OK, Cincinnati and Pitt remain the likely options to win the Big East, but you’re as likely to find many of the conference teams rooting for the aforementioned trio.

USF, for example, needs to win out and have WVU, Cincinnati and Pitt end up with two losses to get a share of the conference title. If the Bulls do win out and everyone has two losses, they’re possibly the BCS representative. They’re therefore hoping someone beats WVU and two teams beat the Bearcats and Panthers … which means WVU has to help out. 

UConn and Syracuse play The U.C. and Pitt this week and some teams wouldn’t at all mind seeing one or both win. It’d make the rest of the season less stressful for WVU, but, in a way, also Pitt or Cincinnati, who right now are striding toward the Dec. 5 showdown. That little game also makes WVU a favorite of the Bearcats and Panthers, as well, because one would be OK with the other having a loss before Dec. 5.

Just a small, though intresting dynamic to the rest of the season that still holds realistic BCS possibilities for five teams … remember Rutgers already played and lost to Pitt and Cincinnati, which is again the top team in these rankings.

1. Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0, LW No. 1): All this talk about the BCS already screwing Cincinnati and you know what’s going to happen. They’re going to lose some strange game — and doesn’t a home night game on ABC against sentimental favorite UConn seem like the obvious choice? Combine that with the fact this was the week everyone seemed to pick up on the fact the Bearcats are the only team in America that hasn’t lost a fumble. “You just jinxed us,” Brian Kelly said when the topic came up. Up next: 11/7 vs. UConn (8 p.m., ABC)

2. Pitt (7-1, 4-0, LW No. 2): Noon game Saturday at home for about 30,000 people against “What do we have to lose?” Syracuse game. Next week at home at night on ABC against Notre Dame. You see the potential for disaster here, too, right? Up next: 11/7 vs Syracuse (noon, ESPNU)

3. USF (6-2, 2-2, LW No. 5): I was listening to the radio in Tampa and heard someone say the Bulls were the best 6-2 team in America. Look, I’ve heard a lot of flat-out ridiculous things in my life, mostly because I subject myself and am subjected to a lot of them in  this job, but that’s among the worst. Ever. Up next: 11/12 at Rutgers (7:30 p.m., ESPN)

4. WVU (6-2, 2-1, LW No. 3): The worst fears of a mistake-prone team came true. The team that never learns never earns. It’s hard to look at WVU after eight games and spotlight many areas where it’s gotten significantly better. They were good at a few things and remain good at some of them, which is to be expected, but a lot of problems and weaknesses are still there. Up next: 11/7 vs Louisville (noon, Big East Network)

5. UConn (4-4, 1-3, LW No. 4): It pains me to see what’s happening to this team. Four losses by a total of 13 points, each decided on the final possession for UConn or the opponent, two following Jasper Howard’s death. And now the quarterback, Cody Endres, is done for the year. Up next (11/7, at Cincinnati, 8 p.m., ABC)

6. Rutgers (6-1, 1-2 Big East, LW No. 6): The Scarlet Knights would prefer you not say a word about them to anyone. Thanks. Meanwhile, they’ll play host to USF, travel to Syracuse and Louisville and play host to WVU to finish. Not bad.

7. Louisville (3-5, 0-3 Big East, LW No. 8): I don’t want to give the Cardinals more than 30 words. We’re at 15 now. Arkansas State was throwing into the end zone with a chance to win Saturday.

8. Syracuse (3-5, 0-3 Big East, LW No. 7): How’s this for a week? Mike Williams quits, Doug Marrone is brought to tears defending Greg Paulus and three players are suspended for violating team rules. Look to basketball, right? Well, the Orange lost to Division II LeMoyne Tuesday.