SB Nation New York - Big East Football Power Rankings, Week 1: USF Best In First Weekhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-09-05T11:45:21-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21701012011-09-05T11:45:21-04:002011-09-05T11:45:21-04:00Big East Football Notebook 9.5.11: Top Performers, Results And Upcoming Schedule
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<p>-- SB Nation New York's <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/9/5/2404713/big-east-football-south-florida-west-virginia-cincinnati-syracuse-pittsburgh-uconn-louisville">Week 1 Power Rankings</a>.
<br>-- Want more of the Big East Conference? Check out SB Nation's <a href="http://www.bigeastcoastbias.com/">Big East Coast Bias</a>.</p> <p>All eight football programs in the Big East Conference earned victories last week, a feat that only one other FBS conference, the Big 12, was able to pull off. Now, only two of those Big East victories came against a ranked opponent -- South Florida defeated Notre Dame (No. 16 in the AP Poll and No. 18 in the USA Today poll), 23-20 -- or a BCS-conference team -- Syracuse edged Wake Forest, 36-29, Thursday in overtime -- but, a lot of FBS programs played cupcakes in Week 1 and the Big East did its job.</p>
<p><i>(Click the link to check out SB Nation New York's <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/9/5/2404713/big-east-football-south-florida-west-virginia-cincinnati-syracuse-pittsburgh-uconn-louisville">Week 1 Power Rankings</a>.)</i></p>
<p>Now, without further delay lets check out this week's top performers:</p>
<p><b>Quarterbacks: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37686/b-j-daniels">B.J. Daniels</a>, USF</b></p>
<p>The junior didn't light up the stat sheet -- completed 18-of-30 passes with 128 yards and a touchdown, including 37-rushing yards -- but, he was very effective in the Bulls 23-20 victory over host Notre Dame. Daniels made a lot of good plays and used his legs to extend drives.</p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51839/will-stein">Will Stein</a> (junior, Louisville): 17-of-32, 226 yards with two TDs.</li>
<li>Zach Collars (senior, Cincinnati): 12-of-19, 134 yards with four TDs.</li>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib">Ryan Nassib</a> (Senior, Syracuse): 20-of-28, 174 yards with three TDs.</li>
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<p><b>Running backs: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a>, Pittsburgh</b></p>
<p>The junior ran all over the Buffalo defense totaling 201 rushing yards and scoring three touchdowns.</p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113330/lyle-mccombs">Lyle McCombs</a> (freshman, UConn): 24 carries, 141 yards and four TDs.</li>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37762/antwon-bailey">Antwon Bailey</a> (senior, Syracuse): 24 carries, 114 yards and two TDs.</li>
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<p><b>Defense: Rutgers </b></p>
<p>The opponent, North Carolina Central, wasn't the greatest, but the Scarlet Knights held the Eagles scoreless and with just 120 yards of total offense. Defensive lineman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6241/justin-francis">Justin Francis</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37597/scott-vallone">Scott Vallone</a> each tallied two sacks, while defensive back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/87460/duron-harmon">Duron Harmon</a> snagged two interceptions.</p>
<p><b>Special Teams:</b> <b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37693/maikon-bonani">Maikon Bonani</a>, USF</b></p>
<p>The junior made 3-of-4 field-goal attempts, including a 49-yarder, in the first half of the Bulls victory over the Fighting Irish. Without those kicks, South Florida doesn't pull off the upset.</p>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134367/shane-raupers">Shane Raupers</a> (Junior, Syracuse): Seven punts, 44.0 yard average, including a 51 yarder.<br>
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<p>Here's last week's results (bold teams were home):</p>
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<b>Syracuse 36</b>, Wake Forest 29</li>
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<b>Rutgers 48</b>, North Carolina Central 0</li>
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<b>Louisville 21</b>, Murray St. 9</li>
<li>South Florida 23, <b>Notre Dame 20</b>
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<b>Connecticut 35</b>, Fordham 3</li>
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<b>Cincinnati 72</b>, Austin Peay 10</li>
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<b>West Virginia 34</b>, Marshall 13</li>
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<p>Here's this weekend's upcoming television schedule:</p>
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<li>Louisville at Florida International -- Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN</li>
<li>Rutgers at North Carolina -- Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on ACC Network</li>
<li>Maine at Pittsburgh -- Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN3</li>
<li>Norfolk State at West Virginia -- Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2</li>
<li>Rhode Island at Syracuse -- Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on SNY</li>
<li>Ball State at South Florida -- Saturday at 7 p.m. on Big East Network<br>
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<li>Connecticut at Vanderbilt -- Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on CSS</li>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/9/5/2405005/big-east-football-week-2-tv-schedule-bj-daniels-ray-graham-rutgers-maikon-bonaniJared Smith2011-09-05T07:57:03-04:002011-09-05T07:57:03-04:00Big East Football Power Rankings, Week 1: South Florida Earns Top Spot
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<img alt="SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 03: B.J. Daniels #7 of the University of South Florida Bulls throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 3, 2011 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QuIyUeKvIKigzWL4LMjTil1jyik=/0x180:509x519/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3906627/123498688.jpg" />
<figcaption>SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 03: B.J. Daniels #7 of the University of South Florida Bulls throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 3, 2011 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>-- Need a recap of what happened during Week 1? Well, here's the SB Nation New York's <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/9/4/2404044/big-east-football-usf-uconn-cincinnati-pittsburgh-notre-dame-scores/in/2166836">Saturday round up</a>.
<br>-- Want more of the Big East Conference? Check out SB Nation's <a href="http://www.bigeastcoastbias.com/">Big East Coast Bia</a>s.</p> <p>The first weekend of Big East Conference football is in the books and all eight programs came out of it undefeated. But, that doesn't mean there wasn't enough information to put together the first SB Nation New York Big East Football Power Rankings!</p>
<p>The power-ranking formula is simple, I watch or track each Big East contest during the week and piece this sucker together Sunday. So, without further delay here's Week 1's results:</p>
<p><b>1.) South Florida (1-0, 0-0 Big East)</b></p>
<p>This weekend, the biggest non-conference victory for the Big East came at South Bend, where USF upset Notre Dame, 23-20. Many will make the argument that the Fighting Irish, who committed five turnovers, including three deep inside Bulls territory, lost the game more than USF actually won the game. I'm not going to debate that argument, but the fact is the Bulls defense forced turnovers at the right time and put enough points on the board to beat a ranked opponent on the road.</p>
<p>Quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37686/b-j-daniels">B.J. Daniels</a>, who passed for 128 yards on 18-of-30 passing and two touchdowns, while running for another 37 yards, was effective and looked as if he's ready to break out this season. So, with that the Bulls deserve Week 1's top spot.</p>
<p><b>2.) West Virginia (1-0, 0-0)</b></p>
<p>The Mountaineers had their ups-and-downs Sunday afternoon in a 34-13, weather-shortened victory over in-state rival Marshall. Quarterback Geno Smith was stellar, throwing for 235 yards on 26-of-35 passing and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the WVU running attack (42 yards on 26 carries) was almost non-existent. With that said, the Mountaineers are still the most talented team in the Big East and I am sure it will not be long until they reach the top spot.</p>
<p><b>3.) Cincinnati (1-0, 0-0)</b></p>
<p>The Bearcats opened its season Saturday night with a 72-10 drubbing of non-conference opponent Austin Peay. In an impressive-team effort, quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/5767/zach-collaros">Zach Collaros</a> tossed for 134 yards and four TDs and helped the offense total 500-plus yards. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati defense allowed just 210 yards and forced five turnovers. Cincinnati did what it was supposed to do and will hope it can carry the momentum into next Saturday's match up against host Tennessee.</p>
<p><b>4.) Syracuse (1-0, 0-0)</b></p>
<p>The Orange may have played three terrible quarters of football against visiting Wake Forest, but somehow managed to play a flawless fourth quarter that helped edge the Demon Deacons, 36-29, in overtime at the Carrier Dome. Starting quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37776/ryan-nassib">Ryan Nassib</a> struggled in the first half <span style="font-size: 12px;">(7-for-13, 40 yards, a TD and sack), but turned things around in the second </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">(13-for-15, 138 yards, two TDs and zero sacks) to help the Orange rally late. </span>Yes, the win was ugly, but it was a victory against a BCS-conference team. No other Big East team did that this week.</p>
<p><b>5.) Pittsburgh (1-0, 0-0)</b></p>
<p>The new "high-octane" offense of head coach Tim Graham helped Panthers' running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75526/ray-graham">Ray Graham</a> run for 201 yards and score three TDs in a 35-16 drubbing of Buffalo. However, Pittsburgh led just 7-3 at halftime, and starting quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37486/tino-sunseri">Tino Sunseri</a> struggled with his deep throws. Also, the defense allowed 403 total yards. Next Saturday, the Panthers host another cupcake opponent in visiting Maine.</p>
<p><b>6) Connecticut (1-0, 0-0)</b></p>
<p>The Huskies cruised to a 35-3 victory over visiting Fordham Saturday afternoon. Freshman running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113330/lyle-mccombs">Lyle McCombs</a> ran for 141 yards and added four TDs, while the UConn defense allowed just 169 yards -- 58 of those yards came on one play -- and a field goal in the final seconds of regulation. Next Saturday, UConn takes on a "real" opponent in host Vanderbilt.</p>
<p><b>7.) Louisville (1-0, 0-0)</b></p>
<p>The Cardinals didn't run away with their 21-9 victory over visiting Murray State Thursday night, but they did control most of the game. Starting quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51839/will-stein">Will Stein</a> completed 17-of-32 passes for 226 yards and two TDs, while the defense forced four turnovers. What was alarming was the play of back up quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133918/teddy-bridgewater">Teddy Bridgewater</a>, who's lone drive featured two false start penalties, a delay of game penalty and an interception. Currently, every Cardinal fan is hoping nothing happens to Stein.</p>
<p><b>8.) Rutgers (1-0, 0-0)</b></p>
<p>The Scarlet Knights were able to cover the 43-point spread Thursday night in a 48-0 victory over North Carolina Central. The effort was impressive, however, I am still skeptical about RU's offensive line and the ability of quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114326/chas-dodd">Chas Dodd</a>, who completed 9-of-13 passes for 137 yards. After next weekend's match up against the University of North Carolina, we will have a better gauge of how good or bad the Scarlet Knights are.</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/9/5/2404713/big-east-football-south-florida-west-virginia-cincinnati-syracuse-pittsburgh-uconn-louisvilleJared Smith