(The Phanatic Magazine) - Temple was picked eighth in the BIG EAST conference’s annual preseason
media poll.preseason Tuesday.
The Owls return to BIG EAST play, bringing back just 10 starters back from last year’s team that
went 9-4. Head coach Steve Addazio will turn to a solid running back
tandem of Montel Harris — the active career rushing leader among FBS
players — and Matt Brown.
With 17 starters returning from a team that tied for the BIG EAST
championship last season, Louisville has been tabbed as the overwhelming
favorite to win the 2012 title in the conference’s annual preseason
media poll.
The
Cardinals received 24 of a possible 28 first-place votes and had 219
points in the preseason voting of media representatives. USF received
the other three first-place votes.
Louisville
went 7-6 overall last season, but the Cardinals won five of their last
six regular-season games to finish 5-2 in BIG EAST play and earn a share
of their second league title since 2006. Head coach Charlie Strong
brings nine starters back from one of the stingiest defenses in the
nation, anchored by two-time All-BIG EAST safety Hakeem Smith, while the
Cardinals are expecting big things on offense with the development of
sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater — the unanimous BIG EAST Rookie
of the Year in 2011.
USF
went 5-7 overall and 1-6 in the BIG EAST last season, but the Bulls
were the solid No. 2 pick in the preseason poll with 176 points thanks
to the return of 17 starters from last season. The Bulls saw three of
their last four losses come on field goals either as time expired or in
overtime last year, but head coach Skip Holtz can lean on veteran
quarterback B.J. Daniels and a stout defense to turn things around.
Rutgers
was third in the preseason poll with 155 points. The Scarlet Knights
were picked eighth in last year’s poll, but ended up with a chance to
win the championship in their regular-season finale. First-year head
coach Kyle Flood finds 15 starters back from last year’s team who are
looking forward to finishing the job, including linebacker Khaseem
Greene — the 2011 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year.
Cincinnati
was fourth in the preseason poll with 139 points. The Bearcats tied for
the league title last year and capped the season with a win against
Vanderbilt in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. But head coach Butch Jones will
need to find replacements for players who were named BIG EAST Offensive
and Defensive Player of the Year last season. All-BIG EAST safety Drew
Frey anchors a defense that led the nation in tackles for loss.
Pittsburgh
was picked fifth in the preseason poll. The Panthers, who are looking
for their fifth consecutive postseason appearance, battled through a
number of key injuries to finish 6-7 overall and 4-3 in the BIG EAST
last season. New head coach Paul Chryst will turn to standout running
back Ray Graham and All-BIG EAST safety Jarred Holley to shoulder the
load while a young defense — with four returning starters — finds its
way.
Connecticut
was tabbed sixth in the preseason poll. Head coach Paul Pasqualoni has a
defense that returns eight starters from last year and a pair of
dangerous offensive options with the return of running back Lyle McCombs
and tight end Ryan Griffin — both All-BIG EAST picks last season.
Syracuse
was seventh in the preseason poll after the Orange came up just short
in their bid for back-to-back postseason appearances. Head coach Doug
Marrone has a veteran quarterback — third-year starter Ryan Nassib — a
talented group of receivers, and a solid defense that has seven
returning starters.
Rank
|
Team (First-Place Votes)
|
Pts.
|
1.
|
Louisville (24)
|
219
|
2.
|
USF (4)
|
176
|
3.
|
Rutgers
|
155
|
4.
|
Cincinnati
|
139
|
5.
|
Pittsburgh
|
131
|
6.
|
Connecticut
|
77
|
7.
|
Syracuse
|
70
|
8.
|
Temple
|
41
|
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