College Football Rankings: Power Ranking the Big East Heading into Week 4

Week 3 of the Big East football season was monumental, mostly because of the off the field news though involving Pitt and Syracuse heading to the ACC.

On the field, it was about what you would expect from the eight teams in the conference, a bunch of up and down performances.

On the bright side, there were wins over the SEC and the ACC, but the week could have been much better as a whole had Pitt not collapsed late against Iowa and if Syracuse not been beaten down at the hands of USC.

The only two teams in the conference that we really know about are South Florida and West Virginia, the rest of the field we will see what they are made of as Big East Conference play nears.

Let's take a look at this week's Big East Conference Power Rankings.

8. Connecticut (1-2, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: lost 24-20 vs. Iowa State

Last Week's Ranking: 5

UConn is the only team in the league currently with a losing record and has two fourth quarter blown leads to thank for it.

Huskies head coach Paul Pasqualoni's offense is struggling big time and a  quarterback carousel isn't doing him any favors.

Johnny McEntee led the team with 188 passing yards, but completed only 13 of 30 passes and threw one interception. The rushing attack also struggled, with Lyle McCombs only gaining 46 yards.

The defense forced three early Iowa State turnovers, but the offense didn't do much with it.

Up Next: Sept. 24 at Buffalo

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

Last Week's Result: No Game

Last Week's Ranking: 6

The Scarlet Knights didn't have a game in Week 3 so it was difficult to move them anywhere, but they did make some news as running back De’Antwan Williams left the team.

Rutgers will get back at it this week and try and get back into the win column after falling short in Week 2 against North Carolina.

Up Next: Sept. 24 vs. Ohio.

6. Cincinnatti (2-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 59-14 at Akron

Last Week's Ranking: 7

The Bearcats have had no problem beating up on small teams. We will see on Thursday how they do in their second go around against a BCS Conference school.

On the bright side, the Cincinnati defense that didn't play very well against Tennessee, scored three touchdowns on Saturday. But then again, it was Akron.

Up Next: Sept. 22 vs North Carolina State

5. Syracuse (2-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: lost 38-17 at USC

Last Week's Ranking: 4

Syracuse faced the toughest competition of any Big East school in Week 3 and the trip out west did not go very well.

They do have a win over an AQ team so far and that's more than the school's below them can claim.

However, the Orange are one team I would be worried about. They haven't looked very good the past couple of weeks.

Up Next: Sept. 24 vs. Toledo

4. Pittsburgh (2-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: lost 31-27 at Iowa

Last Week's Ranking: 3

The Panthers should have had the best win of the week for a Big East program but suffered a monumental fourth quarter collapse against Iowa, making Hawkeyes quarterback James Vandenberg look like a Heisman contender in the process.

Vandenberg threw for 399 yards as the Pitt pass defense looked awful once again.

Quarterback Tino Sunseri threw two costly picks and the Panthers let one slip away.

If they don't fix their secondary issues, Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees will have a field day on Saturday.

Up Next: Sept. 24 vs. Notre Dame

3. Louisville (2-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 24-17 at Kentucky

Last Week's Ranking: 8

At this point in the season, I'm looking for wins against good competition and the Cardinals were the only one of the bottom six teams to deliver that, so they make the big jump this week.

Both the offense and defense turned in solid efforts in Saturday's win over Kentucky, including true freshman Teddy Bridgewater completing 10 of 18 pass attempts for 106 yards and two scores.

Their Week 2 loss to FIU suddenly doesn't look so bad either as the Panthers gained votes in each poll this week.

Up Next: Bye

2. South Florida (3-0, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 70-17 vs. Florida A&M

Last Week's Ranking: 2

There was no real test last week for South Florida, who started playing their backups in the first quarter.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels had a big game, throwing for 382 yards and four scores, while adding 34 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

They likely won't be tested this week either.

Up Next: Sept. 24 vs UTEP

1. West Virginia (3-0, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 37-31 at Maryland

Last Week's Ranking: 1

The Mountaineers solved their slow start issue last week—the only problem is that they didn't play well in the second half.

If WVU can ever put together two good halves of football, look out.

The offense seems to be finding its rhythm, as Geno Smith threw for 388 yards and one score against Maryland. Vernard Roberts and Andrew Buie also provided big runs, but the ground game in general should be an area of concern.

They get their only true test of the season on Saturday. We will see then if they are contenders or pretenders.

A win against LSU would be huge not only for WVU, but the Big East in general, after going through a very tough week with its future in doubt.

Up Next: Sept. 24 vs. LSU