NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Pittsburgh has been picked to win the Big East in a media poll, with West Virginia, Cincinnati and South Florida following closely behind.
The Panthers, returning 14 starters for coach Dave Wannstedt, received 161 points and eight of a possible 24 first-place votes in a pool released Tuesday.
The Mountaineers received 151 points and five first-place votes.
The Bearcats, who won the conference and played in the Orange Bowl last season, also received eight first-place votes and 144 points.
South Florida got the remaining three first-place votes and 130 points.
