Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2009 Record: 9-4 (3-4)
Head Coach: Greg Schiano (55-55)
Returning Starters: 12 (6/6 offense/defense)
Key Losses: Anthony Davis, Tim Brown, Devin McCourty
Returning Leaders:
- Passing: Tom Savage, 2211 yards, 149-285, 14 TD, 7 INT
- Rushing: Joe Martinek, 967 yards, 206 attempts, 9 TD
- Receiving: Mohamed Sanu, 639 yards, 51 receptions, 3 TD

Strengths:
The defense as a whole should be pretty good for Rutgers, but the defensive line should be the strength of the entire unit. 3 starters return from a group that led the nation in tackles for loss. The 4th guy projected to start is end Jonathan Freeny and all he did last year was lead the team in sacks with 9.5.

Weaknesses:
It’s not very often that you can return a starter at a position and still call it a weakness, but that is exactly what I am doing at running back. Joe Martinek returns as the starter and while Martinek is solid he is not flashy and does nothing to stand out. He finished the season with 967 rushing yards last year. Rutgers is also a bit weak at wide receiver where only the talented Mohamed Sanu returns to start. Losing Tim Wright for the season compounds the issue.

By the numbers:
Not only was Rutgers 1st in tackles for loss, but they were also 4th in sacks and 15th against the run. Even with All American tackle Anthony Davis, Rutgers was just t-111th in sacks allowed.

In the press:
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano could be looking at best defensive team of his tenure

My thoughts:
Like Cincinnati, Rutgers will be competitive. Their defense will keep them in games and they have some nice pieces on offense with Sanu and Savage. But I have to believe this team is still a year away from being Big East Championship ready.

South Florida Bulls
2009 Record: 8-5 (3-4)
Head Coach: Skip Holtz (1st year at USF)
Returning Starters: 10 (7 offense, 3 defense)
Key Losses: Jason Pierre-Paul, George Selvie, Nate Allen, Jerome Murphy
Returning Leaders:
- Passing: BJ Daniels, 1983 yards, 122-227, 14 TD, 9 INT
- Rushing: BJ Daniels, 772 yards, 175 attempts, 9 TD
- Receiving: AJ Love, 489 yards, 26 receptions, 4 TD

Strengths:
USF QB Matt Grothe went down in the 3rd game of the season with an injury that would end his career. Behind Grothe were a lot of question marks. BJ Daniels stepped in and did a phenomenal job under the circumstances. Not only is he the leading returning passer, but he is also the leading returning rusher for USF. With 4 of 5 starters returning, the offensive line looks to be a strength as well though the loss of Zach Hermann is a big loss.

Weaknesses:
When your quarterback is your leading rusher…well, you know you’ve got some problems. The tumultuous career of Mike Ford finally came to an end when he was dismissed from the team. The tailback with the most experience is often injured Mo Plancher, who recently was awarded a 6th year of eligibility from the NCAA. Plancher was the leader amongst the returning running backs with 581 yards last season.

By the numbers:
USF was 24th in total defense, 24th against the pass & t-19th in scoring defense. All numbers that should drop after losing 2 cornerbacks and 2 defensive ends to the pros. Only 3 starters return on defense and they will have a new defensive coordinator this season (interestingly enough it will be ex-Herd Coach Mark Snyder).

In the press:
USF begins new chapter under Skip Holtz

My thoughts:
Like Rutgers & Cincinnati, I also see USF as being a competitive team. They have new life with Skip Holtz taking over and they have some nice pieces on the football field with Daniels, the o-line and a promising secondary. And also like Rutgers & Cincinnati, I see USF as being a year away for competing for the Big East Crown.

Syracuse Orange
2009 Record: 4-8 (1-6)
Head Coach: Doug Marrone (4-8)
Returning Starters: 12 (2 offense, 10 defense)
Key Losses: Mike Williams, Arthur Jones
Returning Leaders:
- Passing: Ryan Nassib, 422 yards, 36-68, 3 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Delone Carter, 1021 yards, 236 attempts, 11 TD
- Receiving: Alec Lemon, 295 yards, 29 receptions, 1 TD

Strengths:
On a team with few strengths, Syracuse has a real nice corps of linebackers. All seniors, Derrell Smith, Doug Hogue & EJ Carter gives the ‘Cuse plenty of speed and playmaking ability at the position.

Weaknesses:
Syracuse returns 2 starters on offense. They have quality in the backfield with Delone Carter, but they really need help everywhere else on offense.

By the numbers:
The good news: Syracuse returns all of the starters in the defensive backfield. The bad news: they were 85th in pass defense and 113 in pass efficiency defense. The Orange were stout against the run checking in at #13 and #6 in sacks, but the loss of 2 starters (1 being Art Jones) on the d-line will cause the numbers to drop.

In the press:
Syracuse goal: keep improving

My thoughts:
Doug Marrone, in only his second season, still has a lot of work to do. Syracuse was once a power and consistent force in football, but for several years they have been at or near the bottom of the conference. Things may eventually improve under Marrone, but it won’t be this season.

Yes – I know that I’ve previewed every position on the WVU roster, but I figured I would pull things together and offer a team preview of the ‘eers as well. What the heck, right?
West Virginia Mountaineers
2009 Record: 9-4 (5-2)
Head Coach: Bill Stewart (19-8)
Returning Starters: 16 (7 offense, 9 defense)
Key Losses: Reed Williams, Selvish Capers, Jarrett Brown, Alric Arnett
Returning Leaders:
- Passing: Geno Smith, 309 yards, 32-49, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Noel Devine, 1465 yards, 242 attempts, 13 TD
- Receiving: Jock Sanders, 688 yards, 72 receptions, 3 TD

Strengths:
The defense appears to be a strength as a whole, but it will be led by the experienced and talented secondary. All Big East performers Robert Sands & Brandon Hogan return as well as Keith Tandy & Sidney Glover. Sophomore Terence Garvin rounds out the starters. Eain Smith, Brodrick Jenkins & Pat Miller provide depth and will push the starters. The offensive backfield is another strength with Devine, Ryan Clarke and the rest of the crew.

Weaknesses:
Same ole, same ole…offensive line and kickoff returns? Gosh, I hope not. Stew kicked his ego to the side and delegated the special teams duties during the offseason. The o-line returns 4 starters and has an injection of youth so one would have to think that it won’t be that bad this season. Depth at key positions like quarterback & linebacker are probably the biggest weaknesses. I’m sure many would argue that coaching/game management, etc. would fit into this category.

By the numbers:
We finished the season 36th in total defense (46 pass, 37 rush) – a number that I fully expect to see come down this season. Can we improve on the 90th ranked passing offense? In Geno we trust.

In the press:
Pieces in place for West Virginia to pursue Big East title, quiet restless fans

My thoughts:
I’ve never been short of optimism in my life…especially when it comes to WVU Football. The critics can stand on their soapboxes and criticize the coaching staff and certain elements of the program all they want. Look, I am a West Virginian by birth, but a Mountaineer by choice. I’m not going to just up and abandon the team that I love. I also believe that adversity shows the measure of a man. So when times get tough my supports gets that much greater. It’s hard to believe that 9 win seasons have caused so much unrest and stirs such a need for so much support, but it is what it is. And I am who I am. Anyway, I am rambling…bottom line is this: this team is packed with talent and we’re going to win a bunch of games this season. Enjoy the wins folks. Life is too short not to.

I’ll be back later this week or early next week with part 3 of the Big East Preview. Stay tuned.