College Football: Power Ranking The Big East Teams
With the Big East season in full swing, things are starting to take form in the conference. Even though the Big East is down, play inside the conference promises to be good.
So far the eight Big East programs are a total of only eight games over .500 on the season, with only two wins against teams from BCS Conferences, but before it's all said and done, a couple of the teams in the conference have a chance to have pretty good seasons.
We've got a new No. 1 in this week's power rankings, so let's get right into it.
1. Pittsburgh (4-3, 2-0)
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After a tough non-conference schedule that saw the Panthers drop three games, the Panthers are right back in form after winning their first two conference games in impressive fashion.
The biggest key to the turn around for Pitt has been the offense, which is clicking at the moment. Quarterback Tino Sunseri is a big reason for that—his seven touchdown passes and only one interception in the past two weeks have fueled the Panthers' revival.
Wide receiver Jon Baldwin and running back Dion Lewis are also starting to get more involved after slow starts by each. If the Panthers can keep things going the rest of the way, they could be a very dangerous team.
The defense has also played very well and the Panthers' pass rush—which led the nation in sacks just a year ago—is starting to get to the quarterback. Reigning Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year Greg Romeus is also expected to make his return to the lineup within a couple of weeks,
Pitt is the only Big East team without a loss in conference play so far and they deserve the jump back up to the top spot, where they began the season.
Next Up: vs Louisville
2. Syracuse (5-2, 2-1)
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Still not drinking the Syracuse Kool-Ad? I'll save you some. This a very good football team on both sides of the ball.
One week after getting spanked at home by Pitt, the Orange went into Morgantown and left with a victory against a ranked West Virginia team.
Linebacker Doug Hogue was rewarded by being named National Defensive Player of the Week after a dominating performance against the Mountaineers.
The Syracuse offense didn't do much last week, but their defense is good enough to carry them on most weeks.
Head coach Doug Marrone's squad has a real good chance to end up in a bowl game this season.
Next Up: at Cincinnati
3. West Virginia (5-2, 1-1)
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As hard as I can be on Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt, West Virginia should be equally hard on Bill Stewart. It's almost as if the Mountaineers win in spite of their coach more often then not.
The West Virginia offense has issues. They didn't eclipse 300 yards of total offense against Syracuse and they aren't as capable running the ball anymore. Noel Devine had a solid game last week, but the overall explosiveness of the offense just isn't there.
This team has to run the ball well to be successful. They did so when Rich Rodriguez was the head coach and it's been missing since.
The defense does its job. The offense has to do the same.
Next Up: at Connecticut
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4. Louisville (4-3, 1-1)
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The Cardinals are coming off of an impressive shutout victory over Connecticut. This team is much better then most people thought coming into the season.
They play pretty good defense and offensively, quarterback Adam Froman doesn't do anything to cost the team games.
Froman is capable of winning games and running back Bilal Powell runs hard for head coach Charlie Strong.
A couple of upsets the rest of the way and Louisville could find themselves heading to a bowl, which was something not thought of coming into the season.
Next Up: at Pitt
5. Cincinnati (3-4, 1-1)
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There is no difference between Cincinnati and the rest of the schools on the list. All have been very disappointing. Just when you thought the Bearcats were going to turn the corner, they lose to South Florida.
The Bearcats offense is firing, putting up close to 600 yards of total offense last week, The defense is another story.
Up Next: vs. Syracuse
6. Rutgers (4-3, 1-1)
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Rutgers had the look of promising second-half of a season after a shaky six-week start. Then they went on the road and got smacked around by Pitt.
The Scarlet Knights competed in the first half but were destroyed in the second.
Freshman quarterback Chas Dodd also didn't experience the same type of success he had in games past.
Allowing over 500 yards of total offense while barely gaining 200 isn't a good combination.
Up Next: BYE
7. South Florida (4-3, 1-2)
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See what can happen when quarterback B.J. Daniels takes care of the football? Unfortunately for the Bulls, he doesn't do it often.
Daniels had a fantastic game in the Bulls' victory over Cincinnati. Let's see if he can parlay that into a winning streak.
The South Florida defense still has major issues though.
Up Next: BYE
8. Connecticut (3-4, 0-2)
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There is no more disappointing of a team in the Big East than Connecticut. Getting shutout by Louisville just added to the problems for head coach Randy Edsall.
Connecticut is on it's third starting quarterback of the season after Cody Endres was handed his second suspension of the year. That's usually sign number one that it's a lost season.
Freshman Michael Box is the latest to get a shot under center, and not surprisingly, he didn't fare well.
Next Up: vs. West Virginia
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