What Was I Thinking?
Over 10 calendar months ago, I came out with my State of the Big East address, taking a look at how things in our loveable, rising conference were doing. Included were speculations on how these eight teams would fare in the 2007 college football season. I dug up my article, I will include the important aspects of each team’s summary, and will prepare myself for a few heaping helpings of crow (some I might want some help with).
Let’s begin shall we?
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
Last year –
Quote:
“A stellar season with only one blemish in a trip to Piscataway, Louisville re-affirmed themselves as perennial BCS contenders. They'll be back in the hunt next year, but without some familiar faces. Losing Michael Bush to the NFL draft left the Cardinals with a doozy of a hole to fill. 11 of the 16 Louisville recruits are ranked in the top 100 at their position, and each look to continue Louisville's history as a college football powerhouse. Assuming Steve Kragthorpe can continue what Bobby Petrino started of course.
Prediction: (11-1)(6-1) |
Whoops. That’s all I can really say with regard to that one. Let me first start by saying that Louisville is still a college football powerhouse. Offensively. Brian Brohm had a Heisman-caliber season, severely blemished by the incompetence of his defense, which played the largest factor in this team’s fall from grace. Not a crippling injury to a star player, simply incompetence. As far as that last sentence goes, it turns out that was one helluva assumption there on my part. And yes I know what they say about what happens when you assume. It’s clear that this team’s identity left when Petrino packed up for Atlanta (betcha he regrets that move huh). But they deserve credit for showing lots of moxie for running with the likes of West Virginia, Cincinnati, and then-surging Connecticut during the season.
Crow? You bet. It’s the appetizer that makes you full before the main course. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
Last year –
Quote:
“With much of it's offensive firepower returning to West Virginia for the 2007 campaign, look for much of the same for 2007. Rodriguez also roped in 5 safeties, 4 linebackers, and 3 cornerbacks, of which three quarters of them rank in the top 100 at their respective positions, setting the stage for a scary defense in a couple of years. With an offense that fires on all cylinders with Pat White and Heisman candidate Steve Slaton, and a blossoming defense, watch for this team to make a serious run at the BCS Title.
Prediction: (12-0)(7-0) |
Not bad eh? I’m not surprised whatsoever with my offensive analysis, but defensively, I’m pleased. The scary defense arrived early and announced it’s plans to go nowhere quick…finishing 6th out of 119 teams in overall defense, and notching a not-too-shabby 13 INT’s along the way. So what happened with that BCS championship run? Oh it was there alright. It was in their fingertips, (and their thumbs too), and they let it slip away to a furious, gimpy Wannstedt and a Panther team that simply showed up to play when West Virginia didn’t.
Crow? Not here. Kitchen’s busy tonight…still letting that appetizer settle. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
Last year -
Quote:
This young line will be tested this year, with the duty of blocking for Ray Rice and protecting Mike Teel. Defense was addressed and boosted through recruting Manny Abreu, among many others. Look for another strong campaign from Rutgers this season.
Prediction: (10-2)(5-2) |
Did the homerism rise up and bite me there? Nah. Well OK, maybe a bit. It turns out the Scarlet faithful were spoiled last year with that crazy season their team had. I admit erroneous information in the offensive line, as quite a few of those guys stayed for an extra year (I know for sure this year that 4/5 of them are gone after this year), which contributed to Rice’s 1700+ season and 20 TD. Mike Teel had his ups and downs all season long, though was barely touched by opposing defensive ends. It was the defense…stacked with linebackers and pass rushers, that let up over 155 rushing yards per game, and threw it away in most cases. Ne’er was this more evident when Maryland trounced them on the ground, when Matt Grothe had his way, and when White/Slaton came to town. And that secondary…whew! I’m hoping for some sort of overhaul in that department.
Crow? Oh yeah. Here comes dinner. Hope I can doggy bag this to go. SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS
Last year -
Quote:
South Florida is planting seeds left and right, setting the stage for a powerful team in a few years. Just look at their 8-4 Division I record. And they're not losing that many people! Bulls fans should be tapping their fingers in excitement for September now. Look for South Florida to make another bowl appearance this year, and make a push for the Big East in a few years.
Prediction: (8-4)(4-3) |
Did that powerful team I mention arrive early? Number 2 in the BCS? National Championship?? Nah…attribute that to an upside-down inside-out all-over-the-place season. Credit is due, however, for defeating West Virginia, showing resolve and perseverance against Auburn, and for bouncing back after a 3-game skid to outscore their opponents 144-64, in three games. Were they ready for the big stage? Certainly not. Does Leavitt have these guys well on their way? Undoubtedly. Give them one or two more years, like I said, and then they’ll start making some REAL noise.
Crow? Hey…I didn’t order this! Take it back, take it back. CINCINNATI BEARCATS
Last year -
Quote:
Do NOT let Cincinnati's lukewarm Big East record, overall record, and garbage bowl game victory fool you, this is a team to be reckoned with in the Big East. Look for an already strong defense to get better, with Dustin Grutza (Ben Mauk) leading this team to another bowl berth. Still more work to do on the offensive side if this team is going to make a push for the Big East.
Prediction: (7-5)(3-4) |
I smiled a bit when I went back and read this, chiefly regarding the defense, since Cincinnati finished the season tops in the FBS with 23 INT’s (tied with, egad, South Florida)! And yet again I hit the nail on the head with the bowl berth, though I vastly underestimated them and their offensive ability. They would win two more games overall and in the Big East than I thought they would. But c’mon…losing to a slumping Louisville team and an already miserable Pittsburgh team? If Kelly wants the big time, he needs to get his players ready for every game…the big ones, and the trap ones. They’ll get better, but they’ve still got a ways to go.
Crow? THERE’S what I ordered. And of course it looks bigger on the menu… PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
Last year -
Quote:
An originally promising 2006 campaign peaked after a 52-7 mauling of UCF, bringing the Panther record to 6-1, and a mere 6 votes from breaking into the top 25. Things unraveled quickly from there as the Panthers lost their last 5 games to finish at .500. The departure of Tyler Palko to the NFL was addressed, in the form of 5-star QB Pat Bostick. With a variety of strong players at a variety of different positions, look for the Panthers to find their way back into the bowl hunt this season.
Prediction: (8-4)(4-3) |
That’s right…we’re still dealing with Dave Wannstedt here aren’t we? When you have a better recruiting class than Ohio State AND Michigan did, you’re supposed to win games here and there. Didn’t get the memo? Figures. 5-star QB Pat Bostick looked anything but, wrapping up the year with 8 TD’s compared to 11 INT’s…not that great, but yeah, he’s a freshman, basically thrown to the dogs, let’s not overlook that. He’ll improve. But no receivers over 500 yards for the season? Yikes! Wanny got his extension, yes, but he better make some adjustments or else he’ll find himself editing his resume. Another year sans bowl game…must make those Pittsburgh alums irritable. Right Dan?
Crow? Wait…it comes with all THAT too? Good lord I’ve got enough for an army. SYRACUSE ORANGE
Last year -
Quote:
Despite finishing dead last in the Big East, Syracuse showed some moxie which led me to believe that they were better than many believed or wanted to believe. This year's recruiting class wasn't anything to be envious of at all, although 32nd ranked RB Doug Hogue looks to provide a boost at the RB position, one of many positions Syracuse needs to get stability at if they're to make a push at a bowl berth, let alone a championship.
Prediction: (5-7)(2-5) |
BAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That’s a good one!!!! Syracuse!? Championship?! Greg Robinson?? Now THAT’S funny.
Crow? Those people over there are giving me dirty looks… CONNECTICUT HUSKIES
Last year -
Quote:
Their real hope is that Tyler Lorenzen can provide some stability at the quarterback position, which had been yo-yo'ed around last year. Otherwise, nothing particularly noteworthy can be said about the Huskies for 2007, or their future campaign, as they look to likely finish in the Big East cellar again, with other conference teams blowing ahead at full steam. A soft non-conference schedule should keep them within a stone's throw of .500 though.
Prediction: (4-8)(0-7) |
Stand and take a bow Huskies. You are the winners of the First Annual “What Was I Thinking…Parity is Alive” Award!! Stability at the quarterback position? Clear and present. 2007 campaign? Highly successful. Bowl berths, BCS rankings, national recognization, oh my! Now I have to figure out if they’re a one hit wonder or if they’re here to stay. Let me sleep on that one.
Crow? That’s it…let me get this to go…in 10 doggy bags please. Thanks.
