Connecticut: Field goals
The Huskies made just 14 of 23 field goals last year. A pair of crucial misses in both the West Virginia and Rutgers games could have made the difference between an eight-win and a 10-win campaign. Dave Teggart has a big leg, but he needs to get more consistent from 40 yards or longer.
Louisville: Red-zone efficiency
Simply put, the Cardinals were awful in the red zone last year. They ranked last in the league while converting 76.7 percent, and their 21 touchdowns in 43 trips inside the 20-yard line was far too low of a percentage. It's telling that Charlie Strong emphasized red-zone offense in his first scrimmage this spring.
Pittsburgh: Punting
There's not too much to complain about in Pitt's 10-win season, but the Panthers ranked just 85th nationally in net punting average at 34.5 yards per kick. An extra yard or two doesn't sound like much, but every little bit could have helped. Pitt also didn't get many big plays out of its punt return game.
Rutgers: Short-yardage offense
Granted, this is a pretty big category. The Scarlet Knights' lack of a power running game and dominant offensive line really showed up in third- and fourth-down situations. They ranked second-to-last in the Big East in converting both those downs. Improving the running game is an emphasis this spring.
Syracuse: Turnovers
Of course, the Orange could use help in a lot of areas, but simply getting better in the turnover department could make the difference between another losing season and bowl eligibility. They not only committed the most turnovers in the Big East in '09 (and led the league with 15 interceptions thrown), they ranked sixth in turnovers gained and grabbed the fewest interceptions. Better ball security is a must.
South Florida: The return game
Upgrading the Bulls' special teams might be the quickest way for Skip Holtz to make improvements, and especially on returns. South Florida was dead last in the Big East and 98th nationally in kickoff returns. They didn't fare better on punt returns either -- ranking seventh in the league. Just think of the disadvantage that creates in field position over a season. With as many fast athletes as the Bulls have on the roster, there's simply no excuse for not being better at bringing back kicks.
West Virginia: Kickoff coverage
This one should come as no surprise to Mountaineers fans, who have watched their team struggle to cover kickoffs the past couple of seasons. Despite an effort to improve that area last year, West Virginia still ranked last in the Big East in that category. Head coach Bill Stewart ran the kickoff coverage unit the past two years, but he has tasked new assistant Dave McMichael with helping figure that problem out this spring.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/8748/little-things-that-could-mean-a-lot-in-the-big-east
The Huskies made just 14 of 23 field goals last year. A pair of crucial misses in both the West Virginia and Rutgers games could have made the difference between an eight-win and a 10-win campaign. Dave Teggart has a big leg, but he needs to get more consistent from 40 yards or longer.
Louisville: Red-zone efficiency
Simply put, the Cardinals were awful in the red zone last year. They ranked last in the league while converting 76.7 percent, and their 21 touchdowns in 43 trips inside the 20-yard line was far too low of a percentage. It's telling that Charlie Strong emphasized red-zone offense in his first scrimmage this spring.
Pittsburgh: Punting
There's not too much to complain about in Pitt's 10-win season, but the Panthers ranked just 85th nationally in net punting average at 34.5 yards per kick. An extra yard or two doesn't sound like much, but every little bit could have helped. Pitt also didn't get many big plays out of its punt return game.
Rutgers: Short-yardage offense
Granted, this is a pretty big category. The Scarlet Knights' lack of a power running game and dominant offensive line really showed up in third- and fourth-down situations. They ranked second-to-last in the Big East in converting both those downs. Improving the running game is an emphasis this spring.
Syracuse: Turnovers
Of course, the Orange could use help in a lot of areas, but simply getting better in the turnover department could make the difference between another losing season and bowl eligibility. They not only committed the most turnovers in the Big East in '09 (and led the league with 15 interceptions thrown), they ranked sixth in turnovers gained and grabbed the fewest interceptions. Better ball security is a must.
South Florida: The return game
Upgrading the Bulls' special teams might be the quickest way for Skip Holtz to make improvements, and especially on returns. South Florida was dead last in the Big East and 98th nationally in kickoff returns. They didn't fare better on punt returns either -- ranking seventh in the league. Just think of the disadvantage that creates in field position over a season. With as many fast athletes as the Bulls have on the roster, there's simply no excuse for not being better at bringing back kicks.
West Virginia: Kickoff coverage
This one should come as no surprise to Mountaineers fans, who have watched their team struggle to cover kickoffs the past couple of seasons. Despite an effort to improve that area last year, West Virginia still ranked last in the Big East in that category. Head coach Bill Stewart ran the kickoff coverage unit the past two years, but he has tasked new assistant Dave McMichael with helping figure that problem out this spring.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/8748/little-things-that-could-mean-a-lot-in-the-big-east
