Big East Preview

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For All-Big East Fantasy Team:  GO

For more on these teams, see the 2000 Fantasy Info below.

For Big East schedule in 2000: GO   |   For All-Big East Fantasy Team 2000:  GO

Team Breakdowns:

Boston College | Miami | Pitt | Rutgers | Syracuse |  Temple | Virginia Tech | West Virginia  

The Big East in 2000

One thing that is different this year with the Big East is their strength.  Yes, they have many teams that wouldn't scare your top 20 teams much, but they have a few that would.  Virginia Tech and Miami have made most top 10 lists; not bad for a so-called 'lesser' conference to have 20% of the top 10.  Then there's Syracuse, on several Top 25's this past offseason.  And Pitt has gotten a few looks as well.  Not too bad.

We have to start out the Big East Preview with the most important news for the conference, though.  Miami is back.  'Nuff said on that.

Next on the list has to be Vick.  What's left to say about this kid that you didn't hear last season, or all through the offseason.  We wouldn't want to bore our reader with more of the same, so we'll leave it at this -- yes, he's that good, and yes, he has a huge challenge ahead of him in avoiding the sophomore jinx (literally, for Vick) while fielding questions about the Heisman and the NFL, all the while trying to win every game with his Hokies teammates.  We don't think things will turn out as nicely as they did last season for Va Tech, but there shouldn't be too many fans complaining about the season these guys will put together.

Then there's Pitt.  Yes, Pitt.  These guys have steadily built one of the best offenses in the conference, and look ready to go one step further this year.  The Orange will be in the mix as well, returning another good team to battle it out with the top of the conference.  BC should also sneak up on some opponents, with a quality recruiting class over the past few years that looks ready to face the challenge of, "Put up or shut up."  We think they'll Put up.  The Mountaineers look like the hard times haven't gone by yet, and they'll struggle through another season of taking some hard knocks and delivering a few upsets along the way.  Then there's Temple and Rutgers, teams that seem content to play with the big boys, but unable to ever put up a serious challenge to get to the top of the standings. But they go out each week and give it a shot, and that's why we like these guys.

  Boston College Eagles

The name of the game for the Eagles in 2000 is run.  Run often and run hard.  They have the tools to do it, in quality RBs Cedric Washington and William Green.  Washington was stellar last season for BC, and is expected to be the same this year.  Green is coming along nicely, and looks to make this unit formidable.  Passing is another story, though.  While they shouldn't be bad, they also aren't expected to bully people around through the air.  QB Tim Hasselbech has to regain his form after suffering a nagging abdominal injury.  The receivers have potential to be strong as a unit, but at this point we are holding at 'potential.'  If they take that next step up, "Hasselbeck to Dewalt" and "Hasselbeck to Burke" could be heard a lot this fall.  The defensive pressure will be on stopping the run, so passing lanes should be open.  The OL looks to be solid, losing only two starters.  

Defensively, the Eagles need help.  The front seven is the biggest need area.  They have a few starters returning on the line and LB crew, but not enough to make the coaches happy.  They lose too many of their playmakers to say they won't slip a bit.  Youth has to step up and fill some roles, and right away.  If they can find the replacements and get them to develop early enough, before they lose too many games  by a few points, the season can be all that Eagles fans are hoping for.  They will have to start by finding a player to plug into the departed Hovan's NT position, and build around him. Until they do, teams will just run the ball against BC, not allowing their decent secondary to become a factor.  DB Jonathan Ordway is the biggest name in that unit.  When teams do throw, look for them to go to the other side.

All in all, the year should be a decent one for Eagles fans.  Not great, but decent.  They have to open with two road games, but they could win both.  Then it's four home games, but they should lose two of them.  They could go 2-1 in the next three, before the final two games that they should lose -- unless they surprise the Irish again.

To see what we said about BC in the spring, click here:  GO

Miami Hurricanes

The negatives may have outweighed the positives if the Hurricanes weren't careful this past offseason.  First, the ruling that LB Webster couldn't stay another year due to dealings with going pro, next the decision about QB Kenny Kelly to leave early to try his hand at baseball.  It probably would have had more impact if this wasn't such a strong team.

As we pointed out early this spring, this team is loaded.  They could end up placing nearly half of the members of the All-Big East Defense.  The LB situation was addressed by moving Dan Morgan inside, where he seems to have found a comfort zone.  The line is solid, with the emergence of Damoine Lewis and several players ready to earn their place in the trenches.  The secondary loses no one, and are primed for a dominating season.  Look for teams to be forced to throw after getting stuffed by the front seven, and playing right into the hands of this talented crew of DBs.  Defensive touchdowns will grace Miami highlight reels a few weeks this season.  Look for names like Morgan, Blades, Lewis and Reed, and more when the All-conference votes are cast this fall.  

Offensively they have what many consider to be the best receiver in the conference (we have him rated second) in WR Santana Moss.  He showed what he can do last season, and with a year of experience and another offseason of training and preparation, he should be even better.  Behind Moss are the capable Reggie Wayne and the speedster Daryl Jones.  Sorry DBs across the East.  On the negative side their stud TE Bubba Franks is now in the NFL.  On the good side again is the crew at RB, with three or four players -- Davenport, Jackson, Payton and Portis -- who will contribute and rotate to keep the ball carrier always strong and fresh.  On the negative side again, there is the QB situation, with Ken Dorsey taking over those duties from the departed Kelly.  But this isn't all too bad a situation, since Dorsey looks to be an ample replacement.  

The Hurricanes won't run away with the Big East title, as the Hokies and Orange could join them as one-loss teams in conference this season after they all beat one of the other two.  The title will be decided by who doesn't drop another game to East members this year.  The Hurricanes will face a brutal non-conference schedule, going to Washington and getting the Seminoles at home.  If they survive those games, watch out for a loss at Syracuse, or at home to Virginia Tech or Pitt.  

They won't be able to run the table, but they'll also make it hard for the Huskies and 'Noles to do it.  We think they'll split those two games, and go 7-1 in conference to finish 9-2 (6-1).

It looks like the Hurricanes are back in the mix after solid recruiting has brought the cream of the crop to Miami.  (See LB D.J. Williams as the latest example, who chose the Hurricanes after a long and drawn out recruitment by a half dozen drooling teams.)  Now all they need is a stand out season to put their names squarely in the group atop college football again.  A season like the one we think they'll have this year.

To see what we said about the Hurricanes in the spring, click here:  GO

Pittsburgh Panthers 

Offense will be a strength for the Panthers.  They have the guy who gets our vote for best receiver in the conference, in WR Latef Grim.  On the other side of the field is Antonio Bryant, who has skills of his own and will also benefit from the extra coverage Grimm will demand from secondaries.  They just need someone to step forward and take command of the QB position this spring.  At this point it is between David Priestly, whose shoulder is still injured,  and John Turman.   The running game will be Kevan Barlow's responsibility, and he seems up to the challenge.  They have Goings and Cox battling it out to be the second back, and whoever wins will be a nice addition to the Panther attack.  They also have a strong Kicker in Lotz, who may be able to turn the tide in a few games by turning stalled drives into long range field goal attempts.  Three points may be enough of a margin to keep the Panthers alive in some games this season, or even pull one or two out in the end.  

Defense will be an area of some concern this spring.  Look for safety Ramon Walker to lead the unit with some crushing stops on RBs and a few separations of receiver-and-ball in the defensive backfield.  The front seven has someone to build around in DL Knightbut after that there are more  departing starters than prospects.  If the coaches can resolve these problems in time, the 'D' will do well enough to keep teams under the scoring that this offense should be capable of putting together.

The schedule looks like a pair of MAC wins before a loss to PSU, and another win before going into Syracuse.  The Panthers will beat one of the top three in the conference, but it will have to be on the road as the Hokies and Hurricanes are also road games. The rest of the way looks like it should end in a 7-4 season, 8-3 if they don't lose to BC or WVU.  

To see what we said about Pitt in the spring, click here:  GO

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers is one of those teams that has moderate talent each season, but comes out to compete even though they rarely have a shot at winning the conference.  You have to admire their sportsman approach to college football (as well as their academic prowess, a la Stanford and Duke).  This year is no different, as they have some decent players but not enough talent to threaten many teams.  Nonetheless, they will have to be reckoned with each week or teams risk making the Knights their spoiler team.

Defense loses many of their strongest players, and they need to find bulls to plug into the DL.  They won't need as many, after the coaches decided to convert to a 3-4.  They were able to do this mostly because LB seems to be their strongest area, talent-wise.  They have Robertson and Davis anchoring that crew.  Berry is their best DB.  DBs are always a prime need on a team like this, as these guys have to weather the storm of stronger teams that feel they can just throw strikes all day on the weaker teams.

The Offense loses most of their line, RB Jacki Crooks, and needs a QB to lead the backfield.  FB Thomas is moved to Crooks' RB spot, and is being relied on to make some decent yards with the ball, instead of making room for the guy behind him carrying the ball.  McMahon and Schwenk are still battling for the QB job.  The winner of this fight will have the benefit of the returning starting receivers, as well as the Knights' gem of a TE in the youngster L.J. Smith, possibly one of the best in the East.  If they can regroup and gain confidence early, they may surprise a team or two.

The schedule is favorable, as they open with two games that they should win.  That will make the season an improvement over last year's one Win record.  Then it's on to three games they shouldn't win, two they might, and closing with four they shouldn't.  We see Rutgers needing to beat Temple at home to post a Big East win.  

To see what we said about Rutgers in the spring, click here:  GO

Syracuse Orangemen

The offense looks like they've answered most of the questions they had coming out of the spring.  They lost most of the OL, WR/KR Spotwood, and reliable PK Trout.  They also weren't sure who would take the job of quarterback.  The running game looks to be coming along fine, as the OL has settled a bit and returning backs James Mungro and Dee Brown look to be back to form.   The Orangemen get QB Troy Nunes back, but he hasn't shown that he can handle the job as yet, and isn't set as the starter.  Medei Williams returns and is in the running for the QB position, along with JUCO transfer and ex-Sun Devil Chad Elliott.  Until that situation resolves itself, the offense is hard to gauge.   They will be good, it's just a matter of how good they'll be.

Defense has a strong DL.  Pettijohn is their leader.  The front seven will be solid if the LB crew develop to their expected level.  They have to replace stellar LB Keith Bulluck  Johnson and Smith look to be the stars in that group, and they'll complement the strong line.  With the strength of the front seven you can expect teams to go to the air early and often.  The secondary looks decent, but not great at this point.  If they develop, and can play to the level of their defensive counterparts, look for the Orange to take the East.

The schedule is in their favor; they get Miami and the Hokies both in the Dome.  That means they have the edge to at least split their games with the other two, and that alone would justify putting them into at least a tie for the top spot.  With a non-conference schedule that looks like either a 3-1 or 4-0, this could be a 9-2 year for the Orangemen.  If they sweep their home games, it could be 10-1.

To see what we said about the Orangemen in the spring, click here:  GO

Temple Owls

The news this offseason for the offense is that the QB battle seems to be over, and Devin Scott was declared the winner.  He'll start, and he'll have the responsibility of grooming someone to take the place of the recently departed WR Johnson (who decided to quit the team this spring).  Sean Dillard seems to be the first choice.  The Owls have a strong leader in Dean on the OL.  With a huge force on the line you can always have a shot at getting the short yards, and that may be enough to win a close one or two.  If he can get help, the OL could provide whichever RB gets the nod -- Sharps looks like the apparent starter there -- with enough running room to allow for some big plays.  Underdogs -- like the Owls should be all year -- need big plays to put a scare into their opponents, and give themselves a shot to win.

Defensively they should be strongest up front.  They get DL Dan Klecko back, and at only a sophomore he should make an impression on opposing offenses.  (That name, 'Klecko,' just sounds like a Defensive lineman, doesn't it?)  Elsewhere on the front seven they have strong LBs in Talley and Suman.  (That name, 'Talley,' just sounds like a LB, doesn't it?)  If they can become a force, and get help in the backfield, this defense may keep the Owls in just enough games to have the offense be able to pull out an extra Win or two.

The schedule isn't too bad.  Their non-conference games include three that they have a decent shot at winning.  Unfortunately, their Big East schedule has Miami and Syracuse at home, games they'll lose even with the home field advantage.  They do get Pitt and WVU at home, so they may be able to pull off a win in one of these.  The road game at Rutgers is a must-win if they want to stay out of the cellar.  

To see what we said about the Owls in the spring, click here:  GO

Virginia Tech Hokies  

Coming off of that phenomenal year, ending with a strong showing in the national title game -- stronger showing than most expected -- it's hard to say this but it's nowhere but down for the Hokies.  If they get back to the title game and win, it's an improvement; if they get there and lose, they get labeled as unable to win the big one, and if they don't get there at all (or worse, don't even win their division) it's a meltdown.  The first loss they face during the season will be gut-check time for them, as they will have to recover from something they didn't have to face until the BCS game in the '99 season. If they bounce back, they could have a great year again; if they don't, watch out for the "Attack of the Bad Press."

The offense is in a strange position.  They return perhaps the most electrifying QB of '99, now at the ripe old age of 'sophomore,' who should get even better this year, but they may go backward.  RB Shyrone Stith is gone to the NFL.  They need someone to step in and do the grunt work of churning out yards when Vick isn't doing it. If they don't have someone, defenses can key solely on Vick and that should affect his ability to repeat his dominance of last season.  The OL returns, which is crucial for a rambling QB like Vick as they already know his tendencies and can blast defenders in the area he'll likely end up cutting into.  And the line that returns is the best n the conference, led by NFLers- to-be, Lehr and Kadela.  At receiver they get Andre Davis back and he looks like their biggest scoring threat (outside of Vick, of course).  Unfortunately they lose their crutch, PK Shayne Graham, who was able to turn stalled drives into three points more often than people realized.  

Defensively there isn't much more to say than this: goodbye Engelberger, Moore,  Charlton, Midget, Hawkes, ...  These guys were phenomenal as a unit, and if it weren't for all the hype those guys at Penn State got all year, people would have been talking about the Hokies Defense more often than they did (which was considerable, anyway).  They need replacements, and fast.  At this point the unit is still in transition, so you'll have to wait and see who wins the various jobs that are open.  They have the level of talent needed to field a decent defense, but it won't be what folks got used to last season.  Fortunately, it won't have to be; winning games by 30 is just as good as winning by 20...

The Hokies should lose a conference game this year, to either Miami or Syracuse.  That could be it, though.  But we think there's a good chance they'll drop that game at East Carolina as well.  In a year when Miami and Syracuse should peak, Va. Tech will have to settle for tied at the top.  Not bad, as it should give Vick and Company time to reload themselves and make a push for the top again next year.  (If Vick is still around, that is.)  

To see what we said about Virginia Tech in the spring, click here:  GO

West Virginia Mountaineers   

The Mountaineers are rebuilding, trying to regain the position as one of the Big East's best that they enjoyed a few years back.  They won't get there this year, but if their sophomore star RB Avon Cobourne keeps getting better they may have shot before he leaves.  

Cobourne showed flashes last season, and is being touted as the next great RB from the Big East.  Five yards per carry and 10 TDs as a freshman can do that for a guy.  If the offense can build around him, and not wear him out from relying solely on him, WVU will do well this year.  They lose one of our favorite players from last season, TE Anthony Becht, and will need someone to step in for him.  They also lost their QB (Bulger) and PK (Taylor), and were to have lost their WR Ivy before learning that he received an extra year of eligibility.  The QB situation falls on Brad Lewis's shoulders, and the jury is still out on that situation.  If the dominating OL from last year is as good as they were in '99 -- or better, which is what is expected -- the running game will carry the team and Lewis will have extra time to grow into his duties.

Defense isn't in too bad a shape, but they could be much better.  They lose a few guys, and they had a few that just weren't up to par to compete with the Hurricanes, Hokies and Orange.  They need to develop a strong front seven, which wasn't there last year, and replace the DBs they lost who did show signs of strength last year.  The DL is led by Antwan Lake, and the LBs have Kyle Kayden to build around.  The secondary is a work in progress still, and there are no signs of a standout player there as yet. 

The Mountaineers benefit from a somewhat favorable schedule.  They get solid competition in their non-conference games, but they all play at WVU.  They get three of their weaker opponents on their away schedule, so their home schedule includes the teams they need to upset to move up in the conference.  A star RB, solid OL, home field advantage, and a few lucky breaks could be all that an experienced coach like Nehlen needs to turn a so-so year into a solid one.  If the Mountaineers start out with a win against the Eagles, it could spark a good early run.  f they lose that game, they could start the season 0-3 if they don't find a solution for the Terps and Jordan.  Then it's a winnable Temple game, followed by seven games that could easily see 6 losses -- that Vandals team is a good one, and Pitt is on the rise, and the Notre Dame team is the weakest of the remaining teams outside of Rutgers.  

To see what we said about WVU in the spring, click here:  GO