Big East Breakdown: Strong defense makes Rutgers favorite to win conference

The Big East entered this past weekend with three opportunities to knock off BCS teams — two…The Big East entered this past weekend with three opportunities to knock off BCS teams — two were against Atlantic Coast Conference teams, which raided the Big East again on Wednesday when Notre Dame announced its pending move to the ACC.

But unfortunately for the Big East, its members went 0-3 in those BCS matchups.

Connecticut’s offense was stifled by North Carolina State in a 10-7 loss, Temple gave up 36 points in a loss to Maryland, and Syracuse fought valiantly but fell, 42-29, to No. 2 Southern California. Those defeats do nothing to help a conference with an already poor football reputation.

Heading into a week where Louisville, which has the only Big East win against a BCS team this year, takes on North Carolina, and Pitt hosts Virginia Tech, here are my weekly rankings of the eight Big East football teams:

1. Rutgers

The conference’s best defense continues to hold the top ranking in this week’s breakdown.

The Scarlet Knights got their first shutout in a 26-0 win over Howard, and junior running back Jawan Jamison had his second 100-yard game of the season. But the defense’s stellar performance showed why Rutgers feels like it can win the Big East this season.

Although yet to face quality competition, Rutgers’ defense is fourth in the nation in points allowed.

2. Louisville

The Cardinals took care of business again in week two, defeating Missouri State easily, 35-7.

Sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had another excellent day — going 30-for-39 for 344 yards with two touchdowns — and he appears to be the early front-runner for Big East Offensive Player of the Year.

This week’s test against North Carolina will show just how good the Cardinals are.

3. South Florida

USF didn’t beat a BCS team in its week-two game, but the Bulls downed a quality football team in Nevada on the road.

In the tight 32-31 victory, USF quarterback B.J. Daniels threw his third touchdown toss of the game — a 56-yarder — with 38 seconds remaining. The senior passed for 363 yards in the victory, but the Bulls have yet to develop a balanced rushing attack, which could hurt them in Big East play.

4. Cincinnati

The Bearcats looked impressive in their win over Pitt last week, although junior quarterback Munchie Legaux missed several open receivers. And against tougher competition, those mistakes will come back to hurt the Cincinnati quarterback.

Cincinnati will look to keep its confidence level high against FCS opponent Delaware State this weekend before its showdown with No. 13 Virginia Tech.

5. Syracuse

Despite their 0-2 record, the Orange have looked pretty good this season.

Syracuse played Northwestern to the wire and lost by less than two touchdowns against national-championship contender USC last weekend.

Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib is third in the nation in passing yards, and if Syracuse had played two easy games to start the season, it would be 2-0 and getting mentions for the top spot. Look out for the Orange in the coming weeks.

6. Connecticut

Offensively, the Huskies struggled in the 10-7 loss to North Carolina State.

Sophomore quarterback Chandler Whitmer tossed three interceptions, and running back Lyle McCombs averaged only three yards per carry as UConn failed to move the ball consistently.

The Connecticut defense kept the team in the game, but the offense is far behind.

7. Temple

A 36-27 loss to an ACC team shouldn’t be that demoralizing for a Big East team — especially one that’s just returning to the conference.

However, it is a bad loss when it’s against a Maryland team that only beat FCS-school William & Mary by one point last week.

The Owls, who remain the only major college football program in the state of Pennsylvania with a win, travel to Penn State this weekend.

8. Pittsburgh

Down two touchdowns in the first five minutes against Cincinnati, the Panthers were never able to recover.

Pitt showed signs of life several times, but wasted red-zone opportunities, and defensive lapses condemned the Panthers to their second straight embarrassing defeat.

With the Panthers’ toughest opponent of the season in Virginia Tech coming to town this Saturday, Coach Paul Chryst’s squad will likely start the campaign 0-3.