Card Chronicle: Front Page Posts

U of L 16th in ESPN prestige rankings

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:35:57 -0000

ESPN.com has been performing a rather interesting exercise this week, counting down the most prestigious college basketball programs since 1984-85 (when the tournament expanded to 64 teams) by using the following formula to award point totals to each of the 300 eligible D-1 programs:

• National title … 25
• Title game loss … 20
• National semifinal loss … 15
• Elite Eight loss … 10
• Best W-L record in conference's regular season … 5
• 30+ wins in a season … 5
• Sweet 16 loss … 5
• Conference tournament title … 3
• AP first-team All-American … 3
• Losing in NCAA second round … 3
• Player in Top 10 of NBA draft … 2
• NCAA first-round win as a 12-16 seed … 2
• NIT title … 2
• AP second-team All-American … 2
• 20-29 wins in a season … 1
• NCAA tournament berth … 1
• Postseason NIT berth … 1
• AP third-team All-American … 1
• NCAA first-round loss to a 12-16 seed … -2
• Losing season … -3
• Ban from NCAA tournament … -3
>> Minimum 15 seasons in Division I
** Ties are broken by overall winning percentage since the 1984-85 season
^^ Teams are listed with their current conferences

We can haggle over the system all day long (one point for both an NCAA Tournament and NIT berth seems a bit odd), but it has been fairly enjoyable to follow a countdown like this that's based on something other than "well, here's what I think."

Anyhow, da World Wide Leader unveiled programs 20-11 today, and our beloved Louisville Cardinals came in at No. 16.

16. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS, Big East

Positives: 16 conference titles (7 regular-season; 9 tourney); 2 30-win seasons; 17 NCAA berths; 9 Sweet 16s; 1986 national championship

Negatives: 3 losing seasons; 1 first-team All-American; 14 20-win seasons is tied for the fewest of the teams in the Top 20

Total points: 204

Did you know? Louisville would have been at least 14th on this list if it was able to upset North Carolina in last year's Elite Eight game. A five-year span between the 1997-98 and 2001-02 seasons is the only stretch of mediocrity for a program that has been consistently good. The Cardinals are last among the three schools tied with 204 points because of the lowest combined winning percentage (.658) since 1984-85.

Even with that rough five-year stretch, I have a hard time believing that U of L has been less prestigious over the past 22 seasons than Memphis, Arkansas or Oklahoma, but again, the formula is what it is, and overall I'd say 16 isn't too far off from where we deserve to be.

You have to think Duke pretty much has the top spot on lock.

Where the other Big East teams checked in:

T-229. South Florida
T-225. Rutgers
T-111. Providence
95. Depaul
T-86. Notre Dame
67. West Virginia
T-61. Marquette
51. Seton Hall
44. Pittsburgh
36. St. John's
31. Villanova
19. Cincinnati

Connecticut, Georgetown and Syracuse all rank somewhere in the top ten.

Tennessee Tech game time set

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:20:57 -0000

Tennessee Tech game time set

Good news for tailgating enthusiasts, as kickoff for Louisville's Sept. 6 game against Tennessee Tech has been set for 3:30 p.m.

The game will be televised by WHAS.

What to read while making a serious heel turn

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:20:22 -0000

The current Batman craze has inspired me to drop everything else and become completely evil. My only issue is that I don't really have an interesting back story laid out. Maybe somebody just looked at me the wrong way and at that moment it clicked that this was who I'm supposed to be. I don't know. We'll work on it.

Really not a whole lot going on out there, but here are a few items worth checking out.

Jody Demling and Jeff Goodman both weigh in with their takes on day one of AAU action in Las Vegas, but neither provides much fodder for U of L fans.

There's no link for it yet, but Peyton Siva's Seattle Rotary club won it's Vegas opener in double overtime, with Siva netting the game-winner.

John Thompson II talks with Lance Pugmire of the LA Times about the state of amateur basketball, and offers up perhaps my favorite recruiting-related quote of all-time.

"You don't know who . . . to talk to anymore," Thompson said. "You're hearing the kid saying he's a McDonald's All-American. McDonald's isn't evaluating anyone, these kids couldn't even get a free cheeseburger from McDonald's after playing in the game. Rather than worry about that, just work on your game.

The Dark Bobby Knight

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:19:59 -0000

There's a joke about Crean and Robin around here somewhere, but I just don't have the heart to search for it.

Language is very not safe for work.

This is a movie I'd stay up to see at three in the morning.

Prep mayhem in Vegas

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:04:55 -0000

Prep mayhem in Vegas

The second summer recruiting period begins today, and nearly all of the game's major players are in Sin City for the Reebok, Adidas, Main Event and Stacked Deck tournaments.

Louisville commits Peyton Siva and Rakeem Buckles, as well as a number of recruits will be among those on display over the course of the week.

If you're jonesing for summer hoops info, then keeping close tabs on the blogs of Jody Deming and Jeff Goodman is probably a solid move.

What to read while absolute Olympic failure looms

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:08:07 -0000

I don't care how much coin you made, it wasn't worth it, IOC.

Chris Dominguez has continued his assault on the Cape Cod League over the last couple of weeks, and has been named the starting Western Division third baseman in the league's All-Star Game. Dominguez leads the Cape League in home runs with eight, and ranks fourth in RBI with 22.

New Louisville basketball blog Cards Hoops is passing the summer days by counting down the 75 best players in the Big East. So far, we've seen Terrence Jennings at No. 69 (sixxxty-niiine), and the point guard duo of Edgar Sosa and Andre McGee at No. 56 and No. 52, respectively.

A Sea of Blue is also getting into the spirit of individual basketball lists, counting down the top 20 Kentucky players of the last 30 years. Kenny "Sky" Walker tops the list, followed by Jamal Mashburn, Kyle Macy, Tony Delk and Tayshaun Prince.

The recent Brett Favre frenzy has also meant additional preseason pub for Brian Brohm, with more and more people suggesting that if the Packers front office is going to welcome Brett back, it should trade Aaron Rodgers and begin grooming Brohm for the day Favre does actually decide to hang it up (March 30, 2033). Of course, Brian still has to shed a few pounds before Mike McCarthy lets him do anything.

Yes, Brohm dresses like Michael Cera in Juno

Infamous lobster tail/marijuana consumer Willie Williams has landed at Glenville State, a Division II school in West Virginia which is located in a town of about 1,500 people.

He used the word "focused'' four times in describing his ambitions and rural surroundings in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press.

"It's kind of new to me,'' he said. "I'm used to the University of Miami and Louisville - the big things. But sometimes good things come in small packages. Everybody supports everybody around here to get things accomplished. That's the nice thing about it.''

...

Williams said there were no promises exchanged with Fiddler like those made - and later broken - with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich.

"It was just like 'Willie, you know what you've got to do,''' Williams said. "I realize the mistakes I've made in the past. All I can do is change and grow from it. Coach talked to me like I was a grown man. I interpret that better than a promise or something because he came to me like it was man to man.''

And because there's nothing to break.

I'll give him one thing, he's certainly got the "fresh start, focused, goals, admit mistakes, clean slate" preseason spiel down pat.

All the best, Willie.

And finally, Card Game's Charles Springer was one of the many who made it downtown early Saturday morning to watch the implosion of the old Humana building, a move that to many represents the commencement of the new arena construction. Springer shot the following video of the implosion, which went off without a hitch:

UK linebackers coach guarantees victory over Louisville

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:10:14 -0000

According to Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio, UK linebackers coach Chuck Smith guaranteed a victory over Louisville during a speech at a conference in Ohio on Saturday.

A few things here:

1) Guaranteeing victory is always a ridiculously awful idea - the risk has significantly outweighed the reward for the 207,453 people who have done it since Namath - but I can't imagine a worse year for a coach on either side of the rivalry to make such a bold claim.

Any fan of Louisville or Kentucky who claims they have a solid handle on exactly what's going to take place the night of Aug. 31 is completely and utterly full of shit. Each team is riddled with question marks at nearly every position, and this year won't have a couple of tune-ups to work out the kinks before battling for the Governor's Cup.

I would honestly have more confidence guaranteeing a winner in a regular season game between the Sabres and Predators (that's hockey).

But he looks so reasonable

2) You're doing this on July 19? Two weeks before the start of fall camp?

Somewhere around half the starting positions on both teams are still up for grabs, and you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that one squad is vastly superior? You don't even know who your quarterback is going to be.

It's a good thing nothing major has ever happened to a football team during its first month of practice, or else predicting winners in season-opening games six weeks away wouldn't be such an effortless task.

3) This is a very un-Rich Brooks staff thing to do.

It's as impossible to dislike Brooks as it was to dislike Tubby Smith. Even if I can't stand the program he heads or the majority of people who support him, his personal affability is undeniable and leads me to believe that he can't be happy about something like this.

4) Smith is a linebackers coach.

You want to guarantee that Kentucky's linebackers are going to be better than Louisville's linebackers, go ahead. It's still a bit brash for my taste, but I'm not gonna argue with you.

Smith guaranteeing a UK victory over U of L is sort of like Timmy Timmons from The Sandlot guaranteeing victory over the Little League punks. Love the confidence, Tim, but let's leave the bold votes of confidence to Benny the Jet or Hamilton Porter...a DeNunez guarantee might also be acceptable, depending on the situation.

Ultimately, of course, this means absolutely nothing, and any significant traction that results from it is merely the product of this being the middle of the summer in a college sports state. Still, it will make the victory - should it occur - in six weeks that much more satisfying, and for that, I thank you Chuck Smith.

UPDATE: According to Jones, the guarantee was a joke, which is cool. Although I can't imagine it was very funny.

Damian Copeland picks U of L

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:26:47 -0000

Damian Copeland picks U of L

"The offers started coming in after the camps. Syracuse offered and Virginia and Georgia said they were going to offer," Copeland said. "I didn't see any reason to wait. I like everything about Louisville. I want to get there in the spring and get me a spot on the roster."

Welcome aboard, Damian.

Shenard Holton commits to Louisville

Mike Rutherford — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:24:16 -0000

Steve Kragthorpe landed the third member of his 2009 recruiting class when Warren East standout Shenard Holton committed to Louisville on Friday.

As a junior in 2008, the 6-foot, 200 lbs. safety/running back recorded 116 tackles and four interceptions, while also rushing for 712 yards and 13 touchdowns and catching 23 passes for 566 yards and six more scores.

Though the shifty Holton possesses 4.5 speed and great instincts with the football in his hands, his future likely lies on the defensive side of the ball at the safety position.

By all accounts, a great get for U of L.

Meet Shenard Holton:

Sigh

Mike Rutherford — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:34:15 -0000

Marc Murphy of the C-J with a solid left hook.

Cartoons were never this depressing when I was younger.

Friday depth chartin': Offense

Mike Rutherford — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:00:07 -0000

Taken from the new football media guide

Quarterback

	14	Hunter Cantwell	SR
	17	Tyler Wolfe	SO
OR
	2	Matt Simms	FR

Running Back

32	Brock Bolen	SR
33	Bilal Powell	SO
20	Victor Anderson	FR

Fullback

48	Joe Tronzo	JR
32	Brock Bolen	SR

Wide Receiver

	84	Scott Long	JR
	21	Troy Pascley	SO
OR
	11	Josh Chichester	FR
OR
	4	Maurice Clark	JR

Wide Receiver

	27	Doug Beaumont	SO
OR
	3	Trent Guy	JR
OR
	9	Chris Vaughn	SR

Tight End

82	Pete Nochta	SO
46	Johnnie Burns	SR
80	Michael Fennerty	FR

Left Tackle

68	George Bussey	SR
55	Greg Tomczyk	SO

Left Guard

79	Mark Wetterer	SO
65	Josh Byrom	SO

Center

77	Eric Wood	SR
62	Nick Borgelt	SR

Right Guard

71	Abdul Kuyateh	JR
72	Brian Roche	JR

Right Tackle

74	Jeff Adams	SO
51	Ryan Kessling	FR
78	Byron Stingily	JR

Thoughts

--Things are a bit more clear on this side of the ball. I think the average fan would at least be able to look at this and recognize most of the names as players on their team.

--The trio of tight ends are listed in descending order, but I think the understanding is that whoever has the better camp between Nochta and Burns will be the starter.

--Remind me again why we burned Doug Beaumont's redshirt? Apparently another body on kick coverage and one jet sweep in mop up time was reason enough to waste an entire year of eligibility for a blue chip prospect.

--The race for the '09 starting quarterback job has to be considered a dead heat at this point. Every practice from here on out is enormous for both Simms and Wolfe, and for Zack Stoudt if he wants to throw his name into the mix.

--How does Byron hit? Stingily.

--The offensive line appears to be set with the exception of Kuyateh vs. Roche at right guard, which should be a pretty hotly contested battle.

--This is the first year in quite some time where the starting offensive depth chart hasn't featured three receiver positions. If we're going to be effective out of the three and four receiver sets that all of us have become accustomed to, then someone from the group of Vaughn, Chichester, Clark and Pascley is really going to have to step up. Watching the receivers is going to be very interesting this August.

Friday depth chartin': Defense

Mike Rutherford — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:55:00 -0000

Taken from the new football media guide

Defensive End

93	L.D. Scott	JR
95	Maurice Mitchell	SR

Defensive End

99	Earl Heyman	SR
58	Rodney Gnat	SO
61	William Savoy	FR

Defensive Tackle

	94	Adrian Grady	SR
OR
	56	Tyler Jessen	JR

Nose Tackle

L.T. Walker

Sam Linebacker

38	Jon Dempsey	JR
54	James Bryant	SR

Middle Linebacker

57	Mozell Axson	SR
51	Antwon Canady	SO

Will Linebacker

43	Chris Campa	JR
5	Brandon Heath	SO

Cornerback

19	Johnny Patrick	SO
4	Travis Norton	SR

Cornerback

9	Woodny Turenne	SR
37	Marcus Folmar	SR

Strong Safety

34	Bobby Buchanan	SR
24	Daniel Covington	JR

Free Safety

2	Richard Raglin	SR
10	Latarrius Thomas	SO
25	C.J. Peake	SO

Thoughts

--Good lord we're thin at linebacker. I know this isn't exactly a revelation, but to actually see it on paper really drives the point home. I mean our starting will linebacker is a JuCo transfer who missed all of spring practice because of a torn labrum, and his backup played safety last year.

--Earl Heyman being listed strictly as a defensive end is interesting. He likely would have spent more time at the position a year ago had Adrian Grady not gone down, because he was more effective over the course of a few series than most of our ends were all year. While I'm sure he'll see time at both positions, I think it would bode well for us if he spent significantly more coming off of the edge.

--I'm glad that the staff is high on Tyler Jessen, but to list him as interchangeable with Grady seems a bit preposterous.

--Aundre Henderson's decision to give up football leaves L.T. Walker as the lone nose tackle listed on the depth chart. It's hard to say who his backup is at this point since we only have like four tackles on the roster, but it'll most likely end up being Jessen - holding down a dual backup role - or William Savoy sliding over from end.

--I'm really rooting for Bobby Buchanan, especially since he's reportedly taken on a leadership role this offseason, but if his fourth year is anything like his first three, then I think it will be hard not to bring either Raglin, Peake or Thomas over to help out. All three of those free safeties have the potential to be stellar, and talent needs to be on the field when you're working with a defensive unit as thin as this one.

--Most exciting position battles: Patrick vs. Norton and Mo Mitchell vs. L.D. Scott.

--Interesting to see Jon Dempsey listed ahead of James Bryant and without an "OR" separating them. I think we're all banking pretty hard on Bryant stepping up, and seeing him listed as a backup after being with the program for almost a year isn't exactly encouraging. He did miss time in the spring because of injuries, so there's that to consider as well.

--We need more players.

Peyton Siva wants to help you get through the day

Mike Rutherford — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:36:28 -0000

It's an especially dead mid-July morning in the world of Louisville sports, so let's turn to class of '09 commit Peyton Siva to brighten the mood.

Peyton:

Siva and his Seattle Rotary AAU squad just wrapped up a successful run in the Northwest Premier Showcase in the Emerald City.

I hear they're playing some decent ball out there these days.

Art Carmody is officially a professional kicker

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:26:07 -0000

Move aside Derrick Caracter, the biggest news in the world of Louisville athletics today is that 2006 Lou Groza Award winner and 1985-2007 Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli Award for Excellence in Coolness winner (and 2008 front-runner) Art Carmody is the newest member of the Shreveport-Bossier City BattleWings.

The BattleWings, a member of the af2 arena football league, are already 14 games into the regular season, and thus Carmody's campaign with the club will last just two glorious weeks.

"I'm not sure why Art isn't on an NFL roster, but we're glad to have him on our team," Battle Wings coach Jon Norris (MTV?) said. "He could be taken by an NFL team at any time."

The world shares in coach Norris's confusion, especially given the results of a recent study by Columbia University.

Courtesy: Columbia University

Wow. Pretty strong stuff there. You have to figure that this is exactly the type of thing that's going to make NFL owners and general managers kick themselves when they look back at it ten years from now.

Of course every man's loss is another man's gain, and that's already quite evident in the fact that Shreveport-Bossier City BattleWings jersey sales are up 100% since the announcement of Carmody's signing.

Just get it here by game day UPS.

Derrick Caracter's 2008 Offseason Escapades: Chapter 497

Mike Rutherford — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:02:55 -0000

Multiple sources, including SNY's Adam Zagoria, have reported in recent hours that Rick Pitino has offered Derrick Caracter an opportunity to return to the Louisville basketball for the 2009-2010 season, and that Caracter has accepted.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, Pitino said:

"Derrick has come to me repeatedly in the last two months asking to return to our team. I have encouraged him to choose a different path over and over. He came to me one more time and asked for any option available to get back on the team. I have given him the same option I gave Scott Padgett when he played for me at Kentucky.

"If Derrick is willing to grow up in the game of life and we can help him realize his potential, then we are there to help him. But that's a big if. He will not be a part of our team next year. He will have to measure up in three areas - as a student, as a person and as a basketball player - before I will entertain the possibility of him returning to our team for the 2009-10 season.

"We expect him to get a job, pay for school on his own, get in shape and abide by the other steps I have reviewed with him. If he measures up, then he can earn his way back. But that remains to be seen."

I realize this development makes us look pretty silly to outsiders who saw the "Caracter will transfer" headline a few weeks ago and considered the matter finally put to bed, but the vast majority of us knew better, and I honestly think that this is the best possible solution Pitino could have come up with.

I sincerely believe that if Caracter had gone through all the pre-draft camps, been properly humbled in Orlando and returned home with his tail tucked between his legs, that he'd be a member of the team right now. Instead, he saw the writing on the wall and opted to not subject himself to any more embarrassment, and then began telling anyone willing to listen that he was already back on the team.

This communicated to Pitino that he could expect more of the same from DC in his junior season, a dynamic any coach would just as soon keep as far away as possible from a team that could contend for a national title. But the equally congenial and immature prodigal son was persistent in his effort to prolong his Cardinal career, and thus The Godfather found a suitable way to have him humbled without being completely thrown out in the cold.

If DC - who apparently received a motivational call from Scott Padgett, advocating this route as a potential life-changing experience for the better - embraces the Padgett plan and ultimately becomes the mature, motivated and immensely talented player we all want him to be, then fantastic. If he screws up somewhere along the way and blows this final lifeline, then, like I said almost two months ago, Louisville basketball will be just fine.

The once-a-month quotes about "finally getting it" worked for a while, but if you really want this to work, Derrick, then don't let us here anything about you for the next nine months.

Cards to hold three open practices in August

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:43:28 -0000

Same deal as last year.

The fans aren't going to be able to see anything of any real value, but if the staff feels like this gives the team the best shot at pulling one out on Aug. 31, then so be it.

The University of Louisville football team will open their second season under head coach Steve Kragthorpe when the Cardinals begin fall practice on Tuesday, August 5 at the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex.
The Cardinals will hold three open practices to the fans on August 5-7 before closing practices in preparations for the August 31 home opener versus Kentucky on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. Practice times are yet to be determined.

Louisville's annual Fan Day is also scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9 from 9-10 a.m. at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

Whatever, I'm still excited for football and ready to get out there.

Who wants to bet that this guy will be a first week of August standout?

Summer leaguing with former Cards

Mike Rutherford — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:27:29 -0000

Is there really any other way to summer league?

DAVID PADGETT

Padgett finished up his five games in five days stint with the Miami Heat in the Orlando Summer League averaging four points and four rebounds. While he exhibited the same leadership qualities and presence in the paint that Louisville fans have become accustomed to, he also struggled with the faster pace of play and consistently found himself in foul trouble (or would have, if you could foul out in summer league games).

Despite the Heat's relative frailty at the center position, the consensus seems to be that David is a long shot to make the team.

Padgett is very big and can rebound. He can set screens, but his productivity stops there. He has been foul-prone and has not offered much as far as scoring. I know Miami's center depth is only the perimeter-oriented Mark Blount, but I don't anticipate he'll make the squad.

Injuring Michael Beasley probably didn't help his cause.

Go ahead and make bank in Europe before beginning your long and exceedingly successful Louisville coaching career.

TAQUAN DEAN

Taquan Dean started his summer off on the right foot, knocking down three-of-four shots and scoring eight points in 15 minutes for the Phoenix Suns in their Vegas League opener last night.

Dean, who is sporting the unfamiliar No. 4 for the Suns, was recently profiled by Phoenix blog Bright Side of the Sun.

If anyone deserves to stick somewhere, it's Dean, and you know there's nobody out there working any harder to make it happen than him.

And just because I can...

JUAN PALACIOS

JDP did not see the floor in Sacramento's summer opener on Saturday, but he'll get another shot when the Kings play Portland tonight at 10.

All games in the Vegas Summer League can be watched online right here.

Bilas: Taquan Dean 24th best three-point shooter ever

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:46:31 -0000

ESPN's Jay Bilas recently revealed his list of the 25 best three-point shooters since the line was introduced in 1986, and our own Taquan Dean makes an appearance at No. 24 (Insider).

24. Taquan Dean, Louisville, 2002-06: 359-896 (.401)

Great shooters are rarely great defenders, but Dean was the exception. If he could have stayed healthy, Dean was top-10 good on this list.

Georgia Tech, and later Orlando Magic, sharpshooter Dennis Scott came in at No. 1.

All this got me to thinking about what a short list of the best three-point shooters in Louisville history would look like. If we're going strictly on pure shooting ability, then I'll say:

1. Dean
2. Brian Kiser
3. DeJuan Wheat
4. Boo Brewer
5. Reece Gaines

Just missed the cut, Tick.

Report: Billy Packer out at CBS

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:37:48 -0000

Ladies and gentlemen, our long national nightmare might be over.

I don't even care that Kellog g is the replacement.

Billy Packer's streak of Final Fours is over after 34 years, The Miami Herald reported Monday.

Packer, a color commentator, will be replaced in CBS' coverage by studio analyst Clark Kellogg, network representative Leslie Anne Wade confirmed to the newspaper. Jim Nantz will continue in his Final Four play-by-play role.

Packer, 68, will leave CBS after 28 years to pursue "other projects in basketball," according to the report. An announcement was expected Monday.

As long as those other projects don't involve making me want to take a sledgehammer to my balls every March, then we're cool.

I'm generally a pretty strong advocate for the prolonging of traditions, especially when it comes to things I love like the NCAA Tournament, but there is absolutely no part of me that doesn't want this to happen.

So in the spirit of Packer making ridiculously obvious remarks about things that have already taken place, I'll leave you with this: Bad hire, CBS.

Top 25 offensive players in the Big East for 2008

Mike Rutherford — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:33:26 -0000

Oh it's go time on the preseason lists.

25. ANDREW ROBINSON, QB, SYRACUSE

Robinson has talent and a year of experience under his belt, but without an offensive line or a running game, and with the unexpected departures of leading receivers Taj Smith and Mike Williams, he's going to have to be just about perfect to get the Orange in a position where they're remotely close to sniffing a postseason.

24. BILL STULL, QB, PITTSBURGH

Stull won a heated three-way battle for the starting quarterback job last summer, only to suffer a season-ending thumb injury in the opener against Eastern Michigan. The injury all but proved that Dave Wannstedt's initial decision was the right one, as freshmen Kevan Smith and Pat Bostick both struggled mightily over the succeeding three months.

23. JARRETT BROWN, QB, WEST VIRGINIA

If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it's that we should expect to see at least a little bit of Jarrett Brown in 2008. The Mountaineer backup has seen significant action in each of his first two seasons in Morgantown, both in mop up duty and as a starter with Pat White out because of injuries. Also a member of Bob Huggins' basketball team, Brown's athleticism resulted has resulted in him producing 1,228 yards of total offense thus far in his collegiate career.

22. BILAL POWELL, RB, LOUISVILLE

Powell cemented his status Louisville's likely starting tailback in 2008 when he spearheaded a dramatic second-half comeback in the regular season finale against Rutgers by rushing for a touchdown and 91 yards on 13 carries. Veteran ball carriers Anthony Allen and George Stripling have left the program, but Powell will still be competing for touches with senior Brock Bolen and redshirt freshman Victor Anderson.

21. ODERICK TURNER, WR, PITTSBURGH

Turner's production took a pretty sizable hit in his sophomore season, thanks in large part to the departure of Tyler Palko and the previously mentioned absence of Bill Stull. If Stull ends up being as proficient as many thought he would be a year ago, then the extremely athletic Turner should be able to make more of a name for himself.

20. DUSTIN GRUTZA, QB, CINCINNATI

With Ben Mauk's appeal for a sixth-year of eligibility appearing to be little more than a shot in the dark, Grutza will likely find himself back in the position he figured he'd hold throughout his Bearcat career. A starter as both a freshman and a sophomore, he was unseated by the Wake Forest transfer a year ago, and was forced to watch the vast majority of the program's most successful season in recent memory from the sidelines. He did, however, make a start on Sept. 15 against Miami of Ohio, and promptly earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors by going 25-of-35 for 290 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

19. TREVOR CANFIELD, OG, CINCINNATI

An All-Big East selection as both a sophomore and a junior, Canfield was suspended in February after being arrested and charged with felonious assault for breaking a glass bottle over a man's head during a bar fight. Now back with the team, he figures to again be among the best in the league at keeping his quarterback clean.

18. TYLER LORENZEN, QB, CONNECTICUT

Lorenzen did all he was asked of in his first season as a Division I starter, completing 197 of 347 passes for 2,367 yards, and throwing 13 touchdowns to just six interceptions while guiding the Huskies to a share of the Big East title. He's never going to overwhelm anyone with natural talent, but the folks in Storrs aren't complaining about the job he's done thus far.

17. DONALD BROWN, RB, CONNECTICUT

A year after being one of the league's breakout freshman stars, Brown actually saw his production dip slightly as he battled for carries with fellow sophomore Andre Dixon. He turned his game up a notch in the second half of the season, breaking the 100-yard barrier against Rutgers and West Virginia, and coming up just one yard short against Syracuse. While Dixon figures to at least start the season as the feature back, Brown will still figure prominently in a Rob Ambrose offense that will look to control games via the run.

16. MIKE FORD, RB, SOUTH FLORIDA

While Ford didn't make nearly the impact as a freshman that some were predicting, he still showed flashes of brilliance that have folks in Tampa believing he'll be able to alleviate a portion of the significant weight currently resting on the shoulders of Matt Grothe. After losing his starting role to Benjamin Williams in the middle of the season, Ford came on strong at the end of the year, rushing for 134 and 140 yards against Syracuse and Louisville, respectively, and finding the endzone six times in the Bulls' final four games.

15. MIKE TEEL, QB, RUTGERS

There's no doubt that Teel has both the physical tools and the weapons around him to have a sensational senior campaign, but finding the consistency that has eluded him in his first three years in Piscataway is still an imposing hurdle. The big-armed Jersey QB broke the 300-yard mark five times in 2007, but also threw at least one interception in all but four of the Scarlet Knights' 13 contests. Ray Rice bolting early for the NFL Draft means that the pressure on Teel is higher than it's ever been before. How he responds will likely be the determining factor in whether or not RU competes for a conference title.

14. DOMINICK GOODMAN, WR, CINCINNATI

No one was more excited for Brian Kelly to arrive on campus than Goodman, who hauled in 68 passes for 869 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior in '07. He capped the breakout season by finding the endzone twice in UC's 31-21 victory over Southern Miss. in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. Despite being just 6-0, 208 lbs., Goodman's speed will once again make him the Bearcats' most significant downfield threat.

13. RYAN STANCHEK, OT, WEST VIRGINIA

The four-year starter has been one of the biggest reasons for the explosion of the Mountaineer spread attack since 2005. An All-American candidate at tackle, Stanchek recorded 103 knockdowns while being on the field for over 800 snaps as a junior in 2007.

12. ANDRE DIXON, RB, CONNECTICUT

Though his production tapered off near the end of the season, Dixon still had terrific sophomore year, racking up over 1,000 total yards of offense and averaging five yards per carry on his way to picking up second team All-Big East honors. One of the league's best dual threats, he caught 24 passes for 280 yards and a score in his first season of significant action.

11. HUNTER CANTWELL, QB, LOUISVILLE

A rocket arm that was on national display during Louisville's victory over Miami in 2006 got pro scouts talking, but how Cantwell handles being a full-time starter for the first time in his career is still yet to be seen. He has a solid offensive line protecting him, but top receivers Harry Douglas, Mario Urrutia, Gary Barnidge and Pat Carter are all gone, and the dismissal of JaJuan Spillman and recent shooting of Trent Guy will make finding viable options to throw the ball to even more difficult for the senior.

10. ERIC WOOD, C, LOUISVILLE

The former freshman All-American and two-time All-Conference honoree is back for his fourth and final season as the Cardinals' starting center. One of the best in the country at his position, Wood provides the toughness and leadership that a young and fragile Louisville team is going to desperately need.

9. MARCUS BARNETT, WR, CINCINNATI

In his first collegiate season, Barnett tied for the league lead with 13 touchdown catches, and ranked in the top ten in both receptions and receiving yards per game. Despite breaking his leg in the PapaJohns.com Bowl, "Bones" remarkably participated in spring ball, and is reportedly ready to start the season as Dustin Grutza's No. 1 target.

8. GREG ISDANER, OG, WEST VIRGINIA

Despite missing all of spring practice while recovering from shoulder surgery, the enormous All-American candidate is back to anchor the Mountaineer offensive line for a third year. A starter in each of his first two seasons in blue and gold, Isdaner brought home first team All-Big East honors a year ago after seeing action on more than 850 snaps and recording five or more knockdowns in eight games.

7. TIQUAN UNDERWOOD, WR, RUTGERS

No one began 2007 hotter than Underwood, who racked up 248 receiving yards against Buffalo in the season-opener, and then proceeded to break the 100-yard mark in each of Rutgers' next three games. He finished the year with 65 receptions, 1,100 receiving yards, and a spot on the league's first team All-Conference squad. The speedy senior can expect to see even more passes hurled his way now that workhorse running back Ray Rice has moved on.

6. DEREK KINDER, WR, PITTSBURGH

A first team All-Big East selection in 2006, Kinder missed all of his last season after tearing his ACL during the first week of fall camp. The former Belitnikoff Award semifinalist is a terrific blocker for his position, and will be a tremendous boon to the Panther offense even if he doesn't fully regain the form he knew a couple of seasons ago.

5. MATT GROTHE, QB, SOUTH FLORIDA

Though Grothe was one of the main reasons the USF program reached unprecedented heights in 2007, he still finished the season with as many interceptions (14) as passing touchdowns. Jim Leavitt has to have either Mike Ford or Benjamin Williams step up significantly both to ensure Grothe's health and open up the passing game.

4. KENNY BRITT, WR, RUTGERS

The super-gifted Britt enters his junior season as the unoffical No. 1 receiver in the Big East. He lived up to his prep hype in 2007, leading the league in receiving yards (1,232) and ranking second in receiving yards per game (94.8). Britt's size and athleticism matched with teammate Tiquan Underwood's speed makes up one of the best receiving duos in the country.

3. NOEL DEVINE, RB, WEST VRIGINIA

Despite backing up Heisman hopeful Steve Slaton for nearly all of his freshman season, Noel Devine showed Big East fans exactly what he was capable of by rushing for 627 yards on just 73 attempts, good for an average of 8.6 yards per carry. Whether or not the diminutive Devine can handle the wear and tear of being a starting tailback for an entire season is the only question surrounding this remarkable talent.

2. LESEAN MCCOY, RB, PITTSBURGH

Despite opponents having as close to no respect as possible for Pitt's passing game, Shady McCoy was able to rush for nearly 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns on his way to being named Big East Rookie of the Year. There's no question that the offense will revolve around him once again in 2008, but Panther fans are hoping a healthy Bill Stull will allow McCoy to deal with only seven potential tacklers, as opposed to 11.

1. PAT WHITE, QB, WEST VIRGINIA

The two-time defending Big East Offensive Player of the Year and top-tier Heisman Trophy contender is the obvious choice for top spot on this list. In three collegiate seasons, The Chief has racked up 4,207 passing yards, 3,506 rushing yards, and 74 total touchdowns. Catch the show while you can.