1. West Virginia (6-1 in conference, 8-3 overall) - Offense: This has the potential to be one of the nation's most explosive attacks. Chris Henry leads a talented young receiving corps benefiting from veterans Rasheed Marshall and Charles Hales getting them the ball. RBs Kay-Jay Harris and Jason Colson should explode behind a strong line.
Defense: The defense gave up a few too many points and was a bit porous at the end of the year, but it should be fine. The linebacking corps will still be good even without all-star Grant Wiley, while the secondary has the potential to be strong with Jahmile Addae returning at safety to work with Mile Lorello. The line is big and should be strong against the run.
Five Most Important Conference Games
1. Syracuse at West Virginia, Oct. 20
2. West Virginia at Pittsburgh, Nov. 25
3. Boston College at West Virginia, Nov. 13
4. Syracuse at Boston College, Nov. 13
5. Boston College at Pittsburgh, Oct. 16
Team that will surprise
Rutgers
Team that will disappoint
Syracuse
Coach that must produce
Paul Pasqualoni, Syracuse
Best head coach
Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia
The potentially huge Big East upset might be ... Rutgers over West Virginia, Oct. 30
The potentially worst Big East game might be ... Temple at West Virginia, Nov. 6
Best player no one pays attention to ... Temple LB Rian Wallace
T2. Boston College (4-2, 7-4) - Offense: The loss of RB Derrick Knight takes away the focal point of the offense, but the Eagles should still put up solid overall numbers with the emergence of QB Paul Peterson and a veteran receiving corps to work with. There are three great running back prospects to carry the running game, while the offensive line should be fine in time.
Defense: The whole should be better than the sum of the parts. There are a few fantastic players to build around like DE Mathias Kiwanuka and CB Will Blackmon, but overall depth is a major problem and the run defense could need a little work with average tackles and linebackers.
T2. Syracuse (4-2, 6-5) - Offense: It's all up to the passing game. The ground attack will be among the best in America with Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes running behind a good line, and the quarterback, whichever one takes the job between Xzavier Gaines and Perry Patterson, will get a few hundred yards. The concern is the passing attack as none of the quarterbacks have completed a pass in a collegiate game and the receivers are average at best.
Defense: It'll be a work in progress as several inexperienced players need to play key roles right away. The secondary will be fine if the corners can develop early, and the outside linebackers will be among the best in the conference. The line was hammered by graduation and could use some good early play from the tackles. If Diamond Ferri doesn't have any issues with his legal troubles, the safeties will be tremendous.
T2. Pittsburgh (4-2, 7-4) - Offense: The offense wasn't quite the killer it should've been last year, and it won't be quite as bad as many will think it'll be this season. You can't lose players like WR Larry Fitzgerald, QB Rod Rutherford and TE Kris Wilson without worrying about reloading. There aren't any players as good as those three among the skill positions, but there are several good options that'll keep things moving. However, there won't be much of an explosive element if WR Princell Brockenbrough doesn't play like expected.
Defense: The defense had its moments last year, but fell flat on its face against good running games. The linebacking corps is very young, but very talented able to add a boost to the defense behind an experienced front four. The secondary will be fine led by experienced safeties Tez Morris and Tyrone Gilliard.
T5. Connecticut (2-4, 6-5) - Offense: The Husky offense should be among the statistically best in the country led by star QB Dan Orlovsky, a decent, but not elite, receiving corps, a loaded group of running backs and a veteran, all-star line to operate behind. If RB Terry Caulley can return from a major knee injury, and that's a big if at this point, this will be an unstoppable attack.
Defense: It all depends on the line, which will be a huge question mark all year long. The linebacking corps is loaded and needs to rock with little to no experience or proven production from the front four outside of DE Tyler King. The secondary will be fine, but nothing special led by star CB Justin Perkins.
T5. Rutgers (2-4, 5-6) - Offense: The offense improved under new offensive coordinator Craig Ver Steeg with more explosion and more diversity. Now the Scarlet Knights have to take it up another level with nine returning starters and several more players with starting experience. QB Ryan Hart has plenty of weapons at his disposal and a decent line to operate behind. The running backs are potentially great if Justise Hairston can stay healthy and take a step up in his overall game.
Defense: There are finally enough athletes and enough depth to hope for a fantastic all-around season. The production is coming around, and now the players are there to become something strong with speed and size in the secondary, good rocks at tackle and fantastic athletes at linebacker. The key is finding a pass rusher to replace Raheem Orr.
7. Temple (0-6, 1-10) - Offense: The Temple spread offense should flourish now that QB Walter Washington has experience in the system. He's a perfect fit with his rocket arm and great mobility. The overall talent isn't there to blow the doors off of most good defenses, but there will be times when everything works and it'll be a fun attack to watch. The line needs to be tighter and there could stand to be more explosion among the receivers now that Zamir Cobb is gone.
Defense: The usually solid Temple defense took a major tumble last year in the 4-2-5 alignment allowing 32.8 points and 429 yards per game. It was a case of growing pains as several of the JUCO transfers took a while to get their feet wet, while the replacements for the departed stars didn't come through. This year, there should be a great deal of improvement forcing a ton of turnovers and being far stronger in all phases.
2004 Temple offense | 2004 Temple defense
Defense: The defense gave up a few too many points and was a bit porous at the end of the year, but it should be fine. The linebacking corps will still be good even without all-star Grant Wiley, while the secondary has the potential to be strong with Jahmile Addae returning at safety to work with Mile Lorello. The line is big and should be strong against the run.
Five Most Important Conference Games
1. Syracuse at West Virginia, Oct. 20
2. West Virginia at Pittsburgh, Nov. 25
3. Boston College at West Virginia, Nov. 13
4. Syracuse at Boston College, Nov. 13
5. Boston College at Pittsburgh, Oct. 16
Team that will surprise
Rutgers
Team that will disappoint
Syracuse
Coach that must produce
Paul Pasqualoni, Syracuse
Best head coach
Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia
The potentially huge Big East upset might be ... Rutgers over West Virginia, Oct. 30
The potentially worst Big East game might be ... Temple at West Virginia, Nov. 6
Best player no one pays attention to ... Temple LB Rian Wallace
T2. Boston College (4-2, 7-4) - Offense: The loss of RB Derrick Knight takes away the focal point of the offense, but the Eagles should still put up solid overall numbers with the emergence of QB Paul Peterson and a veteran receiving corps to work with. There are three great running back prospects to carry the running game, while the offensive line should be fine in time.
Defense: The whole should be better than the sum of the parts. There are a few fantastic players to build around like DE Mathias Kiwanuka and CB Will Blackmon, but overall depth is a major problem and the run defense could need a little work with average tackles and linebackers.
T2. Syracuse (4-2, 6-5) - Offense: It's all up to the passing game. The ground attack will be among the best in America with Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes running behind a good line, and the quarterback, whichever one takes the job between Xzavier Gaines and Perry Patterson, will get a few hundred yards. The concern is the passing attack as none of the quarterbacks have completed a pass in a collegiate game and the receivers are average at best.
Defense: It'll be a work in progress as several inexperienced players need to play key roles right away. The secondary will be fine if the corners can develop early, and the outside linebackers will be among the best in the conference. The line was hammered by graduation and could use some good early play from the tackles. If Diamond Ferri doesn't have any issues with his legal troubles, the safeties will be tremendous.
T2. Pittsburgh (4-2, 7-4) - Offense: The offense wasn't quite the killer it should've been last year, and it won't be quite as bad as many will think it'll be this season. You can't lose players like WR Larry Fitzgerald, QB Rod Rutherford and TE Kris Wilson without worrying about reloading. There aren't any players as good as those three among the skill positions, but there are several good options that'll keep things moving. However, there won't be much of an explosive element if WR Princell Brockenbrough doesn't play like expected.
Defense: The defense had its moments last year, but fell flat on its face against good running games. The linebacking corps is very young, but very talented able to add a boost to the defense behind an experienced front four. The secondary will be fine led by experienced safeties Tez Morris and Tyrone Gilliard.
T5. Connecticut (2-4, 6-5) - Offense: The Husky offense should be among the statistically best in the country led by star QB Dan Orlovsky, a decent, but not elite, receiving corps, a loaded group of running backs and a veteran, all-star line to operate behind. If RB Terry Caulley can return from a major knee injury, and that's a big if at this point, this will be an unstoppable attack.
Defense: It all depends on the line, which will be a huge question mark all year long. The linebacking corps is loaded and needs to rock with little to no experience or proven production from the front four outside of DE Tyler King. The secondary will be fine, but nothing special led by star CB Justin Perkins.
T5. Rutgers (2-4, 5-6) - Offense: The offense improved under new offensive coordinator Craig Ver Steeg with more explosion and more diversity. Now the Scarlet Knights have to take it up another level with nine returning starters and several more players with starting experience. QB Ryan Hart has plenty of weapons at his disposal and a decent line to operate behind. The running backs are potentially great if Justise Hairston can stay healthy and take a step up in his overall game.
Defense: There are finally enough athletes and enough depth to hope for a fantastic all-around season. The production is coming around, and now the players are there to become something strong with speed and size in the secondary, good rocks at tackle and fantastic athletes at linebacker. The key is finding a pass rusher to replace Raheem Orr.
7. Temple (0-6, 1-10) - Offense: The Temple spread offense should flourish now that QB Walter Washington has experience in the system. He's a perfect fit with his rocket arm and great mobility. The overall talent isn't there to blow the doors off of most good defenses, but there will be times when everything works and it'll be a fun attack to watch. The line needs to be tighter and there could stand to be more explosion among the receivers now that Zamir Cobb is gone.
Defense: The usually solid Temple defense took a major tumble last year in the 4-2-5 alignment allowing 32.8 points and 429 yards per game. It was a case of growing pains as several of the JUCO transfers took a while to get their feet wet, while the replacements for the departed stars didn't come through. This year, there should be a great deal of improvement forcing a ton of turnovers and being far stronger in all phases.
2004 Temple offense | 2004 Temple defense
