Big East Football Power Rankings

As we head towards the final week of Big East football, let's take another look at the power rankings. In what was one of the most mediocre performances from a conference in recent memory, the Big East didn't do much positive worth bragging about.

Even the "Backyard Brawl" was a dud.  The biggest news of the season came off of the field when TCU announced their decision to join the Big East beginning in 2012.

As bad as things have been, there is still much to be determined, including who will represent the conference in a BCS game.

So let's take a look at this weeks Big East Power Rankings.

1. Connecticut (7-4, 4-2)

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EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Todman #23 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrates his touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 27, 2010 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Huskies defeated the

Before the season, UConn was expected to challenge for the Big East title, just not in a way where the entire conference struggled.

Give head coach Randy Edsall credit.  They've had a ton of off the field distractions. They've used three quarterbacks. They've lost games to the likes of Temple. Yet in the final week of the Big East season, the Huskies find themselves a win away from winning the Big East.

Save a spot in a BCS game for the Huskies.

Up Next : at South Florida.

2. West Virginia (8-3, 4-2)

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo b

For the second consecutive season, West Virginia has ruined the season for the Pitt Panthers.  After dominating Pitt in the "Backyard Brawl," the Mountaineers have put them in a position to back into the Big East title.

I guess everyone in Morgantown are going to become big South Florida fans for the weekend.

The question is, though, if WVU somehow wins the Big East, is it enough to save head coach Bill Stewart's job?

Up Next: vs. Rutgers.

3. Pittsburgh (6-5,4-2)

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Dave Wannstedt of the Pittsburgh Panthers watches his team play against the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

After a solid start to the Big East season, the "Fire Wannstedt" chants are back, and rightfully so. Pitt has to be considered one of the more disappointing teams in the nation.  There is way too much talent in that locker room to be sitting at 6-5.

The next time Wannstedt wins a game that benefits the Pitt program will be the first time. To his defense, he isn't the one that fumbled the ball seven times against WVU, but regardless, his track record in meaningful games isn't very good.

There is still a chance for Pitt to share the conference title, but even that has to be viewed as a disappointment

Up Next: at Cincinnati.

4. Syracuse (7-5, 4-3)

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 30: Doug Marrone the Head Coach of the Syracuse Orange gives instructions to his team during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyo

There's not much left to say about the Doug Marrone's Syracuse team.  Their season is over and they had a surprisingly good one.

Now it's sit back and wait for an invitation to a bowl. Syracuse has set themselves up to become a factor in the Big East in years to come.

Up Next: Bye.

5. South Florida (7-4, 3-3)

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback B.J. Daniels #7 of the South Florida Bulls runs for yardage during a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Ima

While the Bulls don't really have much to play for, they have the opportunity to wreck havoc at the top of the Big East standings. 

Prime time showdown at home against conference leading Connecticut, expect Skip Holtz to have his team ready.

Up Next: vs. Connecticut.

6.Louisville (6-6, 3-4)

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Justin Burke #13 of the Louisville Cardinals throws the ball during the Big East Conference game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by

Nothing going on this week for the Cardinals as their season is also over, but with a beat down of Rutgers last week, the Cardinals are bowl eligible.

Give Charlie Strong a ton of credit for making this team competitive.

Up Next: Bye.

7. Cincinnati (4-7, 2-4)

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EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 27: Zach Collaros #12 of the Cincinnati Bearcats is hit by Sio Moore #46 of the Connecticut Huskies on November 27, 2010 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Not so much credit goes to Butch Jones in his first season at Cincinnati.  He's got a lot of work to do, but can end the season on a high note by spoiling the season for Pitt for the third straight season.

Up Next: vs. Pitt.

8. Rutgers (4-7, 1-5)

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on against the Connecticut Huskies at Rutgers Stadium on October 8, 2010 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

After all of the strides the Scarlet Knights have made under Greg Schiano, who would have thought that this team would have regressed to this?   No way with all of the talent they had returning that the Scarlet Knights should be sitting in the cellar of the Big East with only one conference win.

I bet Schiano wishes he would have taken a better job when he had the opportunity.  It may be a while before his stock is high again.

Up Next: at No. 23 West Virginia.