West Virginia Mountaineers: 2006 Record (11-2)

Head coach Rich Rodriguez heads into the 2007 with a mindset of becoming champions.  After turning down an offer to coach tradition rich Alabama in the off-season, Rodriguez decided to return and continue the West Virginia football tradition.  The Mountaineers are on the verge of becoming legitimate national contenders, and 2007 could be the year where it all comes together.  The offense will once again be led by a sensational backfield with juniors, quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton.  Both standouts will certainly be in the running for the Heisman trophy in 2007.  A surprising sleeper to the backfield this year could be true freshman running back Noel Devine.  Devine is one of the best all purpose backs to come out of high school in the past ten years.  He will provide West Virginia with plenty to cheer about in the years to come.  The defense must improve this fall to be considered a national contender, however, the Mountaineers do have the talent to accomplish this task. 

The upcoming schedule for West Virginia allows for the possibility of a magical season.  Barring any upsets, the Mountaineers only competition will come within conference play.  Rutgers, Louisville, and Pittsburgh will determine how the season goes for West Virginia.
2007 Prediction:  (11-1)

Louisville Cardinals: 2006 Record (12-1)

Head coach Steve Kragthrope enters his first season with Louisville, and could not have been put in a better position.  The Cardinals basically have their entire team returning with a total of twenty-one starters back for the fall (11 offense, 10 defense).  Heisman candidate, senior quarterback Brian Brohm, returns for his final season with a national championship on his mind.  Brohm, along with the rest of the Louisville Cardinal team, will certainly be in the hunt throughout the season considering all of the talent returning. 

The schedule the Cardinals have in 2007 is surprisingly easy.  Non-conference games with Murray State, Middle Tennessee, at Kentucky, at NC State, and Utah should give the Cardinals a potential flawless streak.  The battles within the conference will test and determine the overall fate for Louisville this fall.
2007 Prediction:  (11-1)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 2006 Record (11-2)

Head coach Greg Schiano led Rutgers to one of the greatest stories in college football last fall.  Rutgers was put on the map of the college football world.  With the university’s greatest football performance ever, the Scarlet Knights instantly brought life and excitement to the program.  Now, the challenge will be to continue to be an elite team in the Big East and national contenders for years to come.  Junior running back Ray Rice will once again be the force for opposing defenses to contain.  Rice is an instant threat, and a workhorse that will carry the load in 2007.  The defense will rely on a handful of Big East selections from a year ago to provide the stability this upcoming fall.  Led by junior strong safety Courtney Greene, the Scarlet Knight defense should be suburb once again.  Overall Rutgers will return thirteen starters (7 offense, 6 defense).

The schedule in 2007 will provide Rutgers with some good competition throughout the fall.  Non-conference foes will include Buffalo, Navy, Norfolk State, and Maryland to start out the season are all at home.  This should be a great momentum builder for Rutgers as they head into conference play.  It will be difficult to match last season, but the Scarlet Knights tasted victory, and they defiantly want more.
2007 Prediction:  (9-3)

Pittsburgh Panthers: 2006 Record (6-6)

Head coach Dave Wannstedt enters the upcoming fall with the eagerness to win a conference title.  After a complete fall-off to end the season in 2007, there will be an underlying theme to “finish” for this team.   Returning a total of fourteen starters (8 offense, 6 defense), the Panthers should have the experience to get the job done.  Senior defensive end Joe Clermond returns as one of the premier defensive players in the country.  Clermond will provide the leadership the Panthers will look for on the defensive side of the ball.  As for the offense, junior running back LaRod Stephens-Howling will carry the load, and be looking for some additional playmakers to step up. 

The 2007 schedule is extremely favorable for Pittsburgh as the toughest stretch comes within conference play.  Some non-conference notables in 2007 are Eastern Michigan, Grambling, at Michigan State, at Virginia, and Navy.  Pittsburgh needs to develop some playmakers to make a run at the conference title this year, but look for the Panthers to be a very solid team.
2007 Prediction:  (7-5)

Cincinnati Bearcats: 2006 Record (8-5)

Head coach Brian Kelly takes over the Bearcat program in 2007 with planning on improving a good, but mediocre 2006 team.  Cincinnati fought off a brutal schedule last year and came up some impressive wins.  The schedule allows for this team to possibly gain a few more wins if all goes to plan.  The offense will be led by senior running back Greg Moore, while the defense will rely on the playmaking abilities of senior free safety Haruki Nakamura.

The upcoming Bearcat schedule allows for some great home games.  Such home games include the likes of Oregon State, Marshall, Louisville and West Virginia.  The Bearcats should knock off a couple opponents at Nippert Stadium. Once again, conference play will determine the fate of the Bearcats, but should be right in the middle of the Big East fight.
2007 Prediction:  (7-5)

South Florida Bulls: 2006 Record (9-4)

South Florida enters the 2007 with extremely high hopes for a Big East title.  After an outstanding 2006 season, the Bulls will have much of their team returning for 2007.  A total of sixteen starters (8 offense, 8 defense) will be back in pursuit of their goal.  Sensational quarterback Matt Grothe will lead the offense, while senior linebacker Ben Moffitt will do the same on defense.  Overall, South Florida has the athletes to produce another great season this upcoming fall. 

A more difficult 2007 schedule will keep South Florida from their nine win total last season.  The Bulls main focus should certainly be within conference play, as they must gain a couple wins over the perennial powers to get above .500.
2007 Prediction:  (6-6)

Syracuse Orange: 2006 Record (4-8)

Entering his third season as head coach, Greg Robinson is on the verge of turning Syracuse in the right direction.  After the past two seasons, Syracuse faithful has had to bury their heads in disgust, as the Orange went a combined 5-18.  The once storied program is in desire need of a productive season, and could find its answer with some exceptional playmakers.  The offense has an explosive tandem of wide receivers in senior Taj Smith and sophomore Mike Williams.  Both players are game breakers and should provide the spark the offense has been looking for the past couple seasons.  The defense is led by senior defensive end Jameel McClain.  Overall Syracuse returns ten starters (6 offense, 4 defense).

The Orange has a demanding schedule in 2007 with non-conference contests including Washington, at Iowa, Illinois, and at Miami.  The non-conference schedule should allow for some surprising wins, but the damage must be done within the Big East schedule.  The Orange should be better in 2007, but overall victories won’t show the improvement.
2007 Prediction:  (5-7)

Connecticut Huskies: 2006 Record (4-8)

The 2006 Connecticut Huskies went through a mediocre season, and things need to change in 2007.  Although the outlook doesn’t look bright from the start, the Huskies should provide the fans with a few surprising victories.  Connecticut returns a lot of experience this upcoming fall as they return a total of fourteen starters (8 offense, 6 defense).  The offense will be led by sophomore running back Donald Brown while the defense will rely on the performance of a pair of linebackers Ryan Henegan and Danny Lansanah.

The 2007 schedule offers for the possibility of a solid season.  Non-conference games with Duke, Maine, Temple, Akron and Virginia should give the Huskies some confidence heading into conference play.  The conference games will be the test for the Huskies in 2007.
2007 Prediction:  (5-7)