From: v262xxve@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Timothy C Pitts)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Big East Preview 1992
Date: 31 Aug 92 00:04:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

The Big East Conference --- 1992

In its second year in existence, the Big East conference offers some fine
challenges for the rest of college football:  two teams threaten to crack
the Top Five at the end of the year, and another three are bowl possibilities.
Only one is sure to have a losing record, though weak schedules by at least
two will leave some questions as to how deserving of recognition these teams
are.

[Thanks go to Bob Dieckmann for some of this preview]

Standings

Team             Rank       Overall    Conference
                 USAToday    W-L-T        W-L-T
Boston College               0-0-0        0-0-0
Miami              1         0-0-0        0-0-0
Pittsburgh                   0-0-0        0-0-0
Rutgers                      0-0-0        0-0-0
Syracuse          10         0-0-0        0-0-0
Temple                       0-0-0        0-0-0
Virginia Tech                0-0-0        0-0-0
West Virginia                0-0-0        0-0-0

Officially, the team that is ranked highest in the USAToday/CNN poll at the
end of the regular season is the conference champion.  Next year, the 
conference will have in place a full round-robin schedule and will select 
its champion in the traditional way.


Big East Conference Schedules
----------------------------------------------------------------------

       Boston Coll     Miami          Pitt            Rutgers
       -----------     -----          -----           --------
9/5    RUTGERS*        @iowa          KENT STATE      @boston coll*
9/12   N'WESTERN                      WVU*            COLGATE
9/19   NAVY            FLORIDAA&M     @ru* (9/17)     PITT* (9/17)
9/26   MICHIGAN ST     ARIZONA        MINNESOTA       @navy
10/3                   FSU            @maryland       PENN ST
10/10  @wvu*           @penn st       NOTRE DAME      @syracuse*
10/17  @penn st        TCU            @temple*        ARMY
10/24  @tulane         @vtech*        E CAROLINA     
10/31  TEMPLE*         WVU*           @syracuse*      VTECH*
11/7   @notre dame                                    @cincinnati
11/14  SYRACUSE*       TEMPLE*        LOUISVILLE      WVU*
11/21  @army           @syracuse*     @penn st        @temple*
11/28                  @sdsu          
12/5                                  @hawaii                    


       Syracuse        Temple         VTech           WVU
       --------        ------         -----           ---
9/5    @E Carolina     BOSTON U.      J. MADISON      MIAMI(Oh)
9/12   TEXAS           @penn st       @e carolina     @pitt*
9/19   OHIO STATE      VTECH*         @temple*        MARYLAND
9/26                   @kansas st     WVU*            @vtech*
10/3   @Louisville     @wash st                       
10/10  RUTGERS                        @louisville     BOSTON COLL*
10/17  @wvu*           PITT*          NC STATE        SYRACUSE*
10/24  @temple*        SYRACUSE*      MIAMI*          PENN ST
10/31  PITT*           @boston coll*  @rutgers*       @miami*
11/7   VTECH*          @akron         @syracuse*      E CAROLINA
11/14  @boston coll*   @miami*        SO. MISS        @rutgers*
11/21  MIAMI*          RUTGERS*       VIRGINIA        LOUSIANA TECH

-----------------------------------------------------------

        Conference           non-Conference
        Game of the Week     Game of the Week

9/5     Rutgers @ BC         Miami @ Iowa
9/12    WVU @ Pitt           Texas @ Syracuse
9/19    Pitt @ Rutgers       Ohio St @ Syracuse
9/26    WVU @ VTech          Mich St @ BC
10/3                         FSU @ Miami
10/10   BC @ WVU             Miami @ Penn St
10/17   Syracuse @ WVU       VTech @ NC St
10/24   Miami @ VTech        Penn St @WVU
10/31   Pitt @ Syracuse      
11/7    VTech @ Syracuse     WVU @ E Carolina
11/14   WVU @ Rutgers        Louisvill @ Pitt
11/21   Miami @ Syracuse     Pitt @ Penn St
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
         GAME OF THE YEAR


Pre-season guesstimates:
------------------------

Here's How the Preseason Magazines view the upcoming year.
(Teams listed in consensus order.)

                   Hein-   S&S  Sport'g  Athlon  Lindy    NCAA     FB
                   richs         News                   FB Prev  Action

1. Miami             1      1      1       1       1       1       1
2. Syracuse          2      2      2       2       2       2       2
3. Boston College    7      3      4       5       4       3       4
4. Rutgers           3      6      6       6       3       4       3
5. West Virginia     4      4      5       4       5       5       5
6. Pittsburgh        5      5      3       3       6       6       6 
7. Virginia Tech     6      7      7       7       7       7       7
8. Temple            8      8      8       8       8       8       8


Big East Conference Preseason All-Stars:
-----------------------------------------
The following is a composite of the All-Big East Conference Team
as selected by these magazines: Heinrich's, Sporting News, Athlon, 
Football Action '92, and Lindy's.
The asterisks to the right of the names shows how many first-string teams
the players were voted to.  There are a few inconsistencies since Lindy's
voted for 4 DL and 4 LB; also, one magazine did not specify any kickers.
Finally, one magazine had a separate category for Kick Returner,
and gave that slot to Qadry Ismail.

Asterisks before the name show returning players from the 1991
All Star Team as voted by the conference head coaches.

Offense                               Defense
WR *Qadry Ismail, Syracuse***         DL *Rusty Medearis, Miami*****
WR  Horace Copeland, Miami*           DL  Mark Caesar, Miami***
OL  Mike Compton, WVU*                DL  Boris Graham, WVU*
OL  Tre Johnson, Temple*****          DL  Kevin Mitchell, Syracuse*****
OL  Reuben Brown, Pitt*               DL  Mike Marinaro, Boston Coll**
OL  Travis Broadbent, Rutgers*        LB  Shawn Williams, Rutgers*
OL *Mike Compton, WVU****             LB  Jessie Armstead, Miami*
OL  Terrence Wisdom, Syracuse****     LB *Darrin Smith, Miami*****
OL  Rudy Barber, Miami***             LB  Michael Barrow, Miami**
OL  Jim Pyne, VTech*                  LB *Tom McManus, Boston Coll***
OL  Gary Gorajewski, Pitt*            LB  Charles Williams, Pitt*
OL  Brian Erwin, Temple**             LB  Dan Conley, Syracuse**
OL  Lorenzo Styles, WVU*              LB  Tom Tumulty, Pitt**
OL  Rich Braham, WVU                  LB  Shawn Williams, Rutgers**
TE  Rob Coons, Pitt*                  LB  P.J. Preston, VTech*
TE  Coleman Bell, Miami*
TE  Pete Mitchell, Boston Coll*
TE  Chris Gedney, Syracuse**
WR *Lamar Thomas, Miami*****          DB *Ryan McNeil, Miami*****
WR  Shelby Hill, Syracuse*            DB  Marshall Roberts, Rutgers*
QB *Gino Toretta, Miami****           DB  Tyronne Drakeford, VTech***
QB  Glenn Foley, Boston Coll*         DB  Jay Bellamy, Rutgers**
RB *David Walker, Syracuse***         DB *Malik Jackson, Rutgers*****
RB  Stephen McGuire, Miami**          DB  Dwayne Joseph, Syracuse*
RB *Adrian Murrell, WVU*****          DB  Mike Collins, WVU***
K   John Biskup, Syracuse****         P  *Pat O'Neill, Syracuse****

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

My projections:
1.  Miami (10-1)
2.  Syracuse (10-1)
3.  Rutgers (8-3)
4.  Pitt (8-4)
5.  Boston College (6-5)
6.  Virginia Tech (5-6)
    West Virginia (5-6)
8.  Temple (2-9)


Team-by-team analysis

Miami (last year, 12-0, USAToday #1):  The Hurricanes look as impressive as 
ever.  The offense returns all the skill positions, but a changeover on the 
offensive line could leave Gino Torretta with little time to throw.  He has 
an incredible knack for not spotting single coverage and failing to exploit
the defenses he faces, and unless he can correct that, it'll be a long year
for the Mighty Canes (R00LZ!!).  Of course, a long year for the 'Canes means
10-2 and only a Number 3 ranking.  A similar story can be told on defense,
the defensive line is strong, the linebackers probably the best unit in the
country, but the secondary is questionable.  Only Ryan McNeil is back at
corner and the rest are relatively inexperienced:  look for Miami to be 
exploitable deep, but immovable against the run (look for the offensive front 
to allow fewer than 100 yards rushing per game).  Road games against Iowa,
PennState, Syracuse, and SanDiegoState will test Erickson's ability to
motivate that's been in question since he arrived three years ago.
Projection:  10-1 (loss to either PennState or FSU;  less likely, Syracuse or
San Diego State)
Next game:  Sept. 5 @Iowa (10-1-1, 10) (0-1 this year, USAToday #15)

Syracuse (10-2, 11):  The Orangemen have similar problems to Miami.  The 
offense is experienced except for the line, and the defense strong except 
for the secondary.  One thing sets Syracuse apart from all others:  Qadry 
Ismail.  Look for him to determine the outcome of several games.  If
the Orange can gain experience and avoid injuries on the offensive line, the
balanced attack from last season will be back.  Even if it is not, the 
offense should still click and rack up some gaudy numbers on its foes.  The
defense should be good against the run, but suffer against the pass.  The
schedule is favorable with all the tough games at home.  Syracuse had better
keep an eye out for an upset at BC when the Orangemen are looking ahead to
Miami the following week.
Projection:  10-1 (loss to Miami)
Next game:  Sept. 5 @East Carolina (11-1, 9)

Rutgers (6-5):  Who?  What idiot would pick Rutgers to do anything?  Me, 
I guess.  With the best quarterback in the Big East (maybe the nation) in
Brian Fortay, Rutgers is making great strides forward this year.  The schedule
(which features hapless Army, Navy, and Colgate and provides only two really
strong opponents in Syracuse and Penn State) is favorable, to say the least.
The defense returns almost completely intact from last year, and the two 
non-returning starters bring considerable playing time with them.  If the
Scarlet Knights don't perform this year, the team is still made up of mostly
underclassmen, so look for them to improve for next year, as well.  The game
of the year for Rutgers is, like last year, the season-opener at Boston
College:  this will set the stage for the rest of the year.
Projection:  8-3 (losses to PennState and at Syracuse;  BC, Pitt,
and WestVirginia could pose challenges)
Next game:  Sept. 5 @BostonCollege (4-7)

Pittsburgh (6-5):  After slipping significantly in the past few years, the
Panthers look to be back on the right track.  Alex van Pelt is a fine 
quarterback, and the running backs are experienced, but the rest of the 
offense is questionable at best.  Still, they should be able to put plenty 
of points on the board, even if they can't keep their opponents from doing 
the same.  The defense has plenty of holes to fill after being riddled by 
the NFL draft.  The line and outside linebackers will be unable to thwart 
even the weakest of attacks, but the secondary is reasonably capable.  The
schedule provides a few easy games and a few impossible ones, the remainder
will tell the real story:  I think they'll win two of {West Virginia,
@Rutgers, East Carolina}.
Projection:  8-4 (other losses to PennState, Syracuse, ND)
Next game:  Sept. 5 vs. Kent (1-10)

Boston College (4-7):  The Eagles were probably the best 4-7 team in the
nation last year, taking Rutgers, Michigan, Penn State, West Virginia, and
Miami into the fourth quarter.  The defense is back almost unscathed (9 of
11 starters return), which is good for the front seven, but maybe not so
good for the secondary.  BC gave up too many yards passing last year and
is still very young.  The offense boasts a capable quarterback in Glenn Foley
and two solid running backs.  The offensive line is weak and young, however, 
and shouldn't provide too much in the way of pass protection or run blocking.
The Rutgers game will indicate either a return to the Flutie era with a win
or a drop back into mediocrity with a loss:  I choose the latter.
Projection:  6-5 (losses to Rutgers, PennState, ND, Syracuse, Pitt/West 
Virginia)
Next game:  Sept. 5 vs. Rutgers (6-5)

West Virginia (6-5):  After going 11-1 with a shot at the national championship
in '88, the Mountaineers have been a huge disappointment.  This year will 
be no different unless Don Nehlen can find some way to get the ball in the
air.  The schedule does them no favors, and October is going to be a long
month when Syracuse and Penn State visit before they head down to Miami.
West Virginia will have to pull off a few big games to stay above .500.
The defense should be good enough to keep the Mountaineers in the games, but
Studstill needs to start getting the ball to his own receivers, not the
defenders, before this team gets to a bowl.  If Murrell and Ford can get
the running game going enough to take the pressure off the passing game, 
West Virginia could do well.  I don't think they will.
Projection:  5-6 (losses to Pitt, BC, Syracuse, PennState, Miami, and Rutgers)
Next game:  Sept 5 vs. MiamiU (6-4-1)

Virginia Tech (5-6):  If only Will Furrer were a year younger, this team 
could compete.  He's not, though, and questions at quarterback make the 
offense a complete mystery.  The receivers are good, as are the running 
backs, but they simply are not enough by themselves to put the team into 
the end zone.  Add to that the questions in the defense (only the linebacking 
corp is solid), and this could be a disastrous year for the Hokies.  I don't 
think the bizarre defense is going to do them any good.  The schedule is 
murderous.  A late season win over arch-rival Virginia is all Hokie fans 
should be looking for out of this year.
Projection:  4-7 (losses to East Carolina, WVa, NCState, Miami, Rutgers, 
Syracuse, and maybe Virginia)
Next game:  Sept. 5 vs. James Madison (9-4)

Temple (2-9):  Who the hell let this team in the league?  The Owls haven't
gone above .500 against I-A opponents in the past 12 years except the one
successful season in 1990.  Don't expect them to deviate from the norm this
year, either.  They lost just about everybody from last year's miserable
team so they look to be even worse.  Temple ought to be able to pull off one
over BU, and maybe another off of Akron (but then again, they lost to the
Zips last year).  Maybe they can pull off the shocker over bowl-bound
Rutgers in their final game of the year.
Projection:  2-9
Next game:  Sept. 5 vs. Boston University (4-7)

___

Timothy C. Pitts             
Canada US Trade Center
Department of Geography
University at Buffalo        
V262XXVE@UBVMS.BITNET