Big East

WEST VIRGINIA AT LOUISVILLE

The Big East doesn't have a conference championship game, but this clash of the league's nouveau titans might as well be it. Last year, playing on the same afternoon as USC-Notre Dame and Penn State-Michigan, the Mountaineers and the Cardinals staged a classic of their own. West Virginia won 46-44 in triple overtime, but only after rallying from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit.

EXTRA POINTS

Of the six true freshmen CINCINNATI was forced to start in '05, cornerback MIKE MICKENS and linebacker Corey Smith are expected to emerge as two of the league's stars on D.... Sophomore Mike Teel may be the most highly touted quarterback recruit to start for RUTGERS, but as a backup in '05 he threw an interception on an alarming 10% of his attempts (10 of 101). "We're trying to coach out some of his competitiveness," says coach Greg Schiano.... PITT has simplified its play-calling in Year 2 of the Dave Wannstedt regime, paring its playbook on both sides of the ball; defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads says he may use only four base zones, four zone pressures and four blitzes, down from the six schemes the Panthers used in each category in '05.... SOUTH FLORIDA entered the spring with highly regarded sophomore Carlton Hill as its top quarterback and planned to implement parts of the Missouri and Texas offenses to capitalize on his mobility. Instead, Hill was moved to wideout after having academic problems. Then, after he was charged with marijuana possession in June, Hill was planning to transfer to Pearl River (Miss.) Community College. Incumbent Pat Julmiste, a senior who has made 23 career starts, is the Bulls' likely fall No. 1.... New SYRACUSE offensive coordinator Brian White, who spent 11 years under Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin, is charged with resuscitating the Orange's woeful attack. White's success in Madison was built around a power running game, but he'll have to adapt to the 'Cuse's West Coast offense.

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

CONFERENCE CHAMPION WEST VIRGINIA EARNS THE BCS BID BY VIRTUE OF ITS WIN OVER LOUISVILLE ON NOV. 2