1. Pittsburgh – Probably deservedly so. A little bit of question mark at QB with Tino Sunseri having very little experience, but the Panthers are deep and talented. Wanny can still pull some head-scratching moves on gameday, though…
2. WVU/Cincy tie – I’ll start with West Virginia. I think this is the right spot for them. Devine, Jock Sanders, Geno Smith…and until Connecticut can prove on the field that they can beat the Mountaineers, we should be picked behind them.
I take a little bit of an issue with Cincy here. First year with the new coach, all-everything Mardy Gilyard gone…I think they take a step back to the middle of the pack this season.
4. Connecticut – I’d have us third, in front of Cincy. But, I believe it’s the first year the Huskies haven’t been picked 6-8…so I guess that’s noteworthy?
5. Rutgers – Can’t be! They recruit better than UConn!!!! End Sarcasm. Savage and Sanu are fantastic talents, and Schiano is excellent at winning games they shouldn’t, but questions on the o-line and a suspect running game mean Rutgers is probably picked where they should be.
6. USF – I’m a little surprised to see USF getting no love. Skip Holtz is a heck of a coach, and BJ Daniels is as talented as any QB in the league. I could see them finishing higher than this, but realize that they have to be picked somewhere, and this space probably fits.
7. Syracuse – ‘Cuse fans are rejoicing everywhere for not being picked to finish last. Seriously, Marrone has the team pointed in the right direction. They were a live dog last year…ask Rutgers.
8. Louisville – Krag left the cupboards empty, but Strong is off to a good start on the recruiting trail…should be a tough year on the field, though.
No related posts.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s always interesting to see where the gap is in terms of the contenders vs. the pretenders. Last year, if memory serves correct, the gap was between #5 Rutgers and us at #6. This year, the gap is between us at #4 and Rutgers at #6. These polls mean very little, but keep in mind, while everyone in the national media was drinking the Kool Aid being peddled by Greg Schiano, the guys that follow the league closely nearly had the league dead right. Had Pitt not choked against Cincy they would’ve nailed it. I had figured on a 4th place prediction, so this is not at all surprising. Personally, I would’ve had us ahead of Cincy as well, but that is nitpicking. I am also a bit surprised that Pitt as much of an overwhelming favorite as they are. They have talent, and should be the favorite, but they also have some big question marks that will need to be answered.
Re: Pitt – A new QB is always cause for concern…but they are loaded at RB and Jonathan Baldwin is going to be ridiculous this season. I don't see them as an overwhelming favorite either, no team in the Big East should be…but based on offensive firepower, I think top two is fair for them…
Also, I've only read good things about Sunseri…experience will be the issue, but he looks to have the talent. With Baldwin catching anything near him, and Lewis and Graham gaining chunks on the ground, Pitt's offense should be very good.
Pitt’s offense will be potent. But how potent it will be will hinge entirely on the offensive line. Their OT’s are very good (Pinkston is probably the best OT in the league), but they are starting a walk-on at Center and 2 new OG’s. Not to mention they lost both TE’s in Dickerson and Bynum. Teams are going to put some heavy pressure on Sunseri and test that OL. How successful will Lewis be able to run between the tackles is a huge question mark.
On the defensive side, we’ll have to wait and see what punishment awaits Sheard. If he’s out for the year or any considerable length of time, I can see Romeus having a George Selvie type senior year. The key will be if someone else can step up and have a Pierre-Paul type of year (or even close to it). LB’s and Safeties will be solid. CB looks like a slight concern. As with most defenses, pressure will be key. FWIW, my preseason picks:
1. Pitt
2. WVU
3. UConn
4. Cincy
5. USF
6. Rutgers
7. Cuse
8. Ville
Anyone notice that we have all the teams picked ahead of us @ home? Also have an extra week off to prepare for Pitt.
That is huge. We have two of those three on the road and it makes the path to a championship a hell of a lot more difficult.
Wow, Louisville has tumbled that far huh?
Yeah, Kragthorpe pretty much destroyed Louisville…they have a new coach from the Florida staff, so the arrow should start pointing in the up direction soon enough…he's been recruiting pretty well in the early going.