This is fourth in a series of conference profiles as part of BCS Know How’s season preview. Today’s conference is the Big East.

Conference: Big East Conference (Big East)

Active Since: 1979

Current Member Schools: Cincinnati Bearcats, Connecticut Huskies, Louisville Cardinals, Pittsburgh Panthers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Syracuse Orange, South Florida Bulls, West Virginia Mountaineers. (8)

Bowl Affiliations: BCS Bowl Bid, St. Petersburg Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Pinstripe Bowl, Car Care Bowl, Papajohns.com Bowl, Liberty Bowl. (7)

2009 Results:
Conference Champion – Cincinnati
Conference Runner-up – West Virginia/Pittsburgh
BCS Bowl Results: 2010 Sugar Bowl – Florida 51 vs. Cincinnati 24
Overall Bowl Record: 4-2
Heisman Vote Recipients: Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard (9th Overall)

2010 Outlook: The smallest of the six BCS conferences had been the domain of Cincinnati and coach Brian Kelly for the past two seasons of Big East play, but this year looks to shape up a bit differently.

Gone are Kelly, QB Tony Pike and WR Mardy Gilyard, opening up the Big East once again for a free-for-all type of season we’ve come to expect from a conference which has been unpredictable since Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech all left during the middle of last decade.

However, while Cincinnati was completing an undefeated season and nearly making the BCS National Championship Game, other teams showed signs of life and potential for seasons ahead. Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Connecticut all showed flashes of brilliance that could translate into success this season.

Heisman hopefuls Noel Devine (West Virginia) and Dion Lewis (Pittsburgh) will key two of the Big East’s best hopes, while Connecticut will feature a balanced attack led by QB Zach Frazier and RB Jordan Todman along with recent USC transfer DJ Shoemate and a mostly returning defense.

One of these teams will likely step up to claim the conferences’ BCS bowl bid, but in a conference with no true front runner, its hard to tell just who it might be.

2010 Heisman Hopefuls: Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis, West Virginia RB Noel Devine

BCS Know How’s 2010 Predictions:
Conference Champion – Connecticut Huskies
Conference Runner-up – Pittsburgh Panthers
BCS bids – One: Connecticut – Orange Bowl
Heisman Finalists – Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis

Recently, it has come to light that many of the BCS conference are looking to expand and realign.

The consequences of this move could have ripple effects around the college football landscape and have immediate and large effects on the Bowl Championship Series.

During the past few seasons, the Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference and Big 12 Conference have all been able to hold conference championship game because they all have 12 member schools. By the rules set out by the BCS, only conferences with 12 teams are allowed to hold conference championship games.

Teams from conferences that don’t have 12 teams have cried foul about the rule, saying that the ability of schools of these three conferences to hold a championship game and give one team another quality win gave those three conferences a better shot at securing a BCS National Title game bid, because of the effect of a final-week game on the human and computer elements of the BCS rankings.

And sure enough, this season saw the winner of the SEC Championship Game and the Big 12 Championship Game get bids to the national title game, a circumstance that was almost preordained before the season even started.

Now it has been revealed that the Big 10 and Pac 10 are both looking into securing enough teams to hold their own conference championship game. The reasons behind the expansion reach further than simply a boost in the BCS, as both are looking at gaining an upper hand in television rights negotiations, but the fact remains the same. Five conferences with 12 teams, and therefore five conference championship games would have a major impact on the BCS.

No longer would the Big 10 have the convience of waiting for good teams to loose and submit Ohio State to the BCS National Title game for all those years in the mid 2000′s. No longer would the Pac-10 be robbed of the chance to submit USC to the National Title game because they played a 6-6 UCLA on their final weekend, and not a 9-3 California or 8-4 Oregon State.

The Big 12 and SEC would no longer hold an upper hand on the final weekend, and the computers and even the human elements would have to notice. And this would change things drastically.

And with the current revolt in Congress and the Senate against the BCS, this move towards change could only further confuse what could be a huge opportunity for big change in the college football landscape and the way that the Football Bowl Subdivision crowns its champion.

Cincinnati Bearcats (12-0) vs. Florida Gators (12-1)

A couple of votes here or there earlier in the season, or more help from the computers, and we could have easily been talking about Cincinnati playing in the National Championship Game. But the BCS conspired against those hopes for the undefeated Bearcats and the Big East champs were instead rewarded with a Sugar Bowl bid against an equally disappointed Florida Gators squad.

On a 22-game winning streak, the Gators faltered in the most important game of their season — the SEC Championship Game — and were unable to continue their run at back-to-back championships. However, Tim Tebow and the senior class will want to end their season on a high note in New Orleans.

The Big East isn’t supposed to be a power conference, but the Bearcats were about as powerful as they came this season in terms of offensive output, and a victory here might do wonders for the Big East moving forward. Lets get into the meat of the preview:

Offense: The quarterback duo of Zach Collaros and Tony Pike together headed the Big East’s most productive offense — their output was so prolific that many suggested the two be entered for Heisman contention as on entity, saying that Collaros and Pike together were more productive than any other quarterback in the nation, which isn’t far from the truth. Cincinnati can strike at any time, at any place on the field, and that quick-strike ability helped them avoid an upset on the final day of the season when they had to come back from a six-point deficit with time running out. Wide receiver/kick returner Mardy Gilyard contributes to firepower of the offense, in the mold of former Gator Percy Harvin.

Without Harvin, the Gator offense struggled a bit this season, but once again senior quarterback Tim Tebow led one of the SEC’s most prolific offensive teams. scoring less than 20 only twice. Tebow broke a bevy of SEC records in his final season including the career rushing touchdown mark. Tebow’s favorite mark, tight-end Aaron Hernandez, also helped lead the team’s offense, which averaged 442 yards per game.

Defense: Florida prides itself on its defense, led by coordinator Charlie Strong. Strong’s apparent ascension to the head coaching spot at Louisville may be a distraction for a squad that let up more than 20 points just once — in that SEC Championship Game to Alabama’s offense. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who was last season’s BCS National Title Game defensive MVP was suspended for that game, and his status for the Sugar Bowl remains to be seen. The Gators certainly missed his presence against Mark Ingram, Greg McElroy and the Tide offense last weekend.

Defensive was certainly a weak spot for the Bearcats in their final regular season game, where they let freshman Pitt running back Dion Lewis run all over them as they were seemingly unable to stop the Panthers at any point during the game. In their last four games, the Bearcats have given up 44, 36, 41 and 45 points to their opponents, something they cannot do against Florida and still hope to win.

Prediction: Florida 42 vs. Cincinnati 21. Despite the fact that the Gators will be disappointed to be at the Sugar Bowl and not in the National Championship Game, coach Urban Meyer will have them fired up to face his alma mater. Tim Tebow and the Gator offense will tear up the Bearcat D, and Tony Pike’s offensive efficiency will not be enough to match the Gators score for score.

The offensive prowess of the Bearcats finally showed itself in the second half, as Cincinnati was able to make a late comeback and beat the Pittsburgh Panthers, 45-44 and secure a second straight Big East title.

The victory also secured the Big East’s automatic BCS bid for Tony Pike and the Bearcats. A Orange Bowl or Fiesta Bowl bid is likely in their future.

Pike led the Bearcats up and down the field on multiple drives in the second half, trying to match the output of Dion Lewis and the Panther offense, who scored 31 of their 44 points in the first period. Lewis would finish the game with 195 yards and three touchdowns, but it was not enough to outlast the undefeated Bearcats.

Big 10

Conference Leader: Ohio State (10-2, 7-1) have clinched the Big 10 regular season title and will head to the Rose Bowl.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes. Wisconsin Badgers, Northwestern Wildcats, Michigan State Spartans, Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Big 12

Conference Leaders: Nebraska (North Division; 9-3, 6-2)  and Texas (South Division; 12-0, 8-0) have clinched their respective divisions and will face each other in the Big 12 Title Game for a chance at a BCS bowl bid.

Game of Last Week: Oklahoma 27 vs. Oklahoma State 0. Oklahoama State was looking to make it to a possible BCS bowl this season, but a down Sooner team looking at the possibility of a .500 season instead took it to the Cowboys and ended their hopes of a BCS bowl.

Game of Next Week: Nebraska vs. Texas. For the Big 12′s automatic bowl bid.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa State Cyclones, Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas A&M Aggies.

Big East

Conference Leader: Cincinnati (11-0, 6-0)

Lurking: Pittsburgh (9-2, 5-1)

Game of Last Week: West Virginia 19 vs. Pittsburgh 16. The Mountaineers shocked the Panthers in the Backyard Brawl, payback for a couple years ago when the Panthers did just the same to a top-ranked WVU team. A field goal as time expired from Tyler Bitancurt sent the Mountaineers to victory.

Game of Next Week: Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati. Although the Panthers lost last week, a victory over the Bearcats would still get them the Big East crown in this de facto Big East Championship Game.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Cincinnati Bearcats, West Virginia Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Panthers, South Florida Bulls, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Connecticut Huskies.

Big 10

Conference Leader: Ohio State (10-2, 7-1) have clinched the Big 10 regular season title and will head to the Rose Bowl.

Game of Last Week: Northwestern 33 vs. Wisconsin 31. An upset of the Badgers likely allows the Wildcats a chance at a New Year’s Day or Eve bowl.

Game of Next Week: The Big 10 regular season is completed.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes. Wisconsin Badgers, Northwestern Wildcats, Michigan State Spartans, Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Big 12

Conference Leaders: Nebraska (North Division; 8-3, 5-2) and Texas (South Division; 11-0, 7-0) have both clinched their respective division titles and will meet for the Big 12 Championship Game on December 5th.

Game of Last Week: Nebraska 17 vs. Kansas State 3. Jockeying for the Big 12 North title all season, these two teams met to finally decide the victor. In convincing fashion, the stingy Cornhusker defense kept the Wildcats at bay and clinched a trip to the Big 12 Title Game.

Game of Next Week: Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma. Oklahoma would love to end its season with a big upset after a disappointing ’09 campaign. The Cowboys are looking to get a BCS at-large bid.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa State Cyclones, Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas A&M Aggies.

Big East

Conference Leader: Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0)

Lurking: Pittsburgh (9-1, 5-0)

Game of Last Week: Connecticut 33 vs. Notre Dame. With limited conference action, this overtime thriller was by far the best of the weekend for the Big East, and put the Huskies closer to being bowl eligible.

Game of Next Week: Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia. The Backyard Brawl is always a good one, and a victory here for Pitt would give the Big East, which has no conference championship game, a virtual conference championship game the following week as Cincinnati and Pittsburgh would go at it for the Big East crown.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Cincinnati Bearcats, West Virginia Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Panthers, South Florida Bulls, Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Big 10

Conference Leader: Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) has clinched at least a share of the Big 10 title and has the tiebreaker, clinching the conference’s BCS bowl bid.

Game of Last Week: Ohio State 27 vs. Iowa 24. Ohio State’s backup kicker, Devon Barclay kicked a game winning field goal in overtime to give the Buckeyes a Rose Bowl bid.

Game of Next Week: Ohio State vs. Michigan. Bowl eligibility rides on this one for the Wolverines, although no reason is necessary for this game to be the game of the week in the conference.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes. Wisconsin Badgers, Northwestern Wildcats, Michigan State Spartans, Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Big 12

Conference Leaders: Nebraska (North Division; 7-3, 4-2); Texas (South Division; 10-0, 6-0)

Lurking: Kansas State (North Division; 6-5, 4-3)

Game of Last Week: Oklahoma State 24 vs. Texas Tech 17. Needing to win in order to keep hope alive of a Big 12 title, the Cowboys delivered, doing just enough to beat the Red Raiders.

Game of Next Week: Kansas State vs. Nebraska. For the lead in the Big 12 North.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa State Cyclones, Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners.

Big East

Conference Leader: Cincinnati (10-0, 6-0)

Lurking: Pittsburgh (9-1, 5-0)

Game of Last Week: Cincinnati 24 vs. West Virginia 21. Tony Pike was the designated TD thrower, and the Bearcats kept hopes for a perfect season alive, barely escaping with the victory over the Mountaineers.

Game of Next Week: Louisville vs. South Florida. The Big East schedule is rather sparse next week, but Louisville can still become bowl eligible with victories in the next two weeks. They’ll need to beat South Florida to keep that hope alive.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Cincinnati Bearcats, West Virginia Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Panthers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Big 10

Conference Leader: Iowa (9-1, 5-1)

Lurking: Ohio State (8-2, 5-1)

Game of Last Week: Northwestern 17 vs. Iowa 10. Week after week, Iowa looked on the edge of a loss, and this week they finally were unable to make a late comeback, losing to the Wildcats.

Game of Next Week: Iowa vs. Ohio State. This one will likely be for the Big 10 title, and for the chance to play in the Rose Bowl

Bowl Eligible Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes. Wisconsin Badgers, Northwestern Wildcats.

Big 12

Conference Leaders: Kansas State (North Division; 6-4, 4-2), Texas (South Division; 9-0, 5-0)

Lurking: Nebraska (North Division; 6-3, 3-2)

Game of Last Week: Colorado 35 vs. Texas A&M 34. With just 2:04 left, the Buffaloes scored the winning touchdown in a back and forth game between the Big 12 foes.

Game of Next Week: Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech. Two teams with bowl aspirations and winning records face off in an important Big 12 matchup.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Nebraska Corn Huskers.

Big East

Conference Leader: Cincinnati (9-0, 5-0)

Lurking: Pittsburgh (8-1, 5-0)

Game of Last Week: Cincinnati 47 vs. Connecticut 45. With the help of their replacement QB Zach Collaros, the Bearcats scored nine points in 21 seconds, and the Bearcats stayed undefeated.

Game of Next Week: Cincinnati vs. West Virginia. With a win, West Virginia would reinsert itself into Big East title contention, with Pittsburgh up next in the Backyard Brawl.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Cincinnati Bearcats, West Virginia Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Panthers.

Big 10

Conference Leader: Iowa (9-0, 5-0)

Lurking: Penn State (8-1, 4-1)

Game of Last Week: Iowa 42 vs. Indiana 24. Down in the fourth quarter again, the Iowa Hawkeyes made another late-game comeback, scoring 28 unanswered in the final period to stay unbeaten.

Game of Next Week: Ohio State vs. Penn State. The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions are gunning for second place in the Big 10, this will be their chance to stake their claim.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes. Wisconsin Badgers.

Big 12

Conference Leaders: Kansas State (North Division; 5-4, 3-2), Texas (South Division; 8-0, 5-0)

Lurking: Nebraska (North Division; 5-3, 2-2)

Game of Last Week: Oklahoma 42 vs. Kansas State 30. Landry Jones continues to be a capable replacement for Sam Bradford, leading the Sooners to their fifth victory.

Game of Next Week: Oklahoma vs. Nebraska. Two teams stuck in second place in their divisions look to make big statements late in the season.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Big East

Conference Leader: Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0)

Lurking: Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0)

Game of Last Week: Rutgers 28 vs. Connecticut 24. In their first game at home since the tragic death of one of their own, the Huskies were once again shocked in the final minutes, this time on a reception by Scarlet Knight Tim Brown with 22 seconds left.

Game of Next Week: Cincinnati vs. Connecticut. Looking to remain undefeated before their match up with Big East power West Virginia the following week, the Bearcats welcome the Huskies to Cincinnati in what could be a shootout.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Cincinnati Bearcats, West Virginia Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Panthers.

Big 10

Conference Leader: Iowa (8-0, 4-0)

Lurking: Ohio State (6-2, 4-1)

Game of Last Week: Iowa 15 vs. Michigan State 13. Ricky Stanzi’s pass with no time remaining on the clock went for a touchdown after three incompletions left the Hawkeyes with a 4th and goal to go for the last second victory.

Game of Next Week: Penn State vs. Northwestern. Two teams lurking under the Big 10 radar can make big statements with victories here.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Iowa Hawkeyes.

Big 12

Conference Leaders: Kansas State (North Division; 5-3, 3-1), Texas (South Division; 7-0, 4-0)

Lurking: Oklahoma State (South Division; 6-1, 3-0)

Game of Last Week: Iowa State 9 vs. Nebraska 7. Nebraska committed an incredible eight turnovers, including four inside their own five-yard line, gift wrapping the victory for the Cyclones.

Game of Next Week: Texas vs. Oklahoma State. For the South Division lead, and likely a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Texas Longhorns

Big East

Conference Leader: Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0)

Lurking: Cincinnati (7-0, 3-0)

Game of Last Week: West Virginia 28 vs. Connecticut 24. West Virginia prevailed over the heavy-hearted Huskies with a last minute touchdown run from Noel Devine to give the Mountaineers the much needed victory.

Game of Next Week: South Florida vs. West Virginia. Two teams with Big East aspirations early this year will need to win out to have a chance, this game will be integral in both team’s BCS hopes.

Bowl Eligible Teams: Pittsburgh Panthers, Cincinnati Bearcats.