All — at least those within the Big East — hail the Cincinnati Bearcats.

They are the league champions and will be the conference’s Bowl Championship Series representative.

When Pittsburgh defeated West Virginia on Friday in the 101st version of the Backyard Brawl, the BCS berth went to UC. And when the Bearcats downed Syracuse Saturday, that wrapped up an outright Big East title. WVU, Pitt and Rutgers all had hopes dashed via the Cincy win.

Oranges, symbolic of the potential bowl for UC, rained down on the Bearcats after defeating SU’s Orange.

"I cried a little, I ain’t going to lie to you," said Cincinnati wideout Mardy Gilyard, who had 11 catches for 114 yards in the win.

It’s no wonder. The championship is Cincy’s first since sharing a Conference USA title with TCU in 2002.

Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike completed 28-of-44 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, to seal the deal. But also give UC’s defense credit. The unit held Syracuse to 211 yards. Cincinnati will complete the season with a game at Hawaii.

The game marked a new age for Cincinnati, but ushered out Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, who was fired two weeks ago. Orange QB Cameron Dantley completed but 6-of-23 passes for 59 yards and his offense finished with only eight first downs.

In Pittsburgh, the Panthers once again dashed any WVU hopes (last year for a national title shot, this year for a share of the Big East title) by downing the Mountaineers 19-15 at Heinz Field.

LeSean McCoy rushed for 187 yards on 33 carries and scored twice and Pitt’s defense again stifled West Virginia standout Pat White and company.

"Our defense, two years in a row, we found a way to play great defense against a very good offense and a great quarterback," said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt.

Panther cornerback Jovani Chappel intercepted White with less than 10 minutes left with the Mountaineers facing a third-and-10 from their own 16. Two plays later, Pitt pulled within 15-13. On the Panthers’ next possession, they marched 59 yards in 10 plays before McCoy danced into the end zone. A WVU drive at the end fell short.

"The interception in the fourth quarter was a mental error," said WVU coach Bill Stewart of White’s pick. "I have a very disappointed quarterback."

"I feel," White said, "like it was personally my fault."

The Mountaineers fell to 7-4 with a home game left this coming Saturday against South Florida. Pittsburgh goes to Connecticut with an 8-3 record.

It will be interesting to see how the bowl situation shakes out in regard to the league. Aside from UC’s slot within the BCS, the Big East has a convoluted agreement with the Gator and Sun bowls. Both may pick a league team, but Big 12 teams, as well as Big East bowl partner Notre Dame, are also in the mix.

The Fighting Irish at 6-6, though, can’t be taken over a Big East team with a winning record. UC, Pitt, WVU, Connecticut and South Florida all have at least seven wins. Rutgers can reach that level with a victory over Louisville on Thursday. If Louisville wins, the Cardinals and RU will finish 6-6, meaning Notre Dame can be taken by one of league’s contracted bowls.

The other bowls are the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.; the International Bowl in Toronto; the PapaJohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.; and the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Scoreboard:

Pittsburgh 19, West Virginia 15
Cincinnati 30, Syracuse 10

Team of the Week: Cincinnati

Yes, we know. The Bearcats defeated Syracuse, while Pitt held down West Virginia. But the men of Brian Kelly did what they had to in order to secure the Big East title. They were business-like even though the Mountaineers, an outside challenger until Friday’s outcome, lost. And remember, SU did defeat Notre Dame the week prior.

Disappointment of the Week: West Virginia’s Pat White

White, the two-time Big East offensive player of the year, could have given his Mountaineers hope, at least for a day, at a BCS berth and Big East title. But he made a very poor pass attempt on third-and-10 from his team’s own 16. The Jovani Chappel pick proved to be the play of the game.

Player of the Week: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

With Pitt quarterback Bill Stull struggling mightily, McCoy put his teammates on his back and rushed them past rival West Virginia. He had 187 yards and two touchdowns, but, more importantly, accounted for all 59 yards on the game-winning drive.

Freshman of the Week: Antwon Bailey, RB, Syracuse

Bailey wins by default. There just wasn’t a lot going on within the conference in regard to the freshies. Bailey did, though, average 7.3 yards on his four carries against Cincinnati.

Same as it ever was

Pittsburgh’s defense dominated WVU for the second time in two years. In the past eight quarters, the Panthers have allowed the Mountaineers just two touchdowns. And in those eight quarters, West Virginia quarterback Pat White has been held to 134 yards and one score.

Bad day, but nice record

West Virginia quarterback Pat White threw a bad fourth-quarter interception that led to his team’s loss. But he did have a dazzling 54-yard touchdown run and had 236 total yards. That made him the Big East’s all-time total offense leader with 9,961, surpassing ex-Syracuse and current Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb.

Let the record reflect...

When 34,603 turned out to watch Cincinnati’s coronation as Big East champs, it lifted the Bearcats to an attendance record. The school averaged 31,964 this season. Also, at 10-2 overall and 6-1 in league play, UC tied the school record for wins, matching last season.

A disappointing exit

When Syracuse fell to Cincinnati, it sent coach Greg Robinson out the door with a 10-37 overall record and a 3-25 mark in Big East play. SU finished 3-9 this season and 1-6 in conference play. "I would have liked to have finished it with a win," Robinson said. "But whatever. It is what it is."

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