Big East Power Ranking: South Florida has found rock bottom

[Bulls1181]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/college-football-rapidreports/20509982/big-east-power-ranking-south-florida-has-found-rock-bottom

Here's CBSSports.com's Rapid Reports Big East power ranking:

1. Louisville (5-0, 0-0 Big East): Any one of three teams could occupy this spot, but until the triumvirate of Louisville, Rutgers and Cincinnati play one another -- or lose -- there's no real justification in moving one ahead on the other. The Cardinals open Big East play this weekend, and have been somewhat unimpressive this season, despite their obvious talent. The Cards can break out at any moment -- and you don't want to be the team on the other end of that. Last week's power ranking: 1. Next up: at Pittsburgh, Saturday, 11 a.m. ET (ESPNU)

2. Rutgers (5-0, 2-0 Big East): The Scarlet Knights were dominant Saturday against Connecticut, but had trouble offensively. If Rutgers is going to win the Big East, it will need a consistent offense to go along with its second-ranked rush defense. That falls on quarterback Gary Nova and running back Jawan Jamison, who have both shown at different times this season the ability to produce. Last week's power ranking: 2. Next up: vs. Syracuse, Saturday, noon ET (Big East Network)

3. Cincinnati (4-0, 1-0 Big East): The Bearcats smoked Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, which may not sound like much, but the Redhawks have been tough to stop on offense. Despite allowing an early score, Cincy dominated for most of the game, but we won't really know where the Bearcats stand for a few weeks. Two more cupcakes for the Cincinnati until it hits the meat of its schedule. Last week's power ranking: 3. Next up: vs. Fordham, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

4. Syracuse (2-3, 1-0 Big East): This is where things start to get messy. The Orange have been all over the place this season, but despite their ups and downs, they have played every opponent fairly close (including Stony Brook, unfortunately). This position in the ranking may be short-lived, however, given that they travel to Rutgers this weekend. Last week's power ranking: 7. Next up: at Rutgers, Saturday, noon ET (Big East Network)

5. Pittsburgh (2-3, 0-2 Big East): The Panthers are better than their record suggests, but they haven't been able to get on a roll. They had a really good shot Friday night at Syracuse, but had trouble finding the end zone against an Orange defense that made several big plays. The Panthers need Ray Graham. He's close to being back to his old self, just not quite there yet. Last week's power ranking: 4. Next up: vs. Louisville, Saturday, 11 a.m. ET (ESPNU)

6. Temple (2-2, 1-0 Big East): The Owls got a big win Saturday over South Florida to christen their return to Big East, and they'll be looking to make it two straight when they face fellow bottom-feeder Connecticut this week. Temple has a chance to turn some heads if it can get Boston College transfer running back Montel Harris going. Harris had a 35-yard touchdown run to seal the win over the Bulls. Last week's power ranking: 8. Next up: at Connecticut, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

7. Connecticut (3-3, 0-1 Big East): The Huskies are really struggling offensively, but their defense is good enough to keep them in games, at least. Sophomore running back Lyle McCombs has been a bust so far, and UConn needs him to take the pressure off quarterback Chandler Whitmer, who has shown brief glimpses of being a serviceable signal caller. Last week's power ranking: 6. Next up: vs. Temple, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

8. South Florida (2-4, 0-2 Big East): There isn't much to say for the Bulls apart from the fact that they are massively underperforming. USF has lost four straight, including road losses to Ball State and Temple, and it really isn't showing signs of improvement. Coach Skip Holtz signed an extension over the summer, but the natives in Tampa are growing restless. Last week's power ranking: 5. Next up: at Louisville, Saturday, Oct. 20

[Bulls1181]

"but the natives in Tampa are growing restless"