From yesterday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Quote:Q: What -- if anything -- is happening for the addition of a ninth Big East football school?
Dom Lombardo, Middletown, Conn.
ZEISE: A week ago, I talked with some people from the Big East and the bottom line is the league is in the process of trying to figure out which direction it really wants to go. They have had some overtures and preliminary discussions with TCU but that process is in the most premature of stages. It is clear that the Villanova solution is one that they are looking long and hard at as it would solve some -- but not all -- of the problems. Before anything can happen, the league really needs to figure out what it wants to be, and what it really wants out of expansion. I don't know that those questions have been answered.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10294/109...z136YvJ600
That makes sense really. I still think TCU will happen when push comes to shove and that will be a very good thing for the Big East. However if Nova decides not to upgrade which I hope they don't I wanna see us invite a 10th school. In the era of 9 game conference schedules having 10 schools is a bare necessity.
Obviously we would all understand the powers that be need to have their ducks in a row before moving forward, but I'm curious why this continues to be the message coming from those powers that be....if in fact that quote from the reporter is true and coming from the officials.
I understand some items taking awhile to put together such as different tv market models and talking to prosectus programs then waiting to hear back from them after a self analysis, but they shouldn't still be preaching a message of we are still trying to figure out which direction we want to head.
Could there be ongoing things that are causing this, like a very weak football season now has them looking at very strong football programs (TCU and ECU)
Are they still waiting for the Big 12 to blow their tires and scatter? (KU and the gang)
Waiting for some of the usual suspects to step out in front of the rest of the group, but yet to show signs of that (Memphis)
Are they getting market analysis numbers showing they should just sit tight or provide brand new names/markets to pursue.
Bottomline they need get their since of direction straightened out by winter/spring time for sure.
I would say that the next two items to come will be:
1) Nova decision - November/December
2) Winter meetings of ADs to decide what direction to take based upon #1 above and how the overall football season went, including bowl games.
These two items will then decide what if anything happens at the Spring Conference meeting in May as to any invites outside of the current 16.
Cheers,
Neil
I think that it could end up being a combo of all of your scenario's in some fashion there dgrace. Look at the bright side, while it appeared through rumor or not that schools didn't want to expand. It's very evident that those schools are more willing to expand today. I think we'll hear something real legit by the end of the football season or by the end of the year.
You guys think our conference will operate alittle differently and could announce expansion plans in season (winter/early spring) or will they act like the others and wait until summer time to finalize anything.
TCU will get a BCS bowl bid so I'm hoping that the announcement on them moving to the BE will happen soon after that
hope that the Villanova decision comes after they're done with their post-season as well. They're currently ranked 6th.
(10-22-2010 12:33 PM)dgrace4cards Wrote: [ -> ]You guys think our conference will operate alittle differently and could announce expansion plans in season (winter/early spring) or will they act like the others and wait until summer time to finalize anything.
There is nothing normal about this conference. So who knows exactly whats on their minds at this point.
(10-22-2010 12:33 PM)dgrace4cards Wrote: [ -> ]You guys think our conference will operate alittle differently and could announce expansion plans in season (winter/early spring) or will they act like the others and wait until summer time to finalize anything.
I'm under the impression that Nova has already been invited should they decide to move up. So, if they move up, the only decision left to make is when they will join the league. That announcement can come at any point after they decide to move up, IF they even decide to do so. I'm still not convinced they will decide to do so.
I believe any invites outside of the current 16 will follow the usual pattern of official discussions at the May 2011 meetings, invites (if any) after those meetings and a decision by June 30, 2011.
Cheers,
Neil
(10-22-2010 12:53 PM)omnicarrier Wrote: [ -> ] (10-22-2010 12:33 PM)dgrace4cards Wrote: [ -> ]You guys think our conference will operate alittle differently and could announce expansion plans in season (winter/early spring) or will they act like the others and wait until summer time to finalize anything.
I'm under the impression that Nova has already been invited should they decide to move up. So, if they move up, the only decision left to make is when they will join the league. That announcement can come at any point after they decide to move up, IF they even decide to do so. I'm still not convinced they will decide to do so.
I believe any invites outside of the current 16 will follow the usual pattern of official discussions at the May 2011 meetings, invites (if any) after those meetings and a decision by June 30, 2011.
Cheers,
Neil
I agree, Nova has been invited already and they are suppose to give a yes or no to the faction in November...presumably at the BE meetings in November.
I also agree that even as much as TCU is being talked about, they and or others won't be decided upon until May/June 2011.
If I was in charge, I'd say if Villanova is going to move up, they need to commit to doing that by the end of the season. If not, the football schools should split and go their own way, since the basketball schools are nothing but an impediment to stabilizing the football side of conference...
(10-22-2010 12:13 PM)dgrace4cards Wrote: [ -> ]Obviously we would all understand the powers that be need to have their ducks in a row before moving forward, but I'm curious why this continues to be the message coming from those powers that be....
Sounds to me like a Mexican stand-off between the Catholic non-football members and a significant number of all-sports members.
(10-22-2010 11:36 AM)brista21 Wrote: [ -> ]That makes sense really. I still think TCU will happen when push comes to shove and that will be a very good thing for the Big East. However if Nova decides not to upgrade which I hope they don't I wanna see us invite a 10th school.
In the era of 9 game conference schedules having 10 schools is a bare necessity.
The Pac Ten plays a 9 game schedule. The Big Ten appears to be committed to a 9 game schedule, but it's still in the future. Who else plays a 9 game schedule? I don't believe it's the norm - at least not yet.
Right now, 9 members is the bare minimum to get to 8 conference games. The Big East still has time to expand gradually. TCU is a no brainer, but there really isn't anyone else out there who is a "can't miss" addition to the conference.
TCU?????
When has there ever been a can't miss addition? You guys and your excuses.
(10-22-2010 02:56 PM)Bill Marsh Wrote: [ -> ]The Pac Ten plays a 9 game schedule. The Big Ten appears to be committed to a 9 game schedule, but it's still in the future. Who else plays a 9 game schedule? I don't believe it's the norm - at least not yet.
The Big 12 has suggested that they will adapt a 9-game schedule once they are down to 10 teams, so that's 3 of 6 BCS leagues. But you are right, it's still not the norm, yet.
9 conf games is going to be huge mistake
you have less home games & wins
less wins cost u in atten, bowls, donations
(10-22-2010 01:11 PM)bitcruncher Wrote: [ -> ]If I was in charge, I'd say if Villanova is going to move up, they need to commit to doing that by the end of the season. If not, the football schools should split and go their own way, since the basketball schools are nothing but an impediment to stabilizing the football side of conference...
From the wannabe prospective...that would be wonderful.
Somehow I think that is not going to happen. I think Nova will move up and TCU will be the 10th. At that point the wannbes are going to be outoluckabes. The BE will stay at 10 until it is forced to change by some other factor.
I think the split will happen soon becaust nobody is really happen with 16 teams in basketball and football has to grow to 10 or 12 teams, so a split is coming by 2013.
(10-22-2010 03:35 PM)Chappy Wrote: [ -> ] (10-22-2010 02:56 PM)Bill Marsh Wrote: [ -> ]The Pac Ten plays a 9 game schedule. The Big Ten appears to be committed to a 9 game schedule, but it's still in the future. Who else plays a 9 game schedule? I don't believe it's the norm - at least not yet.
The Big 12 has suggested that they will adapt a 9-game schedule once they are down to 10 teams, so that's 3 of 6 BCS leagues. But you are right, it's still not the norm, yet.
Actually I'm almost positive the Big 12 already approved a 9 game schedule starting with the 2011 season.
Here is what I would like to see happen.
Add TCU and get to 9 ASAP.
Hold them and see if
A. The B12 implodes and try to get MO, KS, & KST
B. See who among Temple, ECU, UCF, Memphis and others separate themselves from the pack.