The feisty Orange have a two-game winning streak for the first time since 2006 after a –ahem — come-from-behind 41-24 victory against so-so Maine of the FCS. Syracuse is now 2-2 without a bad performance among the four games … though Saturday’s wasn’t a great one.

“We haven’t won a lot of games, so I’m going to enjoy this,” Big Doug told the gathered media afterwards. “Hey, we won a game. It’s hard to win a football game. You guys should know that. You’ve seen what’s gone on here the past four years.”

What’s it mean for our power rankings? Not a thing because it was a pretty good weekend for the league.

1) Cincinnati (4-1, LW No. 1): Here’s an idea! If Cincinnati doesn’t have the ball, it makes it hard for Cincinnati to score. Fresno State, which is now somehow 1-3, owned time of possession and really pressed The UC. Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard still connected twice for touchdowns and the defense did just enough to make 28 points stand. That’s becoming a theme which has to be noticed now by the rest of the conference. The Bearcats are in the AP top 10 for the first time ever. Up next: 10/3 at Miami, Ohio.

2. USF (4-0, LW No. 5): From last week: “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.” Well, the Bulls were the story of the weekend because they defied conventional wisdom and hung together, B.J. Daniels made plays with his arm and legs and every operation dominated then-No. 18 Florida State. Jim Leavitt called it the program’s biggest win. Up next: 10/3 at Syracuse.

3. Pitt (3-1, LW No. 2): It appears the Panthers have a problem in the secondary. They were up two touchdowns, thanks to some nice play by quietly streaky Bill Stull, but N.C. State went up and down the field how it wanted to win 38-31. In Pitt’s, uh, defense, the Wolfpack might be pretty good and their quarterback, Russell Wilson (413 yards of total offense, four touchdowns) is a vet who doesn’t make mistakes. He’d give anyone trouble, especially Pitt’s pass defense. Up next: 10/2 at Louisville.

4. West Virginia (3-1, LW No. 3): Bye averaged 22 yards per kickoff return. Up next: 10/1 vs. Colorado.

5. UConn (3-1, LW No. 4): The Huskies fumbled seven times, but only lost three in a 52-10 win against Rhode Island, which was OK because the Rams were plus-7 in turnover margin. UConn still has a strong running game — Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon are averaging 99 and 92 yards per game, respectively — but is beginning to put together some sort of a pass attack with a backup quarterback and an uknown cast of receivers. This is worth mentioning because the Huskies play next at Pitt Oct. 10.

6. Rutgers (3-1, LW No. 6): Whatever happened at halftime likely changed Rutgers’ season. The Scarlet Knights were down 13-10 against a mediocre Maryland team … and won 34-13 despite 42 yards passing and 249 yards of offense. Amazing. The Terrapins helped with five turnovers and and Rutgers’ running game took over in the fourth quarter. Up next: 10/3 vs. Texas Southern.

7. Syracuse (2-2, LW No. 7): Don’t look now, but Greg Paulus is No. 41 nationally in passing efficiency. He’s completed 45 of 63 attempts for 616 yards and four scores the past two weeks and has some kind of chemistry with receiver Mike Williams (28 catches, 437 yards, three TDs). Meanwhile, opponents are averaging just 83 yards rushing per game. Tricky team! Up next: 10/3 vs. USF.

8. Louisville (1-3, LW No. 8): They weren’t going to beat Utah, but had some chances. Hey, the Cardinals might not be so bad if their biggest problem wasn’t always the Cardinals. Up next: 10/2 vs. Pitt.