NCAA Football Preview: All-Big East Team

SI Staff | Aug 18, 2010

NCAA Football Preview: All-Big East Team /

NCAA Football Preview: All-Big East Team

Tom Savage

Savage may be a sophomore, but he's the most experienced quarterback in a very green Big East passer pool. He'll look to improve on his 2-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2010.

Dion Lewis

In 2009, Lewis became the first player to win Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season since Michael Vick in 1999. This year, he'll set his sights on a different prize: the Heisman Trophy.

Noel Devine

At 5-foot-8, the slippery Devine is a terror for defenders when he bursts through the hole. His elusiveness and ability to hide behind his linemen have helped make him the career rushing leader among active Bowl Subdivision players.

Jonathan Baldwin

Baldwin, who is as gifted as any receiver in the country, looks to follow in the footsteps of former Pitt wideout Larry Fitzgerald. Baldwin and Dion Lewis should make Pitt an offensive juggernaut in the Big East this year.

Armon Binns

Despite playing in Mardy Gilyard's shadow last year, Binns still hauled in an impressive 61 balls for 888 yards. Now Cincy's featured receiver, the sky is the limit for Binns.

Ben Guidugli

More of an H-back than a prototypical tight end, Guidugli should give quarterback Zach Collaros another downfield threat on what should already be a potent offense.

Jason Pinkston

Clearing the way for Dion Lewis will be the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Pinkston, one of the best tackles in the country. He pairs with Lucas Nix to form the best offensive tackle tandem in the Big East.

Alex Hoffman

The success of Cincinnati's running game will largely hinge on Hoffman's ability to clear holes for lightning-quick back Isaiah Pead.

Moe Petrus

The 6-foot-2, 292-pound center from Quebec is a real contender for this year's Rimington Trophy.

Zach Hurd

The 6-foot-7, 325-pound behemoth was a first-team All-Big East selection last year and, along with Petrus, will help anchor the best offensive line in the Big East.

Art Forst

Shifting from guard to tackle, Forst faces the task of replacing first-round pick Anthony Davis on an offensive line full of question marks.

Jock Sanders

Possibly the most versatile player in the Big East, Sanders can line up at wide receiver or running back and is an electrifying special teams player.

Robbie Frey

Despite missing the last seven games of 2009, the speedy Frey still managed to notch 620 return yards, including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Greg Romeus

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Romeus notched eight sacks and three forced fumbles in 2009 and has barely scratched the surface on his potential.

Derek Wolfe

A disruptive force against the run and a burgeoning threat to get after the quarterback, Wolfe is the standout playmaker on a shaky Cincinnati defense.

Chris Neild

As the nosetackle in West Virginia's signature 3-3-5 scheme, Neild's contributions rarely register on the stat sheet. But the 6-foot-2, 301-pound Neild's ability to plug gaps and occupy blockers is crucial to the Mountaineers' defense.

Julian Miller

Miller led the Mountaineers with nine sacks last season and, along with Neild, will be asked to shut down a multitude of potent Big East runners.

Lawrence Wilson

Wilson excelled last season while filling in for injured linebacker Scott Lutrus, leading the Big East with 140 tackles to go with five sacks and three fumble recoveries. This season, Wilson and a healthy Lutrus should form the best linebacking tandem in the conference.

J.K. Schaffer

At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Schaffer makes up for his lack of size with pure heart. He recorded 88 tackles last year and should be a constant for a questionable Bearcats defense.

Scott Lutrus

In eight games in an injury-shortened 2009 campaign, Lutrus tallied 69 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He should put up monster numbers while playing at full speed this year.

Brandon Hogan

Hogan's play was somewhat disappointing in 2009, but he still has all the skills to be a lockdown corner. If he returns to from in 2010, the WVU defense could be downright frightening.

Robert Sands

Sands' size (6-foot-5) and tackling ability make him a rare sight in the secondary. Even on a stacked West Virginia defense, Sands literally stands head-and-shoulders above his teammates.

Dom DeCicco

DeCicco, the quarterback of the Panthers' defense, was an All-Big East second-team selection last year. The 6-foot-4 senior has been a steady presence on a Pitt secondary that has been beat up this spring.

Kayvon Webster

After starting six games as a freshman, Walker brings experience to a Bulls secondary that lost a pair of starters to the NFL in Nate Allen and Jerome Murphy.

Tyler Bitancurt

The 2009 All-Big East first-team selection will be asked to kick a lot of extra points for a potent Mountaineers offense.

Rob Long

A preseason All-America selection, Long needs only 569 more yards to break the Big East punting record.

Published Aug 18, 2010

SI STAFF