Big East Preseason QB Power Ratings

Sure it's early and that makes it all the more difficult to properly rank next fall's Big East quarterbacks. But who cares about easy? For your inspection and dissection, these pre-preseason power ratings are here for your review:

1. Zach Collaros, Cincinnati

This may come as a surprise but it shouldn't. Collaros filled in for Tony Pike last season when called upon and the Beatcats never missed a beat. In fact, the offense had more options with Collaros in the game.

In addition to his accurate passing, he has major running skills as evident by the game-changing run against South Florida last fall.  He passed for 1,434 yards, 10 touchdowns, and completed an amazing 75% of his passes (93 of 124). This guy has leadership and is a gutty, gritty, determined type of player. Look for the Bearcats offense to be effective with him either under center or in the shotgun. 

2. Tom Savage, Rutgers

This kid took the helm as a true freshman last year and did a pretty solid job for the Scarlet Knights. He's a pure pocket passer with great size (6'5", 230) and he'll only be better this coming season. Passed for 14 touchdowns (seven picks) went 149 of 285 for 2,211 yards. The only downside is that he was sacked too many times. If he can learn to be more elusive in the pocket, he can become very dangerous.

3. B.J. Daniels, South Florida

Daniels was pressed into the starting role for the Bulls last season when Matt Grothe suffered a year-ending knee injury. Daniels came in and showed his pure athletic talent in the upset win against Florida State. Daniels was the focus of the USF offense as he threw for 1,983 yards and rushed for 798. He threw 14 TD passes but was picked off nine times. He has amazing speed and his elusiveness frustrates defenses.

The downside last year is that if opponents stopped Daniels, USF lost. Look for new coach Skip Holtz to find a reliable running back to support the offense. Patrick Pickney at East Carolina was a gifted runner but developed into a reliable passer under Holtz. Look for the new staff to work towards that goal.

4. Geno Smith, West Virginia

Smith got his feet wet last year with some limited game experience. But he has the comfort of a guy named Noel Devine to help out the Mountaineer offense. Smith has nice size (6' 3", 195) and needs to be a quick study in the spring and summer to become an effective weapon. In his limited play last season, he went 32 for 49 for 302 yards. This is a player with enough talent to surprise the conference.

5. Zach Frazier-Cody Endres, UConn

You have to put both names into the equation when you're talking about the Huskies. There are two camps among UConn fans, some for Frazier, some for Endres. Frazier will probably go into spring drills as the No. 1 quarterback but Endres will no doubt be in the equation. UConn has shown an offense that can run the football effectively and that's the best thing that can happen for either of these players.

6. Tino Sunseri, Pittsburgh

Sunseri is the early favorite to be the replacement for Bill Stull. If he performs as the Pitt staff believes he can, he should win the starting job. And that's not a bad job to have with Dion Lewis in the backfield. He also has a future NFL first round receiver in Jonathan Baldwin and that's a comforting thought for any quarterback.

Tino saw limited action last season and only threw 17 passes, completing 10 with two touchdowns. His progress in the spring and summer will help dictate Pitt's early position as the favorite to win the Big East title in 2010.

7. Adam Froman, Louisville

Here's where things get iffy. Froman has the most experience of the Louisville returners. He threw for 1,354 yards, six TD, five INTs. He was a 60% passer (111 of 185). Problem is the quarterbacking job is open.

Without a definitive starter, we have to rate the Cardinals down here toward the bottom of the conference. No doubt new coach Charlie Strong may work some of his magic with the defense but the offense might be the question mark in the fall.

8. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse

Nassib played second fiddle to Greg Paulus last season but did manage to see some playing time. He threw 68 times, completed 36, and got into eight games. This position is just one of many question marks surrounding the Orange. But like everything else, Syracuse has nowhere to go but up.

There you have it. Call it a guess, a hunch, whatever you wish. It is so very, very early and anything can happen in the spring and summer and there's always the condition no one can anticipate — the dreaded injury bug.