ESPN Big East Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

We've been doing some reflecting on the Big East bowl season this week, but I wanted to take some time now to look forward to 2009.

And when thinking about next season, it's pretty clear that one of the main issues in the league will be quarterback play. Only two of the eight Big East teams -- Cincinnati with Tony Pike and South Florida with Matt Grothe -- can say for sure right now that they're 100 percent confident in their quarterback situation. Some teams have guys they know a little about, while others have giant question marks at the most critical position on the field.

Here's a quick and very early primer on the unsettled 2009 quarterback situations:

West Virginia

The issue: Must replace four-year starter Pat White.

The options: Senior-to-be Jarrett Brown will be given every chance to be The Man in 2009. He's played well in short relief stints while White was injured. The question is whether he can handle a full season and how he will direct what will likely be a more passing-oriented offense. Incoming freshman Eugene Smith will be waiting in the wings.

Rutgers

The issue: Must replace three-year starter Mike Teel.

The options: Dom Natale emerged as the backup to Teel this season but played sparingly. Senior Jabu Lovelace will be back from a broken leg. Freshman D.C. Jefferson is ready to step up, while hotshot prospect Tom Savage is on the way. This should be a fascinating battle all spring and fall.

Pittsburgh

The issue: Bill Stull started 12 games in 2008 but was ineffective down the stretch. With LeSean McCoy likely to bolt, the Panthers need much more from their passing game in '09.

The options: Stull should enter the spring as the leading candidate. But coach Dave Wannstedt has said he will open up the competition. It will be up to Pat Bostick or freshman Tino Sunseri to play well enough to beat out the more experienced Stull.

Connecticut

The issue: Two-year starter Tyler Lorenzen is gone after struggling his senior season. And his backups didn't play well when he was injured during the middle of the year.

The options: Zach Frazer and Cody Endres should duke it out for the starting duties, as both saw time in that role when Lorenzen was out. They'll also have to learn from a new offensive coordinator and get far more help from their receiving corps.

Syracuse

The issue: Cam Dantley won the job early in the year and held onto it despite some woeful numbers at times. The new coaching staff wants to open up the offense a lot more.

The options: Assuming the new staff wipes the slate clean, Dantley and fellow senior-to-be Andrew Robinson should be locked in a pretty good battle this spring. Rising sophomore David Legree is itching to play as well, and new coach Doug Marrone may bring in some more potential quarterbacks from the recruiting front.

Louisville

The issue: Starter Hunter Cantwell graduated, and his backup, Matt Simms, transferred.

The options: There's no one with any significant experience on the roster. Steve Kragthorpe signed junior-college signal caller Adam Froman and hopes he can pick up the offense quickly. If not, Tyler Wolfe, Zack Stoudt and Justin Burke will fight for time. Kragthorpe has said he wants a more mobile quarterback than Cantwell or Brian Brohm were.