Big East Breakdown: Rutgers, Louisville maintain lead as conference play kicks off

Regular conference play in Big East football opens this weekend with three important matchups,…Regular conference play in Big East football opens this weekend with three important matchups, starting with Pitt’s showdown against Syracuse on Friday night.

While Rutgers and Louisville have looked impressive against nonconference foes, Big East play will be what decides their respective seasons. In past years, schools that looked great early in the season have fallen on hard times as they began playing fellow Big East schools, so the Scarlet Knights and Cardinals will hope to buck that trend.

As the race for the conference’s automatic bid to a BCS game gets underway, here are my weekly rankings of the Big East’s eight football teams:

1. Rutgers

First-year head coach Kyle Flood’s team enjoyed a week off after a 4-0 start to the season. The bye week appeared well-timed for the Scarlet Knights, after they upset Arkansas on the road, allowing Rutgers to stay focused and prepare for its Big East schedule.

The No. 22 Scarlet Knights rode momentum through the first third of their season and need to keep that momentum going. Look for Rutgers to be rusty early against Connecticut this Saturday, but the defense, which is tied for ninth nationally in points allowed, should carry the Scarlet Knights to another victory.

2. Louisville

For the second-straight week, the No. 19 Cardinals looked uninspired against a non-BCS squad, but Louisville still recorded the win and improved to 5-0 with a 21-17 win at Southern Mississippi.

The Cardinals trailed the Golden Eagles 17-6 late in the first half, but 15 unanswered points by Louisville were capped with a lead-gaining touchdown with 5:35 remaining in the game. On defense, the Cardinals didn’t concede a second-half point, allowing for the successful comeback. Louisville now has two weeks to prepare for its Big East opener at Pittsburgh.

3. Cincinnati

The Bearcats narrowly missed earning a spot in the top 25 of the Associated Press’ weekly rankings following their 27-24 come-from-behind victory over Virginia Tech.

With 13 seconds remaining in the game, Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux connected for a 39-yard touchdown, giving his team the lead and the upset victory. Offensively, the Bearcats finished with 495 yards as Legaux helped by throwing for 376 yards and adding another 27 rushing the ball.

If Cincinnati can take care of in-state rival Miami (Ohio) and Rutgers defeats UConn, the Big East will likely own three teams in the top 25 next week.

4. Connecticut

The Huskies looked impressive early against Buffalo, jumping out to a 24-7 lead in the third quarter, but they allowed the Bulls to fight back. After surviving a late scare, UConn held on for the win, 24-17.

The Bulls stuffed the box and didn’t allow Huskie rusher Lyle McCombs to beat them on the ground. Instead, Coach Paul Pasqualoni turned to the air attack to get the win for Connecticut as quarterback Chandler Whitmer completed 15-of-22 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown.

UConn needs to be more balanced to put up points against the talented Rutgers defense this weekend.

5. Pittsburgh

Taking a week off, Pitt reflected on its first four games. After two embarrassing losses, first-year head coach Paul Chryst’s team rebounded and won in impressive fashion against Virgina Tech and Gardner-Webb.

Pitt had two weeks to prepare for a matchup against Syracuse, and the Panthers will hope to extend their winning streak to three on Friday as the two future ACC schools meet for the last time as Big East members.

6. South Florida

The Bulls faced an uphill battle last weekend — one that they never really had the chance of winning — as No. 4 Florida State traveled down the state to take on South Florida.

The Seminoles racked up 425 yards, outgaining USF by 157 yards in the 30-17 victory. A 17-point third quarter sealed the deal for Florida State.

On a three-game slide, the Bulls hope to turn things around in the Big East when they face Temple in Philadelphia.

7. Temple

Last week was a popular bye week, as the Owls were off, as well. But not much has changed in two weeks for Temple.

After a disappointing loss a few weeks ago to Penn State, this week’s matchup with South Florida gives the Owls a chance at a fresh start. In its first conference game back in the Big East, Temple will look for a victory at home, but a loss has potential to start a downward spiral, as the Owls head on the road in three of their next four games.

8. Syracuse

The Orange were once touted as the best 0-2 team in the country. Now 1-3, Syracuse needs a win against Pitt if it has any desire to rise from the bottom of the conference.

Syracuse’s talented passing attack — ranked No. 10 nationally — could expose the Panthers’ secondary, but the Orange will need some production from their rushers to keep Pitt from dropping seven players into pass coverage.