(11-01-2010 02:18 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-01-2010 02:11 PM)Shannon Panther Wrote:  

(11-01-2010 01:50 PM)qwerty1 Wrote:  The only reason Temple is mentioned by Big East sources is to force Villanova's hand. Temple will never get back into the Big East.

Villanova might be able to split home games between the soccer stadium, University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field, and possibly the Phillies home stadium. Wasn't scheduling control of a home stadium on Saturdays one of the criteria that got Temple kicked out in the first place? I'll answer that: Yes it was.

Big East: The gift that keeps on giving.

I'll debate this with you. If the FB schools are looking at splitting, Temple is definitely in play. If Nova doesn't jump up and the FB schools split, there is no chance they abandon the 4th largest market in the country. Even if they don't split, that sized market adds to the TV value.

I agree with you here. It's not that I think Temple is exactly a great addition, but frankly, they add as much or more than Villanova in a split situation. They don't have any start-up costs to move up to FBS and or any stadium issues. The problems that they do have (attendance, fan base, tepid support in Philly market) are the exact problems that Villanova would have. I understand why Villanova would be asked to move up if there isn't a split since it would obviously be a compromise to keep the hybrid together, but they make absolutely no sense in a split league when Temple is essentially brining the same elements or more to the table.

Villanova will move up. But for argument's sake, let's say Villanova does not move up. Now let's rewind to 2003 when VT & BC jumped (abandonded?) ship and Temple became a leading candidate to fill in one of those slots as an all-sports member. Villanova worked with their longtime Big East partner schools to keep Temple out when the vote came up. Villanova smartly managed the situation to keep and expand their hold on the Philadelphia market. Fast forward to 2010/2011. Is there any reason to think Temple would fare any better with the Big East voting to get in as an all-sports member? And would the Big East even consider bringing in a football only associate member of the Big East conference ever again? Would Temple even consider coming back in this half-assed manner?

Temple is only being bantered about by the Big East to force Villanova into joining the football side of the Big East. Villanova understands the calculus better than anyone. Villanova moves up and Temple will forever be on the BCS sidelines (MAC football)/and in a non-power basketball conference (A-10).

With that said, the Big East has become a complete joke as a major collegiate sports conference. Villanova playing home football games split between the soccer stadium in Chester PA, Franklin Field in West Philadelphia, and the Phillies ballpark at the sports complex in South Philadelphia should make for some interesting marketing spin by the Big East people.