Cincinnati remains the top team in the Big East poll, but we wonder for how long it will last. The Bearcats are, uh, well-armed at No. 5 in the AP poll and the BCS and with two other quarterbacks who could play in place of injured Tony Pike. The UC and Zack Collaros did OK without Pike last week and, if nothing else, injuries at the position are old hat. That team used five quarterbacks last year. Five!

The offense is less of a mystery now and the league is, I think, tougher with, I know, better defenses. Can this keep on happening? Does Louisville stop killing itself and win a big game this week? I sense there’s a reason everyone there is holding out hope Pike can play ASAP. Is it because the Bearcats (6-0, 2-0 Big East) have never been in such a position? Is it because the gap is more narrow now? It’s worth watching.

2. Pitt (6-1, 3-0, LW No. 4): Hey, the Panthers are in first place. You know that, right? And they were the pick to win the league? You remember that, right? This is the most complete/balanced team in the league, secondary issues not withstanding. Run, pass, defend, good on the road. Heck, you could argue they’re better on the road than at home, where crowds are indifferent. And what type of year is it when Bill Stull — he of opening-day boos — is leading the Big East in passer efficiency? Pitt doesn’t at all mind all the attention going to Cincinnati. Up next: 10/24 vs. South Florida (noon, Big East Network)

3. West Virginia (5-1, 1-0, LW No. 3): Put briefly, this is an extremely tricky game this weekend. It gets no easier, either, as WVU goes to South Florida and Cincinnati and plays host to Pitt by the time Thanksgiving Friday comes around. Mountaineers, this is your season. Up next: 10/24 vs. UConn (noon, ESPNU)

4. South Florida (5-1, 1-1, LW No. 2): B.J. Daniels is a pretty good player who didn’t get much help from his receivers against Cincinnati. That was a game the Bulls could have won or contained had a few plays been made offensively. Wouldn’t count these guys out at all, especially if they win at Pitt this week.

5. UConn (4-1, 1-1, LW No. 5): The Huskies will have no shortage of support the rest of the season, but it’s just impossible to know in which direction they head. This much we know: They’re very well coached with an effiecient offense, a powerful running game and a steady defense. That’s not a bad recipe.

6. Rutgers (4-2, 0-2, LW No. 6): Good defense, no offense and not enough of both when it mattered most against Pitt. Everyone knew Dion Lewis was going to run on a game-deciding drive. The Scarlet Knights could not stop it…though Stull made a play and Jonathan Baldwin made a circus catch to extend that drive with a third-and-long conversion. That said, the future on offense looks really good with the freshman QB Tom Savage and freshman receiver Mohammed Sanu. Up next: 10/23 vs. Army (8 p.m., ESPN2)

7. Louisville (2-4, 0-2, LW No. 7): I continue to think Louisville is better than what a lot of people think. Trouble is, the Cardinals don’t seem to agree. Once the running backs get healthy and they develop some continuity with a above-average passing game that hasn’t benefitted from a running game, Louisville is going to beat a good team. Up next: 10/24 at Cincinnati (3:30 p.m., ESPNU)

8. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2, LW No. 8): Maybe it’s just me, but the bye came after the WVU loss and basketball season started with Midnight Madness and I just don’t sense a lot of momentum up there. Up next: 10/24 vs. Akron (3:30 p.m., Big East Network Local)