Odds to Win Big East

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 10
The Cardinals are a young team, but they could be successful in the Big East this coming season. QB Teddy Bridgewater had a promising freshman year in which he threw for 2,129 yards and 14 TD. Despite his 12 picks, he’s still thought of as the most talented signal-caller in the conference. He gets back his No. 1 WR as well in sophomore Michaelee Harris (team-best 455 rec yds). Louisville’s ability to control the clock with the run will be important, but its top running back, junior Dominique Brown, averaged only 3.8 yards per carry last year. On the defensive end, Charlie Strong is very excited about the group of corners he has, as well as his linebackers. He’s certainly not worried about a defensive line that was integral in stopping the run (101 rush YPG allowed, 10th in nation) and generating 33 sacks.

CINCINNATI BEARCATS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
The Bearcats QB position is a question mark, but it seems as though either Munchie Legaux (5 TD, 4 INT) will win the job outright, or Cincinnati will employ a two-QB system with senior Brendan Kay (8 career pass attempts). Legaux will need to improve his 47% completion rate if he’s going to be successful. Junior WR Anthony McClung returns after a team-high 683 receiving yards and 6 TD in 2011. The task of replacing Isaiah Pead falls to senior RB George Winn, who had just 40 carries last year but scored on a 69-yard TD run in the Liberty Bowl. The Bearcats defensive line helped lead the nation in Tackles For Loss (8.6 per game) and finish second in sacks (3.5 per game). The linebackers are solid too, but the secondary could cause Butch Jones fits, as for years now, the team has struggled against the pass, allowing 261 passing YPG in 2011.

SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
Despite last season’s 5-7 record, South Florida is a team that could surprise some people and win the Big East championship this year. B.J Daniels is back at QB after throwing for 2,604 yards and 13 TD, while rushing for 601 yards and six scores as a junior. He’ll benefit from playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the conference, and he has his top four receivers back from last year, led by junior Sterling Griffin (team-high 530 rec yds in eight games, 3 TD). One question mark on this South Florida team is a secondary that lacks experience at both the cornerback and safety positions. The defensive line and linebacker groups are both excellent, as the Bulls ranked second in the nation in Tackles For Loss (8.3 per game) and fourth in sacks (3.3 per game), but they’ll need the secondary to defend against the pass (244 YPG allowed, 83rd in FBS) to have a real shot at winning this conference.

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
New head coach Paul Chryst has a lot to do to get this Panthers team to perform at a high level again, but this team does have talent to build on. On offense, senior QB Tino Sunseri will have to improve his decision-making and accuracy after a season in which he threw more interceptions (11) than he did touchdowns (10). He does return his top three targets in WRs Devin Street (754 rec yds) and Mike Shanahan (493 rec yds), and TE Hubie Graham (325 rec yds). The running game is also an issue as their main back, Ray Graham (958 rush yds, 9 TD), is trying to recover from a torn ACL suffered in late October. On the defensive end, the Panthers got help from two Michigan transfers who are ready to play immediately in Ray Vinopal and Cullen Christian. They also get DL Aaron Donald back after an 11-sack season.

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
New head coach Kyle Flood still needs to choose a starting quarterback, but Chas Dodd (10 TD, 7 INT) probably has a slight edge over Gary Nova (11 TD, 9 INT). The Scarlet Knights are getting back their leading rusher in Jawan Jamison (897 rush yds, 9 TD), and although they said goodbye to star WR Mohamed Sanu and his 1,206 yards, Brandon Coleman (552 rec yds, 6 TD) is capable of filling the No. 1 wideout role. The offensive line could struggle this year as they are dealing with injuries already, forcing players to switch positions. The defense held nine teams to 20 points or less last year, ranking eighth in the nation in scoring (18.3 PPG) and ninth in pass defense (172 YPG). With eight starters returning, this unit should be fearsome again.

SYRACUSE ORANGE

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Syracuse should be a good passing team in 2012 with Ryan Nassib (2,685 pass yds, 22 TD, 9 INT) returning under center. He’ll get back his two best targets in leading receiver Alec Lemon (834 rec yds, 6 TD) and WR Marcus Sales, who missed all of 2011 after being arrested on drug-related charges, which have since been dropped. The rushing attack is an issue as there isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 back between Jerome Smith, Prince-Tyson Gulley and Ashton Broyld. The offensive line is also suspect (90th in FBS in sacks allowed). On the defensive side, there is skepticism about the Orange’s front four after losing their top pass rusher, Chandler Jones to the NFL. The secondary could also be an issue again (258 pass YPG allowed, 98th in nation), as Syracuse lacks talent at the defensive back positions.

TEMPLE OWLS

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 4
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
The inexperienced Owls could be in for a rude awakening when they rejoin the Big East in 2012. However, they are finally strong at the quarterback position with junior Chris Coyer (30-for-50, 463 yds, 6 TD, 0 INT), who emerged as the leader of their football team. The offensive line is losing four starters, but head coach Steve Addazio is confident that the new linemen can step in and contribute immediately. The running game loses Bernard Pierce and his 1,481 rushing yards and 27 TD, but gains Boston College’s all-time leading rusher Montel Harris. On defense, Temple allowed a mere 13.9 PPG (3rd in nation), holding five teams to single digits. But the Owls return only five players and will be facing more talented offenses in the Big East than they did in the MAC.

CONNECTICUT HUSKIES

2012 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 7
Defense: Starters Returning: 8
UConn is heading into the 2012 season with another quarterback controversy. Transfer QB Chandler Whitmer had a strong showing in the spring game, but senior Johnny McEntee (2,110 pass yds, 12 TD, 8 INT) has the most experience after starting last year. The offensive line could be a problem as the Huskies lost two starters from what already wasn’t a successful unit last year (4th-most sacks allowed in nation). This could significantly hurt the development of RB Lyle McCombs, who rushed for 1,151 yards (2nd in Big East) and 7 TD as a freshman last season. The defensive line will once again be a strength for UConn (2.8 sacks per game, 13th in nation). DT Ryan Wirth didn’t play a lot last year, but he dominated the spring game with 4.5 sacks. The secondary needs work (281 passing YPG allowed, 113th in FBS), but the Huskies have a chance to improve with several players who saw the field last year.

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