| |
 Reaction: Big East
Posted: Monday August 09, 1999 02:13 PM
Over the last few weeks, CNN/SI asked users to forecast their favorite conference. While many publications, including this web site, are high on the resurgent Miami Hurricanes, many of our users feel this will be the year of the Hokie.
This could be a very interesting year in the Big East, with traditional powers such as Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia all having to rebound from losing star players. Besides Miami, which should be the dominant team, there could be a few surprises delivered by traditional doormats Temple and Rutgers, and also by the quickly rebuilding BC Eagles and Pitt Panthers. Players to watch: QB Michael Vick, VT; TB/QB/KR Dee Brown, Syr.; QB Tim Hasselbeck, BC; QB/ATH Kevin Harvey, Temple; DE Chris Hovan, BC; DE Corey Moore, VT; QB Kenny Kelly, UM; QB Marc Bulger WV; S Pedro Cirino, BC; and LB Raheem Orr, Rutgers.
Favorite: Virginia Tech (11-0) -- Redshirt freshman Michael Vick will live up to his high expectations. Best D-line in the country combined with No. 1 Special Teams will hold opponents to under 10 ppg. Easy out-of-conference schedule, too. Close Second: Miami (8-3) -- Miami is relying too heavily on its "We're back, baby!" frame of mind and is overlooking its impossible schedule. The three "State" games (Penn, Florida and Ohio) will leave the 'Canes with at least two losses and they will be completely deflated by the time they face the cruising Hokies in the mid-November freeze of Blacksburg.
There will be three Big East teams in the top 20 by the end of the season. Miami is maturing, and watch out for VA Tech and WV.
Virginia Tech's schedule screams 11-0 season, barring any Temple-style debacles. The BCS formula denies it a shot at the national championship, though. Miami's tough, early schedule is its downfall; the Hurricanes finish 6-5 and tied for third in the Big East with Rutgers, behind WVU. Syracuse goes 6-5 while rebuilding but snags a bowl bid.
Underrated - Virginia Tech. The Hokies will return large number of starters. Defense will swarm upon every team that steps to the challenge. Much needed offensive spark from the redshirt FR
QB Michael Vick. Receivers much improved. Prediction: Big East No. 1. Overrated -- Miami (Fla). Good, but the news is wrong. Miami is not back. Inexperienced QB (Kenny Kelly). Talented WR (Santana Moss). Defense sparse. Prediction - BE No. 2. Others - No. 3 Syracuse, No. 4 Boston College, No. 5 West Virginia, No. 6 Pittsburgh, No. 7 Temple, No. 8 Rutgers.
Boston College is definitely a team on the rise. The positions left open from graduation are where the most pure, athletic talent on the team lies. If that talent can develop quickly and compliment the returning starters, BC could finish third in the Big East behind Miami and Tech.
The Big East Conference will be much better than most are predicting. The conference crown will once again reside in Miami. Virginia Tech will be the biggest disappointment, and Boston College will be the biggest surprise.
The Miami Hurricanes will rise upon the national spotlight with a solid season and a top 10 ranking. They are loaded everywhere, and expect their dynamic duo at RB of Jackson and Davenport to make everyone in Miami forget about the loss of Edgerrin James. Let me be the first one to tell you that Miami is for real and can easily be 10-2 after playing FSU, PSU, and Ohio State out of conference. Virgina Tech will only lose one game and also finish in the top 10, but no competition out of conference should earn it little respect. After those two, look for Syracuse to be in the top 25, with new talent at QB and many holes to fill.
| |||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||
