The Bearcats lose their hold on the top spot after a home loss to the Mountaineers. The Bulls hand the keys of the Big East basement over to the Orange, while Rutgers and Pittsburgh tighten up the conference title race. In the ever volatile Big East, here is how it all breaks down:
No. 1 West Virginia
(Last week: 4)
Record: 7-3 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – West Virginia 24, No. 23 Cincinnati 21
Next Game: 11/25 VS. PITTSBURGH
The Mountaineers took out the conference’s only ranked team and are right back in the mix for the Big East title.
No. 2 Cincinnati
(Last week: 1)
Record: 7-2 (3-1 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – No. 23 Cincinnati 21, West Virginia 24
Next Game: 11/19 @RUTGERS
The Bearcats took their first conference loss of the season at the hands of the Mountaineers, but may have lost a lot more when QB Zach Collaros went down with an ankle injury early in the second quarter. It is now being reported Collaros will miss the rest of the regular season.
No. 3 Rutgers
(Last week: 3)
Record: 7-3 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Rutgers 27, Army 12
Next Game: 11/19 VS. CINCINNATI
QB Chas Dodd returned to the field for Rutgers this week throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns as the Scarlet Knights defeated Army 27-12 at Yankee Stadium. Can they hand the Bearcats their second straight conference loss this weekend?
No. 4 Louisville
(Last week: 2 )
Record: 5-5 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Louisville 14, Pittsburgh 21
Next Game: 11/19 @UCONN
The Cardinals stumbled at home against the Panthers, but have been one of the more consistent teams in conference play over the last month, keeping them in the top half of the Big East Power Rankings.
No. 5 Pittsburgh
(Last week: 5)
Record: 5-5 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Pittsburgh 21, Louisville 14
Next Game: 11/25 @WEST VIRGINIA
Despite the win, the Panthers hold strong at No. 5. They’ll get a chance to prove they belong in the top of the Power Rankings when they head to Morgantown to take on the Mountaineers in the Backyard Brawl.
No. 6 Connecticut
(Last week: 6 )
Record: 4-5 (2-2 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 11/19 VS. LOUISVILLE
The Huskies had the week off and prepare for Louisville. A win this weekend for Connecticut would make the Big East race that much more complicated.
No. 7 USF
(Last week: 8 )
Record: 5-4 (1-4 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – South Florida 37, Syracuse 17
Next Game: 11/19 VS. MIAMI
The Bulls move out of the Big East basement after topping a struggling Orange squad. QB B.J. Daniels looked in top form passing for 254 yards and running for 117 more. South Florida heads out of conference this week to take on Miami.
No. 8 Syracuse
(Last week: 7)
Record: 5-5 (1-4 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Syracuse 17, South Florida 37
Next Game: 11/26 VS. CINCINNATI
The Orange have failed to become bowl eligible for the third straight week and are now in serious danger of missing the post-season. Syracuse failed to take advantage of South Florida being without their star running back and wide receiver, giving up 490 yards of total offense. Speaking of offenses, Orange receivers didn’t help the cause, dropping three sure-fire touchdown passes. The bye week can not come at a better time.