Louisville locks up a share of the Big East title and now waits for the rest of the conference schedule to play itself out. West Virginia and Cincinnati take one step closer to sharing that crown with the Cardinals, while Rutgers’ loss to Connecticut knocks them out of contention. Pittsburgh, Syracuse, South Florida and the Huskies all are one game away from bowl eligibility. In the ever-volatile Big East, here is how it all breaks down:
No. 1 West Virginia
(Last week: 1)
Record: 8-3 (4-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – West Virginia 21, Pittsburgh 20
Next Game: 12/1 @SOUTH FLORIDA
The Mountaineers kept themselves in the Big East title race and the chance for a BCS bid with a one-point win over Pittsburgh.
No. 2 Louisville
(Last week: 3)
Record: 7-5 (5-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Louisville 34, South Florida 24
Next Game: TBD
The Cardinals wrapped up a share of the Big East title and need Cincinnati to lose to Connecticut for them to secure a BCS berth. Who would have thought this from the team that lost to FIU and Marshall in the non-conference slate?
No. 3 Cincinnati
(Last week: 4)
Record: 8-3 (4-2 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Cincinnati 30, Syracuse 13
Next Game: 12/3 VS. UCONN
Isaiah Pead accounted for 246 all-purpose yards against Syracuse. The Bearcats can lock up a share of the Big East title with a win next weekend over the Huskies. The win, coupled with a West Virginia loss to South Florida would give them the Big East’s BCS berth.
No. 4 Rutgers
(Last week: 2)
Record: 8-4 (4-3 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Rutgers 22, Connecticut 40
Next Game: TBD
Rutgers turned the ball over six times in a 40-22 blowout loss in Storrs. The Scarlet Knights fall short of a share of the Big East title, but will be going bowling in December.
No. 5 Pittsburgh
(Last week: 5)
Record: 5-6 (3-3 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Pittsburgh 20, West Virginia 21
Next Game: 12/3 VS. SYRACUSE
It will be a battle for bowl eligibility when the Panthers host the Orange. Pittsburgh and Connecticut have identical records but the Panthers get the edge in the Power Rankings thanks to their 35-20 win over the Huskies.
No. 6 Connecticut
(Last week: 6)
Record: 5-6 (3-3 Big East)
Previous Game: WIN – Connecticut 40, Rutgers 22
Next Game: 12/3 @CINCINNATI
Time to eat some crow on my end! The Huskies can play spoiler for Cincinnati’s hopes of a share of the Big East title and BCS berth, as well as make themselves bowl eligible with a win.
No. 7 USF
(Last week: 7)
Record: 5-6 (1-5 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – South Florida 24, Louisville 34
Next Game: 12/3 VS. WEST VIRGINIA
South Florida looks to become bowl eligible as the Mountaineers come to town. The Bulls can also play spoiler to West Virginia’s hopes of a share of the Big East title and a BCS berth.
No. 8 Syracuse
(Last week: 8)
Record: 5-6 (1-5 Big East)
Previous Game: LOSS – Syracuse 13, Cincinnati 30
Next Game: 12/3 @PITTSBURGH
Syracuse has failed to become bowl eligible for the fourth straight week. They head to Pittsburgh to try and salvage their season.