2009 Conferences in Review: #5 Big East

The Big East Conference occupies #5 on my 2009 Conferences Rankings.

2009 Conference Champion: Cincinnati Bearcats 12-1 (7-0 Big East)

2009 Bowl Record: 4-2

Bold Prediction for 2010: Connecticut wins the Big East. (!!!)


Team Rankings: The Big East gets a lot of flap for being "the worst BCS conference." This year showed that while the Big East was not on the level of the SEC, it could hold its own. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia could be competitive in any conference in America. For the perception of the country toward the Big East to change, teams must start winning big, nationally televised games. Cincy's loss in the Sugar Bowl was not the way toward gaining respect.

1.	Cincinnati	0.7412	12 - 1	#7
2.	Pittsburgh	0.7136	10 - 3	#13
3.	West Virginia	0.6620	9 - 4	#20
4.	Rutgers	0.6269	9 - 4	#31
5.	Connecticut	0.6047	8 - 5	#37
6.	South Florida	0.5801	8 - 5	#48
7.	Syracuse	0.3223	4 - 8	#91
8.	Louisville	0.3197	4 - 8	#94

Awards!

Best Showing in an Out-of-Conference Game:
South Florida 17, Florida State 7. The Bulls sent a message that for this year, at least, they weren't the worst BCS conference team in Florida.


Worst Showing in an Out-of-Conference Game:
Auburn 41, West Virginia 30. The Tigers (SEC #7) showed by beating the Mountaineers (Big East #3) just how much better the SEC is.


Best Conference Game:
Cincinnati 45, Pittsburgh 44. Cincy rallied from a 31-10 deficit to top the Panthers in Pittsburgh, completing a 29-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds to play and hitting the extra point to go up by 1, for good.


Best Showing in a Bowl Game:
Connecticut 20, South Carolina 7. The Huskies throttled the Gamecocks' offense, allowing just 205 yards and forcing two turnovers.


Worst Showing an a Bowl Game:
Florida 51, Cincinnati 24. Tim Tebow, in his final collegiate game, threw for 482 yards as the Gators stomped Big East Champion Cincinnati. 


Best Scoring Offense: Pittsburgh
Best Passing Offense: Pittsburgh
Best Rushing Offense: Pittsburgh


Best Scoring Defense: Pittsburgh
Best Passing Defense: West Virginia
Best Rushing Defense: Syracuse


Least Penalized Team: Connecticut
Best Turnover Ratio: Connecticut



Week 1 Matchups / Prediction of the Week!
Thursday, September 2
Norfolk State at Rutgers
Pittsburgh at Utah


Saturday, September 4
Stony Brook at South Florida
Kentucky at Louisville
Connecticut at Michigan - POTW!
The Huskies stun Michigan in the Big House on opening weekend. Connecticut 28, Michigan 24.
Coastal Carolina at West Virginia
Syracuse at Akron
Cincinnati at Fresno State