2011 recap: Big East

A quick look at the ever evolving Big East's 2011 season.

7 days until kickoff.....

It's hard to do a write up about the Big East, because it's hard to remember who was in the conference.  West Virginia left this season, and Pitt and Syracuse will follow next year.  Then, a whole bunch of teams will be joining over the next three years.

What I remember the most about the Big East in 2011 was their ability to create a Frankenstein conference.  They strung together whatever teams were willing to join, regardless of quality or geography.  It seems like it was for nothing, since the Big East basically lost its BCS bid with the creation of the playoff system.  Where the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, and ACC all have bowl tie-ins for their champions, the Big East does not.  Without calling it as such, the Big East has lost it's AQ status, which is what most of the teams joining were looking for.

Probably the most memorable onfield moment of the Big East's 2011 season was a blown call.  Syracuse won a game in overtime because an official couldn't tell that an extra point kick didn't make it through the uprights -- even after reviewing it!  Perhaps it was the same replay official that worked the Sugar Bowl?

The other big moment was West Virginia hanging 70 points on Clemson in the Orange Bowl during their final game representing the Big East.  Not a proud moment for the ACC.