Big East Fantasy Preview

The Big East was hit hard by the NFL and early graduations last season as two of the top fantasy producers nationally – Ray Rice and Steve Slaton – took their talents to the next level. It wasn’t just early entrees that hurt his league, though. Louisville saw their senior quarterback/wideout combo of Brian Brohm and Harry Douglas graduate, Mario Urrutia declared early and stud runner Anthony Allen transferred to Georgia Tech.

However, this does not mean that there are not still plenty of fantasy options in the Big East. It begins and ends with a West Virginia quarterback. Pat White is the top fantasy option across all positions and should be a lock for the first round in any league format. The rest of the league, though, is sneaky good at quarterback. Rutgers' Mike Teel will start picking off Scarlet Knight passing records one at a time; Hunter Cantwell has proven in the past that he can produce and whoever gets the Cincinnati job will have plenty of weapons at their disposal.

Despite the loss of Rice and Slaton, the tailback situation in this conference is still strong. LeSean McCoy is arguably the top sophomore runner in the nation - no small statement as college football is loaded with talented super sophs. USF's Mike Ford found the endzone plenty during his freshman year. Now, if he could only find the classroom with the same regularity.

On the outside, the Big East is loaded. Rutgers and Cincy boast two of the best wideout tandems in the nation. Pitt has a very underrated receiving corp but no one to throw them the ball and USF has a log jam of talented but similiar players.

Athlon's Preseason rankings (updates coming soon)

Big East Quarterback Rankings
Big East Running Back Rankings
Big East Wide Receiver Rankings
Tight End Rankings
Defense Rankings
Kicker Rankings

QB Battles

Cincinnati:

Contenders: Dustin Grutza, Demetrius Jones, Ben Mauk, Chazz Anderson
The Favorite: Grutza. Technically the incumbent, Grutza has the best chance to earn the starting job. Jones  - a former five-star Notre Dame recruit - has the most talent. The circus that is Ben Mauk's eligibility is still not over and if awarded a 13th year of play, he is the likely starter.
Fantasy Impact: Wait and see - the WR situation makes this position very interesting

Pittsburgh:

Contenders: Pat Bostick, Greg Cross, Bill Stull
The Favorite: Bostick. He is the one with the most experience in this offense and with these players. Cross is the best athlete of the group and could steal the job very early on if Bostick struggles.
Fantasy Impact: Minimal

RB Corps

Cincinnati:
This is a very interesting spot. The starter could end up being a very strong fantasy play - if he gets all the carries. Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel are the two guys competing for carries. The staff was very pleased with what they saw from Goebel in the spring. Watch out for incoming frosh Isaiah Pead also.

UConn:
These two runners both have fantasy value as Randy Edsall has proven that he will run the football. Donald Brown had a stellar second half to his freshman year and did not translate that into his sophomore season. This could be his breakout season, although, Andre Dixon should have something to say about it.

Louisville:
What was a loaded backfield heading into '07 is now decimated. George Stripling (booted) and Anthony Allen (transfer) are gone and that leaves a lot of carries for someone. Look for Brock Bolen to get the short yardage and goal line carries as Victor Anderson, Bilal Powell and super talented freshman Darius Ashley compete for the rest of the opportunities.

Rutgers:
This is the best situation for incoming starters. A massive hole was left by Ray Rice and Rutgers will run the ball. They have an explosive outside passing attack so whether its Kordell Young - the favorite - or Mason Robinson or Jourdan Brooks, they are solid fantasy plays each week.

Syracuse:
The most wide open job in the conference is located in New York. Delone Carter has the experience and the inside track but talented freshman Averin Collier, Curtis Brinkley and Doug Hogue will all have something to say about this position. It is not an good fantasy situation so avoiding this spot is likely.

Pass Catchers

UConn:
Former quarterback D.J. Hernandez should be the top option and is a solid fantasy option in the late rounds.

Louisville:
Two names standout as potential breakthrough performers: Scott Long and Trent Guy. They just need to keep themselves on the field.

South Florida:
USF has a ton of options but none have proven that they are the go-to guy. Taurus Johnson and Carlton Mitchell are the experienced best bets.

Syracuse:
Mike Williams is a bonafide fantasy starter. If he can stay on the field.

West Virginia:
Someone will catch those Pat White touchdowns. But who? Dorrell Jollah, Tito Gonzalez and Jock Sanders will all have a chance to be the guy.

Sleepers:

Demetrius Jones, QB, Cincinnati

Donald Brown, RB, UConn

Dorrell Jollah, WR, West Virginia

Whoever wins the job, TE, Louisville

UConn, DEF

Freshman To Watch:

Darius Ashley, RB, Louisville
Underrated recruit led his team to state championship senior year.

Jonathan Baldwin, WR/TE, Pitt
Great blocker is athletic as any tight end in NCAA.

Averin Collier, RB, Syracuse
Talented runner just needs a chance.

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