2010 Big East Preview

August 1st, 2010 by Matthew McClusky

The world of fantasy college football rarely sheds too bright of a spotlight on the 8 team Big East Conference. In fact, when talking about the Big East Conference at all, most are speculating which team will be leaving to join the Big Ten, ACC, or even keep playing division one football (I’m looking at you Syracuse).

However, the little conference most thought could not is in fact still going. In fact, the 2010 season should make for some interesting football. This holds true for the fantasy players of the world who often ignore the conference all together. Although not a league loaded with a quantity of fantasy stars, there are viable quality options at a variety of positions in the Big East. The actual size of the conference, an issue in the world of bloated BCS leagues, is a real advantage to fantasy players. Teams in the Big East play seven league games and five non-leaguers, usually against less than stellar competition.

So when thinking of whom to select for your team, especially in a full BCS draft platform, don’t forget about that conference called the Big East. The conference spans from middle America to the Atlantic Ocean. Its the one that most thought would be long since extinct. For once, the unusual set up in the conference actually has its benefits. Here are some of the top flight players at specific positions:

Quarterbacks

The quarterback pool in the Big East will actually be fairly talented, but the major concern is experience. There is only one quarterback in the entire Big East returning this year with at least eleven career starts. The key to this group of players is to the offensive line. Teams like Cincinnati and Connecticut return star players to protect their quarterbacks, while teams like Louisville and Syracuse are in flux on the front line offensively.Zach Collaros, Cincinnati – The Junior signal caller will take over from the graduated Tony Pike for a Bearcats team showcasing a new coach in Butch Jones. Normally that would send flashing red lights to potential suitors on draft day, but Collaros played significant minutes last year when Pike went down to injury. Jones should keep the offense on par with what Brian Kelley ran for three years. That means look for big numbers. The Ohio native threw for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for over 300 yards in only four games in ’09. Add in a loaded receiving corps with a manageable schedule and Collaros is a worthy fantasy quarterback option.

B.J. Daniels, South Florida – Much like Collaros at Cincinnati, Daniels was forced into game action a year early by injury. Daniels took over last season when USF legend Matt Grothe suffered a season ending injury and in game one Daniels torched Florida State in Tallahassee. For its entirety, 2009 was a learning experience for the sophomore, as he threw 14 touchdowns but with nine picks. But more often than not Daniels made something out of nothing for the Bulls. Keep in mind the quarterback was also the team’s leading rusher (772 yards – 9 touchdowns). The concern for Daniels is that USF has little depth at wide out. Additionally, it remains to be seen how new Bulls head coach Skip Holtz will use the dual threat QB. At East Carolina, Holtz never had a talent like Daniels, and the new USF coach may have to adjust his plans to suit the speedy and multi-talented Daniels.

Tom Savage, Rutgers – Savage has just 11 starts in his college career. All of those came last season, his freshmen year in New Jersey. Yet, the State University of New Jersey (what, you call it Rutgers?) sophomore has the most experience as a starting quarterback in the Big East. Really, a true sophomore! Thus, the real life value of Savage is already high. Factoring in his improvement over the course of 2009 (he finished with 2,211 yards passing and 14 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions) and the fact that Rutgers will once again rely mostly on its passing game, and the young experienced Savage becomes a legitimate late round target.

Running Backs

It’s interesting, but the least talked about Heisman Trophy candidate probably resides in Pittsburgh right here in the Big East. The Panthers Dion Lewis could be in New York City come December and he could be in the National Football League come April. One team to keep an eye on at running back is Syracuse. The Orange lost senior back DeLone Carter, who was kicked out of school following an arrest for misdemeanor assault in April. Supposedly, there is a plan in place for Carter to return to the program and the university at the beginning of the fall semester. I have my doubts on whether that will actually play out, but if it does Carter will be a key figure for Doug Marrone’s Orange (especially after losing back up sophomore running back Averin Collier to off field issues).

Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh (pictured above, thanks SMI) – Lewis could be a Heisman candidate. Need I say more? OK, I will. Lewis started last season, his freshman year, for Pitt game one and rushed for 129 yards. The replacement to LeSean McCoy would go on to surpass 100 yards on the ground 10 times in 2009, rushing for a total of 1,799 yards and an astounding 17 scores. With a solid offensive line blocking and with Jonathan Baldwin (6’5) as a deadly wide out threat, the only issue with Lewis is he may carry the ball too much. Last season the frosh averaged 25 touches per game, which may lead to Lewis breaking down at some point.

Noel Devine, West Virginia – It seems like Devine has been in Morgantown since Major Harris was under center (yup, Major Harris), but the senior All Big East back shunned the NFL draft last April for one more crack at Big East competition. Devine rushed for 1,465 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and is back to prove he can be more consistent and that the recruiting buzz that surrounded his arrival in Morgantown was justified (Youtube Devine’s high school days). Quarterback is a concern, but with a wealth of talent at wide out and a nasty defense, Devine should be able to find the end zone more often in ’10.

Jordan Todman, Connecticut – One thing Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall loves to do is run the ball. In 2009 alone Edsall’s Huskies had two 1,000 yard rushers. One of those, Andre Dixon has moved on to the next level, but the other, Todman, is back for more in Storrs. Todman actually led the Huskies with 1,188 yards on the ground and tied Dixon with 14 scores. The key when looking at Todman is that he had some of his best performances in big games. The junior rushed for 162 yards against Cincinnati (Big East champs) and 130 in Connecticut’s win at Notre Dame (possibly the biggest win in program history). With a trip to the Big House to face Michigan, along with key road Big East games in 2010, Todman’s value shouldn’t be questioned. Not to mention the run blocking, beastly, offensive line leading the way for Todman.

Wide Receivers

This may be the most loaded position in the Big East. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia all offer up experienced and talented wide outs. Plus, teams like South Florida, Louisville, and Syracuse have potentially talented but untested receivers. Keep an eye out for wide outs going quick in Big East only drafts.

Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh – A 6’5” beast with speed to burn. The junior often faced double and even in triple teams from opponents in ’09. He still collected over 1,000 yards in the air and he had 8 touchdowns. With Dion Lewis at running back and with a the talented, albeit inexperienced, Tino Sunseri at quarterback, Baldwin will be looking to pad his numbers as he hopes to be a first round pick in next April’s NFL draft. With games against New Hampshire and Florida International, Baldwin should be able to pad your fantasy team’s stats as well.

Armon Binns, Cincinnati – Binns was often overshadowed last season by the super talented Bearcats wide out Mardy Gilyard. Gilyard led Cincinnati in receptions and receiving yards, which helped him take his talents to the National Football League (not South Beach). Binns, however, tied Gilyard for receiving touchdowns (11) and finished with close to 1,000 yards receiving (888). With Gilyard gone and with the talented Junior Zach Collaros now the full-time QB, Binns’ numbers should go up in ’10.

Jock Sanders, West Virginia – Much like Baldwin at Pittsburgh, Sanders has flirted with the National Football League in the past only to return to school to improve his game (oh and to get that education….). Last season Sanders led the ‘Neers in receptions with 72, receiving yards at 688 and should get more in his senior season. The downside to Sanders, besides his 5’7” frame, is that he is not a touchdown maker. Sanders had just three scores in ’09 (which actually tied for the lead on the team). For reception points based leagues Sanders could be a force, but for touchdown only leagues Sanders should be a late round prospect.

Defense

Throughout this preview I tried to give you the valued reader at least three options for every position. With defenses in the Big East, although some teams could provide big fantasy points from time to time due to their schedule, the only real solid, draft worthy team, is Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights had a fierce pass rush in 2009 and, especially when you look at the inexperienced quarterbacks in the Big East this year that could lead to valuable fantasy points.

Rutgers - Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano has produced top quality offensive products during his reign over the Scarlet Knights football program. From running backs Ray Rice and Brian Leonard to wide out Kenny Britt, many Scarlet Knight players have gone on to the NFL under Schiano’s watch. However, the former defensive coordinator at Miami’s bread and butter has always been on the other side of the ball. With the defensive line anchored by Scott Vallone and Charles Noonan, this unit should be a force again in 2010. Remember the Knights led the nation in tackles for a loss last season. Those numbers include Senior Jonathan Freeny‘s 9.5 sacks as well. Also, getting back to the schedule, RU opens with Norfolk State and Florida International…I’m just saying.