Big East Power Ranking: Back where we started

The Cardinals' win over Rutgers got them to a BCS bowl and vaulted them back to the top of the rankings. (US Presswire)

Here's CBSSports.com's Rapid Reports Big East power ranking:

1. Louisville (10-2, 5-2 Big East): By virtue of winning the effective Big East title game Thursday at Rutgers, the Cardinals vault back to the top of the rankings. Charlie Strong's team occupied the top spot for much of the season, but a few confounding late-season losses to Syracuse and Connecticut had them in a bit of a dive. But Louisville pulled it together enough to beat the Scarlet Knights and reach the program's second BCS bowl in its history. Last week's power ranking: 3. Next up: Sugar Bowl vs. Florida in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

2. Rutgers (9-3, 5-2 Big East): The Scarlet Knights had quite the disappointing finish to their season, losing consecutive games to Pittsburgh and Louisville to whiff on the program's chance at its first-ever BCS bowl. Rutgers still got a share of the elusive conference title -- its first -- but this season will likely be defined by missed opportunities. Last week's power ranking: 3. Next up: Russell Athletic Bowl vs. Virginia Tech in Orlando, Friday, Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

3. Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2 Big East): It's truly a wonder that the Bearcats were able to get in on the Big East title-share, but they did just that (thanks, in large part, to Rutgers' collapse). Cincy, however, did earn its fourth Big East championship in five years, which is no small feat. Now the Bearcats' focus turns to their bowl game -- and keeping their coach. Last week's power ranking: 4. Next up: Belk Bowl vs. Duke in Charlotte, Thursday, Dec. 27, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

4. Syracuse (7-5, 5-2 Big East): It was a fun ride at the top for the Orange, but, overall, they weren't on the same level all season as the top three. Doug Marrone's team will be headed to a bowl game, though, after being held out last season. Last week's power ranking: 1. Next up: Pinstripe Bowl vs. West Virginia in Bronx, N.Y., Saturday, Dec. 29, 3:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

5. Pittsburgh (6-6, 3-4 Big East): Pitt enjoyed a rather strong finish to the season after starting out rocky, and the Panthers did just enough to become bowl eligible by blasting South Florida on Saturday night. Paul Chryst's first season should largely be viewed as a success, though there were some missed opportunities, namely narrow losses to Syracuse and UConn, and a triple-overtime loss at No. 1 Notre Dame. Last week's power ranking: 5. Next up: BBVA Compass Bowl vs. Mississippi in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 5, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)

6. Connecticut (5-7, 2-5 Big East): The Huskies made a nice little run at the end of the season -- including an overtime win at Louisville -- but came up just short of reaching bowl eligibility. Offensive struggles doomed UConn all year, but the defense gave up 34 points to Cincinnati in the finale -- well over its season average. Last week's power ranking: 6

7. Temple (4-7, 2-5 Big East): Probably not the way the Owls wanted to end the season -- not playing a 12th game -- but overall their return to the Big East was largely successful. Temple mostly held its own in conference, despite dealing with injuries for most of the year. Last week's power ranking: 7

8. South Florida (3-9, 1-6 Big East): Not much to be said for USF's tough-luck season. Skip Holtz is out as head coach, and the Bulls will start anew with a fresh roster in 2013. This season, no doubt, is one to forget. Last week's power ranking: 8

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Big East, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.