College Football 2008 Preview: Big East

1. University of West Virginia

The West Virginia Mountaineers are loaded on offense. With ultra talented QB Pat White leading the offensive effort and heralded sophomore RB Noel Devine running wild, this team will be more than explosive. The defense, which returns only four players, needs to re-tool. The interior line needs to be more physical. The LB corps seems OK, but the secondary needs help. This team is poise to win another Big East title and a return trip to a BCS bowl game. Anything less will be viewed as a failure.

2. University of South Florida

The Bulls reached the number two spot on the polls last for something. They can play defense. This year version will lead the team's effort to dethrone West Virginia as Big East champion. Lead by ultra competitive RE George Selvie, this unit will keep games close for the offense to win. Junior QB Matt Grothe needs to improve as a passer for the Bulls to take the next step. This team could and should challenge for the conference championship. Coach Jim Leavitt is quietly building a powerhouse, a team that would challenge for bowl bid almost on a year bases.

3. Rutgers University

Rutgers's offense will again lead the team's effort to win the conference. Senior QB Mike Teel, which had over 3,100 of total offense last year, is back for another bowl run. The team needs to find a consistent running back to replace record setter Ray Rice. In the meantime, the defense will have to carry the team. Lead by incoming freshman T Scott Vallone and eight returning starters, this unit has a chance to be dominant. Rutgers should go to its fourth straight bowl, but it won't be a BCS one.

4. University of Pittsburgh

The Panthers are the Conference's dark horse. They can be very good or very bad. This team is loaded with offensive talent. Leading the effort is perhaps the nation's top running back, sophomore LeSean McCoy. If either Pat Bostick or Bill Stull emerges as consistent passer and the offensive line improves, the offense could be potent. The defensive side has a chance to be the Conference's best with seven talented starters returning. This team has enough talent to win the league, but they had self destruct in the past. If they do it again, this could be coach Dave Wannstedt's last season at helm.

5. University of Louisville

This team took a step back last season. Senior QB Hunter Cantwell is loaded with talent. If the team can find some receivers, all three top catchers from last year's squad left, he should continue the Cardinal's tradition of great passers. A running back needs to emerge from a deep crop in order to ease the offensive transition. The defense needs to take a major leap forward for this team to compete for Big Boys bowl bid.

6. University of Connecticut

This is one of the nation's top growing programs and another dark horse candidate for the Conference championship. Nine starters, lead by senior QB Tyler Lorenzen, would make defensive coordinators mad. The defense was the league's best last season. With eight starters back they should, at least, be solid. They will be in the thick of thing for the league crown early on, but later on, the schedule gets tougher. Another nine-win season seems out of the realm, but a nice seven to eight wins are reachable.

7. University of Cincinnati

Coach Brian Kelly stamped his signature on this program. Last season the Bearcats won ten games on what copiously should have been a transition year. This year, if they find a quality quarterback and a solid running back, they should go bowling again. The defense is solid with six returning starters. A solid, seven to nine win season is expected. This is an achievement of itself. Watch out for this team in the next few years.

8. Syracuse University

The Orangemen use to challenge Miami for the league honors. Not anymore. This team had fallen from grace. The offense is at least workable with junior QB Andrew Robinson at the helm although they need to find a running back fast. The defense needs an infusion of talent nearly everywhere. A three to four win season is the best this team can hope for at this moment.