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1. TCU: The Horned Frogs are currently No. 3 in the BCS standings, a year after playing in the Fiesta Bowl. Is there any doubt they could come in and win the league title right away? They also bring a great market in Fort Worth/Dallas and would love the chance to earn an automatic BCS bid. But TCU doesn't offer much of anything in basketball and would have to find a home for its other sports if the Big East asked it to join as a football-only member. And Texas is not exactly in the East.

2. Central Florida: Geographically, UCF makes the most sense, giving the league another foothold in Florida and a natural rival for USF. The school has a huge student body and brand new facilities with a potential for quick growth. The downside is extra competition for recruits out of Florida for other Big East teams.

3. Villanova: The Wildcats solve a lot of practical headaches, as the Big East wouldn't have to add another school for other sports. They also have the Philadelphia market and offer another rival for the Northeast schools. But it would be at least two years before Villanova could qualify for FBS status, and even with a quick rise a la South Florida or UConn, it will take another couple years after that before the team is truly competitive for a BCS bid. This seems like an option the Big East can keep in its back pocket while pursuing other ideas.

4. Houston: Pros: The Cougars have some history of success and an excellent young coach in Kevin Sumlin. Plus, it's another huge market and a possible rival for TCU. There are plans for a new stadium. Con: Houston is overshadowed in its own city by Texas and Texas A&M.

5. Temple: If Villanova doesn't work out, the Big East can turn back to this former member for the Philadelphia market. Unlike 'Nova, Temple actually has a place to play and has turned itself into a solid program, even beating UConn this year. Temple also has a home for its other sports (Atlantic 10). The worry is whether the program can sustain its momentum if hotshot coach Al Golden moves on.

Others: East Carolina, Memphis, Marshall, Navy. All have major warts -- with ECU, it's location; Memphis, lack of facilities and success -- and the Big East would be advised to exhaust the first five possibilities before turning here.

With all that in mind, what are your top options for the two new members? Use this list as your guide, because Notre Dame isn't coming on board, Boston College isn't returning and no other current BCS conference school is abandoning ship for the Big East. Send me your suggestions here and we'll discuss.

You need to change the title of the thread to:

"Brian Bennett releases his rankings".

This is Brian Bennett's opinion. It's his blog on espn.com. This isn't an ESPN list. Big difference.

(11-02-2010 08:06 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  You need to change the title of the thread to:

"Brian Bennett releases his rankings".

This is Brian Bennett's opinion. It's his blog on espn.com. This isn't an ESPN list. Big difference.

He put ESPN "blog" that is accurate, and should be sufficient.

(11-02-2010 08:06 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  You need to change the title of the thread to:

"Brian Bennett releases his rankings".

This is Brian Bennett's opinion. It's his blog on espn.com. This isn't an ESPN list. Big difference.

I did but in all honesty 75% of ESPN is opinions

works for me guys......

(11-02-2010 08:11 PM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  

(11-02-2010 08:06 PM)ECMAN79 Wrote:  You need to change the title of the thread to:

"Brian Bennett releases his rankings".

This is Brian Bennett's opinion. It's his blog on espn.com. This isn't an ESPN list. Big difference.

I did but in all honesty 75% of ESPN is opinions

The fact that they reported that Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers and Notre Dame were headed to the Big Ten speaks volumes of their credibility.