It took about 1.326 seconds Monday morning for someone to ask Rutgers Greg Schiano if the Big East made a statement this past weekend. I was stunned. Schiano’s statement? We still talking about this?

You’ve got to feel a little better about things, especially given what could have gone wrong. Cincinnati and Pitt prevailed, UConn showed something, WVU was at least a likable loser, Louisville proved somewhat competent and Syracuse won. Won! Add to that losses by BYU and Utah and there wasn’t the upheaval you could have anticipated last week. Good little conference that is probably going to be decided among three or four teams and six or seven games. I guess nothing really changed, including the top team.

1. Cincinnati (3-0, LW No. 1): The last non-Pac 10 team to win in Corvallis? Montana in 1996. The UC flashed a little offense, but flexed a lot of defense to win 28-18. Several big moments from that group replacing 10 starters decided the game late. They’ll have their hands full again this week. Up next: 9/26 vs. Fresno State.

2. Pitt (3-0, LW No. 2): It was a lot closer in the fourth quarter than you might have expected it would be in the first, but the Panthers are 3-0 for just the third time in 26 years. That surprised me for some reason. Navy had its lowest rushing total in eight seasons even though Pitt was playing with a true freshman middle linebacker. What’s that? Dan Mason had 11 tackles and two sacks and was named conference defensive player of the week? Up next: 9/26 at North Carolina State.

3. West Virginia (2-1, LW N0. 3): The Mountaineers drummed up some respect through defeat at at times resembled their 2006 or 2007 selves. It’s promising, I assure you. Line up Colorado, Syracuse, Marshall and Matt Grothe-less USF and see what happens. Up next: 10/1 vs. Colorado.

4. UConn (2-1, LW No. 6): You have to give Randy Edsall this much: He always has a plan. They’ve had injuries in the past few seasons to either offensive or defensive stars and starters and the Huskies always seem to be OK. Cody Endres was capable in place of starting QB Zach Frazer and UConn’s physical brand of running and defense was a bit much for Baylor. Up next: 9/26 vs. Rhode Island.

5. USF (3-0, LW No. 4): Another ho-hum win, but things just got serious for the Bulls. This is a team that’s been known to collapse in past seasons, but had been lining things up for this season. Various players returned to school and there’s enough talent on both sides of the ball to be special this year. And now Grothe is done with an ACL and we’re supposed to believe the Bulls will rally around a redshirt freshman as they head to a frightening Florida State? Let’s see. Up next: 9/26 at Florida State.

6. Rutgers (2-1, LW No. 5): The morning after headline in the Newark Star-Ledger? “Rutgers defense comes up big against Florida International.” That’s not good. I know FIU has some talent and a Bill Legg offense, but this is FIU and a Rutgers defense should not have to come up big to stop FIU unless the game gets crazy and the score is 59-55. It was 23-15 and it didn’t come at a very good time for Schiano. Up next: 9/26 at Maryland. 

7. Syracuse (1-2, LW No. 7): Finally! You could see it coming and Northwestern just happened to be the team that had it happen. The way it happened for the Orange — potent offense, unstoppable receiver, last-second field goal to win the game — was the best possible situation. I don’t think you can accurately measure the excitement up there. Up next: 9/26 vs. Maine.

8. Louisville (1-1, LW No. 8): This isn’t necessarily a bad spot for the Cardinals, but it’s the only spot they can be in this week. Fun little game and some pretty positive things from a team that hadn’t shown too many, but they lost and, to be honest, just don’t look to be quite as good as the Orange. Up next: 9/26 at Utah.