For a conference that was on the verge of losing their BCS status in the court of public opinion at the end of the 2004 season, things have definitely changed in the past couple years. While no one is ready to mention the Big East in the same breath as the SEC, no one is talking about taking away their BCS status either. Thanks in no small part to the emergence of the Louisville and West Virginia programs. Not to mention the season Rutgers put in last year. Actually, if you were a Big East team in a bowl game last year, go ahead and pat yourself on the back for helping the conference to go 5-0. Great seasons and great teams don't happen without great players. I was thinking about skipping the big names in the conference and going into some of the lesser known players before I wrote this. But after going over some of the numbers, that just wouldn't be right. The Big East has four legitimate Heisman candidates going into this season. Four players that should be on the lips of everyone in the country. Four players on three teams that should all be looking to get into a BCS bowl game if not the title game this year.
Follow me after the jump to take a look at the top five players in the Big East in no particular order that will offend any West Virginia fans
| 1. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia |
There has never been a running back that burst onto the scene at West Virginia in my lifetime, and I'm pretty sure before my lifetime, like Steve Slaton. In two seasons at West Virginia, Slaton has rushed for 2,872 yards and 33 touchdowns. And he has caught 39 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns. And to think Ralph Friedgen recended his scholarship. Doh! A mistake relived over and over and over in the first half of last years Maryland-West Virginia game. There was never any question about Slaton's speed, but going into his freshman season, all you heard about from West Virginia fans was this five star back named Gwaltney. But by the fifth game of the season Slaton had taken his place as the Mountaineer starting running back and Gwaltney was on his way out the door.
Slaton has all the skills to be a top college running back, but it is his heart that puts him over the top. He played part of the 2005 season and all of the 2006 season with a broken bone in his right wrist. And after having off season surgery to repair his wrist and finally being back at 100%, it's safe to say that we will see an even better Slaton in 2007.
| 2. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville |
As a sophomore, Brian Brohm took over the starting job at Louisville and didn't miss a beat in filling the shoes of the departed Stephan Lefors. Sure, he has the unfair advantage of being the younger brother of an assistant coach, but he also has the talent and poise that makes him one of the top quarterbacks in college football. He would have been a first round pick had he decided to leave school early for the NFL. But Brohm came back to complete what he started and compete for a national championship. That and to make sure that Hunter Cantwell will always be remembered as the greatest back up quarterback in Big East history. In his three years at Louisville, Brohm has completed 66% of his passes for 6,751 yards with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. I don't care who your brother is, that's incredible. And those numbers would only be better if not for injuries that have caused him to miss parts of the last two seasons. With three fifths of his offensive line and all his receivers returning, you can expect more of the same from Brohm this year.
| 3. Pat White, QB, West Virginia |
Much like Steve Slaton, Pat White was not expected to start his freshman season. Although he was in competition for the starting job, it was supposed to be the year of Adam Bednarik. White did see some time behind center throughout the first six games. But when Bednarik went down late in Louisville game White came in and rallied the Mountaineers from down 24-7 to the most thrilling comeback in West Virginia football history. The Mountaineers would not lose another game that year on their way to a Sugar Bowl victory and an 11-1 season. With only limited play in 2005, White rushed for 952 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 828 yards passing and eight touchdowns. In 2006, White rushed for 1,219 yards and and 18 touchdowns to go along with 1,655 yards passing and 13 touchdowns. But what the numbers don't tell you is how he willed the Mountianeers to scores in the loss to Louisville in 2006 with Slaton on the sideline. And how he willed the team to victory in the Gator Bowl from down 35-17 to a 38-35 victory with Slaton only able to play a couple series in the first half.
White is so much more than just a running quarterback. He is a leader on the field. And since his freshman year, he has handled ever adversity with the poise of a senior. And when he has to, he has shown that he is more than capable of beating you with his arm.
| 4. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers |
How good is Ray Rice? When you come into the season and you steal the show from the other running back on your team that is being promoted for the Heisman Trophy, you know you are good. Brian Leonard was the Rutgers offense coming into the 2006 season. Everyone in America knew him for his hurdles over opposing players. But Ray Rice was ready to take over. And in 2006, he did. Rice rushed for 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns and became a one man show of his own. Now that's not to say that Rice didn't do anything in 2005. He rushed for 1,120 yards and 5 touchdowns as a freshman. But it was the 2006 season that put him over the edge. So much so that now you can see Ray run as his promotion for the Heisman.
With most of the starting offensive line returning an experienced receiving corp and what he can only hope will be an improved Mike Teel, it should be harder for opposing defenses to zero in on Rice. Not that that was a problem in 2006.
| 5. Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville |
Sadly for Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, they play on the same team, and in the same conference as the above four mentioned players. They have been the two main targets for Brian Brohm over the last two years. And both are probably looking at being drafted in a respectable position next year. They were by far the most prolific duo of receivers in the Big East last year. Over the last two years, the two have combined for 192 receptions, 3492 yards, and 21 touchdowns. And an ulcer prescription for every defensive coordinator in the conference. With Brian Brohm returning for his senior year, there is no reason to expect that these two will do anything but shine again.
| Honorable Mention |
Matt Grothe, QB, South Florida
Art Carmody, K, Louisville
Eric Wicks, S, West Virginia
Eric Foster, DL, Rutgers
Ben Moffitt, LB, South Florida
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