College Football Rankings: Power Ranking the Big East Heading Into Week 5

As Big East Conference play is set to begin, it's a good time to look at the entire conference so far up to this point in the season.

Many felt that the conference as a whole wouldn't be much better than it was in 2010, and it's pretty hard to argue that.

To this point, Big East teams are a combined 21-9. They had a couple decent wins against BCS Conference teams, but overall, it has been a disappointing four weeks.

Overall, the Big East is 5-8 against other BCS Conference members, with the only good win being South Florida's Week 1 victory over Notre Dame. The other four are Cincinnati against North Carolina State, Louisville against Kentucky, Syracuse against Wake Forest and West Virginia against Maryland.

While there aren't many good wins, there are plenty of losses, including West Virginia's 26-point beat down at the hands of LSU.

Pitt lost to Iowa after blowing a 21-point lead and lost to Notre Dame last week. Syracuse got blown out by USC, Cincinnati lost to Tennessee and Connecticut lost to both Iowa State and Vanderbilt.

Thrown in Rutgers loss to North Carolina, and it hasn't been a good start for the conference.

Let's see what changes there are in the power rankings as Big East play is set to begin.

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

Last Week's Result: won 17-3 at Buffalo

Last Week's Ranking: 8

Boy, do the Huskies miss Jordan Todman.

The offense still isn't performing, and they are playing three quarterbacks still. Lucky for them, they still have a week to attempt to figure things out before they enter conference play.

Up Next: Sept. 29 vs Western Michigan

7. Rutgers (2-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won vs. Ohio 38-26

Last Week's Ranking: 7

The offense broke out last week after struggling in their first two games.

The Scarlet Knights racked up  410 yards against the Bobcats. Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu delivered with a big performance, catching 16 passes for 176 yards and two scores.

Up Next: Oct 1 at Syracuse

6. Syracuse (3-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 33-30 vs. Toledo

Last Week's Ranking: 5

The Orange could possibly be the least impressive 3-1 team in the nation.

They got lucky Saturday, with a bad call going their way on an extra point that likely would have them sitting at 2-2 instead of 3-1.

Up Next: Oct 1 vs Rutgers

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

Last Week's Result: lost 15-12 vs Notre Dame

Last Week's Ranking: 4

All the hype about Todd Graham and his high octane offense has been forgotten about, especially if Graham continues to throw his players under the bus in the media.

The offense isn't very good, and the defense is worse.

They have major issues at quarterback, on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield, but this team is strange.

They are realistically a couple plays away from being 4-0, but are also a couple plays away from being 0-4

Up Next: Sept. 29 vs. South Florida

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

Last Week's Result: Bye

Last Week's Ranking: 3

The Cardinals are coming off what is considered a big win in Big East terms when they beat Kentucky a couple of weeks ago.

Not having a game last week, they still stay in the top half of the rankings.

Up Next: Oct 1 vs Marshall

3. Cincinnati (3-1, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won 44-14 vs North Carolina State

Last Week's Ranking: 6

Not only did they beat an ACC team at home, they made a statement not to overlook them in the Big East.

Their main problem has been turnovers, and the Bearcats are suddenly No. 1 in the nation in turnover margin.

Up Next: Oct 1 at Miami (OH)

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

Last Week's Result: lost 47-21 vs LSU

Last Week's Ranking: 2

The Mountaineers had a chance to make a statement, but failed miserably. There is no crime in losing to LSU at all, but a 26-point drubbing at home is a tough one to take.

It's back to easy competition for WVU this week, but it's probably a good thing, as they will look to put four quarters of football together for the first time this season.

The LSU loss isn't horrible. They gave probably the best team in the nation right now their best punch, but were simply overmatched. Not many teams can compete with LSU, but the mistakes killed WVU in the end.

Their passing attack is deadly and are likely still the favorite in the conference.

Up Next: Oct 1 vs Bowling Green

1. South Florida (4-0, 0-0)

Last Week's Result: won vs. UTEP 52-24

Last Week's Ranking: 2

The Bulls have made a living beating up on a trio of cupcakes, but they have the best win to date and are the most impressive looking team in the conference.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels is off to a great start this season, throwing for 1,071 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception.

Up Next: Sept 29 at Pitt