Over the last three seasons, no other conference comes close to the Big East's 11-4 bowl record, proving that there's much more to this league than Miami and Virginia Tech. The programs at Pittsburgh and Boston College have steadily improved in recent years and established themselves in the Top 25. Meanwhile, Syracuse and West Virginia have each produced a second-place Big East finish in the last two seasons. The conference has strength and depth, and a quick look at the rosters indicates that this could be another banner year.

Boston College Eagles

2003 Schedule 8-30 Wake Forest 9-6 at Penn State 9-13 at Connecticut 9-20 Miami 9-27 Ball State 10-11 at Temple 10-18 at Syracuse 10-25 Notre Dame 11-01 Pittsburgh 11-08 West Virginia 11-15 at Rutgers 11-22 at Virginia Tech 2002 overall record: 9-4 Conference record: 3-4 Returning starters Offense: 5, Defense: 6, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Derrick Knight* (1,432 yds) Passing: Brian St. Pierre (2,983 yds) Receiving: Keith Hemmings (559 yds) Tackles: Josh Ott* (128) Sacks: Derrick Rossy (6) Interceptions: Ralph Parent (4) Spring Answers: Despite poor weather for many practice sessions, including a spring game with snow piled on the sideline, BC managed to learn a few things about its team. The offensive line should yet again be a strength, even though it is young and three starters must be replaced. New center Patrick Ross is a big reason why. … The return of Doug Goodwin also gives the defensive line great depth. The unit has benefited from the unexpected experience gained because of key injuries last year. … With two new starting wideouts, this year's receiving corps might still be more talented than last year's -- if a QB can get them the ball. Fall Questions: Quinton Porter is listed as the No. 1 quarterback, even though he missed most of the spring after breaking his collarbone in the third practice. Junior college transfer Paul Peterson, who will arrive in August, could still challenge for the job. … Another important position battle is at middle linebacker, where Vinny Ciurciu left some big shoes to fill. Ricky Brown played some as a true freshman and will likely get the opportunity to take the spot. … Can the Eagles be a contender? Last year, they were 0-4 against the Big East's other four bowl teams.

Miami Hurricanes

2003 Schedule 8-30 at Louisiana Tech 9-6 Florida 9-13 East Carolina 9-20 at Boston College 10-2 West Virginia 10-11 at Florida State 10-18 Temple 11-1 at Virginia Tech 11-8 Tennessee 11-15 Syracuse 11-22 Rutgers 11-29 at Pittsburgh 2002 overall record: 12-1 Conference record: 7-0 Returning starters Offense: 6, Defense: 6, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Willis McGahee (1,753 yds) Passing: Ken Dorsey (3,369 yds) Receiving: Andre Johnson (1,092 yds) Tackles: Jonathan Vilma* (133) Sacks: Jamaal Green (10) Interceptions: Sean Taylor* (4) Spring Answers: Most of the excitement was wrapped around the QB duel between 2002 backup Derrick Crudup and Florida transfer Brock Berlin, which ended with the much-publicized decision to name Berlin the starter entering fall camp. … Tailback Frank Gore returned to the field for the first time since injuring his knee the previous spring and re-established himself as the No. 1 option. … After serving as a second tight end last season, Eric Winston was moved to right tackle and showed enough ability to already be listed on top of the depth chart. Fall Questions: The wideout positions were really held back by injuries throughout the spring and lost valuable practice time with Berlin and Crudup. Converted tailback Jason Geathers is expected to be the next big-play threat, but he must become more consistent. … The Hurricanes have to reload after losing six defensive linemen to the NFL. With Vince Wilfork still at tackle, however, the biggest concern is developing the talent on the ends. … The 'Canes are starting from scratch at placekicker and punter, where Mark Gent and Jon Peattie will probably get first shot at being the new starters.

Pittsburgh Panthers

2003 Schedule 9-6 Kent State 9-13 Ball State 9-20 at Toledo 9-27 at Texas A&M 10-11 Notre Dame 10-18 at Rutgers 10-25 Syracuse 11-1 at Boston College 11-8 Virginia Tech 11-15 at West Virginia 11-22 at Temple 11-29 Miami 2002 overall record: 9-4 Conference record: 5-2 Returning starters Offense: 8, Defense: 7, Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Brandon Miree* (943 yds) Passing: Rod Rutherford* (2,783 yds) Receiving: Larry Fitzgerald* (1,005 yds) Tackles: Gerald Hayes (133) Sacks: Claude Harriott* (9.5) Interceptions: Shawntae Spencer* (3) Spring Answers: Is this possible? Pittsburgh offensive coordinator and receivers coach J.D. Brookhart said Larry Fitzgerald was even better during spring practice than he was during the 2002 season. Fitzgerald added 15 pounds while decreasing his body fat and could now be the best receiver in college football. … Rod Rutherford also continued to develop during the spring and answered some questions about his ability to take the offense to a higher level. … Lewis Moore moved from outside to inside linebacker and was very productive in the spot vacated by Gerald Hayes. Fall Questions: With the graduation of Lamar Slade, Pittsburgh needs to find a receiver who can make opponents pay for double-teaming Fitzgerald. Three players are currently bracketed for the other wideout spot, and none of the three has a collegiate catch on his resume. Chris Curd probably looked the best of the bunch in the spring. … Another key for the Panthers will be finding a new center. Justin Belarski is now slightly ahead of Tulsa transfer Rob Frederick for that job.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2003 Schedule 8-30 Buffalo 9-6 at Michigan State 9-13 at Army 9-27 Navy 10-4 Virginia Tech 10-11 at West Virginia 10-18 Pittsburgh 10-25 Temple 11-8 at Connecticut 11-15 Boston College 11-22 Miami 11-29 Syracuse 2002 overall record: 1-11 Conference record: 0-7 Returning starters Offense: 5, Defense: 7, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Markis Facyson* (398 yds) Passing: Ted Trump* (740 yds) Receiving: L.J. Smith (384 yds) Tackles: Gary Brackett (130) Sacks: Raheem Orr* (4.5) Interceptions: Brandon Haw* (4) Spring Answers: Ryan Hart solidified himself as the top QB in the spring after starting the last four games of his true freshman season. Ted Trump, who also started four games in 2002, is the backup for now. … Linebacker should be a strength for the Scarlet Knights with the recent emergence of Will Gilkison and Will Beckford. Their play could mean a support role for Brian Hohmann, who started last year. If Berkeley Hutchinson becomes eligible, the unit will have plenty of depth in addition to talent. … Coaches are also feeling good about the secondary, which returns three of four starters. Fall Questions: There is one glaring question in that secondary, however. The free safety spot must be filled with a capable body or the defense might be exploited through the air. Bryan Durango and converted linebacker Terry Bynes are battling for that responsibility. … Rutgers is also looking for a tailback, and four guys are in the mix. Rushing leader Markis Facyson was slowed in the spring with injury, so Clarence Pittman was able to draw some attention. … A few new faces on the offensive line have improved the talent level, but positions and sides for some players must still be sorted out in August.

Syracuse Orangemen

2003 Schedule 9-6 at North Carolina 9-13 Louisville 9-20 Central Florida 9-27 Toledo 10-11 at Virginia Tech 10-18 Boston College 10-25 at Pittsburgh 11-8 Temple 11-15 at Miami 11-22 West Virginia 11-29 at Rutgers 12-6 Notre Dame 2002 overall record: 4-8 Conference record: 2-5 Returning starters Offense: 6, Defense: 6, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Walter Reyes* (1,135 yds) Passing: Troy Nunes (1,337 yds) Receiving: Jamel Riddle (626 yds) Tackles: Clifton Smith (136) Sacks: Louis Gachelin* (8.5) Interceptions: Steven Gregory* (2) Spring Answers: R.J. Anderson silenced the quarterback questions with a solid spring that concluded with a fantastic performance in the spring game (12-of-16, 149 yards). He was also named a captain by his teammates. Perry Patterson missed a lot of practice time due to injury and didn't have a real opportunity to challenge Anderson. … Rich Scanlon was moved from weakside to inside linebacker to fill the spot of Clifton Smith, and he played that role very well with his great speed and instincts. … A surprise to some was the return of Diamond Ferri, who excelled in his switch from RB to strong safety, recording 8 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in the spring game. Fall Questions: Riddle will be one of three new starters in the secondary, as only CB Steve Gregory returns. At the other corner, Terrell Lemon also had a good spring but lacks game experience. … Two key starters, receiver Jamel Riddle and linebacker Jameel Dumas, were not enrolled at Syracuse in the spring but might be able to rejoin the team in August. Riddle was the Orangemen's leading receiver last season, while Dumas was the second-leading tackler. … With or without Riddle, receivers must make more big plays. Johnnie Morant has shown flashes but has only one season left to prove himself.

Temple Owls

2003 Schedule 8-30 at Penn State 9-6 Villanova 9-20 at Cincinnati 9-27 at Louisville 10-4 at Middle Tennessee State 10-11 Boston College 10-18 at Miami 10-25 Rutgers 11-8 at Syracuse 11-15 Virginia Tech 11-22 Pittsburgh 11-29 at West Virginia 2002 overall record: 4-8 Conference record: 2-5 Returning starters Offense: 6, Defense: 4, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Tanardo Sharps (1,276 yds) Passing: Mike McGann* (1,994 yds) Receiving: Zamir Cobb* (483 yds) Tackles: Jamal Wallace (96) Sacks: Dan Klecko (10) Interceptions: Yazid Jackson* and Terrance Leftwich (3 each) Spring Answers: Linebackers Rian Wallace and Troy Bennett have coaches feeling good about that position in the 4-2-5 defense. Wallace ranked third on the team in tackles last year as a freshman. … Makonnen Fenton, who has been an excellent kick returner, finally got his shot as the featured back and looked great in the spring. He had only three carries in 2002. … Lawrence Wade carried the ball 23 times last year, but he was moved from RB to DB in the spring and played well enough to reach the top of the depth chart at one of the safety spots. Fall Questions: Because of the uncertainty of Temple's future in the Big East (only two more years guaranteed), it has become difficult for the Owls to recruit high school players. As a result, there were 23 JuCo players in the most recent signing class, and 20 of them will begin with the team in August. … Receiver Phil Goodman is so highly considered that he is listed as a starter without having been through a practice. … Top recruit Walter Washington is listed as the backup to QB Mike McGann but is expected to challenge him for the job. … Many of the other newcomers will work on the O-line and in the secondary - units that both have only one returning starter.

Virginia Tech Hokies

2003 Schedule 8-31 UCF 9-6 James Madison 9-18 Texas A&M 9-27 Connecticut 10-4 at Rutgers 10-11 Syracuse 10-22 at West Virginia 11-1 Miami 11-8 at Pittsburgh 11-15 at Temple 11-22 Boston College 11-29 at Virginia 2002 overall record: 10-4 Conference record: 3-4 Returning starters Offense: 7, Defense: 9, Kicker/Punter: 2 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Lee Suggs (1,325 yds) Passing: Bryan Randall* (2,134 yds) Receiving: Ernest Wilford* (925 yds) Tackles: Mikal Baaqee* (112) Sacks: Nathaniel Adibi* and Cols Colas* (9 each) Interceptions: Garnell Wilds* (5) Spring Answers: In the much-anticipated quarterback derby, Bryan Randall held on to his starting job by continuing to progress during the spring and taking better care of the ball. Marcus Vick also played well, but not yet well enough to outplay Randall. … The DeAngelo Hall experiment was apparently a success, as it has been decided that he will play both ways in the fall. In addition to starting at corner, and likely punt returner, Hall could see as many 20 plays per game on the offensive side at receiver. … Jimmy Williams will take over Willie Pile's free safety spot after backing him up last year as a freshman. Fall Questions: Rover Michael Crawford's offseason tests for cancer came back negative, and he is now trying to reassert himself as the starter. He is competing with JuCo transfer James Griffin, who enrolled in January and went through spring drills. … How much of the load will Kevin Jones carry? Frank Beamer has never been one to give 25-30 carries per game to one player, so Cedric Humes should get some action if he keeps improving. … DE Jim Davis tore a pectoral muscle playing golf just before the start of spring practice and could end up being redshirted if doesn't make enough progress by August.

West Virginia Mountaineers

2003 Schedule 8-30 Wisconsin 9-6 at East Carolina 9-13 Cincinnati 9-20 at Maryland 10-2 at Miami 10-11 Rutgers 10-22 Virginia Tech 11-1 Central Florida 11-8 at Boston College 11-15 Pittsburgh 11-22 at Syracuse 11-29 Temple 2002 overall record: 9-4 Conference record: 6-1 Returning starters Offense: 5, Defense: 4, Kicker/Punter: 1 2002 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Avon Cobourne (1,710 yds) Passing: Rasheed Marshall* (1,616 yds) Receiving: Miquelle Henderson* (496 yds) Tackles: Grant Wiley* (133) Sacks: Angel Estrada (5) Interceptions: Jahmile Addae* (4) Spring Answers: On the heels of losing so many key players, coaches were very pleased to see great leadership in the spring from veterans Rasheed Marshall and Quincy Wilson on offense and Grant Wiley on defense. Behind Marshall, the passing game also showed noticeable improvement. … A couple of veterans moved around in the secondary, but sophomores Anthony Mims and Mile Lorello eventually settled into the safety spots, allowing the vets to return to the corners. … Kicker Brad Cooper, a transfer from Middle Tennessee, looked very solid on field goals and could also assume kickoff duties, allowing Todd James to concentrate on punting. Fall Questions: Inexperience on both lines is a cause for concern. WVU lost its top five defensive linemen as well as three starters on the O-line. Coaches are cautiously optimistic after the spring. … The hope is that JuCo transfer Kay-Jay Harris will arrive in August and give the offense another 1-2 punch at running back like it had last year with Avon Cobourne and Wilson. … The receivers have made plays in practice, but not in games. Miquelle Henderson is the only returning wideout with more than five catches last season, and he is recovering from a broken leg in spring practice.

Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.