Owls ranked sixth in Big East Power Rankings
Big East Power Rankings: Week 7
Temple is no longer in the Big East basement.
The Owls (2-2, 1-0 Big East) moved up two spots to sixth place in my updated Big East Power Rankings after beating South Florida on Saturday.
Once regarded as nothing more than the youthful doormat of the conference, the Owls are starting to garner respect.
Here's a look at my power rankings:
1. RUTGERS (5-0, 2-0)
Skinny: The 20th-ranked Scarlet Knights is a good ol' fashioned lunch pail team. Rutgers is 5-0 for the first time since 2006 due to packing a powerful running game and stingy defense.
Previous ranking: 1
Up next: vs. Syracuse at noon Saturday
2. LOUISVILLE (5-0)
Skinny: Prior to the bye week, the 18th-ranked Cardinals had closer-than-expected victories over Florida International and Southern Mississippi. There's a sense that Louisville might be overrated. Can it avoid an upset at Pittsburgh on Saturday?
Previous ranking: 2
Up next: at Pittsburgh at 11 a.m. Saturday
3. CINCINNATI (4-0, 1-0)
Skinny: The 21st-ranked Bearcats are off to a 4-0 start for the third time in five seasons. Their seven-game winning streak, dating back to last season, is the conference's longest active win streak.
Previous ranking: 3
Up next: vs. Fordham 7 p.m. Saturday
4. SYRACUSE (2-3, 1-0)
Skinny: The Orange offense wasn't exactly impressive in Friday's victory over Pittsburgh. However, solid defense enabled Syracuse to snap a seven-game losing streak to the Panthers.
Previous ranking: 7
Up next: at Rutgers at noon Friday
5. CONNECTICUT (3-3, 0-1)
Skinny: The Huskies have allowed just one first-quarter touchdown this season. They are coming off a 19-3 loss to Rutgers. Is that a bad sign for Temple? UConn has not won nor lost back-to-back games this season.
Previous ranking: 6
Up next: vs. Temple at noon Saturday
6. TEMPLE (2-2, 1-0)
Skinny: There's a lot of pride on North Broad after the Owls made a statement by winning their first Big East game since being kicked out after the 2004 season. Can Temple avoid a letdown against UConn?
Previous ranking: 8
Up next: at Connecticut at noon Saturday
7. PITTSBURGH (2-3, 0-2)
Skinny: The Panthers were the talk of the conference after beating Virginia Tech. But that's the same VTech team on a three-game skid.
Previous ranking: 4
Up next: vs. Louisville at 11 Saturday
8. SOUTH FLORIDA (2-4, 0-2)
Skinny: The Bulls have serious problems, losing 10 of 11 conference games dating back to November 2010. South Florida is also on a four-game skid.
Previous ranking: 5
Up next: at Louisville on Oct. 20
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