Breaking down the The Big East in '09: Is it a five team race for the conference title?

Does the Big East Conference get more pressure from the non-BCS teams in '09 or will it return to the BCS with a representative program. How does the conference breakdown in '09?

• Cincinnati won the Big East last year, but only finished #17 nationally
• No Big East teams are in the AP or Coaches' preseason polls
• Could five teams compete for the Big East title in '09?
• Will the Big East avoid comparisons to the MWC in BCS talk?

Ranked teams in the AP and Coaches' preseason polls:

• None

Some magazines do like these ACC teams in the Top 25 preseason:

• West Virginia
• Cincinnati
• Pittsburgh
• South Florida
• Rutgers

Teams rebuilding in the Big East in '09

• Connecticut

Teams not quite ready for prime time in 2009?

• Louisville (no bowls the past two seasons)
• Syracuse (won at Notre Dame 24-23 in '08)

Will the Big East finish this way in 2009?

1. West Virginia (5-2 in '08) (13-15 in bowls)
2. Pittsburgh (5-2) (10-15)
3. Rutgers (5-2) (3-2)
4. Cincinnati * (6-1) (5-5)
5. South Florida (2-5) (2-2)
6. Connecticut (3-4) (2-1)
7. Louisville (1-6) (6-7-1)
8. Syracuse (1-6) (12-9-1)

* denotes Big East champion last season

Last BCS title winner

• 2001, Miami - FL (former members of Big East)

Kickoff Game of the Season

Saturday, September 5

Minnesota @ Syracuse

11:00 AM CT
TV: ESPN2

Final Look at the Big East teams, using the preseason Jeff Sagarin NCAA football ratings:

1. West Virginia (#11 in Sagarin ratings) - The Mountaineers finished #23 in the final AP poll in '08 after winning the Mieneke Car Care 31-30 over North Carolina... coach Bill Stewart enters his 2nd year with 33 letterwinners, 5 OFF and 7 DEF, but must replace award winner at PK/PT in Pat McAfee. They open with Liberty, East Carolina, @ Auburn, bye and vs. Colorado, followed by Big East play.


2. Cincinnati (#37) - Coach Brian Kelly enters third year at helm, with 43 letterwinners, with 8 OFF 1 DEF plus placekicker. The Bearcats are coming off 7-20 loss in Orange to Virginia Tech to finish 11-3 in '08. The defense will be revamped under new DC Bobby Diaco and open with a Big East showdown on Labor Day at Rutgers.


3. Rutgers (#38) - Coach Greg Schiano is now entering his ninth season at Rutgers and the Knights have played in four straight bowl games, after playing in only one prior in 1978. The Knights return 47 letterwinners, with 7 OFF and 6 DEF plus both kickers from the team that finished 8-5 in '08, beating North Carolina State 29-23 in Pappajohns.com. As mentioned, the Knights open season with Cincinnati on Labor Day in the Big East.


4. South Florida (#39) - Coach Jim Leavitt is South Florida football entering his 13Th season and four straight bowl games in their history now. The Bulls return 40 letterwinners, with 6 OFF and 6 DEF plus both kickers from a team that finished 8-5 in '08, defeating Memphis 41-14 in St. Petersburgh.


5. Pittsburgh (#40) - Coach Dave Wannstedt enters his fifth year at Pitt, after missing the Top 25 at the close of '08 at 9-4. The Panthers return 49 letterwinners, with 8 OFF and 7 DEF, but must find a new PK and PT for '09. After playing in their first bowl game under Wannstedt, the Panthers came up short 0-3, losing to Oregon State in the Sun. Pitt opens with Youngstown State, at Buffalo, Navy and North Carolina State, before Big East play.


6. Connecticut (#49) - Coach Randy Edsall enters his 11Th year at UConn, where the Huskies have played in two straight bowl games and 3 in 5 seasons. The Huskies return 37 letterwinners, with 6 OFF and 6 DEF plus both kickers from a team that finished 8-5 in '08, including a 38-20 win in International over Buffalo. UConn opens at Ohio U in '09.


7. Louisville (#50) - Entering his third season for the Cardinals, coach Steve Kragthorpe is on the hot seat, after missing in back to back seasons with bowl trips. The Cardinals were in the BCS in '06 and won the Orange, but times have changed. The Cardinals (6-6 in '07 and 5-7 in 08) with 49 letterwinners, 7 OFF and 6 DEF plus both kickers, open the '09 season with Indiana State, bye, @ Kentucky and @ Utah before opening Big East play. The other OOC game is on Halloween vs. Arkansas State.


8. Syracuse (#97) - A new era begins of Orange football with new coach Doug Marrone taking the helm, after the Orange finished '08 at 3-9. Notre Dame is off the schedule in the OOC, but the Orange with 45 letterwinners, with 7 OFF and 7 DEF plus punter, will open with Minnesota, @ Penn State, Northwestern and Maine, before opening Big East play with South Florida for Homecoming.

A look back at last year's statistics in the Big East.

peace