West Virginia Blown Out by Syracuse: 10 Non-AQ Teams That Could Win the Big East

Last night the Big East football conference was turned upside down when the top-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers were blown out by unranked Syracuse. The loss is not only embarrassing for the Mountaineers, but it turns the Big East into a dog fight.

The 49-23 trouncing put Syracuse into a three-way tie for second place and one-half game behind the Cincinnati Bearcats for the lead in the Big East. It will be easy to say that this conference is so close right now, due to parody, but it is most likely this close due to mediocrity. The Bearcats, sitting at 1-0 in conference play, remain the only team without a loss in conference.

The conference is in the middle of some transition as several teams will be leaving and other schools will be extended invites to become a member. This may open the door for several non-AQ teams to become a part of the Big East. In fact, a quick look around the country reveals 10 non-AQ teams that could win the Big East right now.

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars are ranked in the Top 25 of the college football polls and they are 6-0 on the season. That would put them into the top spot in the Big East. They have an explosive offense led by quarterback Case Keenum and put up big numbers on the scoreboard every week.

Their approach to winning football games and the way they are executing on the field would make them an easy selection as a team that could win the Big East right now.

Temple Owls

Temple is a team that has the potential to jump to the Big East, and after looking over the current field, they could win the conference right now. Temple is 5-2 in their current conference and that record would put them in the hunt in the Big East.

This team wins with defense and has posted back-to-back shutouts. That is the exact recipe that could win the Big East this year.

SMU Mustangs

The SMU Mustangs are my second selection from Conference USA. The Mustangs would have a very good shot of winning the Big East this year. They are playing very well since June Jones took over at the helm and have rattled off five straight victories coming into this week of play.

The Mustangs won on the road at TCU, proving they can play in a hostile environment and winning in the Big East would be no problem.

Boise State Broncos

The Boise State Broncos are better than any team right now in the Big East. With the talent and the depth that this team has, there is no doubt that they could win the Big East today. Kellen Moore is more deserving of the Heisman Trophy than any other current player in the conference.

Boise State would win the Big East if they were in that conference this year and it wouldn’t even be close.

TCU Horned Frogs

TCU had originally signed up to be a member of the Big East, but they paid to get out of it, when a spot in the Big 12 opened up. They could see the writing on the wall in that conference and realized that they would have better competition in another conference.

At 4-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference, TCU could win the Big East this year.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Is there any question how well the Irish would do in the Big East? Head coach Brian Kelly would be in the running for the Big East title every year. The talent on the current 4-2 team is not even comparable to the talent on some of the better teams in the current conference.

Not only would Notre Dame dominate the recruiting in the area, but they would dominate the conference.

BYU Cougars

The BYU Cougars would never join the Big East. They just gained their independence and travel would be a nightmare. However, the way they are playing this year they could easily win the conference. They have played well on the road in tough situations and have a four-game winning streak.

If part of the floundering Big East, the Cougars could be on top.

San Diego State Aztecs

The Mountain West Conference is filled with teams that could win the Big East. The San Diego Aztecs are another team that will make the list. They are 4-2 on the season and just fourth in the MWC, but they still have the talent to win in the Big East this year.

Their only losses were on the road at Michigan and to TCU, and they could compete with anyone in the current conference.

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns

The Sun Belt conference has a few teams that could win in the Big East this year. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns lost the opening game to Oklahoma State and have since rattled off six straight victories to go to the top of the conference.

They may be a lesser-known team in college football, but they still have the talent to win the Big East right now. They are not the only team in the Sun Belt that is capable of this feat.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

The Arkansas State Red Wolves recently beat FIU on ESPN and could get used to the national television spotlight. They are 4-2 on the season and 2-0 in the Sun Belt, and they have yet to play a conference game at home.

They have the ability to quickly put points on the board and could easily compete in the Big East today.

Big Least?

For years, critics of the Big East have labeled the conference the Big Least. This year, more than ever, that moniker may be appropriate.

The Big East is in a state of flux and that can now include the play on the field. Several teams across the country would love a chance to play in and win the Big East.

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail], also follow him on twitter