On the heels of two BIG EAST championships in the last three , West Virginia has been tabbed as the chosen. To take the 2008 designation in the conferences annual television poll, Tuesday as part of the consultations Summer Kickoff at the Hotel Viking.

The Mountaineers- (11-2, 5-2 BIG EAST in 2007) received 22 of a promising 24 chief-locality to quality with 189 points in the poll of radio representatives from each of the BIG EAST . West Virginia, which the BIG EASTs Bowl Championship Series wharf last season on its way to a 48-28 win against Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, will be led by two-time BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Pat White, who enters the 2008 season as a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate. The Mountaineers are under the direction of new head coach Bill Stewart, who was to the top spot in January after leading West Virginia to the bowl victory against the Sooners.

USF- (9-4, 4-3 BIG EAST) received one major-situation vote and was additional to West Virginia with 149 in the preseason . The Bulls enjoyed a outstanding year in 2007, reeling off six straight wins to open the season and ascending to the No. 2 spot in the coast-to-coast midway through the year. Head instructor Jim Leavitt has 17 returning from that group, including consensus all-America defending end George Selvie and Matt Grothe, who tiered in the BIG EAST in total insult last year.

Pittsburgh- (5-7, 3-4 BIG EAST) received the left over paramount-habitation vote and was third in the poll with 128 points. The Panthers closed the 2007 season in fine taste, a 13-9 road win against West Virginia, which was categorized No. 1 in the USA Today general poll at the time. Pittsburgh and head teacher Dave Wannstedt reoccurrence 15 starters from last year, including linebacker Scott McKillop, who led the nation in tackles in 2007, and running back LeSean McCoy, who set a BIG EAST whoosh top score with 1,328 .

Rutgers- (8-5, 3-4 BIG EAST) was projected for fourth in the BIG EAST after a 2007 season in which the Scarlet Knights made straight exterior in a bowl game. Head tutor Greg Schiano will need to find a way to supercede the making of running back Ray Rice (2,012 whisper yards in 2007), but has the charity performance of 16 returning starters back for 2008. Wide receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood became the leading BIG EAST with 1,000 delivery in the same season last year.

Cincinnati- (10-3, 4-3 BIG EAST) was fifth in the preseason poll after the Bearcats itemized their primary 10-win season since 1951. The Bearcats were ordered No. 17 in the final Associated Press poll of last season, their essential year under head trainer Brian Kelly. A veteran secondary, led by united All-BIG EAST First Team cornerback Mike Mickens, a group of 12 returning from last year.

Connecticut- (9-4, 5-2 BIG EAST) was in the poll, just one intention behind Cincinnati in the balloting. The Huskies proved the prognosticators off beam a year ago when they won a portion of the BIG EAST finals despite being elite seventh in the 2007 poll. Head trainer Randy Edsall has 19 starters back from last years championship team, including All-BIG EAST Second Team running back Andre Dixon.

Louisville- (6-6, 3-4 BIG EAST) was in the preseason poll as the Cardinals look to put back quarterback Brian Brohm, who for 10,775 yards in his livelihood. Head tutor Steve Kragthorpe will turn to greatly regarded senior Hunter Cantwell to run the Louisville slight, which ranked sixth nationally in per game a year ago.

Syracuse- (2-10, 1-6 BIG EAST) finished eighth in the preseason balloting. Head instructor Greg Robinson has 13 returning from last year and should get a boost from the homecoming of several players who were sidelined with injuries a year ago. Quarterback Andrew Robinson will be a key player on an infraction that should mouth better rest with a group of endowed running in estate.

2008 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

1. West Virginia (22) 189
2. USF (1) 149
3. Pittsburgh (1) 128
4. Rutgers 110
5. Cincinnati 98
6. Connecticut 97
7. Louisville 69
8. Syracuse 24

(First Place Votes in Parentheses)

Posted on July 30th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football