Courier-Journal Big East Preview

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Big East: Scouting report

Teams talking No. 1

Louisville, West Virginia and Rutgers all entered the national title picture last November. If any of the three can get through this season unscathed, the Big East could have its first national title game participant since the conference reconstructed three years ago and for the first time overall since Virginia Tech made it in 1999.

Teams talking Top 25

South Florida sits on the edge of the preseason rankings and could bust down the door with an early upset at Auburn. Cincinnati won eight games and a bowl a year ago and is looking for some attention.

Program on the rise

Rutgers wants to prove that last season's 11-2 campaign was no fluke and that it is a nationally relevant program. With coach Greg Schiano spurning Miami in the offseason and stars such as tailback Ray Rice and defensive lineman Eric Foster returning, the Scarlet Knights hope to keep their upward trend going.

Program on the decline

The Big East had high hopes for Connecticut after it finished .500 or better in its first three years in Division I-A. But since then the Huskies have gone 9-14, and coach Randy Edsall might feel some heat if his team doesn't turn things around.

Sleeper

Cincinnati spoiled Rutgers' perfect season and nearly knocked off Louisville last year. The Bearcats have 15 returning starters and a new coach, Brian Kelly, who should improve their lackluster offense. They also get UofL and West Virginia at home  if any of their own fans will show up.

Marquee players

QB Brian Brohm and WRs Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, Louisville; QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia; RB Ray Rice and DT Eric Foster, Rutgers; QB Matt Grothe, South Florida; RB Donald Brown, Connecticut; DT Jameel McClain, Syracuse.

Dates to remember

Sept. 8: South Florida at Auburn

Oct. 27: West Virginia at Rutgers

Nov. 8: Louisville at West Virginia

Nov. 17: Louisville at South Florida

Nov. 29: Rutgers at Louisville

2007 bowl bids

The Big East, Big 12 and Notre Dame entered a four-year agreement before the 2006 season in which they will rotate spots in the Toyota Gator Bowl and the Brut Sun Bowl. Each bowl will take a team from the Big 12 or Big East or take Notre Dame twice in that four-year period. The Gator Bowl, which took West Virginia last season, has first choice of teams.

The Texas Bowl, which was part of the Big East lineup last season, is contractually obligated to take a Conference USA team this year. The Big East will return to that bowl in 2008.

Toyota Gator Bowl: Big East, Big 12 or Notre Dame vs. Atlantic Coast on Jan.1 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Brut Sun Bowl: Big East, Big 12 or Notre Dame vs. Pacific-10 on Dec.31 in El Paso, Texas

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Big East vs. ACC on Dec.29 in Charlotte, N.C.

International Bowl: Big East vs. Mid-American on Jan.5 in Toronto.

PapaJohn's.com Bowl: Big East vs. C-USA on Dec.22 in Birmingham, Ala.