So this was going to be only the Big East 2009 Preview, but I thought I'd run through a quick recap of recruiting and who we have for verbals thus far.
Obviously, the big dog, Seantrel Henderson, will not be committing anywhere until the HS All-American games...but I'm not holding my breath on that guy. It really can't be anything against Brewster if, as expected, Henderson goes to Florida or USC or some other gigantic national progrum. But before everyone gets all anti-Brewster for not being able to lure the #1 player in the entire nation, let's look at who is on board to be in Maroon and Gold.
2010 Verbals
So maybe we don't get the #1 OL and #1 player in the entire country...but we've locked in Jimmy Gjere (Jerry) who is currently ranked as the #6 OL in the entire nation, not bad.
We've also locked up Kip Smith, a kicker out of Colorado (I know it's just a kicker, but when was the last time we actually recruited someone solid for this important spot?). He's currently ranked as the #3 K in the whole country. Tom Parrish, a Sconny, is our big-time QB from this class ranked #14 overall. Lamonte Edwards is a 4-star kid out of Woodbury who has the size to play LB or RB at the B10 level. These are only some of the bigger names - and it's only July. Just wait until we start strong and Seantrel starts thinking more and more about playing at home...that could be fun.
One other recruiting note before we get to the big East preview - the Gophers received a verbal today from an absolute star RB from the 2011 class out of Illinois. Calvin Phillips apparently is an Illini fan and was pretty convinced that he would attend Illinois in an interview at an ESPN camp where he was the standout of all standouts. Well, today he verballed to the Gophs - this guy is apparently a 5-star possibility, which would turn a lot of heads if it's true and this commitment holds solid.
Now, on to the boring stuff. The big EAST...the worst BCS conference around.
I think it's a 2 horse race this year between Rutgers and Pitt - they play in Rutgers so that's my #1.
#1 RUTGERS PR-7
Rutgers? Really? I know. I said the same thing when my rankings came out like this, but this just proves how much the big EAST sucks. Why Rutgers, well, the bring back 5 OL to a very good unit and have a 1st time starter at QB - but he's a senior with a little experience. Playing defense is not too difficult in a conference with offense like this, so they will be up to par on this side of the ball. Actually, the 4/7 they return up front on D is tied for the most in the bEAST, so I have the D as one of the Top 2 or 3 in the conference. The schedule reads like something Glen Mason would put together. All semi-difficult games are at home in SUNJ. The toughest road test are Maryland I guess even though they should be down, at UCONN and at Louisville. Not too bad. Want to hear something even more bizarre...I don't see a loss on the schedule. I can't call for 12-0 on a team that I really don't believe in that much, so I'll say a soft 10-2 and a conference title.
#2 PITT PR-7
Stull is back as a Sr QB, and 4 OL return. They finally had the 9 win breakthrough last year, mainly because this offense finally picked it up and started scoring points. I think they'll be fine on this side. The D is great up front and should be very similar to last year. The schedule has 3 or 4 likely losses, so I'm saying 8-4 because Wansteadt isn't a good coach.
#3 WEST VIRGINIA PR-6.5
Am I the only one who sees this progrum swirling down the drain faster and faster with Billt Stewart at the top? Most bEAST previews I've read continue to think this is still DickRod's Mountaineers...but it's not even close. They went 8-4 last year with Pat White, the greatest most absolutely perfect QB for this offense. This year they start senior Jarrett Brown, who a lot of people seem to love but I have not been real impressed in the little I've seen. 1 OL is back as well - not a good thing for a 1st time starter at QB. This offense only scored 24 ppg with White leading the way - they may really slip to even below average this year. The defense will continue to be a strength, like it has been for quite a while. But there is only so much you can do with a great D and no offense in college football...8-4.
#4 USF PR-6
The Bulls had really high hopes in 2009, and I was a big believer. Mistake #1, never trust an unproven team who's never done anything before. This year, Grothe is back. I know this kid is good, he just makes too many critical mistakes at big points in the game...maybe that goes away as a senior. Only 1 OL returns, but I'll say the offense stays the same. On D, a great DL lead the way. George Selvie might be the quickest DE I've ever seen off the snap. They do have new OC and DC, so that could create a bit of a transition period as well. After 3 cupcakes, the schedule is very tough. I say they can do no better than 7-5.
#5 UCONN PR-6
The little engine that could keeps on surprising people. I always seem to discount these guys going into the season, and then they end up in a bowl game again. Last year they used a great D and running game to overcome a QB who literally could not throw the football. This year, they have a new guy under center and 3 OL back. They did lose Brown at RB, but RB's can be replaced a lot easier than the other spots. A new OC comes from Akron...not sure if that will make much of a difference. The defense should be about the same as last year, which keeps this team in pretty much the same spot they always are...right on the verge of a bowl game. I'll say 6-6.
#6 CINCY PR-5.5
I think the luck has run out for this team. After 2 stellar years for Brian Kelly, there's not much to work with in 2009. The do get Tony Pike, a senior, back from injury to play QB and 3 OL in front of him. So the Offense should actually be the same or better than the 27 ppg of last year. The problems lie on defense. This group was outstanding last year with most everyone back...well, they're all gone now. 0 of the front 7 return, which means the 20 ppg of 2009 will almost for sure increase to around 27. They also have a new DC to run the show...probably a bit of a downgrade. I think it's major rebuilding mode, but look out for these guys next season...5-7
#7 LOUSIVILLE PR-5.5
Kragthorpe enters his 3rd and likely final year at Louisville. He's done a pretty terrible job, and that's not going to change in 2009. The players are there for this team to be a little better than last season's 5-7, which would have you thinking bowl game, right? Wrong. Indiana State, and Arkansas State, and probably the 'Cuse are the only 3 likely wins on the slate. Yeah, they're that bad...3-9.
#8 SYRACUSE PR-5
Doug Marrone takes over an absolute disaster of a progrum this year. QB options...a freshman, a shitty upperclassman, or a guy who was a highly touted HS QB who has been playing point guard for the last 4 years. Wow. And we get to play these guys in week 1!! It's going to be a battle, Marrone is in a no win situation, but he really shouldn't be able to disappoint anyone because expectations are at an all-time low. 2-10 is my prediction.
There you go - one of the worst conferences in America. Somebody has to win it, and with the cake-walk of a schedule that Rutgers has in 2009, I think they are the obvious choice.
Next week - some quick run through previews of the CUSA, MWC, WAC, SBC, and of course the 3 mighty Independents.
One final note - I had some feedback about making the payouts $280 for the winner and $40 for 2nd so they can get their money back...works for me. Let me know if there are any objections.
50 days, 1 hour, 50 minutes...
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