Tony’s Preseason All-Big East teams

Offense QB-Pat White, West Virginia RB-Noel Devine, West Virginia RB-LeSean McCoy, Pitt … Offense QB-Pat White, West Virginia RB-Noel Devine, West Virginia RB-LeSean McCoy, Pitt WR-Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers WR-Marcus Barnett, Cincinnati OG-Greg Isdaner, West Virginia OG-Ryan Schmidt, South Florida C-Eric Wood, Louisville OT-Ryan Stancheck, West Virginia OT-George Bussey, Louisville TE-Nate Byham, Pitt K-Conor Lee, Pitt KR/PR-Max Suter, Syracuse Defense DL-George Selvie, South Florida DL-Cody Brown, Connecticut DL-Mick Williams, Pitt DL-Arthur Jones, Syracuse LB-Scott McKillop, Pitt LB-Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida LB-Scott Lutrus, Connecticut CB-Mike Mickens, Cincinnati CB-DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati S-Courtney Greene, Rutgers S-Robert Vaughn, Connecticut P-Kevin Huber, Cincinnati QUARTERBACK: You could actually make an argument for South Florida’s Matt Grothe. Along with Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of Florida, Grothe was the only other player in the country last year to rush for 850 yards and throw for more than 3,500 yards. Pat White has won Big East Offensive Player of the Year the last two years. Behind a solid offensive line, it’s likely he’ll become just the second player to win the award three times. Donovan McNabb of Syracuse was the other. RUNNING BACK: A pair of sophomores will receive most of the hype throughout the season. West Virginia’s Noel Devine and Pitt’s LeSean McCoy are both home runs waiting to happen. ‘ Devine takes over as the feature back in an offense where Steve Slaton set West Virginia records for rushing touchdowns (48) and total touchdowns (53). Last year, as Slaton’s backup, Devine averaged more yards per carry (8.6) than either Slaton or White. McCoy rushed for a Big East freshman record 1,328 yards last season. Consider that McCoy was just a freshman, and he didn’t start until Pitt’s third game, McCoy could be in for a big season, the type that they discuss at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York. WIDE RECEIVER: Take your pick. Rutgers has two All-Big East receivers in Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt. Both receivers eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards last year, and with Mike Teel back under center for Rutgers, they will likely do the same this year. Underwood, the senior, gets the slight nod over the junior Britt. Cincinnati’s Marcus Barnett caught a school record 13 touchdowns last year as a redshirt freshman. The probable loss of quarterback Ben Mauk could hurt Barnett’s production, but it is unlikely Barnett will digress after his impressive freshman campaign. TIGHT END: For lack of a better option, Pitt’s Nate Byham makes the list. Byham is the best all-around tight end in the conference. Unfortunately, Pitt might have the other two as well. Dorin Dickerson and John Pelusi could make it difficult for Byham to stand out, but there isn’t much competition within the conference. OFFENSIVE LINE: When you consider the size of West Virginia’s backfield last season, you really get a good idea of how good its offensive line was. All-Big East guard Greg Isdaner is back, as is tackle Ryan Stancheck. Both helped create dozer-sized holes that resulted in nearly 300 rushing yards per game for the Mountaineers. Stanchek had 103 knockdown blocks last year and has been recognized by Athlon Sports as a preseason All-American. PLACE KICKER: Since joining the team in 2004, Pitt’s Conor Lee is the Big East’s leader in career field goal percentage (83.3 percent). He’s missed just six attempts in his two years as Pitt’s kicker. Lee has also made the most consecutive extra points in Panther history. His streak is at 75 and counting. KICK/PUNT RETURNER: Thanks to the Orange’s deficient defense, Max Suter led the nation with 1,299 kickoff return yards. The knock against Suter here is that Syracuse’s defense should be improved, but not enough for Suter to be starved of returns. DEFENSIVE LINE: South Florida’s George Selvie is among the nation’s elite at defensive end. Last season, Selvie was a consensus All-American. He led the country in tackles for a loss (32). That total was also a Big East Conference record. ‘ ‘ ‘ At Pittsburgh, any one of the Panthers’ front four could make the all-conference squad. Senior Gus Mustakas was named to the Outland Trophy watch list awarded to the nation’s best interior lineman ‘mdash; and isn’t even expected to start. Greg Romeus or Jabaal Sheard could make the cut off the edge, but it’s Ernest ‘Mick’ Williams who has looked the most impressive up front for Pitt throughout camp. LINEBACKER: ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt senior Scott McKillop is a lock. McKillop led the nation in tackles last year at 12.58 per game. If there’s a knock on McKillop, it’s in pass coverage, but everything else about his game is NFL quality. ‘ ‘ ‘ UConn’s Scott Lutrus might be a longshot to earn first-team honors, but his speed (4.5 40-yard dash) makes him an intriguing pick. Lutrus earned freshman All-America honors last year after making 107 tackles at outside linebacker for the Huskies. This year, head coach Randy Edsall moved Lutrus to the middle. Expect a huge season. CORNERBACK: ‘ ‘ ‘ There are some good corners in the Big East, possibly none better than the duo at Cincinnati. Seniors Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith combined for 14 interceptions last season. Smith tied for the national lead with eight picks. Mickens returned two of his six interceptions for touchdowns. And as a unit, Cincinnati led the nation in both interceptions and turnovers. This tandem is phenomenal. SAFETY: ‘ ‘ ‘ Robert Vaughn of Connecticut had seven interceptions last year. Courtney Greene of Rutgers is a two-time All-Big East selection and had 101 tackles from the free safety spot for the Scarlet Knights last season. PUNTER: ‘ ‘ ‘ Kevin Huber of Cincinnati was a consensus All-American Team selection last year when he led the nation in punting average (46.9). He could repeat both feats this year.