College Football: Power Ranking the Big East Heading into Week 3

After posting an 8-0 mark in the season's first week, the Big East Conference came back to reality last week in posting a 4-4 mark.

It looks like a case where the top teams in the conference may stay there all season while the real fight is for positioning in the middle of the pack.

Some teams faced real competition for the first time last week while others will experience tough competition this week.

That includes Pitt, Syracuse and Maryland who all hit the road with trips to Iowa, USC and Virginia respectively.

There isn't much change in this week's rankings, but let's take a look.

8. Louisville (1-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: lost 24-17 vs. Florida Intl.

Last Week's Ranking: 8

It wasn't a good week for Louisville. A loss to Florida International is a bad loss. A mediocre team shouldn't be dropping games to teams from the Sun Belt Conference.

That hasn't happened to a Louisville team since 1981 and things don't get any easier this week for Charlie Strong.

Up Next: Sept. 17 at Kentucky

7. Cincinnati (1-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: lost 45-23 at Tennessee

Last Week's Ranking: 5

The Bearcats tumble a couple of spots after getting eaten up by the Vols. There are some things you can tell early in a season and one thing is for sure, the Cincinnati defense hasn't improved very much in Year 2 of the Butch Jones era.

Cincinnati allowed over 400 yards last week which could be a sign that it could be a long season for Bearcats fans.

Up Next: Sept. 17 vs. Akron

6. Rutgers (1-1, 0-1)

Last Week's Result: lost 24-22 at North Carolina

Last Week's Ranking: 7

The only reason Rutgers moves up a spot is because of Cincinnati dropping a couple. The Scarlet Knights couldn't take advantage of five North Carolina turnovers in defeat on Saturday.

The offense isn't doing much, scoring only 12 points off the five turnovers and the defense is allowing too many big plays.

Up Next: Sept. 24 vs. Ohio

5. Connecticut (1-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: lost 24-21 at Vanderbilt

Last Week's Ranking: 6

U Conn had a chance to get a decent win against an SEC team and even had a late lead, but ultimately couldn't get it done.

The Huskies have serious quarterback and offensive issues, not scoring an offensive touchdown and only gaining 193 total yards.

Up Next: Sept. 16 vs. Iowa State

4. Syracuse (2-0, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 21-14 vs. Rhode Island

Last Week's Ranking: 4

Winning ugly has been the motto of the Orange so far this season, squeaking out an overtime win against Wake Forest in Week 1 and barely defeating Rhode Island last week.

That doesn't send a good message for this week's trip to the west coast, but Syracuse is 2-0. It could be worse.

Up Next: Sept. 17 at USC

3. Pittsburgh (2-0, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 35-29 vs. Maine

Last Week's Ranking: 3

Speaking of winning ugly, that brings us to Pitt who barely squeaked by Maine last week.

The Panthers' pass defense is non-existent and it could haunt them all season.

On the offensive side of the ball, running back Ray Graham is proving to be a stud, but quarterback Tino Sunseri has to play better or it could be a very long season in Pittsburgh.

Up Next: Sept. 17 at Iowa

2. South Florida (2-0, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 37-7 vs. Ball State

Last Week's Ranking: 2

South Florida is closing the gap on West Virginia for top honors in the conference.

The Bulls were the best looking team in the Big East last week and are doing it with a very good defense and solid play from quarterback B.J. Daniels.

Daniels has all the ability in the world, but the knock on him has always been taking care of the football, something he has done early on in 2011. If he keeps it up, he and the Bulls could be in store for a big year.

Up Next: Sept. 24 vs. Florida A&M.

1. West Virginia (2-0, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 55-12 vs. Norfolk State

Last Week's Ranking: 1

The Mountaineers have been accustomed to slow starts under new head coach Dana Holgorsen. They even trailed Norfolk State at the half on Saturday.

But once they get going, look out.

It's been ugly at times in Morgantown, but the important thing for WVU fans is the final results have been great.

Two lopsided wins keep West Virginia at the top of the heap, but starting quicker and maintaining it should be a priority the next couple of weeks.

Up Next: Sept. 17 at Maryland