Big East Power Rankings – Week 7

Rutgers is atop the Big East, but far from tops in the power rankings. West Virginia rolled over Connecticut, while South Florida and Cincinnati took the week off. The Cardinals lost again in non-conference play and the Orange pulled one out in the Superdome. Here’s how it all breaks down:

wvaNo. 1 West Virginia
(Last week: 1)
Record: 5-1 (1-0 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – West Virginia 43, UCONN 16
Next Game: 10/21 @SYRACUSE

QB Geno Smith threw for 450 yards and four touchdowns and led a second-half surge over struggling UConn.

cinnNo. 2 Cincinnati
(Last week: 2)
Record: 4-1 (0-0 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 10/15 VS. LOUISVILLE

Cincinnati got several votes in the newest AP Top 25 poll. They open conference play against Louisville this week.

usfNo. 3 USF
(Last week: 3)
Record: 4-1 (0-1 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 10/15 @UCONN

The Bulls have had two weeks to prepare for the Huskies after falling in their Big East opener at Pittsburgh.

rutgersNo. 4 Rutgers
(Last week: 5)
Record: 4-1 (2-0 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Rutgers 34, PITT 10
Next Game: 10/15 VS. NAVY

The Scarlet Knights are 2-0 in the Big East for the second time in 21 years. They still haven’t played to the level of any team in front of them in the standings.

pittNo. 5 Pittsburgh
(Last week: 4)
Record: 3-3 (1-1 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – PITT 10, Rutgers 34
Next Game: 10/15 VS. UTAH

One step forward. Two steps back. After an impressive win over the Bulls last week, the Panthers coughed up the football four times against the Scarlet Knights.

cuseNo. 6 Syracuse
(Last week: 6)
Record: 4-2 (0-1 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Syracuse 37, Tulane 34
Next Game: 10/21 VS. NO. 13 WEST VIRGINIA

After an impressive defensive effort against Rutgers, the secondary was ripped apart by Ryan Griffin and the Tulane offense.

louisvilleNo. 7 Louisville
(Last week: 7 )
Record: 2-3 (0-0 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Louisville 7, UNC 14
Next Game: 10/15 @CINCINNATI

Non-conference play has not been kind to the Cardinals, and it won’t get any easier when they open up Big East action against the Bearcats.

connNo. 8 Connecticut
(Last week: 8 )
Record: 2-4 (0-1 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – UCONN 16, West Virginia 43
Next Game: 10/15 VS. SOUTH FLORIDA

The Huskies kept it close for two quarters, but got their doors blown off in the second half by Geno Smith and company.