NEWPORT, R.I.-- The Pitt football team has been chosen as the favorite to win the Big East Conference championship in the league's annual preseason media poll released today, as part of the conference's summer kickoff at the Viking Hotel.

Pitt received eight first place votes and 161 total points to lead the other seven league schools. Others receiving first-place votes were West Virginia with five (151 total points), Cincinnati with eight (144 total points) and South Florida with three (130 total points).

This season marks the first time in Big East history that the Panthers have been chosen to win the conference title. Last season Pitt earned a No. 3 preseason nod, and finished second.