College Football Authority: Best Damn Predictions in the Land: Big East

Last, not certainly not least, the Big East, where West Virginia feast ...

1.

I feel it in my bones that Bill Stewart will end up being fired from WVU in the next 3 years, but the talent is too good for them to stink this year. The defensive losses could actually allow them to fall to #2, but even USF and Pitt would need help to do it. Pat White/Noel Devine is unfair, and don't forget Terrence Kerns was highly sought after. Who cares if they have unproven WRs, they return every single starting offensive linemen, which means - Pat White, Noel Devine, Jarrett Brown, kitchen sink, all of them running around in different directions. Will the Mountaineers hold anybody under 30 points, though?

2.

I love Pitt this year. They were 2nd in the Big East statistically, which shows they'll improve. They return 15 starters, including Scott McKillop, who James Laurinaitis has wet dreams about. Lesean McCoy, while a bit overrated, is going to reach that level of play this year. Bill Stull or Pat Bostick? Doesn't matter - just get it quickly to McCoy, or Stephens-Howling, or Kinder, or Turner. The offensive line is the big worry - losing Otah and McGlynn to the NFL would bring down any line. Defensively, the only big loss was Joe Clermond who had 10.5 sacks. Greg Romeus will shine, though. The linebackers are sick with McKillop, Murray, and Gunn. The DBs have 2 returning starters, and will need Jovani Chappel to live up to his billing. Overall, Pitt is on the upward trend, and with some bounces, will challenge WVU.

3.

The Bulls could win the Big East, in all reality. They return 10 starters from a potent offense, and I see no reason why they can't improve on their 34.7 points per game. On defense, there are some obvious worries. Ben Moffitt did everything - over 100 tackles, 12 tfl, 5 pbu, 4 INTs, and the mysterious "heart" everyone talks about. They also lose two NFL draft picks from CB in Jenkins and Williams. Buie and Selvie are frightening at DE, and the safeties are very good. If USF can find a stuffer at MLB and some adequate corners, they'll win the conference.

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