It was announced in the fall that Pittsburgh and Syracuse were leaving for the ACC in the 2013-14 academic year. West Virginia, meanwhile, announced about a month later that it was leaving for the Big 12. But WVU is trying to join the Big 12 this summer, and the Big East and WVU have filed lawsuits over the proposed move. That means WVU’s departure could be delayed a year.
As a result of the pending defections, the Big East announced in December that Houston, SMU and UCF were leaving Conference USA to become full members and that Boise State and San Diego State were leaving the Mountain West to become football-only members. Those moves also take place in 2013-14.
On the field, the Big East basically was known for its mediocrity – well, at least until West Virginia cranked it up and scored 70 points on Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
Here’s a closer look at the Big East.
Best postseason performance: West Virginia. The Mountaineers’ offense was a well-oiled machine in the Orange Bowl. WVU scored an NCAA bowl-record 70 points in routing Clemson 70-33. WVU’s defense had some issues, sure, but when the offense is that prolific, does it matter? Everything came together for WVU in the bowl game, especially along the offensive line. That group had been criticized for lackluster play during the season, but they played excellent football against Clemson.
Worst postseason performance: Pittsburgh. Panthers players just didn’t look as if they cared when they lost 28-6 to SMU in the BBVA Compass Bowl. The date (Jan. 7) and the coaching turmoil likely played big roles in the uninspired performance. Pitt finished with 10 rushing yards and surrendered seven sacks.
Underclassmen turning pro early: Syracuse WR Dorian Graham, Syracuse DE Chandler Jones, Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu, USF TB Darrell Scott, Syracuse G Phillip Thomas
Team most hurt by early departure: Rutgers. Sanu was the best wide receiver in the league this season, startling because of the Scarlet Knights’ pedestrian quarterbacks, and no one player on Rutgers’ roster will be able to match his production (115 catches, 1,206 yards, seven TDs).
Coaching change: Paul Chryst in at Pittsburgh, replacing Todd Graham; Chryst had been offensive coordinator at Wisconsin.
Key coordinator hire: Until West Virginia hires a defensive coordinator, we’re going to leave this section unfinished. Pitt made a good hire when it nabbed Bob Bostad as offensive coordinator, but there was a report Thursday morning that Bostad, after less than a month on the job, had left to become the Chicago Bears’ offensive line coach. Bostad came with Chryst from Wisconsin. But Pitt officials said the story was false.
Coach on the hottest seat in the fall: None. The seats under Syracuse’s Doug Marrone and USF’s Skip Holtz could get warm next fall, though. The Orange took a step backward after winning a bowl in 2010. USF, meanwhile, saw its six-season bowl streak end – and end in a season in which the Big East was relatively weak top to bottom.
Recruiting storyline to watch: USF is getting beat in its own state by league rivals Louisville and West Virginia – and maybe Cincinnati, too. USF has some solid in-state prospects committed, but Louisville and WVU have more. That’s not good. Another potential storyline is that no Big East team is going to finish in the top 25 in recruiting.
Read More: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=An8DtvZMuVr0R3vGZ2EwE9gcvrYF?slug=mh-huguenin_big_east_review_change_coming_011912
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