The team that has controlled the Big East the past two years is now bereft of the sideline leader that made it so formidable. NCAA football betting students know this means change for a conference that came very close to becoming extinct this past June, as conference realignment nearly created a disaster in the Northeast. Had the Big Ten taken Rutgers or Syracuse, the Big East’s football future could have been placed on life support. As it is, the league goes forward without a full-on crisis staring it in the face.
Now, on to football.
In each of the past two seasons, online betting experts watched as the Big East Conference was ruled by the swagger and boldness of Brian Kelly. The hard-talking, high-energy coach was never afraid of getting in the face of his players and challenging them to do better. Kelly’s tough-love approach, combined with his clever design on the offensive side of the ball, allowed the gunslinging Cincinnati Bearcats to flourish thanks to a high-powered passing game. By having two quarterbacks – Tony Pike and Zach Collaros – ready to play, Kelly enabled his offense to withstand injuries and perform under a number of different circumstances. Cincinnati won the 2008 and 2009 Big East championships and made a name for itself on the national scene. Kelly’s absence in 2010 will change that dynamic, meaning that a new team is likely to win the league.
Team On The Rise:
Want to ride on the back of a team that will justify the confidence of sports betting diehards? Look to New England and the town of East Hartford. In one sense, this shouldn’t count as a surprise, but it’s still worth putting on the record: The Connecticut Huskies will finish second in the Big East standings. You shouldn’t be shocked, but it’s understandable if you still are. Connecticut doesn’t own the imposing speed of West Virginia’s skill people, and it lacks the power of Pittsburgh, but the Huskies are extremely well taught by head coach Randy Edsall, one of the most underappreciated sideline bosses in the United States. UConn players know where to be on each play and they display flawless technique. In a down year for the conference, look for UConn to be one of the last teams standing in the chase for the league title.
Team On The Decline:
The conference club that’s likely to end 2010 with a downcast vibe is West Virginia. The Mountaineers have scored the most important victories in the life of the Big East over the past few years. The Mountaineers defeated Georgia in the 2006 Sugar Bowl and then rocked Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. This is the conference team that has demonstrated an ability to run with the big dogs. However, under new coach Bill Stewart, WVU hasn’t been able to find the Big East winner’s circle. A new quarterback replaces departing senior Jarrett Brown in 2010, and until some quality is shown, it’s hard to believe that West Virginia will rise to first place again. Stewart and his coaching staff need to deliver the goods; one isn’t sure they’ll come through.
Best Player In The Conference:
Pittsburgh defensive end Greg Romeus. One very big reason Pittsburgh came within one PAT (and one defensive stop) of a Big East championship in 2009 is that Romeus terrorized opposing offenses with his speed on the edges. Romeus prevented most teams from ringing up big point totals against the Panthers, and that’s why the boys from the Steel City were contesting a conference crown on the first weekend of December.
Who Will Win The Big East:
The Big East champion is likely to come from the Steel City. Pittsburgh led Cincinnati 31-10 in what amounted to last year’s Big East championship game. However, a second-half collapse plus a botched PAT and a last-minute defensive breakdown enabled Cincinnati to steal a 45-44 win and leave the Panthers devastated. This year, Pitt still has stud running back Dion Lewis and most of a very solid defense, including the aforementioned Mr. Romeus at defensive end. More importantly, Cincinnati loses its coach (Kelly) and its top receiver, the magnificent Mardy Gilyard. There isn’t a single offense in the Big East which should outplay Pitt’s defense. The Panthers should finally knock the door down and win the league title that’s eluded them in recent years.