Remember When

It was only a few short years ago that the Big East was riding high, having rebounded nicely from the departures of Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College to still produce quality football and elite teams. In 2006, in fact, Big East members West Virginia and Louisville were ranked no. 3 and no. 5 nationwide respectively in early November thanks to being both 7-0 as the season wound down. The two programs were matched up on a Thursday night on November 2nd and both teams sparkled under the lights--at least when they were on. Here is the recap, as found in The USA TODAY College Football Encyclopedia:

LOUISVILLE 44 West Virginia 34: Big East battle of unbeatens was O parade as both Ds were nearly invisible. West Virginia (7-1) won hollow triumph: 540y to 468y in O stat battle. Leading 16-14 at H but frustrated in its inability to cash TDs instead of K Art Carmody's 3 FGs, Louisville (8-0) seemed to come alive at same moment half of lights went out in Papa John Stadium. After exchange of TOs in semi-darkness of early 3rd Q, West Virginia started series at its 13YL, and on 1st play, star RB Steve Slaton (18/156y, TD) lost FUM. Cardinals LB Malik Jackson scooped it up for TD RET and 23-14 lead. Slaton went to sideline with limp left arm, and Mountaineers soon were forced to punt from own 6YL. Short punt was returned by streaking Cards WR Trent Guy for 40y TD. QB Pat White (13-20/222y and 23/145y, 4 TDs rushing) marshaled WVU for gutsy 92y TD march, mostly using his own runs, to 30-21 deficit. On 1st snap of 4th Q, however, Louisville QB Brian Brohm (19-26/354y, TD) tossed TD fade pass to 6'6 WR Mario Urrutia (6/113y). Slaton was back for WVU's next series that resulted in White's power-run TD that resembled 1950s Single Wing play. Cards quickly negated that score with another one of their own. It came on 5y run by big frosh RB Anthony Allen (12/47y, 2 TDs) and provided 44-27 lead with 10:19 left.

With victory Louisville moved up to no. 3 in BCS ranking. But there was yet another undefeated Big East team lurking, Rutgers, and the Scarlet Knights bounced the Cardinals from the top ten with a 28-25 win one week later. But Rutgers would lose twice more before season ended and Louisville ended up the Big East champion with 6-1 mark. They went on to beat fellow upstart Wake Forest in Orange Bowl to close out glorious season with final 12-1 record.