The good folks over at Athlon have published their Big East football predictions for 2012. Predictably, Louisville is at the top of the list, but USF comes in with the same conference record.
There is expected to be a lot of parity in the Big East this coming season – at least more than in years past when West Virginia was the dominant program. Athlon predictions suggest that too; no team runs away with the conference title.
Some will argue that Rutgers is better than 4-3, but how much the coaching change impact the Knights? The quarterback situation is still up in the air too. Can the defense carry them?
In Pittsburgh, Tino Sunseri will start at QB, but there has to be a lot of instability with that club. Paul Chryst is a great addition as head coach, but can the Panthers develop a chemistry early in the season and carry it into conference play?
Syracuse has added some great new talent and has a veteran quarterback too. They have a tough nonconference schedule though. Does that help or hurt them in Big East play?
Cincinnati's Butch Jones has nothing to prove, but can the Bearcats retool and claim four conference wins, or will this be a rebuilding season?
UConn's pass defense has improved to go along with a conference best run defense last season, and the receiving corps has much more depth to stretch the field. Can the Huskies sort through their revolving door situation at quarterback though?
Temple had a commendable season last year but experienced key losses. The Owls’ depth and experience is arguably deficient compared to the rest of the conference at this point. Do they wind up as a door mat or a late season spoiler?
Where did Athlon get it right or wrong?