WEST VIRGINIA PICKED TO WIN BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP

[Apis Bull]

Link:  WEST VIRGINIA PICKED TO WIN BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP

WEST VIRGINIA PICKED TO WIN BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP

East Rutherford, N.J. - West Virginia has been selected to win the BIG EAST Championship in 2004 based on a poll of media representatives who cover the league on a regular basis. It marks the second time in conference history (1998) the Mountaineers have been the preseason favorite to win the crown.

West Virginia, the defending BIG EAST Co-Champions, received 25 of 28 first-place votes. The Mountaineers are led by senior quarterback Rasheed Marshall and 2003 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Chris Henry. Marshall has been a starter in 25 games over the past two seasons, while Henry is the second player in league history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie campaign. Overall, WVU brings back 17 starters, including eight on offense. Junior cornerback Adam Jones was an All-BIG EAST Second Team choice a year ago and will lead eight returning defensive players who have logged starting time.

Boston College was chosen to finish in second place, receiving the other three first-place votes. The Eagles predicted finish matches their highest (1995) since league play began. BC will be aiming for its sixth straight bowl with 31 letterwinners back this year. Senior wideout Grant Adams led the offense with 720 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2003. Senior quarterback Paul Peterson captained the squad to wins in its last three games, throwing for 1,124 yards and 10 touchdowns overall. The defense boasts All-BIG EAST First Team selection Mathias Kiwanuka. The defensive end led the conference last season with 11.5 sacks.

Projected to finish third is Pittsburgh. The Panthers are looking for their sixth bowl trip under head coach Walt Harris and will bring back 11 starters and 41 letterwinners. Most of the key returning players are on defense. Three defensive linemen - Vince Crochunis, Dan Stephens and Thomas Smith - all have logged starting time. Both Crochunis and Stephens earned Academic All-America accolades in 2003. Pittsburgh has a 23-9 record over its last 32 games, including wins in 14 of 18 BIG EAST contests.

Syracuse was picked fourth. The Orange will start with one of the nation’s top running backs, senior Walter Reyes. He had 20 rushing touchdowns last season, second in the country among returning players. Three starters are also back on an offensive line that allowed only 15 sacks - a total that was tied for the fewest in the conference. Senior safety Diamond Ferri is the team’s top returning tackler with 120 stops and will be joined by safety Anthony Smith (106 tackles) to lead the defense.

BIG EAST newcomer Connecticut was tabbed for fifth place. The Huskies, playing their first season in the league, will be led by one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Senior Dan Orlovsky threw for 3,485 yards last season with 33 touchdowns. His 61 career scoring tosses is second nationally among returning signal-callers. UConn has nine returning offensive starters, with 17 overall. The defense will be led by three linebackers - seniors Maurice Lloyd and Alfred Fincher and junior James Hargrave.

Rutgers is next in the poll at sixth place. The Scarlet Knights welcome back 19 starters, including nine on offense. Junior quarterback Ryan Hart set a RU season mark with 2,715 passing yards a year ago. Sophomore running back Brian Leonard was one of the league’s top rookies, finishing with 860 yards on the ground.

Temple was chosen seventh. The Owls have 15 starters returning, including one of the most exciting offensive players in the league. Junior quarterback Walter Washington had over 2,400 yards of total offense with 17 touchdowns, despite only starting the last five regular season contests. Junior linebacker Rian Wallace leads the defense. The all-conference honoree had 148 tackles a year ago, the sixth-best season output in school history.

2004 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

(first-place votes in parentheses)

Rank Team Points

1. West Virginia (25) 193

2. Boston College (3) 158

3. Pittsburgh 109

4. Syracuse 108

5. Connecticut 100

6. Rutgers 76

7. Temple 40

[smazza]

the hard part is now they have to it

[E.T.]

I would agree here, but just want BC to have a horrible year.

[bulls96go]

what do the coaches say?

[WVUNo1Fan]

Coach Rodriguez says he's going to give it his all to kick the crap out of every Big East team in the conference.

You asked!