The Bearcats separate themselves as the team to beat in the Big East, while the Orange fail to grasp bowl eligibility for the second straight week. The Cardinals continue to rise as the Mountaineers stumble at home. In the ever volatile Big East, here is how it all breaks down:
No. 1 Cincinnati
(Last week: 1)
Record: 7-1 (3-0 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Cincinnati 26, Pittsburgh 23
Next Game: 11/12 VS. WEST VIRGINIA
The Bearcats have been the only consistent team in the Big East so far this season. Off to a 3-0 start, right now nobody is even close to taking the No. 1 ranking from their grasp. They are also the only Big East team ranked in the top 25 (No. 23 AP/No. 18 USA Today).
No. 2 Louisville
(Last week: 3 )
Record: 5-4 (3-1 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Louisville 38, No. 24 West Virginia 35
Next Game: 11/12 VS. PITTSBURGH
The Cardinals have now won three straight conference games and are one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Charlie Strong has to be the current front-runner for Big East Coach of the Year.
No. 3 Rutgers
(Last week: 5)
Record: 6-3 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Rutgers 20, South Florida 17 (OT)
Next Game: 11/12 VS. ARMY
The Scarlet Knights needed overtime against struggling South Florida, but a 37-yarder by San San Te made Rutgers bowl eligible for the sixth time in seven years.
No. 4 West Virginia
(Last week: 2)
Record: 6-3 (2-2 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – No. 24 West Virginia 35, Louisville 38
Next Game: 11/12 @NO. 18 CINCINNATI
West Virginia accumulated 533 yards of total offense but it wasn’t enough to get past Louisville. The Mountaineers have now dropped two of their last three. Up next, a trip to No. 18 Cincinnati.
No. 5 Pittsburgh
(Last week: 4)
Record: 4-5 (2-2 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Pittsburgh 23, Cincinnati 26
Next Game: 11/12 @LOUISVILLE
There is no shame in losing to the best team in the conference. Despite falling at home to the Bearcats, a head-to-head win over Connecticut keeps the Panthers one spot ahead of the Huskies.
No. 6 Connecticut
(Last week: 7 )
Record: 4-5 (2-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – UConn 28, Syracuse 21
Next Game: 11/19 VS. LOUISVILLE
The Huskies beat the Orange in the inaugural Paul Pasqualoni Bowl, which featured seven first-half turnovers. Connecticut will get its first real conference test when they head to Louisville on Nov. 19. So far their only Big East wins are over Syracuse and South Florida, who are a combined 1-7.
No. 7 Syracuse
(Last week: 6)
Record: 5-4 (1-3 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Syracuse 21, UConn 28
Next Game: 11/11 VS. SOUTH FLORIDA
The Orange have failed to become bowl eligible for the second straight week and are fading fast. Friday night’s game against the Bulls is now a must-win.
No. 8 USF
(Last week: 8 )
Record: 4-4 (0-4 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – South Florida 17, Rutgers 20 (OT)
Next Game: 11/11 @SYRACUSE
The Bulls have dropped four straight conference games. They’ll battle the Orange on Friday night for the keys to the Big East basement.