The Bearcats continue to be the only constant in the Big East. After a wacky weekend, Syracuse vaults to No. 2 while South Florida falls to No. 8. What’s left in between? Your guess is as good as mine. This is how it all breaks down:
No. 1 Cincinnati
(Last week: 2)
Record: 6-1 (2-0 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Cincinnati 37, USF 34
Next Game: 11/5 @PITTSBURGH
Cincinnati scored with :12 seconds on the clock to remain the only unbeaten team in the Big East. QB Zach Collaros had three touchdowns through the air and two more on the ground. Right now, the Bearcats are the class of the conference and are deserving of their ranking in this week’s polls.
No. 2 Syracuse
(Last week: 5)
Record: 5-2 (1-1 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Syracuse 49, No. 13 West Virginia 23
Next Game: 10/29 @LOUISVILLE
The bye week really paid dividends for the Orange. Defensive end Chandler Jones returned and Syracuse defeated West Virginia at home for the first time in 10 years. Orange QB Ryan Nassib scored five total touchdowns. Why the jump to No. 2? Well, the Mountaineers now share the same record as the Orange and both the Scarlet Knights and the Bulls lost.
No. 3 West Virginia
(Last week: 1)
Record: 5-2 (1-1 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – No. 13 West Virginia 23, Syracuse 49
Next Game: 10/29 @RUTGERS
It’s hard to only drop West Virginia two spots after their performance in the Carrier Dome. But who is going to move up? The Mountaineers lost to the Orange for the second straight year.
No. 4 Rutgers
(Last week: 3)
Record: 5-2 (2-1 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Rutgers 14, Louisville 16
Next Game: 10/29 VS. WEST VIRGINIA
The Scarlet Knights fell on the road to struggling Louisville. Normally, the drop would be a bit farther down the power rankings, but there isn’t anyone to take their place. The Scarlet Knights need to regroup for next weekend, when the Mountaineers come to town.
No. 5 Connecticut
(Last week: 7 )
Record: 3-4 (1-1 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 10/26 @PITTSBURGH
The Huskies benefit from a wild weekend in the Big East and jump two spots. They have yet to prove themselves though, as that Big East win over South Florida is looking less impressive with each passing week.
No. 6 Louisville
(Last week: 8 )
Record: 3-4 (1-1 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Louisville 16, Rutgers 14
Next Game: 10/29 VS. SYRACUSE
After dropping three straight, the Cardinals responded Friday night with a win over the Scarlet Knights, handing them their first loss in conference play.
No. 7 Pittsburgh
(Last week: 6)
Record: 3-4 (1-1 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 10/26 VS. UCONN
The Panthers had the week off, but all the re-shuffling lands them one spot lower. Losing four of their last five before the bye week doesn’t help either.
No. 8 USF
(Last week: 4)
Record: 4-3 (0-3 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – USF 34, Cincinnati 37
Next Game: 11/5 @RUTGERS
The Bulls have now dropped three straight conference games and are fading fast. They desperately need this bye week before traveling to Rutgers in the first weekend of November. Why the basement of the Big East Power Rankings? No conference wins and Pittsburgh and Connecticut both did not play, while Louisville came away with a much-needed win.