Bulls picked to finish second in Big East

NEWPORT, R.I. -- USF has been picked to finish second in the Big East this fall in the conference preseason poll released Tuesday, the highest showing in the Bulls' four seasons in the league.

USF, which rose to No. 2 in  the nation last season before finishing 4-3 in conference play, even picked up a first-place vote, though West Virginia is a nearly unanimous favorite, chosen first on 22 of 24 ballots. Pittsburgh, hoping to build on last season's upset of the Mountaineers, is third, with a single first-place vote.

It's the third consecutive year USF has moved up in the preseason poll, having been picked seventh in Newport in 2005, fifth in 2006 and fourth last season. USF has finished 4-3 in each of its three Big East seasons, tieing for either third or fourth place in the final standings.

The poll sets up USF's biggest conference games as its first and last of the season -- the Bulls open league play at home against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Oct. 2, and finish at West Virginia on Dec. 6. Rutgers was picked fourth, with Cincinnati edging Connecticut for fifth place.

The Huskies, who certainly got some breaks in sharing the league crown in 2007, got little respect in sixth place. Louisville, after being picked second a year ago and struggling under first-year coach Steve Kragthorpe, is seventh, while Syracuse was picked last on all 24 ballots.

Again, for full disclosure, here's a link to my own ballot in this poll. Comparing it to the poll itself, I put Connecticut third, but otherwise had the teams in their projected order of finish. Remember, last year's standings included four teams who went either 5-2 or 4-3, putting half the league within a single win of a share of first place.

Thoughts about the Bulls being picked second? Comments? Expectations? What team will finish farthest from their projected finish here?

(pic is courtesy of the Big East; just trying to prove I was there)

Comments

[RR]

West Virginia is in for a rude awakening. Bill Stewart sho' 'nuff aint Rich Rod. His track record indicates his time as head ball coach at WVU will be brief.

Looks like you lost your argument with the other sports writer who thought USF would be 2 and you said 3. And yes I know you picked the Bulls 2.

[Mike Lakeland]

WVU will most definitely NOT be the same team as last year. As much as those toothless hillbillies like to hate on RR, he was the reason their team got to where it is now. Sure, they've got Pat White and Noel Devine, but their other offensive weapons are gone as well as most of their defense. They won't stand a chance.

USF, on the other hand, I am not yet sold on. I love my Bulls more than I can say, but we've got too much of a history of screwing up when we shouldn't. I honestly think that while we may beat WVU, we'll also lose another Big East game (or two). That will put WVU back into the top and they get another BCS bowl.

I want to be wrong, though...please let me be wrong!

1. WVU
2. USF
3. Pitt
4. Cincy
5. UConn
6. Louisville
7. Rutgers
8. Syracuse

USF/Pitt will probably have the same conference record and be tied for Second/Third.

[Jim Johnson]

Who picked USF first, Greg?

[cg]

I know everyone is just in love with Pitt but a first place vote?

USF beat WVU in Morgantown to end the 06 regular season and went to a bowl game, finished with nine wins. Pitt finishes 5-7 and they are heralded as the next big thing? I guess that 20-17 win against Syracuse must have looked much better in person.

[Smooth]

In 2006 when we beat WVU, we also beat FIU 21-20...so I would say that's even worse than their close Cuse victory. I think Pitt is right where they should be at number 3. They have a tremendous amount of talent, McCoy is a Top 10 back in the nation. Their defense was solid, we'll see if they can turn their offense around....

With that said, I think the USF-WVU showdown will determine the conference title but the loser will get an at-large BCS bid

[Sailingbull]

With the talent they have assembled at Pitt it'll be a chalenge for them to continue to underachieve. But have no fear, Wann-stache will figure out a way to miss another bowl game.

On the flip side, they haven't just rolled over or gone away in the last two games against us. They will be a tough opponent and have a little momentum going into this season.

I am glad we get Pitt at home this year.

[Dave W]

I still don't understand why Pitt is getting so much hype. I won't be surprised if the have a good season, but at the same time, I won't be surprised if they miss a bowl game. Wanny and Cavanaugh are just so average as coaches.

WVU
USF
Cincy
Rutgers
Pitt
UCONN
L'Ville
'Cuse

But 2-6 are pretty interchangeable. UCONN returns so many guys but was pretty lucky last year, Rutgers will be able throw like Louisville used to, and Cincy has the best defense, but a huge question at QB.

[Dave W]

I meant spots 3-6, I'm pretty sure we're the 2nd best team.

[Tom]

I think WVU lost too many defensive players to repeat as champs. Also, nobody knows how good their new head coach will be. Just look at Louiseville last year.

I agree with the above poster who said that USF might have their anual slipup game or two, but USF certainly has the potential to win the conference if they can play well on the road. I think the bulls will take care of business at home.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I think we win the Big East this year.

Got a good feeling.

Could be gas though.

[Jim]

WVA will be a defensive nightmare and will have a good offense. But not number one with a new coach. October will be telling. Bulls I love them but they seem to loose focus as a team, I hope that does not happen if not,we win the Big East. Soccer will take the Big East this year as well.

[DELdaBULL]

Cincy
USF
WVU
RU
Pitt
Conn
UL
Cuse

I really want to put us first, but we are the worst on the road (and Cincy owns us).

[Mike Lakeland]

Greg - you should totally grow your sideburns out into some 'chops. You'd look like a blogger that I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley!

[Ken]

If you say, Greg--I couldn't see a thing in that little bitty picture.

[G.A.]

Click on it, it'll open a bigger pic.