What's tougher to replace -- a coach or a franchise QB? Watch the Big East to find out. Larry Coker takes over for Butch Davis at Miami while Virginia Tech is still trying to figure out who will replace Michael Vick. Smooth transitions are essential as these two teams are again the favorites to battle it out for the conference crown.

Here is a look back at how the schools of the Big East fared this spring.

Boston College Eagles
2000 overall record: 7-5
Conference record: 3-4 (t-5th)

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 8
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: William Green* (1,164 yds)
Passing: Tim Hasselbeck (1,810 yds)
Receiving: Dedrick Dewalt* (676 yds)
Tackles: Ramon Johnson (85)
Sacks: Sean Guthrie* (6)
Interceptions: Lenny Walls* (6)

What's new
Four of the six starters on the offensive line (including the tight end) will be new, as well as the quarterback. Almost all of these players had started for at least two seasons, so there will be somewhat of an unfamiliar look to the BC offense. The quick development of these players will be key to the team's success, as there is plenty of talent at running back and receiver.
Battling it out
At fullback, senior incumbent Ryan Utzler is being pushed hard by last year's backup, J.P. Comella. They are primarily used as blocking backs within the BC scheme, but both showed ability as a pass receiver last year. No matter who wins the position, both will certainly receive playing time
Eye catcher: CB Lenny Walls
At 6-foot-4, he is one of the biggest corners in the game, but Walls can still cover despite his size. Several teams found out the hard way last season as he picked off six passes. He earned a starting role in the middle of last season and showed that same level of play this spring before being hampered by a hamstring injury.
Budding star: CB Will Poole
The Eagles have one of the more talented cornerback tandems around, with Poole starring across the field from Walls. Poole earned a starting job just three games into his freshman season in 2000 and really had a big impact toward the end of the year (8 tackles, including two for loss, and an interception in the Aloha Bowl). He continued to play well in the spring and had five tackles and an interception in the spring game.

Miami Hurricanes
2000 overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 7-0 (1st)

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 8
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: James Jackson (1,006 yds)
Passing: Ken Dorsey* (2,737 yds)
Receiving: Reggie Wayne (755 yds)
Tackles: Dan Morgan (136)
Sacks: Chris Campbell*, Jamaal Green*, and Morgan (4 each)
Interceptions: Edward Reed* (8)

What's new
The biggest thing at Miami is what's not new. Sure, Butch Davis is gone after six seasons at the helm, but new head coach Larry Coker has done a great job of maintaining continuity in all facets of the program. There might be a slightly more aggressive defensive scheme, but overall, it will be business as usual for the Canes in 2001.
Battling it out
After losing what was statistically the greatest trio of receivers in school history, Miami will have at least five players in competition to take their places. The best battle may be at split end, where Ethenic Sands moved from quarterback to challenge Andre Johnson. Johnson has the advantage heading into the fall, but the battle has just begun.
Eye catcher: DE Andrew Williams
He just enrolled at Miami in January, but the junior college transfer is already competing with Jamaal Green for a starting spot. He was very disruptive in the offensive backfield during the spring, recording numerous sacks and forced fumbles in spring scrimmages.
Budding star: CB Philip Buchanon
Buchanon has displayed impressive coverage skills and picked up in the spring where he left off at the end of last season. He started seven games in 2000 and scored two defensive TD. He had 10 tackles and 2 pass break-ups in his first career start (vs. FSU) and also recorded a key interception in the Sugar Bowl win over Florida.

Pittsburgh Panthers
2000 overall record: 7-5
Conference record: 4-3 (t-3rd)

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 10
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Kevan Barlow (1,053 yds)
Passing: John Turman (2,135 yds)
Receiving: Antonio Bryant* (1,302 yds)
Tackles: Gerald Hayes* (104)
Sacks: Bryan Knight* (11.5)
Interceptions: Shawn Robinson* (6)

What's new

	Pittsburgh's Antonio Bryant has yet to catch a pass this season.

The Panthers will begin play in a new home stadium this fall. The yet-to-be-named facility will be shared with the NFL's Steelers and features a heated grass playing surface. The stadium's first official game will be Sept. 1 when the Panthers take on East Tennessee State.
Battling it out
A replacement for running back Kevan Barlow must be found, and the race is wide open. At the moment, it looks as if that player will be a freshman. Redshirt Malcolm Postell and true freshman Mike Jemison battled through spring practice, and the competition figures to heat up in August, when six more true freshman running backs enter the fold.
Eye catcher: TE Kris Wilson
Wilson was named the most improved offensive player of the spring by the coaching staff. A solid pass-catching tight end could be quite a weapon in an offense that features Biletnikoff Award winner Antonio Bryant, and Wilson had a 62-yard reception in the spring game.
Budding star: LB Lewis Moore
His older brother Frank was an All-Big East defensive tackle for Pittsburgh in 1997, and it's not unreasonable to think Lewis could make that team, as well, in the coming years. He caught plenty of attention with 38 tackles as a freshman reserve last season, and continued that momentum through the spring while working at both middle and strong side linebacker. The coaches made him co-recipient of the most improved defensive player award.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2000 overall record: 3-8
Conference record: 0-7 (8th)

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 7
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Dennis Thomas* (587 yds)
Passing: Mike McMahon (2,157 yds)
Receiving: Errol Johnson (555 yds)
Tackles: Wesley Robertson (83)
Sacks: Robertson (8)
Interceptions: Shahib White (4)

What's new
New Jersey native Greg Schiano takes over the program and a significant rebuilding job, but he is off to a good start with 13 all-state Jersey kids in his first signing class. A new attitude in the program is evident in a much faster practice tempo. Offensively, there is more emphasis on running the football, and the defense has gone back to 4-3 look.
Battling it out
The spring offered no separation in the battle to replace Mike McMahon at quarterback. Chad Schwenk is the only candidate who has played in a game (led the upset of Syracuse in '99), but redshirt freshman Chris Dapolito has good physical tools. Also in the mix is Ted Trump, originally a baseball player who walked on in football. Two highly recruited incoming freshmen could also compete.
Eye catcher: MLB Raheem Orr
He has all the physical tools to excel in the Big East, but Orr was a non-qualifier as a freshman and is anxious to take the field for the first time after two seasons at Rutgers. He dominated on defense throughout spring drills.
Budding star: CB Brandon Haw
Already the fastest player in the Rutgers program, Haw has increased his size and strength and has a chance to become a quality cornerback. He started all 11 games in 2000 and made 40 tackles.

Syracuse Orangemen
2000 overall record: 6-5
Conference record: 4-3 (t-3rd)

Returning starters
Offense: 8
Defense: 6
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Dee Brown (1,031 yds)
Passing: Troy Nunes* (1,366 yds)
Receiving: Pat Woodcock (453 yds)
Tackles: Clifton Smith* (108)
Sacks: Dwight Freeney* (13)
Interceptions: Will Allen (2)

What's new
Brian Stewart is the new defensive backs coach for the Orangemen. What's not new is that there is a new DBs coach. Stewart is the fourth different person in six seasons to coach the Syracuse defensive backs.
Battling it out
Troy Nunes and R.J. Anderson split starting duties at quarterback last year and are still fairly even coming out of the spring. Nunes entered spring drills as the No. 1 QB, but Anderson held his own. Both had a solid spring game, although Nunes left the game with a minor injury.
Eye catcher: OLB Maurice Minter
Minter was a wide receiver for a few years before moving to safety last year and then to linebacker. After an impressive spring, he is now listed first on the depth chart at the position which was held by Morlon Greenwood the last four seasons. Budding star: MLB Clifton Smith
Started each of his first two seasons and has continued to improve. He led the team in tackles last year and is still getting bigger and stronger. Smith will be a candidate for many awards in 2001.

Temple Owls
2000 overall record: 4-7
Conference record: 1-6 (7th)

Returning starters
Offense: 10
Defense: 10
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Tanardo Sharps* (1,038 yds)
Passing: Devin Scott* (1,456 yds)
Receiving: Greg Muckerson* (487 yds)
Tackles: LeVar Talley (135)
Sacks: Russell Newman* (5.5)
Interceptions: Terra Leftwich* (4)

What's new
By all indications on the field, the Temple football program is on the rise. But earlier this year, the presidents of the other seven Big East schools voted to remove the Owls from the conference for failure to meet preestablished standards -- most notably in the area of attendance. The decision states that this season will be the last for Temple as a Big East member, but university officials are committed to using the rest of this year to prove that the stance should be reconsidered. Stay tuned.
Battling it out
One of the Owls' strongest positions is fullback, where Jason McKie and Harold Jackson are competing for the starting job. Both are good receivers and both run well, in addition to the prerequisite blocking skills. McKie was listed No. 1 at the start of spring practice, but the two are now bracketed in a dead heat entering the fall.
Eye catcher: TE Kelly Nead
Nead enrolled in January after transferring from an Idaho junior college. He began the spring as the third team tight end and is now listed as starter. At 6-4, 240 pounds, he has a good combination of blocking and pass-catching skills. With further development in the program, he could be a standout player.
Budding star: OLB Chonn Lacey
Lacey is an extremely versatile player who is all over the field. Last season, he had 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and also made three interceptions. He is a hard hitter with good coverage skills and excellent speed. He is such a good athlete that he was used to return punts on many occasions a year ago. This spring, he played some at receiver and is expected to also see action there in the fall.

Virginia Tech Hokies
2000 overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 6-1 (2nd)

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 9
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Lee Suggs* (1,207 yds)
Passing: Michael Vick (1,234 yds)
Receiving: Emmett Johnson* (574 yds)
Tackles: Ben Taylor* (103)
Sacks: David Pugh* and Nathaniel Adibi* (5 each)
Interceptions: Willie Pile* (6)

What's new

	Noel: Aiming for an upset.

Unfortunately for Virginia Tech, there will be a new quarterback now that Michael Vick has taken his skills to the NFL. Grant Noel is the leading candidate to replace him and has a much different style. The days of highlight-reel runs from the QB position are probably gone -- at least for the moment.
Battling it out
Both guard and tackle spots were vacated by graduation, and there is still a lot of competition going into the fall at guard. Jake Grove and Jacob Gibson have the lead following spring drills, but Luke Owens and Anthony Nelson remain in the hunt.
Eye catcher: RB Keith Burnell
Burnell emerged from the depths of the depth chart to appear as the likely backup to Suggs this fall. He was chosen as the most improved offensive player of spring practice and was also the Offensive MVP of the spring game after rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns.
Budding star: DE Jim Davis
Davis played in all 11 games as a true freshman last year and had 3.5 sacks (plus two more sacks on consecutive plays in the Gator Bowl). He was overshadowed by Adibi in his freshman class, but he should get even more playing time in 2001. Davis has the pass-rushing skills to follow in the great line of sack men at Tech.

West Virginia Mountaineers
2000 overall record: 7-5
Conference record: 3-4 (t-5th)

Returning starters
Offense: 4
Defense: 9
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Avon Cobourne* (1,018 yds)
Passing: Brad Lewis* (1,819 yds)
Receiving: Antonio Brown* (877 yds)
Tackles: Shawn Hackett* (115)
Sacks: James Davis* (6)
Interceptions: Richard Bryant* (5)

What's new
For the first time since the 1970s, Don Nehlen will not be walking the sideline in Morgantown. New head coach Rich Rodriguez (a WVU player under Nehlen) brought in eight new assistant coaches with new schemes on both sides of the ball. Look for a spread offense and an aggressive, risk-taking defense.
Battling it out
Incumbent quarterback Brad Lewis is getting a strong challenge for his job from redshirt freshman Rasheed Marshall. Marshall has a strong arm and good mobility, which makes him a great fit for this offensive style. Lewis, however, has a better grasp of the plays at this point and is still the man to beat.
Eye catcher: DT Tim Love
Love was a backup last year, but in spring drills, he showed the athleticism and attitude that caught the attention of the coaches. He is an intense competitor whose motor is always running, and he should challenge for a starting job this fall.
Budding star: WR Phil Braxton
He has only shown flashes of his ability until now, but all of a sudden, Braxton could become a focal point of the WVU offense. Physically (6-3, 200), he is in the mold of Rod Gardner, the playmaking receiver for Rodriguez at Clemson who was recently a first-round NFL pick. Braxton had just nine catches last year, but Rodriguez said he is the type of player who could catch "70 or 80" balls in this offense.

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