All Things Bull

Just a little perspective on some of the things we can expect from the Big East in ‘08…

The easiest thing is to realize how many players are or are not returning…

Louisville - Returns 11 of 22 starters

Before the announcements that Urrutia was entering the draft and A. Allen was transferring, the Cardinals were looking forward to a rebuilding year in ‘08.

They now lose all 4 of their top 4 receivers and now their leading runner, along with their starting QB… they also lose 2 starting lineman… as well as their starting and backup placekickers… Their offense is going to be quite different next year…

On defense, where they struggled this season, the Cards only loses 4 starters… so they can continue working hard…

USF plays @ Louisville in 2008

West Virginia - Returns 14 of 22 starters

Yes, the Big East champions will return most of their current offense… that is, if Steve Slaton and Pat White do not decide to turn pro. With Coach Rich Rodriguez leaving for Michigan — I could easily see Slaton and White bolting early; coaching changes are not good for potential Heisman candidates (see Brohm, Brian).

Regardless, Darius Reynaud and Owen Scmitt are leaving… but the entire OL returns… so if White & Slaton leave, the offense loses most of its big name stars… leaving young Noel Devine in the backfield.

On defense, the Mountaineers lose 3 of 4 starting DBs and 8 of 23 overall DBs on the roster… add them to the other 3 starting defenders, and the Mountaineers lose just over half of their defense…

USF plays @ West Virginia in 2008

Cincinnati - Returns 12 of 22 starters

The Bearcats had a good run in 2007 with a team that is loaded with seniors… Ben Mauk is technically done, although Cincinnati is asking Wake Forest to apply for a medial redshirt for Mauk… UC also loses its top 2 running backs and 3 offensive linemen…

On Defense, Nakamura is gone — after being a thorn in USF’s side the past couple of seasons… they lose four others…

USF plays @ Cincinnati in 2008

Connecticut - Returns 20 of 22 starters

No, that is not a typo. Only 2 starting Huskies are leaving — both on defense. All 11 starters on offense return. The only departing “offensive” senior is KR/PR Taylor…

USF plays Connecticut at home in 2008

Rutgers - Returns 16 of 22 starters

The Scarlet Knights only lose 3 starting linemen, assuming RB Ray Rice decides to return for his senior season… on defense they lose 1 DL, 1 LB, and 1 DB… but they do lose PK Ito - who has helped burn USF the past two seasons.

USF plays Rutgers at home in 2008

Pittsburgh - Returns 16 of 22 starters

The Wannstache inked an extension of his contract with the Panthers… and the win in the Backyard Brawl effectively called off the dogs… now Pitt looks to next year with most of the offense returning, only losing 2 linemen… On defense, they only lose 2 DL and 2 DBs…

USF plays Pittsburgh at home in 2008

Syracuse - Returns 13 of 22 starters

The Orange lose a lot of non-starters this year… but only 8 total starters are gone… three of them are offensive linemen an one is a tight end… two defensive linemen, two defensive backs, and one linebacker… Now the team will really be Coach Robinson’s…

USF plays Syracuse at home in 2008