OS NCAA 10 Preview: Big East - Operation Sports

Parity rules in the Big East. For that simple reason it is very hard to predict what team will be Big East champs at the end of the year. Parity is also the reason why -- with a few breaks -- I could easily see a team like Louisville or UConn competing for the league championship.

But if I had to choose a favorite to win the conference, then it would have to be South Florida. However, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, West Virginia or Cincinnati could easily win the conference as well. Expect the Big East to be a very competitive conference, and for the winner to perhaps not even have 10 wins.

1. South Florida

In NCAA Football 10 USF is the top-rated team in the Big East -- B-plus ratings across the board. USF will have to travel to Rutgers and Pittsburgh, which will not be easy tasks. George Selvie (95 OVR) is an All-American type of player on defense, and QB Matt Grothe (91 OVR) is both experienced and talented. Following several quick starts during the past few years, look for the Bulls to finally take the Big East in 2009.

2. Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights possess a B-plus rating on defense, which is good because they will have to prove that defense wins championships this year. Rutgers does have four Big East road games, but they play their toughest games at home. The offensive line also happens to be stacked with talent -- LT Anthony Davis (93 OVR), Kevin Haslam (90 OVR) and Ryan Blaszczyk (89 OVR) anchor the beefy group of linemen.

3. Pittsburgh

The Panthers possess a B overall in NCAA Football. Their offense and defense both also come in at B. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh fans, the Panthers must travel to both Rutgers and West Virginia, so it will be tough to win the league outright. Bill Stull (86 OVR) returns at QB, while Jonathan Baldwin (88 OVR) will be a big-play threat at wideout.

4. Cincinnati

Despite possessing a B-plus rating on both offense and defense, Cincinnati gets a B overall rating in NCAA Football 10. The Bearcats will have to win at either USF or Pittsburgh to have a chance to win the Big East, but beyond those games, their schedule is favorable. All-American wide receiver Mardy Gilyard (93 OVR) will be the impact player on offense, while Aaron Webster (88 OVR) will lead the defense.

5. West Virginia

The Mountaineers are usually considered to be one of the top two teams in the Big East. But despite having two of the top players in the conference in Jarrett Brown (87 OVR) and Noel Devine (94 OVR), the Mountaineers will have a tough time navigating their schedule. They must travel to three of the top four teams in the league, which will be tough to overcome.

6. Louisville

The Cardinals have fallen quite far in the past couple of years. This year the Cardinals only garner a C-plus rating, thanks in large part to their paltry defense (C). The Cardinals also play four Big East road games, which adds to the difficulty of the schedule. Running back Victor Anderson (89 OVR) is the team's best player.

7. Connecticut

The Huskies have a C overall rating, and they will have to figure out how to replace the school's all-time leading rusher in Donald Brown. Jordan Todman (75 OVR) will try to fill the void, but those shoes are going to be tough to fill. QB Zach Frazer (86 OVR) is a bright spot.

8. Syracuse

The Orange have a new coach in Doug Marrone, which might be good for an extra win or two this year. However, don't look for too much improvement this year since the Orange are sporting a defense (D-plus OVR) that will give up points in droves. Delone Carter (83 OVR) could be an impact player this year.

How do you think the Big East will play out this year? Defend your team and comment on our predictions by commenting on the story.

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Member Comments

# 1 BackToLiveAction @ 08/06/09 05:19 PM

i think this list is right. WVU needs some playmakers at WR. so does Rutgers. Overall I think the Big East is a weak confrence now that all the good players are gone.

# 2 Terrell28 @ 08/06/09 06:23 PM

Yeah thats about right but since The U left as well as Boston College the conference is very weak and everyone wants to say parity call it what it is lack of talent now that Steve Slaton left last year and now Pat White is gone take the automatic bid away the days of a big east team like Rutgers or Uconn beating and Sec or Big 12 team or done now.

# 3 Terrell28 @ 08/06/09 06:24 PM

P.S. Noel Divine will have a big year but the defense is why i agree WVU 5th or maybe 4th in the conference.

# 4 wEEman33 @ 08/06/09 06:44 PM

Funny how the Big East has become such a basketball-oriented league as of late. How the mighty have fallen.

# 5 Sundown2600 @ 08/06/09 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	Funny how the Big East has become such a basketball-oriented league as of late. How the mighty have fallen.

Lol. The Big East has and always will be a basketball conference.

# 6 BackToLiveAction @ 08/06/09 09:06 PM

thats very true. just like the sec will most likely be a football confrence

# 7 Dbrentonbuck @ 08/07/09 12:55 AM

Sorry, I have to disagree with you here. You still have plenty of NFL talent in the BE. You have 5 teams which are always ranked in the top 25 at some point in the year. You have one of the top 5 coaches in the country there. You have 1st day NFL draft prospects in Pike, Gilyard, Selvie, Devine and maybe more. 3 QBs on the O'Brien watch list, 3 HB on the Walker list, etc.

It is trendy to pick on the BE right now. All the cool kids are doing it. Sadly, those people know very little about football.

# 8 Dbrentonbuck @ 08/07/09 12:59 AM

I also love it when people say "The Big East sucks ever since Miami and BC left. Over the past 2 years, 5 teams in the BE have been rated higher than either of those teams both years.

# 9 thescoop @ 08/07/09 01:09 AM

Big Least teams are always ranked in the top 25 due to over-ranking thanks to their past. They should NOT be a BCS conference.

# 10 Terrell28 @ 08/07/09 01:28 AM

@ Dbrentonbuck If it wasn't for WVU beating the teams in the bowl games because of the talent of Steve Slaton & Pat White the big east would be in trouble I know alot about football really all sports and I'm not being trendy the reason Big East teams bubble up in the top 25 is because the SEC and Big 12 and maybe even the Big Ten to some extent beat up on each other and effects their rankings. But like I said in my 1st post now that WVU is on the way back down no more bowl wins over a major conference and your arguement that 5 teams in the Big East have ranked higher than Miami and BC well DUH thats my point they are in better conferences now hence more of a chance to lose when THE U was in the Big East They Owned the Big East after Mcnabb and Harrison had they run with the Cuse know what your talking about 1st cause if Miami was still in the Big East Uconn would still be a free win for them and Rutgers lol yeah ok I'm from Jersey and we dont claim them one good year does not make for a powerhouse so keep on with ya "parity" whatever helps ya sleep lol.

P.S. For the record from and In Jersey but Miami and WVU supporter since the days of Major Harris so I know and still love my Big East just not as interesting when you bring in those Conference USA teams like Cincinatti when you take away a MIAMI Hurricanes.

# 11 Dbrentonbuck @ 08/07/09 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thescoop


	Big Least teams are always ranked in the top 25 due to over-ranking thanks to their past. They should NOT be a BCS conference.

So, you are saying that somewhere there is a computer programer who helped write the BCS algorithim and he decided that he was going to put a computation in the program that would give the BE a higher rating based on something that happened 5 years ago?

Then, for the human element involved in the bcs ratings, there are a group of people sitting in a dark room that say "Remember when Miami and BC were in the Big East, that was cool. Lets rate Pitt higher because of that."

That makes sense.

# 12 thescoop @ 08/07/09 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dbrentonbuck


	So, you are saying that somewhere there is a computer programer who helped write the BCS algorithim and he decided that he was going to put a computation in the program that would give the BE a higher rating based on something that happened 5 years ago? Then, for the human element involved in the bcs ratings, there are a group of people sitting in a dark room that say "Remember when Miami and BC were in the Big East, that was cool. Lets rate Pitt higher because of that." That makes sense.

Wow, I didn't release you were clueless and need to be explained all. No, that isn't what I'm saying. I'm saying that for years, in large part due to Miami, VT and BC, the Big East was a well respected conference with teams compeating for a national championship. That's why. Not because of the stupid dark room thing you dreamed I implied.

Now, they feature teams like South Florida that just a couple of years ago was a mid-major. A mid-major that couldn't even really hang in CUSA. They didn't go from mid-major to national power. They were put up on the mantel by the name of the Big East.

The computers are horrible and we've seen the mistakes they've made, but the human element is what made the Big Least still considered a power when they are a mere mid-major conference, maybe one of the stronger mid-major conferences, but a mid-major non-the-less.

Also, the BCS itself is a farce. The comish of the Big Least was (might still be) its president. If he hadn't held that position when they lost those teams it might not have stayed in the BCS. The sports writers over hype that conference every year. If you rank an average team, playing in an average conference, in the top ten and they run the table they might be a top team in the computer due to fact they were over-ranked to start.

The Big East is NOT a power conference anymore. Will it be again one day, who knows? But it is a mid-major pretending to be a big boy now.

# 13 Dbrentonbuck @ 08/07/09 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrell28


	@ Dbrentonbuck If it wasn't for WVU beating the teams in the bowl games because of the talent of Steve Slaton & Pat White the big east would be in trouble I know alot about football really all sports and I'm not being trendy the reason Big East teams bubble up in the top 25 is because the SEC and Big 12 and maybe even the Big Ten to some extent beat up on each other and effects their rankings. But like I said in my 1st post now that WVU is on the way back down no more bowl wins over a major conference and your arguement that 5 teams in the Big East have ranked higher than Miami and BC well DUH thats my point they are in better conferences now hence more of a chance to lose when THE U was in the Big East They Owned the Big East after Mcnabb and Harrison had they run with the Cuse know what your talking about 1st cause if Miami was still in the Big East Uconn would still be a free win for them and Rutgers lol yeah ok I'm from Jersey and we dont claim them one good year does not make for a powerhouse so keep on with ya "parity" whatever helps ya sleep lol. P.S. For the record from and In Jersey but Miami and WVU supporter since the days of Major Harris so I know and still love my Big East just not as interesting when you bring in those Conference USA teams like Cincinatti when you take away a MIAMI Hurricanes.

No, you are right. You know football better than the Coaches, the BCS committee, the NCAA, the National College Football Awards Association, and everyone else. So, I heard this year they are getting rid of all that stuff and just consulting with you right? They are calling it the TCS.

# 14 Terrell28 @ 08/07/09 01:55 AM

Waiting for your reply to me I dont agree that they shouldn't be a BCS conference but come on be honest the Big East now talent wise is really only on par with the WAC and conferences like that and maybe the Big Ten cause of the way they faulter in the bowl games and the fact it's only Ohio State and Penn State it's always two teams when Michigan was good no Penn State so at least the Big East has more teams in play for bowls but as an overall conference my Big East no longer scares other conferences like this year most folks think South Fla will be great(not me I know better) so imagine South Fla in a major bowl game against I'll give you the 2nd and 3rd best teams from the SEC and Big 12 this year you telling me South Fla takes one of those teams out? Also I realized this the reason Big East teams truly bubble is that every year in the Big East it seems to be only one or two dominate teams and they end up being undefeated and ranked rather highly till they play the 2nd best Big East team and then lose so they still get a nice bowl with only 1 or maybe 2 losses like WVU did three years ago and how Rutgers did two years ago now so this year it's South Fla's turn to beat up on a not so good WVU, an average at best Rutgers & Pitt so mark my words if South Fla is as good as everyone thinks they should be 10-0 and ranked highly when they lose their game to that Big East team late.

# 15 Terrell28 @ 08/07/09 01:58 AM

Yeah the coaches know more than me but in this case you dont so THANK YOU lol.

# 16 Dbrentonbuck @ 08/07/09 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thescoop


	Wow, I didn't release you were clueless and need to be explained all. No, that isn't what I'm saying. I'm saying that for years, in large part due to Miami, VT and BC, the Big East was a well respected conference with teams compeating for a national championship. That's why. Not because of the stupid dark room thing you dreamed I implied. Now, they feature teams like South Florida that just a couple of years ago was a mid-major. A mid-major that couldn't even really hang in CUSA. They didn't go from mid-major to national power. They were put up on the mantel by the name of the Big East. The computers are horrible and we've seen the mistakes they've made, but the human element is what made the Big Least still considered a power when they are a mere mid-major conference, maybe one of the stronger mid-major conferences, but a mid-major non-the-less. Also, the BCS itself is a farce. The comish of the Big Least was (might still be) its president. If he hadn't held that position when they lost those teams it might not have stayed in the BCS. The sports writers over hype that conference every year. If you rank an average team, playing in an average conference, in the top ten and they run the table they might be a top team in the computer due to fact they were over-ranked to start. The Big East is NOT a power conference anymore. Will it be again one day, who knows? But it is a mid-major pretending to be a big boy now.

Then you are saying exactly what I said you are saying, only now the sports writers and the BCS president are in the dark room as well.... let me guess... I bet he says "EXCELLENT" in a real creepy voice?

Nothing you say holds water. They have a winning bowl record, winning BCS bowl record, winning OOC record since the break up of the original BE. AND it is hilarious to hear someone say that the MEDIA over hypes the BE. Many cities in the BE didn't even send media to the BE media day until this year. They are always being trashed in the media.

# 17 Terrell28 @ 08/07/09 02:03 AM

Oh and when you leave things up to a computer to base your facts on what the BSC(I know its the BCS but real sports fans knows it B.S.) says about how high a team is ranked when they base it on so many variables that shouldn't matter anyway a BCS commitee are you kidding me if it was the TCS it would be settled on the field so I think you know what you can do with ya BCS algorithim. lol

# 18 Dbrentonbuck @ 08/07/09 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrell28


	Yeah the coaches know more than me but in this case you dont so THANK YOU lol.

So when the coaches had 5 teams from the BE ranked in the top 25 at different points last year?

I am not saying they are the SEC. I am saying they aren't horrible. They have 5 very good teams and any one of them are capable of beating just about anyone in the BCS on any given day just as they are capable of losing to them.

Ok... this is becoming pointless now. Goodnight and have a pleasant tomorrow all.

# 19 Terrell28 @ 08/07/09 02:14 AM

Ok that I agree with but dont say since The U, VT and BC left that they are still on par or even better I never said they were terrible again I'm an WVU fan and I hear it too about who did yall beat and my reply GEORGIA and Oklahoma!!!!!!

# 20 rudyjuly2 @ 08/07/09 01:54 PM

At this point I don't think the Big East deserves an automatic BCS bid. They should share that with an at-large team. Highest ranking gets one (that would also appease the Utah's, Boise St.'s etc.). It would be nice if Syracuse became good again for the conference.

I'd pick Pittsburgh to win it all if I didn't think Wannstedt was such an average coach.

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