Over the past two months I have previewed five of the eight teams in the Big East: Boston College, Miami (Fla.), Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Virginia Tech. Following are shorter looks at the other three Big East schools -- West Virginia, Temple and Rutgers.

	Avon Cobourne rushed for 1,298 yards in 2001.

WEST VIRGINIA
To achieve offensive success, the Mountaineers need to feature their best player, senior running back Avon Cobourne, who is shooting for his fourth straight 1,000-yard season. He has 3,455 career rushing yards and is only 600 yards behind Amos Zereoue as the all-time rushing leader in West Virginia history. It's amazing that last year he averaged nearly five yards per carry even though the offense was unable to stretch the field vertically through the air.

West Virginia has a big question mark at quarterback, where Rasheed Marshall steps in for Brad Lewis. Marshall, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore, was OK during the spring. He's still trying to get comfortable with the offense.

The receiving corps is also questionable, although the Mountaineers return leading receiver A.J. Nastasi. But the senior, despite catching 42 passes last year, only averaged eight yards a catch. Senior Phil Braxton has struggled with inconsistency. The Mountaineers hope for good things from Travis Garvin, a transfer from Missouri who has some ability. They need Garvin and Braxton to step up and stretch the field so Cobourne can have room to run behind an offensive line, led by senior right tackle Lance Nimmo, that returns four starters.

Defensively, the Mountaineers were 50th in total defense and No. 1 in the nation in pass defense. The statistics, however, are misleading because they were 104th in rushing defense. Teams were able to run the ball effectively (averaging 214 yards per game) and do their damage without having to throw as much.

The Mountaineers, who return eight defensive starters, have changed from an eight-man front to a 3-3-4 plus the rover, Angel Estrada, who is the key to their defense. Hamstring and ankle injuries plagued junior linebacker Grant Wiley a year ago, forcing him to miss three games. Yet he still recorded 98 tackles. He is now at full strength and is the leader of the defense.

Senior defensive tackle David Upchurch, a three-year starter, and outside linebacker James Davis both return. The secondary includes junior Lance Frazier, their best cornerback; free safety Arthur Harrison; and strong safety Jermaine Thaxton. They have a lot of safety depth, which is perfectly suited for their new scheme.

Of the Mountaineers' 12 games, eight come against bowl teams from 2001. After the season opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga, the key will be their performance in two tough, nonconference games at Wisconsin and at Cincinnati.

TEMPLE
Before Bobby Wallace arrived as head coach, the Owls had won four Big East games in seven seasons. In Wallace's four years, they have won seven Big East games and have beaten every conference opponent except Miami (Fla.) and Syracuse. And now, with Wallace beginning his fifth year, every player on the team is one of his recruits.

The Owls will run a spread offense under new offensive coordinator David Brock, who comes from Division I-AA power Hofstra, where he served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator under Joe Gardi. Sophomore QB Mike McGann started seven games as a freshman, but he only completed 45.8 percent of his passes, with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Temple has to find a way to open up running room for senior running back Tanardo Sharps. Last season opponents jammed the box and shut him down for the most part. The Owls have to get the ball to receiver Sean Dillard, who has 4.32 speed and was second in the Big East last year with 51 catches and a 14.6-yard average.

Kick returner/running back Makonnen Fenton is outstanding and averaged 26.1 yards per return last year. While the offensive line wasn't at full strength a year ago, two players are primed for good senior campaigns -- left tackle Dave Yovanovits and center Donny Klein. They have to stay healthy and provide veteran leadership.

On defense, graduation cost the Owls four defensive ends who started at least one game a year ago. With their new 4-2-5 scheme, the Owls will try to accentuate the skills of senior defensive lineman Dan Klecko, the son of former Jets Pro Bowler Joe Klecko. Klecko is moving from defensive tackle to defensive end this season. The 6-foot, 280-pound Klecko -- who bench-presses 520 pounds and has a vertical leap of 34½ inches -- had 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and 27 QB hurries last season.

In the secondary, Temple has experience, with four seniors. But outside of Klecko, the Owls have nothing but question marks up front and at linebacker. Klecko is an outstanding college player, but he can't do it all by himself.

RUTGERS
Greg Schiano begins his second season, coming off a 2-9 first year in which the Scarlet Knights' only victories came against Buffalo and Navy. They even lost to Connecticut 20-19. It gets much more difficult this year; UConn and Cal come off the schedule and are being replaced by games at Tennessee and at Notre Dame. While the present looks tough, Schiano has brought in decent recruits, has installed an excellent strength and conditioning program and is trying to build a strong foundation.

The Scarlet Knights' offense revolves around sophomore QB Ryan Cubit, redshirt freshman tailback Clarence Pittman and senior tight end L.J. Smith. Cubit completed only 44.8 percent of his passes and threw 19 interceptions plus nine TD passes. But he was pounded about every time he went back to pass. Cubit proved his toughness, gained the respect of his teammates and has a chance to develop into a decent quarterback.

Pittman, who sat out last year, was the leading rusher in Rutgers' spring game. In high school, he once rushed for 368 yards and six touchdowns on 29 carries in a single game. He's a talented 5-10, 185-pounder with great feet, shiftiness and an ability to make defenders miss. Smith caught 30 passes last season, three for touchdowns. He is one of the better tight ends in the country.

Another weapon is senior receiver Aaron Martin, the son of former New York Giant George Martin. Martin caught 25 passes for a 20.9-yard average a year ago. The offensive line, which was horrible last year, must improve if the offense has any chance to move the ball. Brian Duffy is an excellent offensive guard.

Defensively, the key player is senior defensive end Raheem Orr, who had an ankle injury last year and only had one sack and 25 tackles. Orr is capable of much better. Senior inside linebacker Gary Brackett is a solid, steady player. Their secondary returns all seniors, with the key player being free safety Shawn Seabrooks, who led the Scarlet Knights with 99 tackles in 2001.

While Rutgers still has a long way to go, there are some winnable games this season: Aug. 31 vs. Villanova, Sept. 7 vs. Buffalo, Sept. 14 vs. Army and Nov. 16 vs. Temple. But a good barometer for Schiano's program will come Oct. 12 vs. West Virginia at home.