ITLH Big East Power Rankings: Week 10

Every Tuesday, Inside the Loud House will release it’s Big East power rankings. Check back each week to see where teams have risen or fallen each week.

1. Rutgers: Rutgers is the only unbeaten in the conference, and although I don’t believe they will be the Big East champions, there is no justification for them to be number two behind a Louisville team that got blown out against Syracuse. The Scarlet Knights have to head to Pittsburgh this weekend, in what could be a big game for them. If Louisville can somehow get upset by Connecticut and Rutgers defeats Pitt, the B1G bound Scarlet Knights will find themselves in a BCS bowl before even playing Louisville.
2. Louisville: Louisville has had a bye week to think about their loss to Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. The Cardinals were left dumbfounded after being dominated in almost every facet of the game. However, the Cardinals still control their own destiny, and can get to a BCS game with wins over Connecticut and Rutgers. The Cardinals are certainly the more talented team, but Rutgers has proven they can win close games all season long. This game could potentially be like a Big East championship game, and I for one would love to see it.
3. Syracuse: The Orange pushed their way to a bowl birth last week in a thrilling win over Missouri. Syracuse is playing great football right now, and is a couple bounces of the football the other way to be right in contention for the Big East championship with Rutgers and Louisville. If the Orange win this weekend, they will need Rutgers to lose their final two games while needing Louisville to lose to Connecticut. It’s a long shot, but the fact that Syracuse is still somewhat in the hunt is incredible. Syracuse fans should hope for a win this weekend over Temple not only to finish the season strong, but to more than likely secure a spot in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium as well.
4. Cincinnati: The Bearcats are coming off of a frustrating loss to Rutgers at home, only scoring a field goal in the effort against a tough Rutgers defense. The Bearcats have two very winnable games to end the season against South Florida and Connecticut, and they could find themselves sitting with a nine win season heading in to a bowl game. It seems frustrating for Cincinnati fans to look at the nine wins though, as a third of them came against Delaware State, Miami (OH), and Fordham. If the Bearcats are going to consider themselves to have had a good conference showing this season, they have to win these next two games.
5. Temple:  The Owls have nothing but pride to play for this weekend against Syracuse, as they are already eliminated from bowl contention. The Owls stopped a four game skid against Army last week, where running back Montel Harris rushed for 350 yards and 7 touchdowns. That is about the only success Temple has on offense though, as they are 120th in the BCS in passing.
6. Pittsburgh:  The Panthers are coming off of an absolutely embarrassing loss to Connecticut last week. The Panthers gave the Huskies what will probably be their only Big East win of the season, while raising a lot of questions as to what is going on for Pittsburgh. The Panthers need to win out in order to make a bowl game, and it is very possible to do so. I’m not comfortable enough to call the upset, but don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh hands Rutgers their first Big East loss of the season this weekend.
7. Connecticut: The Huskies stay out of the basement of the Big East only because South Florida no longer has their best player. It is probably the most amazing thing to me that Connecticut can actually play in the post season, despite the terrible football they have played this season. Should UConn make a bowl game, they will look at close wins over Buffalo and Pittsburgh as the wins that saved their season. They have their work cut out for them, though. The Huskies play Louisville and Cincinnati to end the season, and must beat them both.
8. South Florida: The Bulls are just counting the days until the season ends. Not only were they on course for an absolutely disappointing year that was full of preseason expectations, but they now are finishing the season without BJ Daniels, who is out for the remainder of his Bulls career. The good news for USF fans? It’s basketball season, and the Bulls have the best team  they have had in years.