RunningtheBulls.com - USF picked to finish second in Big East

July 31, 2012

Phil Neary
RunningtheBulls.com Publisher

Much of the talk during Big East media day -which was held Tuesday in Newport, Rhode Island - was centered on the state of the league and its future, as Pittsburgh and Syracuse will eventually move to the ACC after the upcoming season. But aside from all the uncertainty, football will still be played, and the recently released preseason media poll is now up for discussion and debate.

Louisville, which finished with a share of the Big East title last year, is picked by the media to win the conference in Charlie Strong's third year as head coach. The Cardinals return 17 starters, including talented sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

USF also returns 17 starters, including senior quarterback B.J. Daniels, entering his fourth year as a starter. So the Bulls, picked to finish second in the league behind the Cardinals and in front of Rutgers, once again open the season with high expectations.

"Considering the fact we've been here three years, and with B.J. being here four years, we saw where this school could have gone and where it's going," senior linebacker Sam Barrington said in an interview with ESPN on Tuesday. "We can see where this team needs to go and some things we need to do."

The Cardinals were the overwhelming choice to win the conference, receiving 24 of the 28 first-place votes. West Virginia, which was always a threat to win the Big East, is now out of the picture after it moved to the Big 12.

Here is the projected order of finish (point totals on right).

1. Louisville, 219

2. USF, 176

3. Rutgers, 155

4. Cincinnati, 139

5. Pitt, 131

6. UConn, 77

7. Syracuse, 70

8. Temple, 41

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