By Josh Dubow
AP Football Writer

Big East football has never been stronger.

A conference school has finished in the top two in the country the past four years, played for the national title three of those seasons, and was one close call away from winning it all twice. This season might be the deepest year yet. Miami, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh are in the preseason Top 10 and give the conference three national title contenders for the first time ever.

That’s what makes the impending breakup of the league so painful to those who were around when it was mocked as the “Big Easy.”

“It’s ironic that things have worked out this way because I think this is the best talent this league has ever had,” Miami coach Larry Coker said.

The Hurricanes and Virginia Tech are leaving the Big East for the ACC after the season, putting the future of the conference in peril. But both schools still have one season left with plenty to play for before departing.

“We are a Big East school and we’re looking forward to defending our conference championship,” Coker said.

A capsule look at the teams in their predicted order of finish:

Virginia Tech

Michael Vick’s kid brother, Marcus, could take over the QB duties from Bryan Randall. … Kevin Jones is a game-breaker, averaging 5.4 ypc last season. … Coach Frank Beamer always has the best special teams in the conference, which could be the difference in the showdown against Miami.

Miami

The Hurricanes will find out how valuable QB Ken Dorsey was as they go through growing pains with Brock Berlin. … The schedule is extremely tough, especially on the road in the conference. … TE Kellen Winslow showed in the Fiesta Bowl that he could be the best player in the country.

Pittsburgh

The Panthers will surely be the sentimental favorite as the top team spurned by the ACC’s expansion. … The Panthers have plenty of talent, especially on offense, and the schedule to win their first conference title.

West Virginia

Bounced back from a three-win season to go 9-4 last year and finished second in the conference, losing only to Miami. … QB Rahseed Marshall runs the spread offense and is a threat with his feet and arm.

Boston College

RB Derrick Knight will have to carry the offense to take the pressure off first-year starting QB Quinton Porter. … The Eagles have won three straight bowl games.

Syracuse

Coming off his first losing season in 13 years with the Orangemen, coach Paul Pasqualoni has a difficult task ahead of him.

Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes give the Orange a good running duo.

Temple

The Owls, in their second-to-last year before being kicked out of the Big East, didn’t have a stadium to play in until reaching a deal with the Eagles last week to play in Lincoln Financial Field.

Rutgers

Coach Greg Schiano has won just three games in two seasons since coming from Miami.

The Scarlet Knights put scares into Miami and Tennessee last season but their only win came against Army.

AP-ES-08-19-03 1726EDT