BIG EAST FANS may never again witness the shocker that was the 100th Backyard Brawl.

In deference to the WVU fans that read this column, we shall pass on revisiting that cold December day and get to the point.

If you break down the teams, you'll see West Virginia should again be the favorite to win the title. By my count, no less than 14 Mountaineer starters, including kicker Pat McAfee, have a legitimate shot at landing on one of the all-Big East teams at the end of the season.

Check it. Pat White, Noel Devine, Ryan Stanchek, Greg Isdaner, a healthy Reed Williams, Mike Dent, Quinton Andrews, Jake Figner, Selvish Capers, Mortty Ivy, J.T. Thomas, Scooter Berry and Chris Neild are all capable.

But scan the rest of the Big East. You'll see South Florida and Louisville with nine or 10 legitimate candidates. You'll see Pitt, Rutgers and Connecticut with eight or nine. Cincinnati has seven or eight.

About the only team sans more than a handful of potential all-Big East candidates is Syracuse.

Think not? I asked our Jeff Rider (sitting across from me but totally oblivious to what I'm writing) to pick a league team other than WVU or Syracuse. He selected South Florida.

Here are the Bulls' potential all-conference honorees: defensive end George Selvie (the given), linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, safeties Nate Allen and Carlton Williams, tailback Mike Ford, offensive lineman Ryan Schmidt (6-4, 327), wideout Carlton Mitchell and linebacker Brouce Mompremier.

In deference to the WVU fans that read this column, we shall pass on revisiting that cold December day and get to the point.

Don't be surprised if there are even more football upsets within the Big East in the upcoming season.

If you break down the teams, you'll see West Virginia should again be the favorite to win the title. By my count, no less than 14 Mountaineer starters, including kicker Pat McAfee, have a legitimate shot at landing on one of the all-Big East teams at the end of the season.

Check it. Pat White, Noel Devine, Ryan Stanchek, Greg Isdaner, a healthy Reed Williams, Mike Dent, Quinton Andrews, Jake Figner, Selvish Capers, Mortty Ivy, J.T. Thomas, Scooter Berry and Chris Neild are all capable.

But scan the rest of the Big East. You'll see South Florida and Louisville with nine or 10 legitimate candidates. You'll see Pitt, Rutgers and Connecticut with eight or nine. Cincinnati has seven or eight.

About the only team sans more than a handful of potential all-Big East candidates is Syracuse.

Think not? I asked our Jeff Rider (sitting across from me but totally oblivious to what I'm writing) to pick a league team other than WVU or Syracuse. He selected South Florida.

Here are the Bulls' potential all-conference honorees: defensive end George Selvie (the given), linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, safeties Nate Allen and Carlton Williams, tailback Mike Ford, offensive lineman Ryan Schmidt (6-4, 327), wideout Carlton Mitchell and linebacker Brouce Mompremier.

Oh yeah. Also like that other defensive end, Jarriett Buie. And that other wideout Taurus Johnson. And what was that quarterback's name? Yep. You nailed it. Matt Grothe. Pretty good player.

The quarterback position is another reason the Big East may get all jammed up. There's the two-time Big East offensive player of the year in WVU's White. Louisville's replacement for Brian Brohm, Hunter Cantwell, may get drafted higher than Brohm. Rutgers has Mike Teel back for what seems like his eighth year. Connecticut's Tyler Lorenzen returns after leading the Huskies to a share of the Big East title with 2,367 passing yards. And despite Syracuse's offensive ineptness, you have to like Andrew Robinson.

Anyway, back to our game for one last round. Jeff?

"Rutgers," he said without a blink.

RU's candidates: Teel, wideouts Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt, safety Courtney Greene, tight end Kevin Brock, blue-chip sophomore offensive lineman Anthony Davis (6-6, 325), defensive lineman Jamaal Westerman, cornerback Jason McCourty and center Ryan Blaszczyk. If memory serves, McCourty has a twin brother, Devin, starting at corner who could also make the grade.

It's just not a one- or two-team league any more. Teams like South Florida, Rutgers and Connecticut have used the Big East brand to grow their programs. To land a better caliber of athlete.

Meaning league fans should anticipate more upsets.

Or, in some cases, fear them.

To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, call 348-4827 or send e-mail to mitchvin...@wvgazette.com.