One thing is clear about the Big East this year: its consistently inconsistent. After starting 2-0, Rutgers has dropped two straight, while Louisville has won back-to-back conference games for the first time since 2006. After soaring high last week, the Orange crash back to reality. In the ever volatile Big East, here is how it all breaks down:
No. 1 Cincinnati
(Last week: 2)
Record: 6-1 (2-0 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 11/5 @PITTSBURGH
The Bearcats had a week off and head to Pittsburgh as the only unbeaten team in Big East play.
No. 2 West Virginia
(Last week: 3)
Record: 6-2 (2-1 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – No. 25 West Virginia 41, Rutgers 31
Next Game: 11/5 VS. LOUISVILLE
West Virginia found its rhythm this week, accumulating 428 yards of total offense and using a late rally to knock off Rutgers in snowy New Jersey. The win makes the Moutaineers the second Big East team to become bowl eligible this season.
No. 3 Louisville
(Last week: 6 )
Record: 4-4 (2-1 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Louisville 27, Syracuse 10
Next Game: 11/5 @NO. 25 WEST VIRGINIA
That’s two straight conference wins for the Cardinals. In a volatile Big East, it lands them just behind Cincinnati and West Virginia in this week’s Power Rankings. Who would have expected this from the team who lost to FIU and Marshall?
No. 4 Pittsburgh
(Last week: 7)
Record: 4-4 (2-1 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Pittsburgh 35, UCONN 20
Next Game: 11/5 VS. CINCINNATI
What a difference a week can make. The Panthers capitalize on a poor performance by Syracuse and a tough home loss by Rutgers to jump into the top half of this week’s Power Rankings.
No. 5 Rutgers
(Last week: 4)
Record: 5-3 (2-2 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Rutgers 31, No. 25 West Virginia 41
Next Game: 11/5 VS. SOUTH FLORIDA
The Scarlet Knights failed to score at all in the second half against the Mountaineers and now find themselves at .500 in conference play after starting 2-0.
No. 6 Syracuse
(Last week: 2)
Record: 5-3 (1-2 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Syracuse 10, Louisville 27
Next Game: 11/5 @UCONN
Which Syracuse team will show up? That’s been the question all season long. After a 49-23 win over then No. 15-ranked West Virginia, the Orange followed it up by looking offensively inept against the Cardinals.
No. 7 Connecticut
(Last week: 5 )
Record: 3-5 (1-2 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – UCONN 20, Pittsburgh 35
Next Game: 11/5 VS. SYRACUSE
The Huskies have now dropped three of their last four and are fading fast. Up next: the Paul Pasqualoni Bowl vs. Syracuse.
No. 8 USF
(Last week: 8 )
Record: 4-3 (0-3 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 11/5 @RUTGERS
Nowhere to go. The bye week keeps the Bulls in the Big East basement.