The New Big East

Outlook: Cincinnati, which owned a share of last season's Big East title, is expected to take a step back. The Bearcats must replace running back Isaiah Pead (2011 conference offensive player of the year), defensive tackle Derek Wolfe (conference co-defensive player of the year), and quarterback Zach Collaros (two-time all-conference selection).

CONNECTICUT

Nickname: Huskies

Coach: Paul Pasqualoni

2011 record: 5-7 (3-4 Big East)

Returning starters: Six offense; eight defense

Outlook: Folks in Connecticut are hoping that Pasqualoni's second season erases the bad memories of his first. A lot could depend on sophomore running back Lyle McCombs, who rushed for 1,151 yards last season.

LOUISVILLE

Nickname: Cardinals

Coach: Charlie Strong

2011 record: 7-6 (5-2 Big East)

Returning starters: Eight offense; nine defense

Outlook: Anything less than a conference championship would be a subpar season for Louisville. Sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is arguably the conference's best player. The Cardinals also lost just two starters from a defense ranked 10th nationally against the rush and 23d in total defense.

PITTSBURGH

Nickname: Panthers

Coach: Paul Chryst (first year)

2011 record: 6-7 (4-3 Big East)

Returning starters: Eight offense; four defense

Outlook: As Wisconsin's offensive coordinator, Chryst oversaw an offense that averaged 39.3 points over the last three seasons. Before suffering a knee injury in the eighth game of last season, running back Ray Graham was the nation's second-leading rusher with 134.1 yards per game.

RUTGERS

Nickname: Scarlet Knights

Coach: Kyle Flood (first year)

2011 record: 9-4 (4-3 Big East)

Returning starters: Six offense; eight defense

Outlook: Linebacker Khaseem Greene, last season's co-defensive player of the year, anchors a defense that allowed the fewest points (18.3) and total yards (311.5) in the conference last season.

SOUTH FLORIDA

Nickname: Bulls

Coach: Skip Holtz

2011 record: 5-7 (1-6 Big East)

Returning starters: Eight offense; seven defense

Outlook: South Florida looks to bounce back from a rought conference campaign. Returning 15 starters should help.

SYRACUSE

Nickname: Orange

Coach: Doug Marrone

2011 record: 5-7 (1-6 Big East)

Returning starters: Five offense; seven defense

Outlook: This could be a make-or-break season for Marrone. Entering his fourth season, he has a 17-20 record at his alma mater.

TEMPLE

Nickname: Owls

Coach: Steve Addazio

2011 record: 9-4 (5-3 Mid-American Conference)

Returning starters: Three offense; five defense

Outlook: Folks on North Broad Street will see what Chris Coyer can do during a full season. The junior quarterback, who became the starter with four games left, had a team-leading six touchdown passes and was third in rushing with 562 yards.

2013 ADDITIONS

Pittsburgh and Syracuse are expected to leave for the Atlantic Coast Conference as early as 2013. That's also the season that Boise State and San Diego State become football-only members of the Big East; Houston, Memphis, Central Florida, and Southern Methodist will join the league for all sports.

BOISE STATE

Nickname: Broncos

Coach: Chris Petersen

Current affiliation: Mountain West

Value: Since 2004, the Broncos have finished in the top 12 in the Bowl Championship Series six times. They also won two BCS bowl games in the last five seasons.

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Nickname: Knights

Coach: George O'Leary

Current affiliation: Conference USA

Value: Central Florida proved in 2010 that it can field a top-notch team. That's when the Knights finished 11-3 en route to a No. 25 ranking in the BCS standings.

HOUSTON

Nickname: Cougars

Coach: Tony Levine

Current affiliation: Conference USA

Value: The Cougars were 13-1 and ranked 19th in the final BCS standings last season. One of those victories was a 30-14 trouncing of Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl.

MEMPHIS

Nickname: Tigers

Coach: Justin Fuente

Current affiliation: Conference USA

Value: The Tigers are a combined 4-31 over the last three years. But hey, at least Memphis will bring a Top 50 media market.

SAN DIEGO STATE

Nickname: Aztecs

Coach: Rocky Long

Current affiliation: Mountain West

Value: The Aztecs are coming off consecutive bowl-game appearances. Things should get better, considering San Diego is located in Southern California, a strong recruiting base.

SOUTHERN METHODIST

Nickname: Mustangs

Coach: June Jones

Current affiliation: Conference USA

Value: The Mustangs played in bowl games in each of the last three seasons. Adding a team in the Dallas market is perhaps the best bonus for the Big East.

2015 ADDITION

Navy will become a Big East member in 2015. The conference is also looking to add a West Coast team that season.

NAVY

Nickname: Midshipmen

Coach: Ken Niumatalolo

Current affiliation: Independent

Value: While Navy suffered through a 5-7 season in 2011, the Midshipmen made bowl game appearances in the previous eight seasons.