Syracuse HC Emeritus Dick McPherson mentioned Navy joining the Big East as a Football only on his radio show--you can read more here

I don't have access to hear his broadcast to get a good take but it does sound plausible (despite Navy's comments over the summer)--Coach McPherson is still closely connected to the Football Scene in Syracuse and works on the Cuse's gameday radio broadcast team.

If Navy were to join it would result in some scheduling shakeups, as I believe WVU is set for the next several years.

I can't believe Navy would do this. They've been using smoke and mirrors to get the good pub and bowl games they've been getting the last few years. Here's who Navy has beaten the last four years:

2006 - East Carolina, UMass, Stanford, UConn, Air Force, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Temple, Army

2005 - Duke, Air Force, Kent State, Rice, Tulane, Temple, Army, Colorado State

2004 - Duke, Northeastern, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, Air Force, Rice, Delaware, Rutgers, Army, New Mexico

2003 - VMI, Eastern Michigan, Air Force, Vanderbilt, Rice, Tulane, Central Michigan, Army


I don't see any Louisvilles or WFVUs on that list and last year Rutgers curbstomped Navy. If they were in the BE this year, they'd finish eighth.

Doesn't Navy have a TV deal with CSTV? I can't believe they would give up that so they can appear on ESPN Regional once or twice and finish at the bottom of the BE.

I would assume it wouldn't be before 2009 at the earliest.

Zibby, I agree with your premise. I would add in their bowl win from last December, as I think beating BC was their most impressive win over that span. You're right overall though. They go for the weakest schedule possible to get bowl eligible, knowing their bowl draw.

There is nothing wrong with their approach, but people should realize it for what it is. Most Navy wins are over poor teams. Paul Johnson has said as much himself recently with his comments about conference affliation for Navy. That isn't to say they won't join the BE ever, but he realizes the step up it would be himself over 12 indy games of their choosing.

zibby Wrote:I can't believe Navy would do this. They've been using smoke and mirrors to get the good pub and bowl games they've been getting the last few years. Here's who Navy has beaten the last four years:

2006 - East Carolina, UMass, Stanford, UConn, Air Force, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Temple, Army

2005 - Duke, Air Force, Kent State, Rice, Tulane, Temple, Army, Colorado State

2004 - Duke, Northeastern, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, Air Force, Rice, Delaware, Rutgers, Army, New Mexico

2003 - VMI, Eastern Michigan, Air Force, Vanderbilt, Rice, Tulane, Central Michigan, Army


I don't see any Louisvilles or WFVUs on that list and last year Rutgers curbstomped Navy. If they were in the BE this year, they'd finish eighth.

Doesn't Navy have a TV deal with CSTV? I can't believe they would give up that so they can appear on ESPN Regional once or twice and finish at the bottom of the BE.

excellent point. I'd never paid attention before to how much Navy was feasting on poor competition, but they certainly are. Shrewd move on their part, it's certainly paid off.

CollegeCard, Navy lost to BC by a last seconf field goal in their bowl game.

Brick City Pirate Wrote:CollegeCard, Navy lost to BC by a last seconf field goal in their bowl game.

Where's my dunce cap? Thanks for the correction, I forgot they lost that game after that bad fumble while trying to run the clock out. Well, that WOULD have been a nice win for them!

For full membership? That's interesting........I mean, I can see Navy wanting to schedule 4 games a year against BE teams, leaving 5 games open (as 3 games would be Army, Air Force, and ND) to schedule who they want. Also, if ND would bump up the number of BE games from 3 to 4, that would be nice. However, IMO, Navy would want to play the same teams that ND wants - ie Pitt, RU, SU, and UConn.

Anyway, would be interesting if they joined for Full Membership.

Here comes TSII in 1,2, 3

Navy would be a good addition ONLY if they joined fulltime, or they played a partial schedule with Notre Dame, with Notre Dame playing certain Big East schools one year and Navy playing other Big East schools that year and then vice versa each year. Otherwise it's just a waste of time and we don't need them.

I still say if anyone joins The BEast it should be for all sports or not at all.

CatsClaw Wrote:Navy would be a good addition ONLY if they joined fulltime, or they played a partial schedule with Notre Dame, with Notre Dame playing certain Big East schools one year and Navy playing other Big East schools that year and then vice versa each year. Otherwise it's just a waste of time and we don't need them.

Good ideal but what kind of incentive are you willing to offer them for such an arrangement?

Look at their schedule, it's obvious they want to play a national schedule rather than 8 Big East games and Army, Air Force, Notre Dame plus one rotating team every year. They will remain Patriot/Independant, playing a partial Big East schedule doesn't help anybody.

UMass is who the Big East should be courting for "all" sports and Holy Cross for everything but football. Ideally, Villanova should spend some money for great returns.

esayem Wrote:Look at their schedule, it's obvious they want to play a national schedule rather than 8 Big East games and Army, Air Force, Notre Dame plus one rotating team every year. They will remain Patriot/Independant, playing a partial Big East schedule doesn't help anybody.

UMass is who the Big East should be courting for "all" sports and Holy Cross for everything but football. Ideally, Villanova should spend some money for great returns.

Why would the Big East want Holy Cross?

I would welcome Navy into the BE. I'm pretty sure the major issue that is pushing them into this direction is the lack of bowls or choice of bowls that are available to them now.

Jackson

yes wilky I must of planted this story in syracuse.

Mark, without checking your link isn't it possible Mac was just spouting old conventional wisdom that has already been shot down? Your board is always posting that he seems a bit out of it now on the radio game broadcasts.

Because Holy Cross is better than Seton Hall, Rutgers, USF, Providence, and St. John's. They have a solid program, many eastern teams are scared to play them, plus they can host marquee home games at the DCU Center. The only problem: Holy Cross rejected a Big East invite when the conference was formed. They then deemphasized athletics, dropping their football program to 1-AA in the early 80's.

I think adding Navy football only would be a good move for both the Midshipman and the Big East.

For Navy:

1. Playing in a BCS conference can only help recruiting.

2. Money from TV in the Big East football conference would be hard to turn down.

3. Gate receipts would be helped immensely by playing a Big East schedule.

For Big East:

1. 9th school to make scheduling oh so much easier.

2. In adjacent state Maryland to further strengthen the Big East football brand in the North East.

3. Will help nicely with bowl opportunities.

4. Perfectly comfortable long term with a football only membership.