College Football Preview: 2009 Big East
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When it comes to the BCS conferences, the Big East just doesn’t get any credit. For the most part, it doesn’t deserve any.
Since Bobby Petrino left for the NFL (and then Arkansas), since Rich Rodriguez left Morgantown for Ann Arbour, and since South Florida decided to be one of the biggest disappointments annually, the Big East has been a fraud of a conference. While they clearly have no BCS powerhouses, they do have some decent programs.
For NCAA football betting purposes, though, let’s handicap who will win this conference.
Pittsburgh Panthers
The Panthers are perennial underachievers in the Big East but if there is any year for them to get the job done, this is the year. The betting crowd doesn’t put much faith in Dave Wannstedt, who continually recruits well but can’t get the team to play up to their expectations.
If senior quarterback Bill Stull can be consistent, which is a big if, this team could win the conference.
West Virginia Mountaineers
This team looked like a squad that was fading in the first half last year but regained its traction to finish up well. Senior quarterback Jarrett Brown takes over for Pat White and the backfield is again deep. Last year, Bill Stewart nearly messed up a good thing but White righted the ship – is this team actually good or are they spiraling downhill without Coach Rodriguez.
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats – and head coach Brian Kelly – are up and coming. Last year, they arrived on the scene with a BCS bid and this year they’ll look to repeat. Led by quarterback Tony Pike and wideout Mardy Gilyard, the Bearcats have the best QB-WR combo in the league. But last year the team was carried by a good defense and now they have to replace 10 of 11 starters on that side of the ball. Looks like a rebuilding year for Kelly and the Bearcats.
South Florida Bulls
The Bulls are again the sexy pick in the Big East but can they live up to expectations? Matt Grothe is back to lead the offense but he needs more help if the team is to succeed.
On defense, All American George Selvie will lead a line that has a combined 75 starts.
There’s no questions that the Bulls have the players to do it but they have to walk the walk. I’m betting management is putting some pressure on head coach Jim Leavitt, who will likely get axed if he doesn’t produce a big bowl win.
Louisville Cardinals
Another coach whose neck will be on the line will be Louisville’s Steve Kragthorpe. The Cardinals have been a disaster since Bobby Petrino took off and there isn’t much talent for Kragthorpe to work with. While Cardinals fans are still have big bowl dreams, more betting picks are selecting the Cardinals to finish last than finish with a BCS bowl win.
One reply on “NCAA Football Gambling Predictions: Big East”
South Florida may be a fan favorite to win the Big East, but I still Think it comes down to the Pitt-West Virginia game for the title.