ESPN College Football

You can't build a great defense without an outstanding defensive line. If you don't have run-stuffers or the ability to pressure the quarterback with your front four, then good luck.

Which Big East teams are feeling good about their trenches and which are looking for answers heading into spring practice? Let's take the temperature.

Feeling great:

• Pittsburgh: The Panthers might have the league's best pair of defensive ends in Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. Losing nose tackle Rashaad Duncan hurts, but Pitt still has Mick Williams and Gus Mustakas to plug the middle. This was one of the Big East's best defensive lines in 2008 and should be just as good if not better in '09.

• South Florida: The Bulls should have the deepest and most talented defensive line in the league this season. Getting George Selvie back for his senior season was huge; he commands so much attention at defensive end that it opens up opportunities for everyone else. He's got a lot of help, too, with Terrell McClain, Sampson Genus, Aaron Harris, Cory Grissom and Keith McCaskill in the middle and Craig Marshall at end, plus incoming players like Jason Pierre-Paul and Ryne Giddens. This group has a chance to be among the best in the nation.

• West Virginia: The Mountaineers have very few holes to fill on defense, though they must replace one starter up front in their 3-3-5 alignment. Either Julian Miller or Larry Ford should be able to step in for Doug Slavonic, while Chris Neild and Scooter Berry are back along an underrated defensive line.

Some questions:

• Connecticut: The Huskies lost a pair of senior defensive ends and dynamic disrupters in Cody Brown and Julius Williams. The good news is that defensive tackles Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin played well as redshirt freshmen last season, and Lindsey Witten has shown in the past that he's a capable defensive end. UConn just needs to find a playmaker or two.

• Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights lost two major contributors up front with the graduation of end Jamaal Westerman and tackle Pete Tverdov. But there are plenty of experienced players here, and if huge recruits Antwan Lowery and Isaac Holmes can pitch in this season, Rutgers should be just fine on the D-line.

Big questions:

• Cincinnati: The Bearcats don't have any returning starters on the line, which was one of their main strengths in 2008. Plus, they're likely going to switch to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Bob Diaco. This spring will be all about finding guys who are ready to play and who can fill those roles in the new alignment. Look for Curtis Young and Ricardo Matthews to be among those fighting for time.

• Louisville: Three starters are gone, leaving a whole host of question marks for the Cardinals. They seemed to be playing four defensive tackles at times last season but hope a healthy Rodney Gnat and true sophomore Greg Scruggs can add speed to the edge. Steve Kragthorpe has also added some junior college transfers to the mix to help depth. Who will start there is anyone's guess right now.

• Syracuse: This unit was thrown into limbo with the news last week that star tackle Arthur Jones needed surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. There's no timetable yet for his return. If he's not at full strength to begin the season, then Syracuse's defense takes a huge hit. The defensive line already was dealing with the loss of two starters from 2008.