF
Louisville
Syracuse
Showing posts with label Big East. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big East. Show all posts
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
CFB Kings Preseason All-Big East Team
QB B.J. Daniels, South Florida
RB Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
RB Noel Devine, West Virginia
WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
WR Armon Binns, Cincinnati
WR Jock Sanders, West Virginia
OL Zach Hurd, Connecticut
OL Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh
OL Art Frost, Rutgers
OL Mario Benavides, Louisville
OL Moe Petrus, Connecticut
TE Ben Guidugli, Cincinnati
AP Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
K Dan Hutchins, Pittsburgh
KR Robbie Frey, Connecticut
DL Chris Neild, West Virginia
DL Terrell McClain, South Florida
DL Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
DL Scott Valone, Rutgers
LB Lawrence Wilson, Connecticut
LB Darrell Smith, Syracuse
LB Scott Lutrus, Connecticut
CB Brandon Hogan, West Virginia
S Dom Decicco, Pittsburgh
S Robert Sands, West Virginia
CB Johnny Patrick, Louisville
P Rob Long, Syracuse
PR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
AP = All Purpose
RB Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh
RB Noel Devine, West Virginia
WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
WR Armon Binns, Cincinnati
WR Jock Sanders, West Virginia
OL Zach Hurd, Connecticut
OL Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh
OL Art Frost, Rutgers
OL Mario Benavides, Louisville
OL Moe Petrus, Connecticut
TE Ben Guidugli, Cincinnati
AP Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
K Dan Hutchins, Pittsburgh
KR Robbie Frey, Connecticut
DL Chris Neild, West Virginia
DL Terrell McClain, South Florida
DL Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
DL Scott Valone, Rutgers
LB Lawrence Wilson, Connecticut
LB Darrell Smith, Syracuse
LB Scott Lutrus, Connecticut
CB Brandon Hogan, West Virginia
S Dom Decicco, Pittsburgh
S Robert Sands, West Virginia
CB Johnny Patrick, Louisville
P Rob Long, Syracuse
PR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
AP = All Purpose
Thursday, June 10, 2010
#19 Pittsburgh Panthers
The team that many people think should win the Big East has the 2nd toughest Non-Conference Schedule in America and finishes the season with 4 straight games against teams that will likely be ranked (3 of those 4 are road games). That being said, this Panthers team could be anywhere from BCS Title contender to a mediocre 6-6 ballclub.
Let’s start with the positive. The consensus Big East Offensive Freshman of the Year, RB Dion Lewis, returns for his encore performance and Panther fans are hoping that he doesn’t skip a beat in his development. Lewis ran for 1,799 yards and 17 TDs while breaking virtually EVERY record set by Pittsburgh’s greatest RB in history, Tony Dorsett. Even Dorsett himself offered high praise for Lewis’s ability and determination. There is no question regarding Lewis’s talent. The only question is how he will play with a target on his back? As a freshman he was able to surprise lots of teams expecting Pitt to throw the ball more, but this year with the Panthers having a first-time starter at QB, expect more teams to stack 8 and even 9 defenders in the box with aspirations set on shutting Lewis down. He opens the season as the favorite to win Big East player of the year, but there’s literally A LOT of football to be played before that becomes reality.
As I alluded to previously, the Panthers will be putting a youngin’ under center. Sophomore Tino Sunseri, who is the son of former All-American Pitt LB Sal Sunseri, is the guy that will get the nod for the Panthers. He has beaten out former starter Pat Bostic and has shown in spring that he has all the tools necessary to be a successful trigger man. But now he’ll have to prove that against top-caliber athletes in a BCS conference. Most people would think that since he has Pre-Season All-American RB Dion Lewis, that the pressure would be off of him, but it’s actually quite the opposite. With the amount of attention that will be given to the Pitt running game, Sunseri is the true key to success for this football team. Sunseri is a dual-threat guy with quick feet so look for Dave Wannstedt’s staff to give him a few QB draws especially early in the season to give defenses another element to have to plan for.
Panther faithful, however, can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Sunseri will have one of the more talented groups of WRs in the nation to throw to. Highlighting said group is Jonathan Baldwin. Baldwin is ranked in the Top3 of most NFL scouts 2011 early draft list. His lanky frame, great hands, leaping ability, and silky smooth running motion are sure to make him a prized possession at the next level. But we’re talking about 2010 and for the Panthers to have success, he has got to make Sunseri look good. Joining Baldwin in this solid group will be sophomores Mike Shannahan and Cameron Saddler.
Last year the Pitt defense disappeared against Cincy while giving up 45 points in the final regular season game. But this year’s defense looks to be much more seasoned and experienced. DE Greg Romeus is an early candidate for the Chuck Bednarik award and some Pitt alumni are comparing him to the great Hugh Greene. Both starting safties return to anchor a secondary that will start all juniors and seniors, so experience is abundant.
Just looking at this team arbitrarily, you’d expect them to be in the national title hunt, but their schedule is arguably one of the toughest in the country. 3 of their non-conference games will be against Miami, Utah, and Notre Dame and they finish the season against the 4 other best teams in the Big East (Cincinnati, WVU, UConn, and USF). So while this team has the talent to win 11 games… I cant see them getting more than 9. Their game against West Virginia on November 26th should decide the Big East Champion.
Key Returning Players:
RB Dion Lewis
WR Jonathan Baldwin
DE Greg Romeus
Key Games:
Sept 2 - @ Utah
Sept 23 - Miami
Oct 9 - @ Notre Dame
Oct 23 - Rutgers
Nov 11 - @ UConn
Nov 20 - @ USF
Nov 26 - West Virginia
Dec 4 - @ Cincinnati
Let’s start with the positive. The consensus Big East Offensive Freshman of the Year, RB Dion Lewis, returns for his encore performance and Panther fans are hoping that he doesn’t skip a beat in his development. Lewis ran for 1,799 yards and 17 TDs while breaking virtually EVERY record set by Pittsburgh’s greatest RB in history, Tony Dorsett. Even Dorsett himself offered high praise for Lewis’s ability and determination. There is no question regarding Lewis’s talent. The only question is how he will play with a target on his back? As a freshman he was able to surprise lots of teams expecting Pitt to throw the ball more, but this year with the Panthers having a first-time starter at QB, expect more teams to stack 8 and even 9 defenders in the box with aspirations set on shutting Lewis down. He opens the season as the favorite to win Big East player of the year, but there’s literally A LOT of football to be played before that becomes reality.
As I alluded to previously, the Panthers will be putting a youngin’ under center. Sophomore Tino Sunseri, who is the son of former All-American Pitt LB Sal Sunseri, is the guy that will get the nod for the Panthers. He has beaten out former starter Pat Bostic and has shown in spring that he has all the tools necessary to be a successful trigger man. But now he’ll have to prove that against top-caliber athletes in a BCS conference. Most people would think that since he has Pre-Season All-American RB Dion Lewis, that the pressure would be off of him, but it’s actually quite the opposite. With the amount of attention that will be given to the Pitt running game, Sunseri is the true key to success for this football team. Sunseri is a dual-threat guy with quick feet so look for Dave Wannstedt’s staff to give him a few QB draws especially early in the season to give defenses another element to have to plan for.
Panther faithful, however, can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Sunseri will have one of the more talented groups of WRs in the nation to throw to. Highlighting said group is Jonathan Baldwin. Baldwin is ranked in the Top3 of most NFL scouts 2011 early draft list. His lanky frame, great hands, leaping ability, and silky smooth running motion are sure to make him a prized possession at the next level. But we’re talking about 2010 and for the Panthers to have success, he has got to make Sunseri look good. Joining Baldwin in this solid group will be sophomores Mike Shannahan and Cameron Saddler.
Last year the Pitt defense disappeared against Cincy while giving up 45 points in the final regular season game. But this year’s defense looks to be much more seasoned and experienced. DE Greg Romeus is an early candidate for the Chuck Bednarik award and some Pitt alumni are comparing him to the great Hugh Greene. Both starting safties return to anchor a secondary that will start all juniors and seniors, so experience is abundant.
Just looking at this team arbitrarily, you’d expect them to be in the national title hunt, but their schedule is arguably one of the toughest in the country. 3 of their non-conference games will be against Miami, Utah, and Notre Dame and they finish the season against the 4 other best teams in the Big East (Cincinnati, WVU, UConn, and USF). So while this team has the talent to win 11 games… I cant see them getting more than 9. Their game against West Virginia on November 26th should decide the Big East Champion.
Key Returning Players:
RB Dion Lewis
WR Jonathan Baldwin
DE Greg Romeus
Key Games:
Sept 2 - @ Utah
Sept 23 - Miami
Oct 9 - @ Notre Dame
Oct 23 - Rutgers
Nov 11 - @ UConn
Nov 20 - @ USF
Nov 26 - West Virginia
Dec 4 - @ Cincinnati
Friday, May 21, 2010
#24 West Virginia Mountaineers
The seamless transition from the Rich Rod Era to the Bill Stewart Era is now complete as Stewart enters his 3rd year as Coach. Stewart has been successful so far, but something seems to be missing. After making it to 2 BCS Bowl games in his final 3 years on the job, Rich Rod, of course, bolted for The Big House. And although Stewart has led the Mountaineers to back to back Bowls (Mieneke Car Care and Gator Bowl), the yearning to be back in the BCS hunt is growing amongst the Mountaineer faithful.
This team has all the makings of a Big East Champion. 8 returning starters on defense gives them the most experienced returning D in the league. And the announcement that Noel Devine and Jock Sanders would stay for their Senior seasons was a late Christmas gift to the West Virginia fan base. I like everything about this team and I wouldn't be surprised to see them making noise in the BCS picture late in November...
So why don't I have them ranked higher, you ask? Simple. Inexperience at the most important position on the field. Sophomore QB Eugene "Geno" Smith has all the tools that the greatest WVU QB in history (Pat White) had. But tools alone wont be able to carry WVU through the upstart Big East schedule. He only has one career start.
One of the best things the Mountaineers have going for them is that 4 out of 5 of their offensive lineman are returning as is starting TE Tyler Urban. The running game should be stout, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Noel Devine amongst the Top 10 candidates for the Heisman come mid-October.
The early 2010 schedule sets up well for WVU, as they play Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and Maryland in the first 3 weeks. They should have plenty of momentum and rhythm going by the time they hit the end of September... Buttttt,
The "Circle the Calendar" game will come on September 25th, as the Mountaineers travel to Death Valley in Baton Rouge to take on The "Purple Machine" (aka LSU). A win there and the sky is the limit.
With new starting QBs at USF, Syracuse, Pitt, and Cincy, a Big East title is not out of reach... But Geno Smith will have to mature fast (and put that Gator Bowl beatdown from the Noles behind him) if the Mountaineers want a shot at a January 1st Bowl game.
Key Returners:
RB Noel Devine
WR Jock Sanders
Key Games:
9/25 - @ LSU
10/14 - USF
10/29 - @ Uconn
11/13 - Cincinnati
11/26 - @ Pitt
12/04 - Rutgers
This team has all the makings of a Big East Champion. 8 returning starters on defense gives them the most experienced returning D in the league. And the announcement that Noel Devine and Jock Sanders would stay for their Senior seasons was a late Christmas gift to the West Virginia fan base. I like everything about this team and I wouldn't be surprised to see them making noise in the BCS picture late in November...
So why don't I have them ranked higher, you ask? Simple. Inexperience at the most important position on the field. Sophomore QB Eugene "Geno" Smith has all the tools that the greatest WVU QB in history (Pat White) had. But tools alone wont be able to carry WVU through the upstart Big East schedule. He only has one career start.
One of the best things the Mountaineers have going for them is that 4 out of 5 of their offensive lineman are returning as is starting TE Tyler Urban. The running game should be stout, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Noel Devine amongst the Top 10 candidates for the Heisman come mid-October.
The early 2010 schedule sets up well for WVU, as they play Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and Maryland in the first 3 weeks. They should have plenty of momentum and rhythm going by the time they hit the end of September... Buttttt,
The "Circle the Calendar" game will come on September 25th, as the Mountaineers travel to Death Valley in Baton Rouge to take on The "Purple Machine" (aka LSU). A win there and the sky is the limit.
With new starting QBs at USF, Syracuse, Pitt, and Cincy, a Big East title is not out of reach... But Geno Smith will have to mature fast (and put that Gator Bowl beatdown from the Noles behind him) if the Mountaineers want a shot at a January 1st Bowl game.
Key Returners:
RB Noel Devine
WR Jock Sanders
Key Games:
9/25 - @ LSU
10/14 - USF
10/29 - @ Uconn
11/13 - Cincinnati
11/26 - @ Pitt
12/04 - Rutgers
Monday, May 17, 2010
Countdown - #25 - Cincinnati Bearcats
We check in with the Cincinnati Bearcats as we roll from 25 to 1 in the GURU's College Football Pre-Season Preview.
Butch Jones took over for Brian Kelly at Central Michigan in 2007 and maintained the same level of success over the past 3 years including coaching Dan Lefevor to being one of the most prolific QBs in recent CFB History.
He now again takes over for Brian Kelly... And this time if he wants to maintain the same level of success, that will mean winning back-to-back Big East Championships and reaching 2 consecutive BCS Bowl games. Good Luck, coach.
Advantages for the Bearcats:
-Brian Kelly recruited well and left a stable of Athletes in the cupboard. The Bearcats return 8 starters on offense and 5 on defense.
-QB Zach Collaros replaced the injured Tony Pike for 5 games last year and played exceptionally well, throwing for 1400 yards and rushing for another 350 yards. His ability to run the ball opens up a whole new dimension for the Bearcat attack. And the experience he gained playing in the heat of the Big East battle (October/November) will pay dividends in 2010.
-As I stated before, Butch Jones has followed Brian Kelly at his last 2 stops and the offense that Jones runs is extremely similar to that of Kelly, so the transition for the offensive players should be seamless.
-Something that some people may have forgotten... Is that former USC WR Vidal Hazelton transferred to Cincinnati and will now be eligible in 2010 after sitting out a year. Keep an eye on him. He and Armon Binns could combine for one of the best WR tandems in America.
-The Bearcats have a very challenging schedule... But they do play their 4 of their toughest opponents at home (Oklahoma, USF, Rutgers, Pitt)
One key question that I have is the defense. What will the defense look like? There were times last year that the Bearcat defense flat out disappeared. And giving up 40+ points in both of their final games (Pitt and Florida) is not a good omen heading into 2010. The Big East has strong offenses that vary greatly in style... So having a solid defense will be a key cog for any team hoping to wear the Big East crown.
Key Players to Watch for:
QB Zach Collaros
WR Armon Binns
RB Isaiah Pead
WR Vidal Hazelton
LB J.K. Schaffer
Key Games:
Sept 4 - @Fresno State
Sept 25 - Oklahoma
Oct 22 - USF
Nov 13 - @West Virginia
Nov 20 - Rutgers
Dec 4 - Pittsburgh
Butch Jones took over for Brian Kelly at Central Michigan in 2007 and maintained the same level of success over the past 3 years including coaching Dan Lefevor to being one of the most prolific QBs in recent CFB History.
He now again takes over for Brian Kelly... And this time if he wants to maintain the same level of success, that will mean winning back-to-back Big East Championships and reaching 2 consecutive BCS Bowl games. Good Luck, coach.
Advantages for the Bearcats:
-Brian Kelly recruited well and left a stable of Athletes in the cupboard. The Bearcats return 8 starters on offense and 5 on defense.
-QB Zach Collaros replaced the injured Tony Pike for 5 games last year and played exceptionally well, throwing for 1400 yards and rushing for another 350 yards. His ability to run the ball opens up a whole new dimension for the Bearcat attack. And the experience he gained playing in the heat of the Big East battle (October/November) will pay dividends in 2010.
-As I stated before, Butch Jones has followed Brian Kelly at his last 2 stops and the offense that Jones runs is extremely similar to that of Kelly, so the transition for the offensive players should be seamless.
-Something that some people may have forgotten... Is that former USC WR Vidal Hazelton transferred to Cincinnati and will now be eligible in 2010 after sitting out a year. Keep an eye on him. He and Armon Binns could combine for one of the best WR tandems in America.
-The Bearcats have a very challenging schedule... But they do play their 4 of their toughest opponents at home (Oklahoma, USF, Rutgers, Pitt)
One key question that I have is the defense. What will the defense look like? There were times last year that the Bearcat defense flat out disappeared. And giving up 40+ points in both of their final games (Pitt and Florida) is not a good omen heading into 2010. The Big East has strong offenses that vary greatly in style... So having a solid defense will be a key cog for any team hoping to wear the Big East crown.
Key Players to Watch for:
QB Zach Collaros
WR Armon Binns
RB Isaiah Pead
WR Vidal Hazelton
LB J.K. Schaffer
Key Games:
Sept 4 - @Fresno State
Sept 25 - Oklahoma
Oct 22 - USF
Nov 13 - @West Virginia
Nov 20 - Rutgers
Dec 4 - Pittsburgh
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