College Football Rankings Week 7: Power Ranking the Big East

Just like last season, there isn't much excitement around the Big East Conference. With only one ranked team (West Virginia) and three teams at .500 or worse, it looks to be another below-average season of Big East Conference action.

Not every team is that bad though, and a couple are poised to give the Mountaineers a run for the money and challenge for the conference title.

Six conference teams will be in action this week. Let's take a look at how they stack up in this week's power rankings.

8. Connecticut (2-4, 0-1)

Last Week: Lost 43-16 at West Virginia

Last Week's Ranking: 8

The Huskies' defense kept it close for a half last week, but just like the rest of the season, the offense didn't produce much at all.

The secondary is becoming a concern as well; they were torched for the second straight week.

Up Next: Oct. 15 vs. South Florida

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

Last Week: Lost 14-7 at North Carolina

Last Week's Ranking: 7

Just like UConn, the Louisville offense has its issues, only scoring a combined 20 points in the past two weeks. On the bright side, freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been impressive and is proving he's the Cardinals' signal-caller of the future.

Up Next: Oct. 15 at Cincinnati

6. Pittsburgh (3-3, 1-1)

Last Week: Lost 34-10 at Rutgers

Last Week's Ranking: 2

Speaking of issues on the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers have a bundle of their own ton deal with.

Just one week after looking fantastic in a win over South Florida, Pitt looked awful in Saturday's loss at Rutgers. They keep getting special performances from running back Ray Graham, who is leading the nation in rushing, but that's all they have going for them.

Contributing to the loss to the Scarlet Knights were four Panthers turnovers and an offensive line that allowed six sacks.

Up Next: Oct. 15 vs. Utah

5. Syracuse (4-2, 0-1)

Last Week: Beat Tulane 37-34

Last Week's Ranking: 6

Somehow the Orange have four wins on the season.

They certainly haven't played that well.

Their schedule has been pretty soft, and all but one game has been decided by six points or less. Give them some credit though, they are escaping with wins.

Up Next: Bye

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

Last Week: Bye

Last Week's Ranking: 4

The Bulls' week off came at the right time for them after getting drilled by Pitt.

They should get right back on track this week at UConn, though. South Florida still has the best win of all Big East teams with their Week 1 win over Notre Dame.

Up Next: Oct. 15 at Connecticut

3. Rutgers (4-1, 2-0)

Last Week: Beat Pitt 34-10

Last Week's Ranking: 5

The first place Scarlet Knights have been a team on the rise, and with Saturday's victory over Pitt, they doubled their conference wins from a season ago.

Really, their offense isn't very good, but they have been carried by a pretty good defense. Starting a freshman quarterback likely means the offense will lack consistency, but the way the Rutgers defense forces turnovers, they will be in almost every game.

Up Next: Oct. 15 vs. Navy

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

Last Week: Bye

Last Week's Ranking: 3

The Bearcats have already matched their win total from a season ago and every week seem to look like a better football team.

The offense has some potential to be explosive, and the defense is improving. They have the chance to hang in the Big East race for a while.

Up Next: Oct. 15 vs. Louisville

1. West Virginia (5-1, 1-0)

Last Week: Beat Connecticut 43-16

Last Week's Ranking: 1

I still don't think the Mountaineers have played their best football yet, but they are still showing they are that much better than everyone else in the conference.

Quarterback Geno Smith has been outstanding, and West Virginia is starting to establish a ground game with Dustin Garrison.

The way the defense is playing, it will be tough for any team to tame WVU the rest of the season.

Up Next: Bye