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Temple quarterback Chris Coyer speaks with a television station during the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
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Rutgers safety Duron Harmon answers questions from the print media during the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
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Syracuse wide receiver Alec Lemon, left, and defensive tackle Jay Bromley, center and safety Shamarko Thomas, right, answer questions from the media during the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
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Cincinnati linebacker Maalik Bomar, center talks with offensive tackle Austen Bujnoch, left, and defensive end Walter Stewart, right, during the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
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Louisville safety Hakeem Smith speaks with Big East television during the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
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Louisville offensive tackle Alex Kupper answers questions from the media during the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
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FILE - This Nov. 19, 2011 file photo shows Louisville head coach Charlie Strong gesturing in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. Three years into Strong's rebuilding project, Lou Jessica Hill, File, Associated Press
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Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald, right, and safety Jarred Holley, left, answer questions from the media during the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
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Connecticut running back Lyle McCombs answers questions during a television interview at the Big East Conference NCAA college football media day, Tuesday, July 31, 2012, Newport, R.I. Stew Milne, Associated Press
By Associated Press

Three years into Charlie Strong's rebuilding project, Louisville is favored to win the Big East.

The Cardinals' rapid rebirth is a tribute to Strong's ability to recruit and restore order to a program that was in disarray and to the parity that exists in the Big East heading into its season in transition.

Syracuse and Pittsburgh are leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference next season and a half dozen schools are set to join the Big East, including Boise State. And, hey look, Temple is back in the Big East, eight years after getting booted from the league.

Off the field, the long-term future of the conference is uncertain.

On the field, the immediate future is just as muddled.

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Louisville was picked to win the league in a preseason poll.

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