I was bored at work today and remembered the USM thread from a couple days ago so I decided to seach around a little. I found the rumor is pretty wide spread among USM fans. From what I gather, a componet of the rumor is that Louisville is pushing for USMs membership. Are USM/UL close at all? On our end, has anyone heard the faintest rumblings about the BE splitting and going to 12? It just seems to me that a league couldn't keep that quiet even if it wanted to..there would be too many schools involved

Jackson

Could be internet blogs... but with that many people someone had to contact someone to gauge
interest....

I should add that I'm not suggesting that it'll happen...but its just such an odd rumor seemingly out of left field

Jackson

If there is a true split, and the BE goes to 12 and implements a more "Southern" division, USM would be a fine choice. They have put a lot of money into their facilities recently, have a decent fanbase, and obviously put a good product on the field.

Like ECU, they have long been stifled by in-state "big brothers", and it would be VERY interesting to see what an infusion of BCS $$ and some level ground would do for their program....

(02-19-2010 03:26 PM)Jackson1011 Wrote:  I should add that I'm not suggesting that it'll happen...but its just such an odd rumor seemingly out of left field

Jackson

I though it was strange also , I do like Southern Miss but just didn't think
they were persuing as hard as Memphis has been but who knows? I have heard from very reliable sources that told me do not be shocked at
anything it is all up in the air at this point...

I haven't heard any legit split rumors. The only thing from Pitt fans is its tired of the current setup.

It maybe a waiting game right now, contacts ongoing but Im not sure who begins ... The big boys are
have their cards close to the chest, I don't know who will pull the first string and I'm sure they dont
want to make a mistake...So it could be a while but it is still exciting.

No disrespect to USM, but seriously?! 3rd school behind Ole Miss and Mississippi State at best in a state that has a small population base and is economically challenged. I don't think the BE should split for UCF, Memphis or ECU, but at least they all do bring at something to the table. If you want to split, go for the jugular by bringing in someone like TCU. USM, though? I'm lost.

(02-19-2010 03:57 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  No disrespect to USM, but seriously?! 3rd school behind Ole Miss and Mississippi State at best in a state that has a small population base and is economically challenged. I don't think the BE should split for UCF, Memphis or ECU, but at least they all do bring at something to the table. If you want to split, go for the jugular by bringing in someone like TCU. USM, though? I'm lost.

I have no idea how Southern Miss got into the mix maybe it's bloggers
hoping , really don't have a clue.

(02-19-2010 03:59 PM)MonsterTigerBlue Wrote:  I have no idea how Southern Miss got into the mix maybe it's bloggers
hoping , really don't have a clue.

If Big East fans want USM, so be it, but I don't want to hear any further criticisms of Memphis concerning footprint, market size, endowment, or athletic budget, because we are definitely superior to USM on those counts. I don't think I need to mention basketball and even in football, we have beaten them 4 of the last 6 games.

That said, in my opinion, USM certainly beats the likes of Buffalo, Villanova, FIU, FAU, Delaware, UMass and other rinky-dink candidates I have seen touted here.

The best I can figure is someone reported they saw some BE officials on campus in Hattiesburg, and that's what caused the blowup of rumors.

(02-19-2010 04:43 PM)TripleA Wrote:  The best I can figure is someone reported they saw some BE officials on campus in Hattiesburg, and that's what caused the blowup of rumors.

That may actually be a fact, but I'm not putting my name in the mix with
that .... but Southern Miss source said it happend so take that for what
it's worth.... no disrespect SM..

This was on one of the Louisville boards and let me tell you first hand I loved are rival with USM and would like to see them on the schedule more than less, but as a member of the Big East no way, and that in a nut shell is what was said on the board as well. I can see officials looking at prospects to be looking, but really as things stand currently the teams that will more than likely be added is UCF, Memphis, ECU and Temple. NOW if there happens to be a HUGE break up of the Big Twelve and I mean them losing 6 teams then I would hope like hell that the Big East would pursue some of the left overs, but I am ok with the four teams that have been mentioned over and over. But bak to the topic at hand No I would not want Southern Miss as a member not that they are not talented enough to compete, but really they are to far outside the footprint, and Memphis IMO is no where near outside that mark for they fit geographically in every aspect, but USM NO.

(02-19-2010 03:04 PM)Jackson1011 Wrote:  I was bored at work today and remembered the USM thread from a couple days ago so I decided to seach around a little. I found the rumor is pretty wide spread among USM fans. From what I gather, a componet of the rumor is that Louisville is pushing for USMs membership. Are USM/UL close at all? On our end, has anyone heard the faintest rumblings about the BE splitting and going to 12? It just seems to me that a league couldn't keep that quiet even if it wanted to..there would be too many schools involved

Jackson

USM and Louisville are not close.

I assume this rumor was born of our agreement to play them in football.

(02-19-2010 05:25 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  This was on one of the Louisville boards and let me tell you first hand I loved are rival with USM and would like to see them on the schedule more than less, but as a member of the Big East no way, and that in a nut shell is what was said on the board as well. I can see officials looking at prospects to be looking, but really as things stand currently the teams that will more than likely be added is UCF, Memphis, ECU and Temple. NOW if there happens to be a HUGE break up of the Big Twelve and I mean them losing 6 teams then I would hope like hell that the Big East would pursue some of the left overs, but I am ok with the four teams that have been mentioned over and over. But bak to the topic at hand No I would not want Southern Miss as a member not that they are not talented enough to compete, but really they are to far outside the footprint, and Memphis IMO is no where near outside that mark for they fit geographically in every aspect, but USM NO.

I agree. Dream sequence would have the B10 and Pac10 rape the Big 12 by Pac 10 taking CU and Big 10 taking a combination of Texas, Mizzou, Nebraska and TA&MU. We split, pick up Kansas and K-State to get to ten and go from there. Oklahoma would be in an interesting position at that point. If Mizzou is left out maybe you make an effort to land them too. Kansas would fit right in with the athletic makeup of the current conference members.

FWIW Kansas U is closer to the Big East geographically than USM.

(02-19-2010 05:45 PM)L-yes Wrote:  

(02-19-2010 03:04 PM)Jackson1011 Wrote:  I was bored at work today and remembered the USM thread from a couple days ago so I decided to seach around a little. I found the rumor is pretty wide spread among USM fans. From what I gather, a componet of the rumor is that Louisville is pushing for USMs membership. Are USM/UL close at all? On our end, has anyone heard the faintest rumblings about the BE splitting and going to 12? It just seems to me that a league couldn't keep that quiet even if it wanted to..there would be too many schools involved

Jackson

USM and Louisville are not close.

I assume this rumor was born of our agreement to play them in football.

The fanbase might not be, but, my understanding is that SM AD Richard Giannni and Tom Jurich are very close.

(02-19-2010 06:01 PM)SowasheeEagle Wrote:  

(02-19-2010 05:45 PM)L-yes Wrote:  

(02-19-2010 03:04 PM)Jackson1011 Wrote:  I was bored at work today and remembered the USM thread from a couple days ago so I decided to seach around a little. I found the rumor is pretty wide spread among USM fans. From what I gather, a componet of the rumor is that Louisville is pushing for USMs membership. Are USM/UL close at all? On our end, has anyone heard the faintest rumblings about the BE splitting and going to 12? It just seems to me that a league couldn't keep that quiet even if it wanted to..there would be too many schools involved

Jackson

USM and Louisville are not close.

I assume this rumor was born of our agreement to play them in football.

The fanbase might not be, but, my understanding is that SM AD Richard Giannni and Tom Jurich are very close.

I'm fairly connected to the AD and I'm not seeing or hearing it. They may like each other personally which is fine. It doesn't mean that USM in the Big East makes any sense.

(02-19-2010 04:43 PM)TripleA Wrote:  The best I can figure is someone reported they saw some BE officials on campus in Hattiesburg, and that's what caused the blowup of rumors.

nice!

I would love this all sports conference:

North
UConn
Syracuse
Rutgers
Pitt
West Virginia
Central Florida

South
Cincinnati
Louisville
Memphis
East Carolina
Southern Miss
South Florida

I don't think you will see a B12 and BE merger unless some of the Northeastern BE schools head to other conferences.

Rutgers to B10
Cuse and UConn to ACC

then you have a better chance of merging the other five or six with the remaining B12 teams after Pac 10 and B10 are done.