Rutgers and Louisville are one step closer to a Big East title, while Cincinnati takes another step back. Pittsburgh, South Florida and Syracuse can all become bowl eligible with wins this week. In the ever volatile Big East, here is how it all breaks down:
No. 1 West Virginia
(Last week: 1)
Record: 7-3 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 11/25 VS. PITTSBURGH
The Big East title race is tightening up and the Mountaineers need a win over the Panthers to keep pace with Rutgers and Louisville.
No. 2 Rutgers
(Last week: 3)
Record: 8-3 (4-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Rutgers 20, Cincinnati 3
Next Game: 11/26 @UCONN
QB Chas Dodd and the Scarlet Knights took advantage of a Collaros-less Bearcats squad and now can lock up least a share of the Big East title with a victory in Storrs this Saturday.
No. 3 Louisville
(Last week: 4)
Record: 6-5 (4-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Louisville 34, UCONN 20
Next Game: 11/25 @SOUTH FLORIDA
The Cardinals redeemed themselves this week with a win over the Huskies and are now bowl eligible. A win at South Florida will ensure them at least a share of the Big East title.
No. 4 Cincinnati
(Last week: 2)
Record: 7-3 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Cincinnati 3, Rutgers 20
Next Game: 11/26 @SYRACUSE
In their first game without QB Zach Collaros, the Bearcats managed just three points against the Scarlet Knights. They head to Syracuse looking to snap their two-game losing streak.
No. 5 Pittsburgh
(Last week: 5)
Record: 5-5 (3-2 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 11/25 @WEST VIRGINIA
Believe it or not, the Panthers are still in the Big East title race. If they manage to get by West Virginia on Friday night, a win over Syracuse the following week could give them a share of the Big East title.
No. 6 Connecticut
(Last week: 6)
Record: 4-6 (2-3 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – UConn 20, Louisville 34
Next Game: 11/26 VS. RUTGERS
The Huskies need to win out to become bowl eligible. With games against Rutgers and at Cincinnati, that seems highly unlikely.
No. 7 USF
(Last week: 7)
Record: 5-5 (1-4 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – South Florida 3, Miami 6
Next Game: 11/25 VS. LOUISVILLE
South Florida’s game against Miami may have set football back a few years. It also cost the Bulls QB B.J. Daniels, who left the game with a shoulder injury. South Florida rounds out their schedule with Louisville and West Virginia, needing just one more win to become bowl eligible.
No. 8 Syracuse
(Last week: 8 )
Record: 5-5 (1-4 Big East)
Previous Game: BYE
Next Game: 11/26 VS. CINCINNATI
Syracuse has had a week off to prepare for Cincinnati, losers of two straight conference games. The Orange, on a losing streak of their own, try to become bowl eligible for the fourth straight week.