Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
It's Big East preview day here on ESPN.com, and no preview would be complete without a few predictions. Last year, I successfully picked both the offensive and defensive players of the year, so let's see if I can do it again.
1. Offensive player of the year: Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike. Lots of options here, including Matt Grothe, Noel Devine, Jonathan Baldwin and Pike's own teammate, Mardy Gilyard. I just get the sense that Pike is dialed in and ready for a monster year -- remember he threw for 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns despite being limited by injuries last season -- and operating Brian Kelly's spread offense will make his numbers too good to ignore.
2. Defensive player of the year: South Florida defensive end George Selvie. Last season, I predicted -- correctly -- that Selvie's numbers would go down because other teams would focus their game plans so much on him. And an ankle problem limited him as well. This year, the Bulls have a deeper, more talented defensive line that should take some pressure off their senior pass-rusher, and Selvie is by all accounts healthy and strong to start the year. Another 14.5-sack season like 2007 is probably not in the cards, but his impact on every game will be felt.
3. Newcomer of the year: Cincinnati receiver Jamar Howard. Another guy who could benefit from the Bearcats offense, this 6-foot-4 junior-college transfer has the size and speed to provide a compelling target for Pike. He still needs to learn and develop, though, and might be more of a second-half bloomer.
4. Comeback player of the year: Syracuse receiver Mike Williams. After missing all of last year because of academic problems, the Orange's top playmaker from 2007 returns and will be the go-to guy in the passing game. The big question is whether Greg Paulus can get it to him and whether Syracuse can find other options to keep Williams from being double-teamed every down.
5. Freshman of the year: Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham. I'm going on a limb here, based on the encouraging reports from Pitt practice about Graham's big-play ability. Clearly, a freshman is going to have a huge opportunity to run behind the Panthers' offensive line, as true frosh Dion Lewis is battling Graham for the top spot on the depth chart right now. One of the two could easily win this award.
6. Breakout player of the year: West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown. Mountaineers fans already know what Brown is capable of doing, but the rest of the league and the country will finally see the fifth-year senior step out of Pat White's shadows and emerge as a star in his own right.
7. Most exciting player: Devine. The West Virginia running back can seemingly turn any play into a home run and is a threat to reverse field and run by 11 defenders at any time. He should get fed carries early and often with Pat White no longer in town.
8. Coach of the year: If Cincinnati's Kelly wins this award a third straight time, they should just rename it after him. But since I'm picking Rutgers to win the league, I have to go with Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano, whose good work in building this program will culminate with a BCS bid this year.
9. Game of the year: West Virginia at Rutgers, Dec. 5. This could turn into the de facto Big East championship game that league officials try to set up every year. Rutgers has the easiest path to the BCS, while West Virginia may have the most talent.
10. Surprise team of the year: Connecticut. Simply because no one is talking about the Huskies, and Randy Edsall always fields a solid team. If UConn can generate more points with its new no-huddle offense, its defense is good enough to make sure this team is in the thick of the Big East race.
11. Team that will disappoint: South Florida. Fooled us once, fooled us twice. This is a program that, while loaded with athletes, still has to prove it can compete beyond September.
It's Big East preview day here on ESPN.com, and no preview would be complete without a few predictions. Last year, I successfully picked both the offensive and defensive players of the year, so let's see if I can do it again.
1. Offensive player of the year: Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike. Lots of options here, including Matt Grothe, Noel Devine, Jonathan Baldwin and Pike's own teammate, Mardy Gilyard. I just get the sense that Pike is dialed in and ready for a monster year -- remember he threw for 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns despite being limited by injuries last season -- and operating Brian Kelly's spread offense will make his numbers too good to ignore.
2. Defensive player of the year: South Florida defensive end George Selvie. Last season, I predicted -- correctly -- that Selvie's numbers would go down because other teams would focus their game plans so much on him. And an ankle problem limited him as well. This year, the Bulls have a deeper, more talented defensive line that should take some pressure off their senior pass-rusher, and Selvie is by all accounts healthy and strong to start the year. Another 14.5-sack season like 2007 is probably not in the cards, but his impact on every game will be felt.
3. Newcomer of the year: Cincinnati receiver Jamar Howard. Another guy who could benefit from the Bearcats offense, this 6-foot-4 junior-college transfer has the size and speed to provide a compelling target for Pike. He still needs to learn and develop, though, and might be more of a second-half bloomer.
4. Comeback player of the year: Syracuse receiver Mike Williams. After missing all of last year because of academic problems, the Orange's top playmaker from 2007 returns and will be the go-to guy in the passing game. The big question is whether Greg Paulus can get it to him and whether Syracuse can find other options to keep Williams from being double-teamed every down.
5. Freshman of the year: Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham. I'm going on a limb here, based on the encouraging reports from Pitt practice about Graham's big-play ability. Clearly, a freshman is going to have a huge opportunity to run behind the Panthers' offensive line, as true frosh Dion Lewis is battling Graham for the top spot on the depth chart right now. One of the two could easily win this award.
6. Breakout player of the year: West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown. Mountaineers fans already know what Brown is capable of doing, but the rest of the league and the country will finally see the fifth-year senior step out of Pat White's shadows and emerge as a star in his own right.
7. Most exciting player: Devine. The West Virginia running back can seemingly turn any play into a home run and is a threat to reverse field and run by 11 defenders at any time. He should get fed carries early and often with Pat White no longer in town.
8. Coach of the year: If Cincinnati's Kelly wins this award a third straight time, they should just rename it after him. But since I'm picking Rutgers to win the league, I have to go with Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano, whose good work in building this program will culminate with a BCS bid this year.
9. Game of the year: West Virginia at Rutgers, Dec. 5. This could turn into the de facto Big East championship game that league officials try to set up every year. Rutgers has the easiest path to the BCS, while West Virginia may have the most talent.
10. Surprise team of the year: Connecticut. Simply because no one is talking about the Huskies, and Randy Edsall always fields a solid team. If UConn can generate more points with its new no-huddle offense, its defense is good enough to make sure this team is in the thick of the Big East race.
11. Team that will disappoint: South Florida. Fooled us once, fooled us twice. This is a program that, while loaded with athletes, still has to prove it can compete beyond September.
Brian Bennett | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008
- Wrote for The Courier-Journal
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
You must be signed in to post a comment