The Big East has its first game of the year Thursday when South Florida plays host to Cincinnati. One of the unbeatens will lose and the other will really legitimize what’s thus far happened this season.

Really, wouldn’t you feel a little more convinced about USF d. Florida State if the Bulls can beat the Bearcats? Wouldn’t Cincinnati wins over Rutgers Fresno State and Oregon State settle in if a road win against the Bulls is added?

Then again, the winner will also have a few more big games left with one-loss Pitt, WVU and even UConn to follow. So what’s it mean? Not a lot because it’s possible a two-loss team wins this conference.

Thursday night, though, one leaves with a a loss and one with a big edge. They just so happen to be the top top two teams in the blog’s rankings. Again.

1. Cincinnati (5-0, 1-0 Big East, LW No. 1): Both the Bulls and the Bearcats were on a bye and if there is such a thing as an edge in one of these situations, it then goes to The U.C., which got healthy over the break and enters the game in pretty good shape. Up next: 10/15 at South Florida.

2. South Florida (5-0, 1-0 Big East, LW No. 2): Conversely, USF was in a nice little rhythm and fairly healthy, apart from Matt Grothe, of course. His replacement, B.J. Daniels, had been playing well and would probably rather go again than have an opponent take some extra time to break him down on film. On the other hand, though, Daniels has an extra week to grow into the job before his biggest start to date. Lost in all this? The extra time USF defensive coordinator Joe Tresey has for the Bearcats offense. Up next: 10/15 vs. Cincinnati.

3. West Virginia (4-1, 1-0 Big East, LW: No. 4): The road trip to Syracuse went about as well as the Mountaineers could have possibly hoped. Big win, lots of offense, great defense, playing time for backups and youngsters, improvement in problem areas and no health issues. Only issue? Marshall continues to win and enters Saturday’s game very confident. Up next: 10/17 vs. Marshall.

4. Pitt (5-1, 2-0 Big East, LW No. 3): The Panthers appeared to be in trouble against UConn. Lifeless at home and down 15 points late in the third quarter, I really thought UConn had it locked up. Then Pitt rallied with its running game and its defense and brought it all the way back for a 24-21 victory. For a team that fell apart in the second half of a loss to N.C. State a week before, that was enormous. Up next: 10/16 at Rutgers.

5. UConn (3-2, 0-1 Big East, LW No. 5): Shame on the Huskies. This is twice now and it’s prevented UConn from being a very good, very legitimate team. Up next: 10/17 vs. Louisville.

6. Rutgers (4-1, LW No. 6): The rumor is true. The Scarlet Knights did in fact play a football game Saturday. Up next: 10/16 vs. Pitt.

7. Louisville (2-3, 0-1 Big East, LW No. 8): Good news? No one was arrested. Nice win by a team that previously couldn’t finish games. I think Louisville is probably better than what a lot of people think. Up next: 10/17 at UConn.

8. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2 Big East, LW No. 7): Good to have the Orange back. Up next: 10/16 at South Florida. Up next: 10/24 vs. Akron.