With Big East Football Media Day this week, the conference's preseason rankings according to the media were announced. Pitt ranked a distant fifth in the polls, coming in the bottom half of the league. Louisville was picked as the favorite to win the conference.
While the Panthers aren't expected by most to win the Big East, fifth place is a bit low by my estimation. Pitt has talent on both sides of the ball - NFL talent. On offense, there's running back Ray Graham, who was in the midst of a big season until an injury ended it. And on defense, Aaron Donald is expected to be one of the conference's best talents along with preseason All-Conference standout Jarred Holley. All three could end up on NFL rosters next season, including Donald, who is only a junior.
It would be a bit easier to understand Pitt finishing so low if they were in a difficult conference, but the Big East is easily the weakest of the six major leagues this season. Simply put, if the Panthers can't finish any better than fifth, it will be a poor season in my opinion.
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