CSNbbs

It's in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

<a href='http://http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/0503/19bigeast.html' target='_blank'>Just some speculation. </a>

Somehow you got two "http"'s in your link:

<a href='http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/0503/19bigeast.html' target='_blank'>The AJC article link</a>



<!--EDIT|nert|May 19 2003, 10:22 AM-->

I'd like our chances if this was happening a little later (like 2005). We're putting over 100 million into new athletic facilities. I guess if they have some foresight this wouldn't be a problem. We have a good home attendance average against BCS schools (~40K). Virginia Tech is still our most attended game ever. We have WVU at home next year and a good scheduling relationship with the current BE in general. Basketball isn't that great, but that can quickly improve.

Academically we're moving forward very quickly. Our SAT/ACT/GPA averages are 1167/26/3.8. We were the 3rd most popular school in the state among high school seniors in terms of applications last Fall (FSU: 21,046, UF: 20,119, UCF: 19,307, USF: 13,535).



<!--EDIT|hashmander|May 19 2003, 10:32 AM-->

Guess I risk the wrath of the Herd and Golden Knight fans here, but I guess I don't either school fitting into the initial BE strategy of trying to maintain BCS bowl guarantee status. (again, perhaps the author of the AJC article felt that it's a hopeless cause thus he focused on what the BE might do if it's a non BCS league). To me, if 3 teams bolt the BE they will first try to shore up a BCS slot........no matter what the potential of a UCF, USF, or Marshall those schools will not "get them there", so they'll look for some way to entice ND or Penn State to join up.

Now, if that fails, then yes, I could see where the BE would pony up a new, very strong conference that would probably not have a BCS guarantee, but might have teams (V-Tech) that could qualify for a BCS bowl, especially if that add another BCS bowl game. In such a non-BCS conference, I'm sure that Marshall and UCF would be considered, but if it's a all sports conference I would expect Louisville, Cincinnati, and perhaps others to be "in line" ahead of the Herd and Marshall.

I think a more likely result (after the dismantling of the BE) would then be the eventual demise of C-USA (as we know it today), with the remnants either being in the BE, or in a new conference affiliated with the Sunbelt and/or the WAC/MWC. I would think Marshall and UCF might also be interested in this type of conference..........although admittedly if UC and UL left it for the BE it might not be quite as attractive.



<!--EDIT|exCincy Kid|May 19 2003, 03:41 PM-->

hashmander Wrote:There is an extra http in your link.

I'd like our chances if this was happening a little later (like 2005). We're putting over 100 million into new athletic facilities.

Yeah, but it leaves every school in the same time crunch. Frankly, I gotta believe that UCF is high on the list. A BE victory would really increase the chances (you guys shoulda beat SU last year).

If the BE wants to maintain its BCS status, it's gotta have a good plan. WVU, Pitt and VaTech have played for the MNC over the past 30 years. That puts them ahead of the MWC (a good conference).

I think the BCS will want to keep 6 members, for the sake of 'credibility', so the BE is in good shape.

Assuming ND does not join...then I think L'ville, Marshall and UCF are the next logical choices. But a new 'Big East' has some flexibility. Do they try to go to 12 teams, for a championship game, and perhaps better members?

Then the list grows to Cincy, USF, ECU and maybe Ohio or Miami (OH). Don't look past Navy if their new coach gets them on track. He's a good coach, and an "Air Force" calibre of team probably is a plus.

Quote:Assuming ND does not join...then I think L'ville, Marshall and UCF are the next logical choices. But a new 'Big East' has some flexibility. Do they try to go to 12 teams, for a championship game, and perhaps better members?

The Big East will need to get to eight before it gets to 12. Seems to me the wise thing to do would be to put together the strongest eight or ten programs possible and stay put. With a strong eight or ten, the Big East makes a better case for staying in the BCS than it does with a watered down 12.

And don't kid yourself about Cincinnati. That basketball program alone brings more to the table than any other single available college program. And the football would compete in this new Big East (just as our top football programs would compete there).

Louisville and Cincinnati are the two obvious candidates for a drowning Big East.

After that, it's a bit more of a crap shoot -- but there would be an awful lot of candidates for just one or two slots.

If maintaining a place in the BCS is the goal, Army and Navy might be the most attractive remaining schools. Those are excellent brand names. And Temple, because it's handy, likely also gets in. (Unless Cheney is too loyal to the A-10).

That's my view and we can argue all day.

But Louisville and Cincinnati aside, the plethora of logical remaining candidates suggests to me that all of them -- Marshall, Central Florida, South Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, Temple, Army Navy -- are more or less long shots.

I agree, Falcon.........UL and UC would likely be prime candidates for a non-BCS Big East due to their elite hoops programs (and the fact that their football facilities are very nice as well, plus their programs are credible). I don't see why they would want to overly-dilute the conference, as their goal would be to either get back to BCS status, or at least have as strong a league as possible. With that in mind I could see an 8 team membership in the "new" Big East.

Interesting footnote: Over at Hawtalk they posted an article in the Cincy Enquirer by staff write Paul Daugherty. It's called "Would be ACC schools seeing green" and it of course deals a bit with the potential impact on UC.

I found this paragraph telling, as it pretty much summed up my long-standing view of Conference USA:

"UC is way ahead of this curve. (unlikely conference "bedfellows" if you will) The Bearcats already play in a bloated, made-for-TV geographical absurdity. Conference USA is a 14-team, 12-state, two time-zone road to everywhere. Marquetter to TCU: How'd you like to make that roadie? How'd you like to pay for it? Were would C-USA be without the legendary UC-Houston rivalry? Buckle up for that incredible UAC-East Carolina tilt."

RochesterFalcon Wrote:The Big East will need to get to eight before it gets to 12. Seems to me the wise thing to do would be to put together the strongest eight or ten programs possible and stay put. With a strong eight or ten, the Big East makes a better case for staying in the BCS than it does with a watered down 12.

And don't kid yourself about Cincinnati.

Louisville and Cincinnati are the two obvious candidates for a drowning Big East.

After that, it's a bit more of a crap shoot -- but there would be an awful lot of candidates for just one or two slots.

If maintaining a place in the BCS is the goal, Army and Navy might be the most attractive remaining schools.

-- Marshall, Central Florida, South Florida, East Carolina, Memphis, Temple, Army Navy -- are more or less long shots.

I don't doubt L'ville is a prime candidate. And Cincy makes sense for many reasons.

Yet if Pitt leaves, is the remaining BE really a bball conference worth having? (VPI, WVU, Rutgers??? UConn is the only player). Maybe CUSA simply re-aligns (Cincy, L'ville, UConn, Memphis, USF, UAB, ECU and ???) since the 'new BE' may not be BCS-worthy anyway.

Even if L'ville and Cincy go to the BE, and Pitt stays, that still leaves 1 slot for your minimum 8.

Temple is a mystery. Are they really worse than Rutgers? Does the 'new' BE really want Rutgers?

Marshall makes more sense than many believe, b/c of rivalries, ticket sales and high profile athletes.

UCF/USF basically twin prospects either of which brings back the Fla market. Given the demographics of the state, I'd wager this is very high priority to the BE. The idea of a big rivalry game between the two should hold promise.

Army/Navy undermine the BCS play b/c until they improve, they are anchors on your SOS and the BCS formula and thus are very longshots.

Memphis, ECU, Ohio and Miami (OH) are the longest shots.

That being said, the decisions (e.g. inviting BC to the ACC) seem to favor the "conventional wisdom". So the choices made may not be the best ones. A little thought would show that Pitt makes a better choice for the ACC. That brings a bball and fball program to the conference, as well as a major market and new recruiting area. It also means the Big 10 either gets ND, or no title game (unless they're clever enough to invite VPI.)

If Temple couldn't make it when they had BCS affiliation to sell to recruits and Philly, I don't see how they could make it in what would essentially be a non-BCS conference. They were being kicked out for a reason. I wish we had the opportunity they had. God knows we wouldn't have blown it.

Okay guys, riddle me this???

Why is everybody focusing on an 8 team Big East??? When the Magic Number is 9(NINE)?
And Va Tech is addament about that fact.............Nine Football members.
(9 members equals an 8 conference game schedule......)

So 3 leave and thus you need to add four. Seems to me it could easily be Louisville, Cincy, and in the behind the scenes "package deal"......Marshall and UCF. There appears to be things working with these two schools.

If Pitt is kept (which I believe is probable)......this scenario makes the most sense. It could also keep the BCS spot, especially if the sixth BSC bowl game is added which most think is a done deal.

The BE could then take a year or two to get to 12 members and the Championship Game (which V Tech is against)

Well here's to an exciting summer!!

Torch hinted to it but nobody has said it directly. If Miami et al. bolt to the ACC, why would ANY basketball heavy school go to the new BE as the b-ball members are going to bolt (or be jettisoned) to form their own conference?

Louisville and Cincy would be wise to stay in C-USA. Better b-ball and less travel for them. If the BE as a football conference survives (and that is a big 'IF'), then all bets are off on who will get invited. It could be anybody except Marshall if WVU has any say in the matter.

I've stated on the UCF board that if Pitt bolts to the Big 10, the new BE is one ugly conference with just Va.Tech as a worthwhile opponent. I'd rather be in the MAC.

Quote:I've stated on the UCF board that if Pitt bolts to the Big 10, the new BE is one ugly conference with just Va.Tech as a worthwhile opponent. I'd rather be in the MAC.

I do think Pitt will be the next member of the Big Ten if this all plays out.

West Virginia is a worthwhile opponent. But on the rest. . . yeah

KnightStalker Wrote:So 3 leave and thus you need to add four. Seems to me it could easily be Louisville, Cincy, and in the behind the scenes "package deal"......Marshall and UCF. There appears to be things working with these two schools.

Marshall's name has come up on 2 or 3 sources (SI, AJC, and Matt Hayes who I think is TSN). That leads me to believe that they truly are on the short list.

Despite the animosity, the WV legislature and WVU admin must know about travel costs.

This shake up thing sucks. The MAC will end up getting even less recognition. I'd love to see the rivalry develop between Marshall and UCF. A smack talking showdown between Coach K and Pruett at midfield would be ideal.

Quote:A smack talking showdown between Coach K and Pruett at midfield would be ideal.

Can Coach Krutch talk smack on a crowned field?

That's true he might not be able to keep his balance on your dome shaped turf. So we need for this confrontation to happen this year in O-town, if he is going to look good while he rips into Pruett. :arse:

In his press conference yesterday, Mike Tranghese *ruled out* adding teams from other conferences to the Big East should ACC expansion come to pass... (and I'm not convinced it will). This is straight from an AP report of the press conference.

Carry on with your previously scheduled unfounded speculation....

Quote:In his press conference yesterday, Mike Tranghese *ruled out* adding teams from other conferences to the Big East should ACC expansion come to pass... (and I'm not convinced it will). This is straight from an AP report of the press conference.

I know it would never occur to a man of his integrity to lie.

in the spirit of idle speculation, inspired by the conference shuffle story, I want to take this chance to "mention" a possibility...

You see, the Pac-10 has a serious problem with its lack of eastern exposure, that East Coast bias always hurts them in the polls. What's the logical thing to do? Raid the MAC. Adding Marshall, NIU, WMU and Akron just makes sense.

They pick up the vital West Virginia, Rockford and Kalamazoo markets, and they have the added bonus of having the Trojans travel to the Rubber Bowl every few years.

:withstupid: