College Football Rankings: Big East Power Rankings Heading into Week 11

After a week off, I'm back with the latest edition of the Big East power rankings.

In the two weeks since my last rankings, the conference has made more noise off the field than it has on the field.

On the field though, the action is unpredictable as ever, as it's nearly impossible to predict who will win from one week to the next.

So let's jump right into this week's Big East Conference power rankings.

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

Last Week: lost 20-17 at Rutgers

Up Next: November 11 at Syracuse

Well, count me as one guy who never saw this one coming.

After a 4-0 start to the season, climbing as high as No. 16 in the nation, you would think entering Big East Conference play that there would be nowhere to go but up for the Bulls.

Yet after back-to-back losses to UConn and Rutgers, the Bulls find themselves winless in the lowly Big East.

Now it may be a struggle for South Florida to even become bowl-eligible.

7. Pittsburgh (4-5, 2-2)

Last Week: lost 26-23 vs. Cincinnati

Up Next: November 12 at Louisville

Pitt had a chance to control its own destiny but blew another second-half lead, this time in a 26-23 loss to Cincinnati.

On the season, the Panthers haven't beaten an FBS team with a winning record.

6. Syracuse (5-4, 1-3)

Last Week: lost 28-21 at UConn

Up Next: November 11 vs. South Florida

Talk about another team that's impossible to figure out. I give you Syracuse.

Just two weeks after pasting West Virginia, the Orange predictably lose back-to-back games against Louisville and UConn.

Syracuse has been in many close games this season and their biggest problem has been beating themselves. No team in the conference shoots itself in the foot as much as Syracuse.

5. Connecticut (4-5, 2-2)

Last Game: beat Syracuse 28-21

Up Next: bye

The week off is coming at a bad time for UConn who, after looking so poorly for so many weeks—including a blowout loss to West Virginia just a couple weeks ago—have rebounded to play their best football of the season.

The team that has no offense and can't defend the pass has won two of their last three games, beating both South Florida and Syracuse.

4. West Virginia (6-3, 2-2)

Last Week: lost 38-35 vs. Louisville

Up Next: November 12 at Cincinnati

The Mountaineers land at No. 4 despite holding a win over No. 3 Rutgers. They simply haven't played good football over the past three weeks.

That seems to be a trend among Big East teams, but while WVU's offense has been potent, the defense and special teams have been lousy of late.

3. Rutgers (6-3, 3-2)

Last Week: beat South Florida 20-17

Up Next: November 12 at Army

Rutgers had a nice comeback win Saturday against South Florida and seem to have things on track to become bowl-eligible. It's been quite the improvement from a team that won only one Big East game a season ago.

2. Louisville (5-4, 3-1)

Last Week: beat West Virginia 38-35

Up Next: November 12 vs. Pitt

This same Louisville team that couldn't beat the likes of FIU and Marshall at home have won three straight conference games.

How can you explain that?

One thing I do know is that true freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is going to be a force in the Big East for some time to come.

1. Cincinnati (7-1, 3-0)

Last Week: beat Pitt 26-23

Up Next: November 12 vs. West Virginia

The Bearcats have gained control of the Big East Conference with Saturday's win over Pitt.

This Cincinnati team hasn't been dominant but the important thing is that they are winning, and looking at the rest of the conference at the moment, that's something only they can claim.