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Big East start dates

Bet you didn't realize it, but football kicks off in 80 days. Not soon enough, I know. The Big East published its football preview guide today. How about a few nuggets to get you ready for the season.

  • In the six seasons of its current conference configuration, the Big East is 186-79 in nonconference games. That .702 winning percentage is the best six-year run in the history of the conference.

  • UConn goes into the season on a five-game conference winning streak into the season.

  • West Virginia has six straight seasons with at least nine wins. Only Boise State, Virginia Tech and Ohio State have six straight nine-win seasons.

  • Wide open? You bet. Six of the eight league teams have won at least a share of the conference title in the last six years.

Also, here are the report dates and start dates for each school.

Cincinnati: Aug. 7 report; Aug. 8 first day of practice

Connecticut: Aug. 4 report; Aug. 5 first day of practice

Louisville: Aug. 3 report; Aug. 4 first day of practice

Pittsburgh: Aug. 7 report; Aug. 8 first day of practice

Rutgers: Aug. 4 report; Aug. 5 first day of practice

Syracuse: Aug. 4 report; Aug. 5 first day of practice

USF: Aug. 3 report; Aug. 4 first day of practice

West Virginia: Aug. 5 report; Aug. 6 first day of practice