(03-05-2010 10:54 PM)WVUeer Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 10:52 PM)49RFootballNow Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 10:41 PM)WVUeer Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 10:30 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 09:16 PM)1badbird Wrote:  The BE is doomed if it has to rely on the future prospects of FCS schools.

The only way the BE could consider a fledgling program (UMass, Delaware G-town etc) is if ND, PSU or another college football behemoth joined...Ain't gonna happ'n!!!!

We've already been through relying on 1-AA teams and it worked pretty well. How many years was USF out of 1-AA when they joined the BE? And then there's UCONN.

We need to think long term, not where programs are now, but think about what they can become. That's why I talk about schools like FIU, FAU, Charlotte, etc. People laugh now, but we'll see where they are 7 to 10 years from now.

Just for the record, Charlotte is not even going to begin football play until 2013. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think they have to stay FCS for at least 5 full years before being eligible for FBS? So the earliest they could be FBS (1-A) is 2018. That being the case, why is Charlotte even being brought up?

4 years, 2 full FCS seasons, 2 transition seasons.

Thats it. I knew it was something like that. Thanks.

I don't think that is correct that they have to play 5 years at the FCS formerly known as division 2, but they are required to play 5 years as an independent before being able to join a conference. In UConn defense they played as a D-2 school in football and moved up to D-1 status, but unlike USF if I remember rightly when they started playing football they were already a member of CUSA, but before joining as a full member they had to play 5 years as an independent before applying for full membership status into the conference at that time. This was the same for FAU who was a member of the SunBelt when they started playing, but had to play as an independent before playing under the SunBelt banner. Can someone check this to make sure, but I am more than positive this is correct not playing 5 years as a FCS, but 5 years as a INDEPENDENT.

(03-05-2010 11:59 PM)buckaineer Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 11:05 PM)No Bull Wrote:  A
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5. Lastly. UCF was very close to being added by the Big east the last go around... Yet most of you have UCF as the 4th or 5th choice now...why? In the years 5 years since UCF almost was added to the Big East; UCF has gone about improving itself in every aspect. In the last 5 years UCF has gone to 3 bowl games...won a CUSA championship, built a new football stadium, built a new basketball arena (basketball atendence up 23% this year), built a new medical school, Orlando has added a second bowl game...and O-town is still a top 25 TV market etc.etc... I seriously doubt that UCF is 4th or 5th on the Big East expansion leaderboard... our stock simply hasn't gone down.

I agree UCF will be much higher on the list because there are too many positives in their favor. The NCAA sanctions hurt though-hard to add a team with that baggage.

I don't think the sanctions matter at all. No one is likely to be added before 2012, and Ucf will be off of them at that time. Same thing with Memphis, they will be free n clear before 2013.

(03-06-2010 02:06 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Plus with East Carolina, the Big East would get the added bonus of saying "F.u.c.k You" to the ACC.

Never underestimate revenge as a motivating factor in human decisions.

The Big East Conference has about 100 more fish to fry than "saying "F You" to the ACC." Not even on their radar. Also, I've never seen a statement, column or even sentence from anyone in the A.C.C. saying that adding ECU would be the least bit concerning to the A.C.C.

(03-05-2010 11:55 PM)buckaineer Wrote:  We know that there were rumors of Navy and Army for some kind of "federated' membership-don't know if they were officially offered or what they thought of it. The Big East and Navy have changed drastically. I don't expect the Big East ever to get to Richmond in its picking but a Virginia team wouldn't hurt-one of the better recruiting states in the "east" .

It wasn't rumored. It was reported in the media that the BE approached both Army and Navy about a scheduling alliance and they both declined. Army left CUSA voluntarily becasue they didn't want to be part of a football conference. Both schools aren't members of a conference by choice. They aren't likley to change their opinion in the near term because their present arrangement suits their goals - a national schedule, a schedule they can structure so that they can get to six wins and a bowl game, and an exclusive TV contract. Like other universities listed in this thread, Delaware and UMass for example, neither Army nor Navy are "realistic" expansion candidates.

(03-06-2010 08:17 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 11:59 PM)buckaineer Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 11:05 PM)No Bull Wrote:  A
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5. Lastly. UCF was very close to being added by the Big east the last go around... Yet most of you have UCF as the 4th or 5th choice now...why? In the years 5 years since UCF almost was added to the Big East; UCF has gone about improving itself in every aspect. In the last 5 years UCF has gone to 3 bowl games...won a CUSA championship, built a new football stadium, built a new basketball arena (basketball atendence up 23% this year), built a new medical school, Orlando has added a second bowl game...and O-town is still a top 25 TV market etc.etc... I seriously doubt that UCF is 4th or 5th on the Big East expansion leaderboard... our stock simply hasn't gone down.

I agree UCF will be much higher on the list because there are too many positives in their favor. The NCAA sanctions hurt though-hard to add a team with that baggage.

I don't think the sanctions matter at all. No one is likely to be added before 2012, and Ucf will be off of them at that time. Same thing with Memphis, they will be free n clear before 2013.

If the Big East were going to be looking at teams to add, they are doing it now, it's not like they will wait until 2012 and suddenly say--oops Pitt is leaving tomorrow so we better go over and ask xxx to come over on Wedneseday.

The punishment of these teams is seen right now by the Big East while they are looking around and narrowing candidates and will be a factor--you don't just add anyone who cheats and has been punished for it. Current Big East Presidents and Universities aren't going to want to associate themselves with that baggage unless there is no better option.

(03-06-2010 08:30 AM)buckaineer Wrote:  

(03-06-2010 02:06 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Plus with East Carolina, the Big East would get the added bonus of saying "F.u.c.k You" to the ACC.

Never underestimate revenge as a motivating factor in human decisions.

The Big East Conference has about 100 more fish to fry than "saying "F You" to the ACC." Not even on their radar. Also, I've never seen a statement, column or even sentence from anyone in the A.C.C. saying that adding ECU would be the least bit concerning to the A.C.C.

I tend to disagree, when Virginia Tech was in the Big East, they gave a BIG F You to the ACC and placed a huge dent in recruiting at UVA and the NC ACC schools. The top players from Virginia and some from the DC area and many of the top players from NC went to Tech from the mid 90s to present. Beamer built that program by telling recruits and VT fans that VT was the better 'alternative' to playing in the ACC. The ACC schools were really afraid of what Beamer was building.

(03-05-2010 10:30 PM)wvucrazed Wrote:  

(03-05-2010 09:16 PM)1badbird Wrote:  The BE is doomed if it has to rely on the future prospects of FCS schools.

The only way the BE could consider a fledgling program (UMass, Delaware G-town etc) is if ND, PSU or another college football behemoth joined...Ain't gonna happ'n!!!!

We've already been through relying on 1-AA teams and it worked pretty well. How many years was USF out of 1-AA when they joined the BE? And then there's UCONN.

We need to think long term, not where programs are now, but think about what they can become. That's why I talk about schools like FIU, FAU, Charlotte, etc. People laugh now, but we'll see where they are 7 to 10 years from now.

Now this is just my opinion ( I could be wrong)

UConn had several advantages that current FCS schools do not have.

- They were already a member of the BE
- Nationally prominent Basketball programs with titles
- Huge athletic budget
- Only FBS school in state

As far as USF, Somebody was going to be the 4th football school in the state of Florida and they made the commitment to be that program. I think we all can agree, their rise and growth was aided by a huge talented recruiting base.

UConn and USF took different paths to get where there at today.

The title of the thread is "rank realistic candidates". I took that as candidates needed now.
As long as you're talking about evaluating (with no commitment) these FCS programs and seeing where they're at 8-10 years from now, I with you.

Neither Army nor Navy are realistic options. Both want to play a 'national' schedules for football and neither would be able to obtain the same type of athletes as other Big East schools. The only realistic options out there are Nova moving their football program up, East Carolina, Memphis, Temple, UCF, and Marshall. If Georgetown is a part of some type of new Big East hybrid, I would think from our prospective the top candidates would be Temple and ECU for regional and our fan base interest purposes. Both Temple and ECU have a lot of alumni in this area and are considered 'name' schools in this area and region. Next would be Memphis, though Big East basketball is already really strong, they have a lot of history with Louisville and Cincinnati. UCF would be next though I am not sure if that would do more harm than good for South Florida and UCF's program being on probation and several of their players and recruits have been arrested, may not be a good image for the Big East.

1. UCF
2. Memphis
3. East Carolina
4. Temple
5. TCU
6. Houston
7. Massachusetts (if an FBS school)
8. Delaware
9. Villanova (as an FBS school)
10. Buffalo
11. Central Michigan
12. UNC Charlotte (if an FBS school)
13. Georgia State (if an FBS school)
14. Old Dominion (if an FBS school)
15. UAB
16. South Alabama (pending upgrade to FBS)

My ranking

1. Memphis
2. East Carolina
3. Temple
4. UCF
5. Delaware
6. UMass

My personal preference would be 4 of the following :

(1) Memphis
(2) Temple
(3) Navy (maybe football-only)
(4) Army (maybe football-only)
(5) ECU
(6) Marshall

Plus keep Georgetown, Villanova, Notre Dame & one other non-football school. If Army and Navy could be induced into joining they would add significantly to TV and bowl contracts.

(03-06-2010 08:30 AM)buckaineer Wrote:  The Big East Conference has about 100 more fish to fry than "saying "F You" to the ACC." Not even on their radar.

Hmmmm.... if you say so.

Quote:Also, I've never seen a statement, column or even sentence from anyone in the A.C.C. saying that adding ECU would be the least bit concerning to the A.C.C.

Well, it would be.

(03-06-2010 11:06 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(03-06-2010 08:30 AM)buckaineer Wrote:  The Big East Conference has about 100 more fish to fry than "saying "F You" to the ACC." Not even on their radar.

Hmmmm.... if you say so.

Quote:Also, I've never seen a statement, column or even sentence from anyone in the A.C.C. saying that adding ECU would be the least bit concerning to the A.C.C.

Well, it would be.

Uh-huh. Funny how CUSA people think they know whats important to the Big East

Memphis
East Carolina
Central Florida
Temple
TCU
Houston
Southern Miss
UAB
Villanova

(01-15-1970 11:11 AM)buckaineer Wrote:  Funny how CUSA people think they know whats important to the Big East

Well, in this instance, it's actually the ACC that I'm claiming to know something about -- namely, that the elevation of ECU to the Cartel would be a big threat to the Tar Heel/Dookie power-arrangement in NC, and to the ACC's basic recruiting/media edge in the Tidewater/Newport News area.

I take you word for it when you say that the BE doesn't care about the ACC. I guess you saw the comment by Sandiss -- a fan of a Big East team -- who said he tended to disagree with your point on that. But anyway, we'll see how this all turns out.

That's pretty weird how buckaineer's quote that I used is now listed as having been posted on "Thursday, 15th January 1970".

My list:

1) ECU
2) Memphis
3) UCF

4 through 7, in no specific order.....Houston, TCU (if they wanted to expand into Texas), Temple.

I don't see any current FCS programs upgrading to FBS anytime soon, partly due to the current economy. UMASS has looked at it twice within the last several years, and nothing came out of it. There was that report last year that Villanova was losing millions fielding their FCS program. Besides, it's always posted on here that the Big East can't take chances on "projects".

Army and Navy enjoy their independence. Army was once in C-USA...they couldn't compete.

While this thread has no bearing whatsoever on what will actually happen, I was a little surprised to see Middle Tennessee only mentioned once. Especially with a fair number of teams mentioned that haven't played a down of football. If we have another football season like the one we just did, I think we'll start gaining some momentum in these discussions. We would strengthen the league in baseball, women's basketball and volleyball. If we keep on rolling football we would hold our own there, men's basketball is the only liability, but it's improving and it's not like the Big East is hurting for better basketball by any means.

24,000 undergrads
Nashville television market
All on campus facilities

I'm not saying that we should be at or near the top of the list, but I think we're a darkhorse candidate and the longer it takes for expansion to happen, the more attractive we'll continue to become.

IF Rutgers goes....Its probably time to at least look at going to 12...so that would require the addition of 5 new schools

1) TCU..there football program speaks for itself and football money is more important then geography, history, travel costs etc

2) Houston-- if moving to Texas it would probably be best to add two schools...Houston good bball history, solid football program etc

3) Memphis-- need a school to bridge the gap between Texas and the East. Very good bball and subpar football. Brings a nice bowl to the table a possible future home of the conference tournament

4) Temple...market, good ball and would really be an asset to the league if football every took off.

5) East Carolina... love the football program and the fan base. The bball program needs some serious work, but would be an asset when it comes to the bowls etc

North
Pitt
Syracuse
West Virginia
Uconn
Temple
UC

South
Louisville
Memphis
East Carolina
South Florida
TCU
Houston

Championship game will be held on the home field of the team that is ranked the highest by the BCS. The site of the conference tournament would be hard because of how spread out the league is...maybe Pittsburgh or Cincy?

Jackson

Jackson, I was thinking the same thing. The only difference is I would keep UC with UL and Memphis.