still a little too early for me to throw out predictions on football.

heres a nice write up on the big east guys, along with some predictions for this year:

Since the defection of Boston College, Miami Florida and Virginia Tech the BIG EAST is now perhaps more affectionately known as the BIG LEAST. But to scoff at all the teams inside this slimmed-down conference would be a major mistake. Just ask the Georgia Bulldogs.



Here is my take on the BIG EAST for 2006. Coming up next: the BIG TEN Conference. Enjoy…


BIG EAST


Louisville QB Brian Brohm is coming off a serious knee injury. (Getty)
CINCINNATI

Mark Dantonio knew coming in he’d be up against it. That’s the way it is for coaches whose depth-chart features 30 of 44 players with one season or less of Division 1-A experience. As a result the Bearcats were forced to play no less than 10 freshmen while the defense relied on nine first-year players most of the year. Though it all Dantonio, the former DC at Ohio State, managed to survive. He figures to be rewarded this year, though, as 44 lettermen return, including 17 starters. Provided, of course, they are still alive after their first four road games – all against bowl teams. Sometimes you just can’t catch a break.

PLAY ON: vs. South Florida (10/21)



CONNECTICUT

Randy Edsall just can’t catch a break. Last season his team was hit hard by graduation losses. Then, to top it off, he lost no less than 18 players from his two-deep roster to injuries. Despite last year’s drop off to 5-6, the Huskies have lead the Big East in total team defense each of their first two years in the league. And that was with a different lineup eight consecutive games from mid-September through mid-November. This season Edsall welcomes the return of 14 starters, including senior QB Matt Bonislawski and 5th year RB Terry Caulley. If the defense doesn’t rest, Uconn break into the winners circle with the Huskies in ’06.

PLAY ON: vs. Pittsburgh (11/11)



LOUISVILLE

You can best believe Bobby Petrino’s high-octane, wide-open offense welcomes QB Jeff Brohm and RB Michael Bush back with open arms. Both players missed the final two games of the season with injuries, yet put up monster numbers. Brohm was the Big East’s offensive player of the year while Bush, a 6’ 4” 250 lb. workhorse, lead the nation in scoring (23 TD’s - 14.4 PPG) gaining 1,143 rushing yards. A conundrum occurs when they host Miami, as the Cardinals are 15-2 SU against the ACC, but 0-9-1 against the Hurricanes. Instead, we’ll fuel up on the Red Birds when defending conference champion West Virginia invades.

PLAY ON: vs. West Virginia (11/2)



PITTSBURGH

Head coach Dave Wannstedt received a chilly reception on his return to the Steel City from Miami last year when the Panthers dipped to 5-6, their first losing season this decade. An unpleasantly cold forecast could be in the offing again in 2006 as Pitt takes on seven bowlers. They will rely heavily on SR QB Tyler Palko, who fell far short of the expectations placed upon him last season. Nonetheless, Palko is extremely talented and has thrown 41 TD’s against 16 INT’s the last two seasons. The further emergence of two running back hopefuls that played as true freshmen last year will hopefully aid in Palko’s shining moment. Otherwise another bitter season could be in the offing.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Syracuse (10/7)



RUTGERS

Head boss man Greg Soprano, err Schiano, agreed to a new 7-year extension through the 2012 season. Deservedly so, may we add. Tony, err Greg, put the Scarlet Knights back on the football map with their first bowl appearance in 27 years last season. His main captain, RB Brian Leonard returns for his senior season, looking to eclipse most of the rushing marks in school history. Beyond him, though, the ranks thin out. “We’re a very young football team. 58 of a possible 85 scholarship players have three or four years of eligibility remaining. We’re certainly a freshman and sophomore dominated team,” cautions the boss. Bada Bing.

PLAY AGAINST: vs. Pittsburgh (10/21)



SOUTH FLORIDA

USF rewarded Jim Leavitt with a long-term contract last year and he countered with the Bulls first ever Division 1-A bowl bid, making their debut into the Big East a smashing success. Sure they may have dropped their last three games in a row but the bottom line is this program is in good hands. For starters, the defense improved more than 80 YPG (from No. 77 to No. 17) while they also managed to re-establish home field dominance (41-9 L50 home games) when they went 4-1, including a benchmark win over Louisville. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons Leavitt insists ‘you can never leave home again’.

PLAY ON: vs. Pittsburgh (11/4)



SYRACUSE

As expected, having to tackle eight bowl teams in his rookie season was a bit more than head coach Greg Robinson’s squad was ready to handle. That’s because it’s never easy having to adapt to a new coach’s offensive schemes, especially when it’s a West Coast offense. As a result the Orange’s production fell off the map, averaging a mere 288 YPG (117th ranked in the nation). The good news is the defense improved substantially, but eventually melted from inordinate periods of time on the field. To make matters worse they’ve suffered heavy losses to the offensive line in 2006. Rome wasn’t rebuilt in a day and neither will be the crew in the Carrier Dome.

PASS



WEST VIRGINIA

It was honors galore for the Mountaineers last season. For head coach Rich Rodriguez his 3rd Big East Conference title earned him the Coach Of The Year award in the league, while RB Steve Slaton was voted Rookie Of The Year in the conference. Keying the attack was QB Patrick White who rushed for 952 yards and seven touchdowns, while tossing for eight other scores. It all culminated with a stunning win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl as the Hillbillies wrapped up a dream-like 11-win season. Best of all, this year’s schedule finds the Stump-jumpers taking on only two opponents with winning records. In West Virginia it’s almost like a wet-dream come true.

PLAY AGAINST: as favorite vs. Connecticut (10/20).