Notice: This is a form of an expansion thread. I am writing this because I and many others enjoy discussing the issue and coming up with ways to resolve it. If you don't like expansion threads, simple. Don't read this. If you don't like them but still read, please spare us the whining about not liking these threads.

That being said, after the developments with BE teams so far this season, I believe it is clearer than ever that the BE does in fact need to add a team or teams.

The BE has been winning more than losing OOC but it hasn't been against the strongest competition. Against the good teams the BE is mostly losing this year. It is a trend that could continue in the future. Syracuse and Pitt have let the conference down miserably this year OOC. UL has apparently collapsed completely-giving up huge points to MTSU-losing to non BCS Utah after losing to a decent but not great Kentucky team. Rutgers lost to Maryland at home. Even USF is putting the league's hard fought legitimate status in jeapordy with a poor performance against FAU after knocking off WVU. If a BE team is wiped out in it's BCS bowl then the chanting will start again against the BE. The pundits and pollsters continue to hold down BE teams like Cincinnati (if in the Big Ten they would have been top ten or even 5 by now) Rutgers dropped from top ten to out with two losses (when does that happen to other major conferences teams?) and UConn isn't even sniffing the polls with an undefeated record--they'll never get in if they lose to UVA this weekend which is highly possible.

I think it is clear that the BE must find a way to bring over some true quality teams. This means enticing a team or some teams from other BCS conferences to join--teams that can defeat BCS level competition on a regular basis.

It won't do any good to add a team that will get beat by other conferences BCS teams regularly, the BE needs a strong football program to be added.

My question is: Not wanting to add any non-BCS programs, how could the BE entice a strong program from another BCS conference to move as the ACC did to the BE? Would it be possible -and how -to build a financial arrangement with TV, etc. to make moving feasible for a strong team to bolster this conference for the future.

I can't imagine a scenario in which a team from another BCS conference would join the Big East.

The only one that might be within the realm of possibility is BC in 10 years if they get tired of being treated like an afterthought in the ACC, and get tired of having no regional rivals. And of course, if the Big East maintains its status and/or continues to improve.

But realistically I don't think it's feasible. The next BE member will come from either 1-AA or a non-BCS league.

wvucrazed Wrote:I can't imagine a scenario in which a team from another BCS conference would join the Big East.

The only one that might be within the realm of possibility is BC in 10 years if they get tired of being treated like an afterthought in the ACC, and get tired of having no regional rivals. And of course, if the Big East maintains its status and/or continues to improve.

But realistically I don't think it's feasible. The next BE member will come from either 1-AA or a non-BCS league.

Agreed and it has more to do with money than anything else; this is why BC will not leave.

BTW - buckaineer - Didn't Michigan drop out of the poll after two losses?

BE doesn't need to worry about polls but bowls; winning them that is with fannies in the seats.

In my opinion, not shared by all, the BE does need to expand by at least one, I prefer three, of course; for obvious reasons. With three, split from the BB only schools. I just don't know if the current dollars and cents make it enticing; counter is one does have to have vision.

buckaineer Wrote:My question is: How could the BE entice a strong program from another BCS conference to move as the ACC did to the BE? Would it be possible -and how -to build a financial arrangement with TV, etc. to make moving feasible for a strong team to bolster this conference for the future.

Omni hinted or outlined (?) at such a scenerio a while ago in a thread started by L-YES or another Louisville fan(?) His was the most logical one to potentially entice someone to move out there that I have read. Even then, the odds aren't great simply because of logistics, etc. but it's still possible.

One other option is to hope Rupert Murdoch decides to buy the Big East

Tigeer Wrote:

wvucrazed Wrote:I can't imagine a scenario in which a team from another BCS conference would join the Big East.

The only one that might be within the realm of possibility is BC in 10 years if they get tired of being treated like an afterthought in the ACC, and get tired of having no regional rivals. And of course, if the Big East maintains its status and/or continues to improve.

But realistically I don't think it's feasible. The next BE member will come from either 1-AA or a non-BCS league.

Agreed and it has more to do with money than anything else; this is why BC will not leave.

BTW - buckaineer - Didn't Michigan drop out of the poll after two losses?

BE doesn't need to worry about polls but bowls; winning them that is with fannies in the seats.

In my opinion, not shared by all, the BE does need to expand by at least one, I prefer three, of course; for obvious reasons. With three, split from the BB only schools. I just don't know if the current dollars and cents make it enticing; counter is one does have to have vision.

Michigan actually dropped out after one loss--to 1-AA Appalachian State which since lost to Wofford. I don't think you can compare that to Rutgers losing to top 15 Cincinnati and a Maryland team that won 9 games last year and beat a big Ten team in a bowl game. cincy appears to have hit a brick wall and UConn isn't considered--they'll have to have 8 or 9 wins to be considered for bottom of the top 25. also people are not wanting USF to play for a championship even though the computers have them at 2 and they have at least the second or third most impressive record out of the top 5, having beat two top ten teams-one on the road and one at home.

Having more poll votes wouldn't hurt the BE which still must maintain that BCS standing--last years great season doesn't change that entirely.

buckaineer Wrote:

Tigeer Wrote:

wvucrazed Wrote:I can't imagine a scenario in which a team from another BCS conference would join the Big East.

The only one that might be within the realm of possibility is BC in 10 years if they get tired of being treated like an afterthought in the ACC, and get tired of having no regional rivals. And of course, if the Big East maintains its status and/or continues to improve.

But realistically I don't think it's feasible. The next BE member will come from either 1-AA or a non-BCS league.

Agreed and it has more to do with money than anything else; this is why BC will not leave.

BTW - buckaineer - Didn't Michigan drop out of the poll after two losses?

BE doesn't need to worry about polls but bowls; winning them that is with fannies in the seats.

In my opinion, not shared by all, the BE does need to expand by at least one, I prefer three, of course; for obvious reasons. With three, split from the BB only schools. I just don't know if the current dollars and cents make it enticing; counter is one does have to have vision.

Michigan actually dropped out after one loss--to 1-AA Appalachian State which since lost to Wofford. I don't think you can compare that to Rutgers losing to top 15 Cincinnati and a Maryland team that won 9 games last year and beat a big Ten team in a bowl game. cincy appears to have hit a brick wall and UConn isn't considered--they'll have to have 8 or 9 wins to be considered for bottom of the top 25. also people are not wanting USF to play for a championship even though the computers have them at 2 and they have at least the second or third most impressive record out of the top 5, having beat two top ten teams-one on the road and one at home.

Having more poll votes wouldn't hurt the BE which still must maintain that BCS standing--last years great season doesn't change that entirely.

I don't think BCS status for the BE is even a question any longer. Maybe by media hacks, but no one that matters. The media hacks have their own agenda - push ratings and affiliations.

USF and WVU just need to keep winning and both will be in a BCS Bowl - period. Can't control the National Championship matchup - its mythical anyhoo.

Tigeer Wrote:

buckaineer Wrote:

Tigeer Wrote:

wvucrazed Wrote:I can't imagine a scenario in which a team from another BCS conference would join the Big East.

The only one that might be within the realm of possibility is BC in 10 years if they get tired of being treated like an afterthought in the ACC, and get tired of having no regional rivals. And of course, if the Big East maintains its status and/or continues to improve.

But realistically I don't think it's feasible. The next BE member will come from either 1-AA or a non-BCS league.

Agreed and it has more to do with money than anything else; this is why BC will not leave.

BTW - buckaineer - Didn't Michigan drop out of the poll after two losses?

BE doesn't need to worry about polls but bowls; winning them that is with fannies in the seats.

In my opinion, not shared by all, the BE does need to expand by at least one, I prefer three, of course; for obvious reasons. With three, split from the BB only schools. I just don't know if the current dollars and cents make it enticing; counter is one does have to have vision.

Michigan actually dropped out after one loss--to 1-AA Appalachian State which since lost to Wofford. I don't think you can compare that to Rutgers losing to top 15 Cincinnati and a Maryland team that won 9 games last year and beat a big Ten team in a bowl game. cincy appears to have hit a brick wall and UConn isn't considered--they'll have to have 8 or 9 wins to be considered for bottom of the top 25. also people are not wanting USF to play for a championship even though the computers have them at 2 and they have at least the second or third most impressive record out of the top 5, having beat two top ten teams-one on the road and one at home.

Having more poll votes wouldn't hurt the BE which still must maintain that BCS standing--last years great season doesn't change that entirely.

I don't think BCS status for the BE is even a question any longer. Maybe by media hacks, but no one that matters. The media hacks have their own agenda - push ratings and affiliations.

USF and WVU just need to keep winning and both will be in a BCS Bowl - period. Can't control the National Championship matchup - its mythical anyhoo.

I don't know that two years BCS wins would eliminate the BCS status issues especially if the league loses a few more big games. Even with Miami in the league those issues never went away.

As far as two BE teams in the BCS I think you are dreaming. There is no way the hacks and pundits are going to stand up for two BE teams getting in. Just as it is difficult for a no loss BE team to get to the MNC even over one or even two loss teams from other conferences, it will be even tougher to get two teams in the BCS. It never happened before even when VT and Miami were in the league and it is very doubtful now. The SEC and Big Ten and all would be screaming bloody murder even though in reality a BE team is every bit as deserving if not more so.

Tigeer Wrote:I don't think BCS status for the BE is even a question any longer. Maybe by media hacks, but no one that matters. The media hacks have their own agenda - push ratings and affiliations.

USF and WVU just need to keep winning and both will be in a BCS Bowl - period. Can't control the National Championship matchup - its mythical anyhoo.

Exactly right - the days of "will the BE maintain its BCS bid?" are long gone. The entire league would have to go into the tank for a sustained period for that ever to be an issue again, and we've shown that's not going to happen.

If both USF and WVU are fortunate enough to "win out" - and i'm not predicting that - then I would expect both to be in a BCS bowl. National championship? We'll see... it depends on how the dominoes fall in front of us.

USF has its hands full this weekend against a revved up UCF team who would love nothing more than defeat the Bulls and deflect some of the publicity USF is getting. WVU has very tough road games against Rutgers and Cinci, as well as UL and UCONN.

Cinci is obviously in the picture as well - they could win them all and be the BE champ. They're that good.

We need to continue to improve internally as we have done, and let things outside the conference develop. Who knows, in 5 to 7 years there may be a very attractive option that we don't see right now. Maybe ECU will be a Top 20 team with an expanded stadium. Maybe Temple will be winning MAC titles and putting 40k in the Linc (not likely, but anything can happen in football...) Maybe UMASS will decide the time has come to play at the Big Boys table.

All we can do as a conference is work to get better from within, and when the time comes look around and see who will bring in the most value.

buckaineer Wrote:

Tigeer Wrote:

buckaineer Wrote:

Tigeer Wrote:

wvucrazed Wrote:I can't imagine a scenario in which a team from another BCS conference would join the Big East.

The only one that might be within the realm of possibility is BC in 10 years if they get tired of being treated like an afterthought in the ACC, and get tired of having no regional rivals. And of course, if the Big East maintains its status and/or continues to improve.

But realistically I don't think it's feasible. The next BE member will come from either 1-AA or a non-BCS league.

Agreed and it has more to do with money than anything else; this is why BC will not leave.

BTW - buckaineer - Didn't Michigan drop out of the poll after two losses?

BE doesn't need to worry about polls but bowls; winning them that is with fannies in the seats.

In my opinion, not shared by all, the BE does need to expand by at least one, I prefer three, of course; for obvious reasons. With three, split from the BB only schools. I just don't know if the current dollars and cents make it enticing; counter is one does have to have vision.

Michigan actually dropped out after one loss--to 1-AA Appalachian State which since lost to Wofford. I don't think you can compare that to Rutgers losing to top 15 Cincinnati and a Maryland team that won 9 games last year and beat a big Ten team in a bowl game. cincy appears to have hit a brick wall and UConn isn't considered--they'll have to have 8 or 9 wins to be considered for bottom of the top 25. also people are not wanting USF to play for a championship even though the computers have them at 2 and they have at least the second or third most impressive record out of the top 5, having beat two top ten teams-one on the road and one at home.

Having more poll votes wouldn't hurt the BE which still must maintain that BCS standing--last years great season doesn't change that entirely.

I don't think BCS status for the BE is even a question any longer. Maybe by media hacks, but no one that matters. The media hacks have their own agenda - push ratings and affiliations.

USF and WVU just need to keep winning and both will be in a BCS Bowl - period. Can't control the National Championship matchup - its mythical anyhoo.

I don't know that two years BCS wins would eliminate the BCS status issues especially if the league loses a few more big games. Even with Miami in the league those issues never went away.

As far as two BE teams in the BCS I think you are dreaming. There is no way the hacks and pundits are going to stand up for two BE teams getting in. Just as it is difficult for a no loss BE team to get to the MNC even over one or even two loss teams from other conferences, it will be even tougher to get two teams in the BCS. It never happened before even when VT and Miami were in the league and it is very doubtful now. The SEC and Big Ten and all would be screaming bloody murder even though in reality a BE team is every bit as deserving if not more so.

I would like to think you are:

1) Selling the BE short
2) Listening to sports talk and ESPN too much

Only one way to find out - USF and WVU keep winning.

buckaineer Wrote:As far as two BE teams in the BCS I think you are dreaming. There is no way the hacks and pundits are going to stand up for two BE teams getting in. Just as it is difficult for a no loss BE team to get to the MNC even over one or even two loss teams from other conferences, it will be even tougher to get two teams in the BCS. It never happened before even when VT and Miami were in the league and it is very doubtful now. The SEC and Big Ten and all would be screaming bloody murder even though in reality a BE team is every bit as deserving if not more so.

I think it depends who the #2 team is. If us (UC) or USF wins the league and WVU is second with one loss I think they have a great shot at a BCS game. A one loss Rutgers probably would be in the mix also. I don't think that UC or USF brings enough people to bowls be a BCS at large consideration.

RealDeal Wrote:

buckaineer Wrote:As far as two BE teams in the BCS I think you are dreaming. There is no way the hacks and pundits are going to stand up for two BE teams getting in. Just as it is difficult for a no loss BE team to get to the MNC even over one or even two loss teams from other conferences, it will be even tougher to get two teams in the BCS. It never happened before even when VT and Miami were in the league and it is very doubtful now. The SEC and Big Ten and all would be screaming bloody murder even though in reality a BE team is every bit as deserving if not more so.

I think it depends who the #2 team is. If us (UC) or USF wins the league and WVU is second with one loss I think they have a great shot at a BCS game. A one loss Rutgers probably would be in the mix also. I don't think that UC or USF brings enough people to bowls be a BCS at large consideration.

I don't know that the crowd you bring has much to do with who gets into the BCS bowls, at large of otherwise; they are predominantly dictated by the BCS rankings. Now for other Bowls - fans in the seats do mean a lot.

We do not need to entice anyone to join. The Big East has proven our mettle over the last two years and will continue to do so from here on out. I am of the crowd that thinks we might be able to get BC to rejoin by about 2014 or so, after the current administration is gone and the bitterness from what has transpired subsides enough, but I would not unnecessarily waste any time or effort bothering anyone else before then.

wvucrazed Wrote:I can't imagine a scenario in which a team from another BCS conference would join the Big East.

The only one that might be within the realm of possibility is BC in 10 years if they get tired of being treated like an afterthought in the ACC, and get tired of having no regional rivals. And of course, if the Big East maintains its status and/or continues to improve.

But realistically I don't think it's feasible. The next BE member will come from either 1-AA or a non-BCS league.

well if u give them 15 mil per year.. and the rest of u split up whats left.. maybe.. just maybe u could get them to move...

why are we talking about the BE's BCS worthiness...AGAIN!?!?!?

We have three teams in the Top15...more than most other BCS conferences and currently the BE is #2 in the BCS ratings index...what the heck else more do we need to do?

This is dumb to even talk about...it's based on some people's perception, not stats and reality.

nuff said.

Don't forget about Buffalo. They could move their games to the former Rich Stadium. They are a team on the rise. They already have 2 wins this season. That's more than what they had last season.

If ND ever came on board for FB, BE might be able to entice MD & BC. With the B-10 network, Penn State proabblly would not be intrested.

If ND came in for FB, BE might be able to entice BC & MD. With B-10 network, Penn State proabbly would not be intrested.

Bearcats#1 Wrote:why are we talking about the BE's BCS worthiness...AGAIN!?!?!?

We have three teams in the Top15...more than most other BCS conferences and currently the BE is #2 in the BCS ratings index...what the heck else more do we need to do?

This is dumb to even talk about...it's based on some people's perception, not stats and reality.

nuff said.

its not about worthiness...its all about $$$$ and out of the bcs gang... the BE has the Least...

Right now we have the least money do you really think in the next round of negotiations with budding fanbases and skyrocketing ratings (provided this continues) we're going to be the poorest? I don't think we will be. Additionally adding Penn State is an automatic boost in the money we receive, same goes with BC, UMD, or UCF. (Albeit Penn State is a big jump, BC and UMD are notable, and UCF isn't all that much.) I firmly believe we can and someday will see a 12 team conference consisting of the current BE 8 and PSU, BC, UMD, and UCF. That will prove to be the best conference in America all-around year in and year out.

brista21 Wrote:Right now we have the least money do you really think in the next round of negotiations with budding fanbases and skyrocketing ratings (provided this continues) we're going to be the poorest? I don't think we will be. Additionally adding Penn State is an automatic boost in the money we receive, same goes with BC, UMD, or UCF. (Albeit Penn State is a big jump, BC and UMD are notable, and UCF isn't all that much.) I firmly believe we can and someday will see a 12 team conference consisting of the current BE 8 and PSU, BC, UMD, and UCF. That will prove to be the best conference in America all-around year in and year out.

That conference still wouldn't be as good as the SEC.