Big East Power Rankings - Week 2

Last week, we saw West Virginia go down to East Carolina (who has proven themselves to be very good, but still, they shouldn't be taking out our conferences flagship program), we also saw South Florida sneak one by Central Florida (the game shouldn't have even been close), and we saw Cincinnati get destroyed by Oklahoma (well, I don't think many of us are surprised there). Regardless of how well we've done in bowl games over the past few years, the Big East's BCS credibility seems to be hanging on by a thread.

It's not about to get any easier either.

The next two weeks are filled with matchups against some very good and some very decent teams from other BCS conferences.  This week we'll witness UConn take on UVA, #18 South Florida against #13 Kansas, Syracuse try their luck against #17 Penn State, and Rutgers get a visit from North Carolina.

If that's not enough, wait until next week when UofL plays Kansas State, West Virginia visits a solid Colorado squad, and Pitt take on Iowa.  Also Cincinnati plays rival Miami (OH) who held their own against Michigan in the Big House.  Granted, most people will tell you that's not very impressive anymore, but I say it's not very easy either.

Our conferences combined record is 8-7 after two weeks.  Our conferences next opponents' combined record?  12-3.  So it's not going to be easy.  Our BCS diplomat could very easily be 1-2 by the second week of the season, with a little influence from the rest of the season.

With that said, let's take a look at the week 2 power rankings.  These rankings aren't necessarily a reflection of how the season is going to turn out or who is the best team.  This is just a ranking of who seems to be the strongest squad, week by week.

Big East Power Rankings - Week 2

1.  South Florida - (2-0) - Despite their poor showing this past weekend, they're really the only credible team we have.  I'm not one for that believes in cheering for all of that "different team but still same conference" nonsense that the SEC is all caught up in, but we really need USF to take this game against Kansas.  College football Gods, please give us something!

2.  West Virginia - (1-1) - Yeah, they dropped one to East Carolina but so did Virginia Tech.  This East Carolina team is a very good team.  I expect to see them in a BCS Bowl.  They are this years Hawaii or Boise State or Utah.  But anyways I still plan on Pat White and Noel Devine to continue tearing up the conference

3.  Cincinnati - (1-1) - Sure, they were destroyed by Oklahoma, but in all honesty what did you expect.  There were still some bright spots in the game such as the fact that they were only one possession down at the half to one of the most physical teams in the country.  The fact is, in a given year, only a team or two out of the Big East could truly compete with a team like Oklahoma or Ohio State or Florida and Cincinnati just isn't that team.

4.  Pittsburgh - (1-1) - Pittsburgh played a bad game in week 1 but that doesn't rule them out just yet.  They have a lot of talent, and they should be competing for a league title, especially while the playing field seems as level as it's been in quite a few years. Dave Wanndstedt has put together solid recruiting classes for quite a while, so they have to be good, right?

5.  Connecticut - (2-0) - While UConn is the only other undefeated team left in the conference.  It's only week 2, and the teams they've played thus far?  Hofstra... and Temple... who they beat in overtime... after a fourth quarter rally to tie the game... Yeah.  I'm a realist and UConn hasn't impressed me very much.

6.  Louisville - (1-1) - After falling flat on their faces in week 1 against Kentucky.  Louisville looked a lot better this past week.  Sure, it was against Tennessee Tech, but Cantwell was putting the ball into the receivers hands and the defense had another solid outing.  Successful open field tackles are the biggest thing that separates this years defense from last years defense.

7.  Rutgers - (0-1) - This doesn't mean Rutgers isn't competing for a league championship but as they're 0-1 and sitting on an idle week, they have no where to be but near the bottom of the list. Don't worry, Teel will lead this team to another bowl game.

8.  Syracuse - (0-2) - What can I say?  It's the same old story for Syracuse.  They'll be back though, someday.  Thank God for Basketball and Lacrosse, because it doesn't look like they'll be back anytime soon.