University of Pittsburgh Athletics
PITT PICKED TO WIN BIG EAST IN PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
8/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2010
NEWPORT, R.I. - The University of Pittsburgh football team has been chosen as the favorite to win the BIG EAST in the league's annual preseason media poll released Tuesday, as part of the conference's summer kickoff at the Viking Hotel.
Pitt received 22 of a possible 24 first place votes and 190 total points to lead the other seven league schools. Others receiving first place votes were West Virginia with one (142 total points) and Connecticut with one (131 total points). West Virginia and Cincinnati tied for second in projections with 142 total points each.
This season marks the second time in Big East history, and the second consecutive year, that the Panthers have been chosen to win the conference title.
Pitt returns 13 starters from last season's 10-3 team that finished second in the Big East and claimed a 19-17 bowl win at the Meineke Car Care bowl over North Carolina. Highlighting the Panthers' returnees and representing Pitt at the Big East media days are All-America candidates in wide receiver Jon Baldwin (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa), defensive back Dom DeCicco (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), running back Dion Lewis (Albany, N.Y./Blair Academy (N.J.), offensive
lineman Jason Pinkston (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and defensive lineman Greg Romeus (Miami, Fla./Coral Glades).
Pitt opens its 2010 season on the road at Utah on Sept. 2 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Season-ticket packages for Pitt home games are currently on sale for as low as $87 and can be purchased online (PittsburghPanthers.com), by phone (800/643-PITT) or in person at the Petersen Events Center ticket office.
Rank/Team
Pts.
1. Pitt (22)
190
2. Cincinnati
142
West Virginia (1)
142
4. Connecticut (1)
131
5. Rutgers
99
6. USF
79
7. Syracuse
41
8. Louisville
40
