2009 Big East Conference football season

The 2009 Big East football season was an NCAA football season that was played from September 5, 2009, to January 2, 2010. The Big East Conference consists of 8 football members: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, and West Virginia. Cincinnati won the Big East Championship for the second consecutive year and was invited to the Allstate Sugar Bowl where they lost to Florida 51–24. Overall, the Big East went 4–2 in Bowl Games. == Previous season == Cincinnati (11–3) was the Big East champions and got the conference's automatic bid into the BCS and went to the FedEx Orange Bowl, losing to ACC champion Virginia Tech 20–7. Five other Big East teams went to bowl games in 2008, finishing bowl play with a record of 4–2 as a conference. Connecticut (8–5) beat Buffalo 38–20 in the International Bowl. Pittsburgh (9–4) lost to Oregon State 3–0 in the Brut Sun Bowl. Rutgers (8–5) beat North Carolina State 29–23 in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. South Florida (8–5) beat Memphis 41–14 in the magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl. And West Virginia (9–4) beat North Carolina 31–30 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. The only two teams not to go to a bowl game were Louisville (5–7) and Syracuse (3–9). == Preseason == === Preseason poll === The 2009 Big East preseason poll was announced at the Big East Media Day in Newport, RI on August 4. Pittsburgh was chosen as the favorite to win the conference. ==== Big East Media Poll ==== Pittsburgh – 161 (8) West Virginia – 151 (5) Cincinnati – 144 (8) South Florida – 130 (3) Rutgers – 126 Connecticut – 74 Louisville – 51 Syracuse – 27 === Award watch lists === == Regular season == All times Eastern time. Rankings reflect that of the USA Today Coaches poll for that week until week eight when the BCS rankings will be used. === Week One === Players of the week: === Week Two === Players of the week: === Week Three === Players of the week: === Week Four === Players of the week: === Week Five === Players of the week: === Week Six === Players of the week: === Week Seven === On October 18, UConn cornerback Jasper Howard was stabbed to death during a fight at an on campus dance. Howard had a career-high 11 tackles and forced a 3rd-quarter fumble to earn the game ball just hours before his death. Players of the week: === Week Eight === Players of the week: === Week Nine === Players of the week: === Week Ten === Players of the week: === Week Eleven === Players of the week: === Week Twelve === Players of the week: === Week Thirteen === Players of the week: === Week Fourteen === Players of the week: == Rankings == == Records against other conferences == As of games through week 13 == Bowl games == == Attendance == == Awards and honors == === Big East Conference Awards === The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Big East Conference football coaches. == References == == External links == Season summary at Sports Reference