It will be a league very close to the ACC in strength. If a Big East team can go undefeated with a decent out of conference schedule, they should never get passed over for one of the 12 major bowl slots. Of course the stars would have to align perfectly to make the final four cut, but it is still possible. The key is to secure BYU and for the Big East to ride the last two seasons in the BCS out by winning at least one BCS bowl game. The pressure might be on Louisville to be that team.

I think a lot of folks speculating about making the playoff is misplaced. Normally everyone knows who the best 3 or 4 are anyway.

We need our champ playing consistently in major bowls. And our runner- up playing in good bowls. The teams that make the playoff will be badasses no matter what.

Last year, Houston ended the regular season at #6 with North Texas, Georgia State, LaTech, and UCLA as their OOC schedule, and a CUSA schedule that avoided USM in the regular season.

I think an undefeated nBe team is going to be pretty safe.

Byu will get added. Just wont happen until after Nov 1.

I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

Any new western football adds (Fresno and BYU) should have a stipulation their oly's go to the WAC, or BSU will still be in an unstable position agian.

(07-01-2012 12:45 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  Byu will get added. Just wont happen until after Nov 1.

You are that confident in the outcome of the new TV deal? Hope you are right as they would be a great addition imo.

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

Hasn't Cincinnati won at least a share 3 of the last 4 years? What exactly has USF won?

(07-01-2012 01:15 PM)Bearcat_Bounce Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

Hasn't Cincinnati won at least a share 3 of the last 4 years? What exactly has USF won?

I agree with you. He put Cincy on the wrong tier.

(07-01-2012 01:08 PM)dshawfan Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:45 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  Byu will get added. Just wont happen until after Nov 1.

You are that confident in the outcome of the new TV deal? Hope you are right as they would be a great addition imo.

BYU was ready to sign-on to the Big East (football-only) last November for just the tv rights to four home games a year - all other questions unknown when the league had only 5 remaining football schools... At that point the Big East couldn't do that, because they needed 12 teams rights to get to 2 divisions and a league championship game as the tv model they were shooting for... well the Big East has expanded with bigger markets, more recently ranked members, and now has more than the television model required minimum, and can be flexible with BYU to get quality additions to the conference. The Big East wants more national clout, and BYU needs improved SOS and access to a conference championship to improve playoff odds.

(07-01-2012 01:20 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 01:15 PM)Bearcat_Bounce Wrote:  Hasn't Cincinnati won at least a share 3 of the last 4 years? What exactly has USF won?

I agree with you. He put Cincy on the wrong tier.

I agree Cincy has been one of the top performers in the conference since joining - including recently finishing a season ranked #3 in that year's final BCS poll.

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots.

'Scuze me? Three BE titles in four years?

But, I agree with the rest of your post.

If we don't have BYU by 2015 we are going nowhere. Air Force at the VERY least.

I know Fresno is a popular choice but is there potentially another school out west? Tulsa? Tulane? Literally anybody west of the Mississippi would be in play. Fresno is probably the safest bet though or maybe So. Miss. which could fit out west as well.

Big East just needs to pony up and add the remaining value before it is too late and we have another round of defections. The Big 12 can pounce at any point on UL and BYU/Boise St.

(07-01-2012 12:18 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  If a Big East team can go undefeated with a decent out of conference schedule, they should never get passed over for one of the 12 major bowl slots.

Going undefeated in the new Big East will NOT be easy. Any team which makes it thru our gauntlet without a loss will definitely have my respect.

(07-01-2012 01:15 PM)Bearcat_Bounce Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

Hasn't Cincinnati won at least a share 3 of the last 4 years? What exactly has USF won?

The Bearcats have been really good of late, but I think that had a lot to do with some other teams being down too. Cincy has a ton of potential, but I'm not convinced they are ready to win a BCS bowl game. I would love to be proven wrong.

(07-01-2012 12:43 PM)NothingButKnight Wrote:  Last year, Houston ended the regular season at #6 with North Texas, Georgia State, LaTech, and UCLA as their OOC schedule, and a CUSA schedule that avoided USM in the regular season.

I think an undefeated nBe team is going to be pretty safe.

I agree. If the nBE champ is undefeated, I think it is very likely they will make the playoff. But a one loss nBE champ will be a different story. Until perceptions change, one loss teams from the big 4 will get in over a one loss BE team.

(07-01-2012 01:15 PM)Bearcat_Bounce Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

Hasn't Cincinnati won at least a share 3 of the last 4 years? What exactly has USF won?

Yeah, not sure if I would leave Cin in the 2nd tier of nBE teams. I think most years they will be very capable of making good runs towards the nBE CG.

(07-01-2012 02:28 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 01:15 PM)Bearcat_Bounce Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

Hasn't Cincinnati won at least a share 3 of the last 4 years? What exactly has USF won?

The Bearcats have been really good of late, but I think that had a lot to do with some other teams being down too. Cincy has a ton of potential, but I'm not convinced they are ready to win a BCS bowl game. I would love to be proven wrong.

Whatever....


UC fans have heard this crap every year for five years. I am confident in the talent that has been and continues to be brought into this football program (Note to Louisville fan: You are not the only ones recruiting Florida). I am confident this coaching staff will continue to reel in the talent. It's taken more than happenstance that UC has finished in the top 25 four out of the past five years.

(07-01-2012 04:00 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 02:28 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 01:15 PM)Bearcat_Bounce Wrote:  

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

Hasn't Cincinnati won at least a share 3 of the last 4 years? What exactly has USF won?

The Bearcats have been really good of late, but I think that had a lot to do with some other teams being down too. Cincy has a ton of potential, but I'm not convinced they are ready to win a BCS bowl game. I would love to be proven wrong.

Whatever....


UC fans have heard this crap every year for five years. I am confident in the talent that has been and continues to be brought into this football program (Note to Louisville fan: You are not the only ones recruiting Florida). I am confident this coaching staff will continue to reel in the talent. It's taken more than happenstance that UC has finished in the top 25 four out of the past five years.

Hey I'm pulling for the Bearcats to get over the next hurdle. I just don't think they will do it before the BCS is dissolved. If they can it only benefits the conference. Right now I think UofL is positioned best to win a BCS bowl, but it might not happen for us either. Regardless somebody has to step up and knock that door of perception down.

(07-01-2012 12:53 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  I agree. The New Big East will be a stronger football conference than it ever has been in terms of depth. Yes gone are Miami, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech, but Boise, BYU, Louisville, Houston, and South Florida are teams I fully expect to make some serious noise. UConn, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Southern Methodist would be the next tier with possibly San Diego State and UCF as well. Temple, Navy, and Memphis will probably bring up the rear most years, but Temple and Navy should regularly contend for bowl spots. Memphis is the only weak program right now and I fully believe they will get their act together now that they are in the Big East. Memphis can certainly be better than Duke. I literally don't see where the ACC is going to be any better than the New Big East. Their champion might be better if its Florida State or Virginia Tech, but absolutely nobody left on their roster including Miami and Georgia Tech are any better than our current lineup of teams. The television networks like ACC teams better, but given time, that too can change if Big East fans will go out and support their teams.

hey ace we have won the conference 3 of the last 4 years....you have not. If you going to assign tiers we are above you on that basis alone.

(07-01-2012 12:45 PM)goodknightfl Wrote:  Byu will get added. Just wont happen until after Nov 1.

Agreed... They have no incentive to join until they know the TV numbers.