1. Cincinnati - I am going out on a limb here and picking the Bearcats to win the Big East. West Virgina is the heavy favorite, but Cincinnati has the talent to win this league. Offensively the Bearcats return senior quarterback Zach Collaros and senior running back Isaiah Pead. Collaros has played in big games before filling in for Tony Pike the year Cincinnati went 12 and 1. Defensively the Bearcats return 10 starters. This could be a good or bad thing because this defense was one of the worst in the nation. I am going to be positive and see this as a good thing. With good skill position players on offense and the whole defense returning I expect Cincinnati to win this league.
2. West Virgina - The mountaineers are the conventional pick to win this years Big East and it is easy to see why. West Virgina is loaded offensively with Tavon Austin, a top notch offensive line, and Heisman dark horse Geno Smith at quarterback. Defensively the Mountaineers biggest upgrade may have come with the hiring of new head coach Dana Holgrosen. The defensive minded coach needs to fix a defense that was one of the worst in the NCAA last year. If he can do this we might see West Virgina back in a BCS bowl.
3. South Florida - The Bulls could make a serious run at the Big East crown in my opinion, but it relies on one man, quarterback B.J. Daniels. Daniels is an enigma. I have watched him play multiple games and sometimes I come away amazed and other times horrified. If head coach Skip Holtz can get him to play to his potential look for the Bulls to make a run at the Big East title. Surrounded by other solid players and with the only even relativity weak spot along the offensive and defensive lines South Florida is no longer under the radar.
4. Connecticut - The Huskies are coming off an 8-5 season with a BCS bowl appearance. Repeating last year is going to be a tough task. Not impossible, but tough. The good news is sixteen starters are back from last years team. The bad news is that two of those returning starters are not at the quarterback or running back position. The loss of last years offensive player of the year in the conference, Jordan Toddman, will seriously put the offense back a few steps. The other big departure from last years team is head coach Randy Edsall. New coach Paul Pasqualoni must prove he can take this team to the top.
5. Pittsburgh - The Panthers parted way with head coach Dave Wannstedt after last seasons disappointment. New head coach, Todd Graham, will inherit a talented roster. Dion Lewis is gone, but new starter Ray Graham should fill in nicely. Defensively the unit is solid all around led by linebacker Max Gruder.
6. Rutgers - The Scarlet Knights had a terrible year last year. Greg Schiano will look to put that in the rear view mirror as there is potential for a promising season ahead. The offense returns nine starters which will help the cause. The defense however needs to step up their game from last year. A favorable conference schedule should help with most of the Scarlet Knights big games coming at home.
7. Syracuse - The Oranges' surprising bowl victory last year will be a very difficult task to repeat. The loss of leading rusher, Delone Carter, will put this offense back greatly. On the defensive side of the ball the Orange are looking to replace their two leading tacklers, Derrelle Smith and Doug Hogue, which will be a difficult thing to do. The Orange may be in for a long year after last seasons success.
8. Louisville - The Cardinals inexperience are the reason I picked them to finish last in the Big East. The loss of eight offensive starters coupled with probably starting a freshman quarterback make this shaping up to be a long season. Defensively the Cardinals are solid, but I have a feeling the offense is going to put them in a lot of tough situations.
Players to Watch
1. B.J. Daniels - Daniels has the talent to carry his team to a Big East title, but can he put together consistently good performances without one of his signature "uh oh" games? 
3. Keith Tandy - The West Virgina corner was fifth in the nation with seventeen passes defended last season, and led the Big East in interceptions.