2008 Big East Spring Dates and Needs

Now it is time to look at the Big East Conference as they all head towards spring practice and prepare for the 2008 season. West Virginia Spring Practice Begins - March 14 Spring Practice Ends - April 19 with their squad scrimmage that day. The Mountaineers must put all of the off the field circus behind them and just focus on what is at hand for the upcoming season. With Steve Slaton gone, WVU will have to develop Noel Devine as more of a full time back. His smaller frame might not durable enough to handle the beating that an every down back must encounter, so a suitable back-up would be another priority. Next the Mountaineers need to establish a go to receiver so that teams can not just focus on the run. It will be interesting to see how Bill Stewart and his new staff do this spring. Pittsburgh Spring Practice Begins - March 25 Spring Practice Ends - April 19 with their squad scrimmage that day. The Panthers improved a ton in the second half of the season. They already know they have a go to back in Shady McCoy, but now Wannstedt must develop a passing game to go with McCoy. If that does happen, the Panthers could be deadly heading into 2008. The quarterback battle will commence between Bill Stull, Pat Bostick, and Kevan Smith. Whoever wins that job should get a boost when Derek Kinder comes back from injury. Improving the offensive line is another important job for the Panthers. Phil Bennett takes over as defensive coordinator and inherits a good group of linebackers. Rutgers Spring Practice Begins - March 11 Spring Practice Ends - April 19 with their squad scrimmage that day. There is really just one important job for the Scarlet Knights come this spring, find a replacement for Ray Rice. Their passing game is fine, but they could use a little more consistancy from Mike Teel. This is his team now and with wide receivers like Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood, he should have plenty of open targets to throw the ball to. That is if he can find the time to throw, since Rutgers has to replace 60% of their starting offensive linemen. Louisville Spring Practice Begins - March 19 Spring Practice Ends - April 18 with their squad scrimmage that day. Life after Brian Brohm begins this spring, and also they lost their go to wide receiver in Mario Urrutia. So this spring will be spent finding a new quarterback, which could be young Matt Simms and finding some wide receivers to throw the ball to. Scott Long and Trent Guy likely will fill in for void left by Urrutia. The 2007 season was a big disappointment for Louisville mainly because of the defense. This spring will be spent trying to find 3 new linebackers since all of them have departed. Cincinnati Spring Practice Begins - April 1 Spring Practice Ends - April 26 with their squad scrimmage that day. Unfortunately for the Bearcats, Ben Mauk did not get granted another year of eligibilty so not only do they have to find some way to improve their running game, but now they have to find a new quarterback. Tony Pike and Dustin Grutza are two canidates to take over for Mauk. Another candidate to keep your eye on is Demetrius Jones. Most remember him from his days at Notre Dame. Now that he has sat out the year, he can challenge for the starting spot this fall. Connecticut Spring Practice Begins -March 18 Spring Practice Ends - April 19 with their squad scrimmage that day. Tyler Lorenzen had an average year, but the Huskies need for him to step up and become a leader and a more consistent quarterback. But bad news for Lorenzen is that his leading receiver from last year Terence Jeffers, has decided to transfer. Brad Kanuch and former quarterback D.J. Hernandez will have to fill the void. The Huskies will not be able to sneak up on teams like they did last year, so they must be prepared for everyone's best. Syracuse Spring Practice Begins -March 19 Spring Practice Ends - April 19 with their squad scrimmage that day. This could be Greg Robinson's last spring at Syracuse if he does not improve this program's status. Robinson and his staff must find a way to start scoring some points. The Orange's offense under Robinson has not been a good one, and now this is a make or break year for them. They will have to replace WR Taj Smith who was the Orange's #2 receiver last year. Lavar Lobdell, Da'Mon Merkerson, and incoming freshman Marcus Sales will fight for that position. South Florida Spring Practice Begins -March 18 Spring Practice Ends - April 12 with their squad scrimmage that day. What made the Bulls so effective on the defensive side of the ball was that they had confidence in their corners to play man-to-man and that allowed the defensive line and linebackers to blitz a lot. Now that those two corners have graduates, the Bulls must find some suitable replacements. In his first two seasons Matt Grothe has thrown 1 more touchdown than interception. That is fine for a freshman and sophomore, but now as a Junior he must protect the ball better and make better decisions. It would also help if the Bulls found a good running back to take some of the pressure off of Grothe.