College Football Predictions: 15 Teams That Would Be Favored to Win the Big East
Football came to the Big East conference during the 1991-92 season and was dominated by the University of Miami from the start. The Hurricanes won nine of the first 13 conference titles and two national championships. Virginia Tech, Syracuse and West Virginia were also major players in the early years.
With the departure of Miami, Virginia Tech, Temple and Boston College and the addition of Louisville, South Florida and Cincinnati, the conference was forced to admit Connecticut a year early to field eight teams.
The watered-down Big East averaged 45,028 fans per contest last season and was won by an 8-5 Connecticut squad that lost to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. With Villanova on the cusp of joining the Big East and the conference's plan to expand to 10 teams, bright days may come again for the one time powerhouse.
A wise baseball man used to say, "If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas"—coach Neal Bennett, 1979. The following are 15 teams that could win the Big East if they played in the conference.
15. Florida International University
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Although Florida International lost to Big East opponents Rutgers and Pittsburgh in 2010, it won seven of its last nine games, including its first ever bowl win at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Combine the late-season streak with what head coach Mario Cristobal calls "the best recruiting class" in his five years as a head coach, and you come up with a recipe for success. Cristobal is a motivator—he brings out the best in his players.
Another reason to look out for FIU is T.Y. Hilton. This explosive wide receiver, kick returner and MVP of the Little Caesars Bowl is a born leader. At some point during the 2011 season Hilton's name should be in the Heisman discussions.
With things going the way they are at FIU, it wouldn't be easy, but FIU could win the Big East if it was in the conference.
14. Hawaii
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Hawaii was the No. 1 passing team in the nation last season, averaging 394.3 passing yards a game. The Warriors' 39.6 points per game were 10th best.
This is always an exciting team to watch that seldom loses at home. Hawaii's only home loss in 2010 came in the opener to USC.
Led by quarterback Bryant Moniz, who passed for over 5,000 yards last season, it would be a safe bet that Hawaii, who finished 10-4, could possibly win the Big East.
The only intangible drawback for Hawaii would be the November road games in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Hawaii would have to step it up from the 106 rushing yards a game to have a shot to win the Big East.
13. Navy
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Midshipmen head coach Ken Niumatalolo is entering his fourth season at the helm, leading Navy to a bowl game in each of his first three complete seasons to continue an eight-year bowl streak that began in 2003, before he was in charge.
Winning seasons are not the exception but the standard for the Midshipmen now, who held the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in their possession from 2003 to 2009 before losing it to Air Force this past season.
With their old school wishbone offense, Navy was sixth in the nation in rushing with 284.8 rushing yards per game. Led by quarterback Ricky Dobbs, who rushed for over 2,600 yards in his career, and offset by fullback Alexander Teich, Navy's ground-oriented offense could be strong enough to win the Big East.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
12. Mississippi State
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Mississippi State finished 9-4 last season, good enough for fifth place in the SEC's Western Division. Fifth place in the division was strong enough for a January 1st Gator Bowl bid, and the Bulldogs made the most of their selection, pounding a defenseless Michigan squad into oblivion, 52-14.
Led by juniors Chris Relf at quarterback and Vick Ballard at running back and sophomore receiver Chad Bumphis, this talented trio should be full of production in 2011.
While nine wins was enough for fifth place in the SEC West, the quality of football that Mississippi State plays would surely be good enough to win the Big East.
11. Georgia
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Georgia finished at 6-7 in 2010—not the standard for the Bulldogs—but the addition of OLB Ray Drew could pay immediate dividends. Drew is a player that could make an impact right out of the gate.
Although Georgia finished in the top third of most statistical categories in 2010, those types of numbers don't cut it in the SEC East. Coach Mark Richt describes his recruiting class as a "dream team" and looks to get out of the gate quickly with a strong spring.
With freshman quarterback Aaron Murray passing for over 3,000 yards in 2010 and the Bulldogs defense getting a needed boost, the Bulldogs could win the Big East if only they played in the conference.
10. Utah
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Utah started the season on an 8-0 roll before running into a buzz saw of TCU and a defensively stingy Notre Dame.
While finishing 10-3, the third loss coming to Boise State in the MAACO Bowl, the season had to be a disappointment to the Utes, who were ranked No. 14 before being derailed by the Irish.
Coach Kyle Whittingham is supplementing a new offense, breaking in some new coaches and implementing new players into his system, but from what was shown last season with sophomore quarterback Jordan Wynn under center, Utah is right at the cusp.
If Whittingham can instill a sense of urgency in his players, something that seemed to disappear after the loss to TCU, this team could be extremely dangerous—dangerous enough to win the Big East.
9. Toledo
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The Toledo Rockets were 7-1 in the MAC in 2010, 8-5 overall, and made yet another postseason appearance at Ford Field for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
When starting quarterback Austin Dantin went down in Week 9 versus Eastern Michigan, freshman reserve Terrance Owens stepped in and completed 59.5 percent of his passes en route to a 3-2 record on his watch.
With talented skill players and a solid coaching staff, along with some work on a defensive unit that allowed 28.5 points a contest in 2010, Toledo could have what it takes to win the Big East.
8. Temple
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Temple University has had a troubled past with the Big East. When Temple joined the conference in 1991, wins were hard to come by; in 14 seasons it won three games in a season only once.
In 2004 Temple was voted out of the Big East due to poor performance and lack of institutional support, as well as lack of fan support.
Things seem to be turning around for the Owls. With an 8-4 finish in 2010 and a bowl berth, a loss to UCLA, Temple seems to be on the upswing.
With new head coach Steve Addazio taking over, the future seems bright for the Owls. If for no other reason, the Temple Owls could win the Big East out of pure revenge.
7. Tulsa
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It seemed that the college sports world came to an abrupt halt when Tulsa defeated Notre Dame in 2010, but the Golden Hurricane were a well-kept secret. Finishing ranked 24th, Tulsa had the No. 6 scoring offense in the nation, averaging over 41 points a game.
A 10-3 season while winning their final seven contests, including a 62-35 dismantling of Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, gave Tulsa a taste of the good life.
With the success Tulsa had in 2010 and the return of quarterback G.J. Kinne and receiver Damaris Johnson, the Golden Hurricane would have a good shot at winning the Big East.
6. UCF
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The University of Central Florida finally made a national splash in 2010 under head coach George O'Leary. Enjoying their finest season in school history, the Knights won the Conference USA title, defeating SMU.
The Knights cracked the national polls for the first time, finishing ranked 21st in the AP poll with an 11-3 record, including a win over Georgia in the Liberty Bowl.
Under the head coaching of O'Leary, the UCF Knights would certainly make a mark in the Big East.
5. Baylor
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2010 was a season of highs and lows for the Baylor Bears under head coach Art Briles. On October 24th the Bears appeared in the BCS rankings at No. 25. This was the first time that Baylor was ranked since 1993.
Baylor responded by losing four straight on the way to a 7-5 regular-season finish.
Finishing fourth in the Big 12 South was not what the Baylor faithful expected in 2010. The Bears capped off the season with a 38-14 loss to Illinois in the Texas Bowl.
How does fourth in the Big 12 South translate into winning the Big East? Baylor's balanced passing and rushing attack (19th and 24th overall) translates well to the Big East and could be the edge the Bears need to put them over the top.
4. Missouri
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Finishing 10-3 in the Big 12 North, the No. 18-ranked Missouri Tigers gave up only 16 points per game in 2010 under head coach Gary Pinkel.
With their intimidating defense and the return of one of their top playmakers, receiver T.J. Moe, who had over 1,000 receiving yards as a sophomore in 2010, the Tigers should be in good shape in 2011.
While nothing is set in stone, it would be a safe assumption that if Missouri continues on the course that it has set in recent years, it could certainly win the Big East.
3. Penn State
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In the early days of the Big East, rumors constantly swirled that Penn State would become a member. While that never came to be, it seemed that every year there was speculation as to where the Nittany Lions would finish in the conference.
Penn State finished the 2010 season 7-6, middle of the pack in the Big Ten. After flipping quarterbacks during the season, coach Joe Paterno settled in with freshman Matt McGloin, a walk-on who led the Nittany Lions to the Outback Bowl—a game that Penn State lost to Florida.
Put all speculation aside: If Penn State played in the Big East, it would win the conference not only in 2011 but would be a perennial winner.
2. Miami
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Former head coach Randy Shannon restored the University of Miami to respectability on the public relations front. Gone were the days of camouflage and strippers. Under Shannon's watch it was hospital trips to visit children and trips to soup kitchens to dole out food to the poor.
But it didn't translate to wins.
If new head coach Al Golden can restore the enthusiasm to the program, the enthusiasm that Notre Dame kicked out and stomped on early in the Sun Bowl, Miami could be back on track soon.
A rejuvenated Hurricane team under the direction of Coach Golden would without a doubt win the Big East.
1. Boston College
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2004 was the final year in the Big East for Boston College, and it captured a share of the conference title before leaving for the ACC.
The Eagles finished the 2010 season 4-4 in the conference and 7-6 overall, with five of their losses coming between games three and nine. The Eagles followed those losses with a five-game winning streak, only to lose to Nevada in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
Boston College is suited for the Big East and could hold up well in the conference. What a welcome back—BC leaves the Big East in 2004 and takes a piece of the title with it only to return in 2011 to claim the title again.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
