White won't hold back this year

The comparisons between West Virginia quarterback Pat White and former Syracuse star Donovan McNabb are easy to define.

White, a three-year starter for the Mountaineers, wears the same No. 5 jersey McNabb wore with the Orange. White displays superior mobility in the spread offense. His speed is similar to what McNabb possessed in SU's option schemes. White is also aiming to become the first three-time winner of the conference's Offensive Player of the Year award since McNabb pulled off the feat in 1998.

Where the resemblance ends, however, is in the passing game. McNabb was rarely told to reserve his arm strength, whereas White has yet to air it out consistently. That trend is likely to stop this season.

Under first-year head coach Bill Stewart, White will be asked to complete more throws this year than the previous three. Using a complete package of arm, eyes and feet, White will be the key element behind West Virginia's pursuit of a second straight Big East Conference title.

"Patrick White is the greatest winner in football today," Stewart said. "He just exudes it. It just flows from him."

Along with White, Stewart has the luxury of utilizing rising sophomore running back Noel Devine, who should have a breakout campaign. It also helps that the Mountaineers return all five starting offensive linemen, as well as a stellar linebacking corps.

Though former head coach Rich Rodriguez spurned West Virginia for Michigan before the end of last season, White said there's admiration for Stewart. A former associate head coach, Stewart led the Mountaineers to a 48-28 win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl last January. After the victory, he was immediately chosen as the new head coach.

"The best thing about it is that the players respect him, and he gives you respect back," White said. "It makes it more of a family atmosphere."

Pittsburgh dashed the Mountaineers' national championship aspirations last season with an upset victory at the annual "Backyard Brawl" in Morgantown. Head coach Dave Wannstedt and the Panthers enter this season as the most-hyped program in the conference. The excitement starts with sophomore running back LeSean McCoy.

McCoy rushed for a Big East record 1,328 yards and 14 touchdowns — smashing the marks of former Pittsburgh star Tony Dorsett.

"The comparisons are kind of crazy," McCoy said. "He was a Hall of Famer in college and in the pros. So it's hard to even talk about it. But it's made me hungry, strive harder."

The Panthers' defense, which held West Virginia to nine points in last year's meeting, returns seven starters, including hard-hitting senior linebacker Scott McKillop. Also, expect a monster season from disruptive sophomore lineman Greg Romeus.

After being ranked as high as No. 2 in the national polls in 2007, South Florida still remains in the hunt for the conference crown. The Bulls bring back dual-threat junior quarterback Matt Grothe, All-America junior defensive end George Selvie and physical senior linebacker Tyrone McKenzie. A three-game losing skid in the middle of last season brought the squad back to reality. But the setback hasn't changed the perspective of Bulls coach Jim Leavitt.

"It's important for us to keep pushing toward a Big East championship, to try to get a BCS bowl and to try to win that bowl," Leavitt said. "It's important to also realize that every year is different."

Almost everyone forgot that Connecticut shared the conference title with West Virginia last season — everyone except Huskies head coach Randy Edsall. The former Syracuse quarterback and assistant coach has made significant strides at Connecticut in nine seasons. The Huskies won their first Big East title based on consistency and ball control. Anticipate more of the same as they return 19 starters on offense and defense.

Life without Ray Rice could make for a turbulent time at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights will need to rebuild their offense through the air after a disappointing showing by its returning backs in training camp. That leaves senior quarterback Mike Teel to shoulder the offense load.

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly led the Bearcats to a 10-win season in his first year as the head man. The Big East Coach of the Year has three key playmakers back on defense: senior cornerbacks DeAngelo Smith and Mike Mickens, and run-stuffing senior tackle Terrill Byrd. The team's no-huddle offense will be orchestrated by senior quarterback Dustin Grutza.

Hunter Cantwell has one year to fill the shoes of NFL draft pick Brian Brohm as Louisville's quarterback. Pro scouts say Cantwell, a senior, has the skill set to be a better prospect than Brohm. He's the lone reliable starter in an offense with plenty of holes. It's up to budding defensive coordinator Ron English to shape an undisciplined Cardinals' defense.

While Louisville, Rutgers and Syracuse are expected to struggle, the five remaining programs have legitimate shots at claiming the conference championship.

"This is probably the most competitive league in the country, week in and week out," Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. "I tell our team all the time that everyone can do the big things. It's the little things that determine the fine line between winning and losing."