(12-16-2010 09:45 AM)Garmuck Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:40 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:35 AM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 11:12 PM)Garmuck Wrote:  I think UCF is going to get their invite within a week of their championship game with SMU. The Big East and UCF's athletic department didn't want to take away from that game or distract their players.

Haha...well that was definitely a theory by some message board fans to keep it exciting after TCU's invite. But that's definitely all it was...it was never based on any reports or anything. We just hoped for a possible surprise.

TCU's situation was different. It was about timing and at that time TCU could have been playing in a national title had Bama lost to S. Carolina. They're already going to play in a BCS bowl and they know that the Big East will be mentioned as TCU's new home during that game, many times.

Going by what Marinatto has said and what we've been hearing from Nova is two things. Nova may actually approve to move up...but the Big East will not wait until April. It's looking like the Big East will have their 10th before Nova officially decides. I'm thinking Nova will be #11 if they do approve and #12 will next in a "phase 2". If Nova declines...then #11 and #12 will be open.

But in my opinion based on how things have been looking...the Big East will invite #10 and it'll be with or without Nova...and before Nova decides.

Why do u think this? of course they will wait for Nova's decision. what difference does 4 months make?

If Nova can't come until 2014-2015 and getting to 10 by 2012 is truly a goal, then why would it matter what Nova says? Something doesn't add up. It also doesn't make sense what Iliana says about an invite maybe coming in February --why then?

If Nova voted in December to approve the upgrade....then Nova would be #10....but wouldn't start until 2015. If another team available like UCF, ECU or Houston were invited in Jan or Feb, then they'd be #11...but would start in 2012.

Nova is now waiting until April to decide...therefore #10 will go to whoever they choose next in line, if the Big East extends an invite before April (which I believe they may). If Nova approves in April...they will be #11 in 2015. The consensus is that at that point...the BE most like go to 12. I think (and this is my own theory) that if Nova says no and the Big East is at 10...then they'll stay at 10 and sit pat for the next few years to see what happens with the landscape.

As far as Iliana's mentioning Feb....it's probably based on from what she's hearing from her sources. The Big East may want to get it done right after the bowls in mid-Jan. Mid-Feb...who knows? Maybe just thrown out there to not narrow down the expectation speculation?

(12-16-2010 09:43 AM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:25 AM)chrisharper80 Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 10:28 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 08:46 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 08:42 PM)HP-TBDPITL Wrote:  Like I said, my opinion....now with the BE in Texas and looking at big markets, Houston is the biggest fish (market wise) out there and has history and competitive programs and is in a great recruiting area. Additionally, Houston's president (former USF president) has indicated that something is on the Horizon.

In terms of timetable, we saw last year that nothing happened until the late Spring, so Nova and the BE are going to get through bball season and figure things out.

Houston would be a possible #12 team. I think there a few ahead of them. I would say Memphis would be ahead of them. Their football team isn't helping the cause.

Not only is Houston ahead of Memphis they're a lot closer to UCF as far as getting an invite then people think, I believe.

This. The UCF backers seem to think they are a lock, but I think the situation is much more fluid than they realize. UCF and Houston are certainly next in line, but not necessarily in that order.

I don't think anyone considers UCF a lock. A lot of reports we keep hearing mentions UCF, a lot. We don't report it...just going by what we're hearing more so than Houston, ECU, etc. By no means does that make UCF a lock. Especially after last summer with Texas, the Big 12 and the PAC 10 with UTAH. I also think that Houston is very much so in the equation...either now or in the next wave.

Many, if not most of the articles about UCF's inclusion have been from the Orlando Sentinel. And many have referenced one or two articles from a month or two ago as a source. Just because it hasn't been leaked doesn't mean it isn't in play. Some of the things I have been told aren't referenced in ANY news article. Sorry to be cryptic, but I suspect that the full reality has not been brought to light yet.

(12-16-2010 09:25 AM)chrisharper80 Wrote:  This. The UCF backers seem to think they are a lock, but I think the situation is much more fluid than they realize. UCF and Houston are certainly next in line, but not necessarily in that order.

Hey Dan Rather...u got a source?

(12-16-2010 09:40 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:35 AM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 11:12 PM)Garmuck Wrote:  I think UCF is going to get their invite within a week of their championship game with SMU. The Big East and UCF's athletic department didn't want to take away from that game or distract their players.

Haha...well that was definitely a theory by some message board fans to keep it exciting after TCU's invite. But that's definitely all it was...it was never based on any reports or anything. We just hoped for a possible surprise.

TCU's situation was different. It was about timing and at that time TCU could have been playing in a national title had Bama lost to S. Carolina. They're already going to play in a BCS bowl and they know that the Big East will be mentioned as TCU's new home during that game, many times.

Going by what Marinatto has said and what we've been hearing from Nova is two things. Nova may actually approve to move up...but the Big East will not wait until April. It's looking like the Big East will have their 10th before Nova officially decides. I'm thinking Nova will be #11 if they do approve and #12 will next in a "phase 2". If Nova declines...then #11 and #12 will be open.

But in my opinion based on how things have been looking...the Big East will invite #10 and it'll be with or without Nova...and before Nova decides.

Why do u think this? of course they will wait for Nova's decision. what difference does 4 months make?

Probably because the Big East Commish just said in an interview last week:

"We've told the people from Villanova that we hope they make the decision to move forward but we're certainly not going to wait for it to make that decision," Marinatto said. "It's been a long time since they initially had that discussion. I think they have to do what's best for them. In the Big East, you have to do what's right for the conference overall. If those two intersect from a timing standpoint that's great. If they don't that's OK, too, because we're moving forward.

"You hope they come to a decision sooner rather than later."

(12-16-2010 10:25 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:40 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:35 AM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 11:12 PM)Garmuck Wrote:  I think UCF is going to get their invite within a week of their championship game with SMU. The Big East and UCF's athletic department didn't want to take away from that game or distract their players.

Haha...well that was definitely a theory by some message board fans to keep it exciting after TCU's invite. But that's definitely all it was...it was never based on any reports or anything. We just hoped for a possible surprise.

TCU's situation was different. It was about timing and at that time TCU could have been playing in a national title had Bama lost to S. Carolina. They're already going to play in a BCS bowl and they know that the Big East will be mentioned as TCU's new home during that game, many times.

Going by what Marinatto has said and what we've been hearing from Nova is two things. Nova may actually approve to move up...but the Big East will not wait until April. It's looking like the Big East will have their 10th before Nova officially decides. I'm thinking Nova will be #11 if they do approve and #12 will next in a "phase 2". If Nova declines...then #11 and #12 will be open.

But in my opinion based on how things have been looking...the Big East will invite #10 and it'll be with or without Nova...and before Nova decides.

Why do u think this? of course they will wait for Nova's decision. what difference does 4 months make?

Probably because the Big East Commish just said in an interview last week:

"We've told the people from Villanova that we hope they make the decision to move forward but we're certainly not going to wait for it to make that decision," Marinatto said. "It's been a long time since they initially had that discussion. I think they have to do what's best for them. In the Big East, you have to do what's right for the conference overall. If those two intersect from a timing standpoint that's great. If they don't that's OK, too, because we're moving forward.

"You hope they come to a decision sooner rather than later."

He is pressuring Nova to hurry up and commit...

(12-16-2010 10:27 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:25 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:40 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:35 AM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 11:12 PM)Garmuck Wrote:  I think UCF is going to get their invite within a week of their championship game with SMU. The Big East and UCF's athletic department didn't want to take away from that game or distract their players.

Haha...well that was definitely a theory by some message board fans to keep it exciting after TCU's invite. But that's definitely all it was...it was never based on any reports or anything. We just hoped for a possible surprise.

TCU's situation was different. It was about timing and at that time TCU could have been playing in a national title had Bama lost to S. Carolina. They're already going to play in a BCS bowl and they know that the Big East will be mentioned as TCU's new home during that game, many times.

Going by what Marinatto has said and what we've been hearing from Nova is two things. Nova may actually approve to move up...but the Big East will not wait until April. It's looking like the Big East will have their 10th before Nova officially decides. I'm thinking Nova will be #11 if they do approve and #12 will next in a "phase 2". If Nova declines...then #11 and #12 will be open.

But in my opinion based on how things have been looking...the Big East will invite #10 and it'll be with or without Nova...and before Nova decides.

Why do u think this? of course they will wait for Nova's decision. what difference does 4 months make?

Probably because the Big East Commish just said in an interview last week:

"We've told the people from Villanova that we hope they make the decision to move forward but we're certainly not going to wait for it to make that decision," Marinatto said. "It's been a long time since they initially had that discussion. I think they have to do what's best for them. In the Big East, you have to do what's right for the conference overall. If those two intersect from a timing standpoint that's great. If they don't that's OK, too, because we're moving forward.

"You hope they come to a decision sooner rather than later."

He is pressuring Nova to hurry up and commit...

And how did Villanova's top dog just respond???

By basically saying they will be doing NOTHING till at least APRIL.

(12-16-2010 10:20 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:25 AM)chrisharper80 Wrote:  This. The UCF backers seem to think they are a lock, but I think the situation is much more fluid than they realize. UCF and Houston are certainly next in line, but not necessarily in that order.

Hey Dan Rather...u got a source?

Nope. Simply stating my opinion based on things I have heard. Take it for what it's worth, and you are certainly welcome to disagree.

(12-16-2010 10:38 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:27 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:25 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:40 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:35 AM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  Haha...well that was definitely a theory by some message board fans to keep it exciting after TCU's invite. But that's definitely all it was...it was never based on any reports or anything. We just hoped for a possible surprise.

TCU's situation was different. It was about timing and at that time TCU could have been playing in a national title had Bama lost to S. Carolina. They're already going to play in a BCS bowl and they know that the Big East will be mentioned as TCU's new home during that game, many times.

Going by what Marinatto has said and what we've been hearing from Nova is two things. Nova may actually approve to move up...but the Big East will not wait until April. It's looking like the Big East will have their 10th before Nova officially decides. I'm thinking Nova will be #11 if they do approve and #12 will next in a "phase 2". If Nova declines...then #11 and #12 will be open.

But in my opinion based on how things have been looking...the Big East will invite #10 and it'll be with or without Nova...and before Nova decides.

Why do u think this? of course they will wait for Nova's decision. what difference does 4 months make?

Probably because the Big East Commish just said in an interview last week:

"We've told the people from Villanova that we hope they make the decision to move forward but we're certainly not going to wait for it to make that decision," Marinatto said. "It's been a long time since they initially had that discussion. I think they have to do what's best for them. In the Big East, you have to do what's right for the conference overall. If those two intersect from a timing standpoint that's great. If they don't that's OK, too, because we're moving forward.

"You hope they come to a decision sooner rather than later."

He is pressuring Nova to hurry up and commit...

And how did Villanova's top dog just respond???

By basically saying they will be doing NOTHING till at least APRIL.

I don't think that you can quite take Marinatto literally there. It's like Jim Delany always providing the caveat, "We're always monitoring expansion." Leaders can't say publicly, "We're just going to sit around and wait," even if that's exactly what they intend to do. You have to *sound* proactive even when you're not. What Marinatto is really saying is, "If Notre Dame calls up tomorrow and says they want to join the BE, then we're not schlepping around and waiting for Villanova. If it's not someone of that caliber, though, then we're going to give Villanova some time."

I still don't get why it takes six months or more to figure it out. Well, other than maybe trying to genuinely get an answer on the stadium issue, because that could take a lot of time for things ranging from site selection to financing. Answering the attendance question is a stab in the dark no matter how much research you do because you are talking about cultivating a fan base the currently does not exist. Gauging booster support should be a matter of weeks, not months.

(12-16-2010 10:58 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:38 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:27 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:25 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:40 AM)No Bull Wrote:  Why do u think this? of course they will wait for Nova's decision. what difference does 4 months make?

Probably because the Big East Commish just said in an interview last week:

"We've told the people from Villanova that we hope they make the decision to move forward but we're certainly not going to wait for it to make that decision," Marinatto said. "It's been a long time since they initially had that discussion. I think they have to do what's best for them. In the Big East, you have to do what's right for the conference overall. If those two intersect from a timing standpoint that's great. If they don't that's OK, too, because we're moving forward.

"You hope they come to a decision sooner rather than later."

He is pressuring Nova to hurry up and commit...

And how did Villanova's top dog just respond???

By basically saying they will be doing NOTHING till at least APRIL.

I don't think that you can quite take Marinatto literally there.

Didn't mean to suggest it...as I was just offering a suggestion to the above question from a poster who wondered why someone might suggest that the Big East may not wait till April to announce a new expansion member...and how that person basically claimed the Big East will do NOTHING till April.

That's all....as its certainly a possibility as many probably did not read the CT interview with the Big East commish from last week.

(12-16-2010 10:57 AM)chrisharper80 Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:20 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:25 AM)chrisharper80 Wrote:  This. The UCF backers seem to think they are a lock, but I think the situation is much more fluid than they realize. UCF and Houston are certainly next in line, but not necessarily in that order.

Hey Dan Rather...u got a source?

Nope. Simply stating my opinion based on things I have heard. Take it for what it's worth, and you are certainly welcome to disagree.

Good luck to Houston... I got no problem with it. i really think Nova is going to move up to FBS...so it won't matter.

(12-15-2010 10:11 PM)Wilkie01 Wrote:  I think we are waiting on Kansas or Missouri or maybe both to say yes or no.

It would be a slam dunk if we could get Kansas and Missouri into The BEast. Although if we take KU, KSU will be part of the bargain...

But it depends on how tied to Texas those schools are, and what kind of proposal we can put forward...

(12-16-2010 11:04 AM)JunkYardCard Wrote:  I still don't get why it takes six months or more to figure it out. Well, other than maybe trying to genuinely get an answer on the stadium issue, because that could take a lot of time for things ranging from site selection to financing. Answering the attendance question is a stab in the dark no matter how much research you do because you are talking about cultivating a fan base the currently does not exist. Gauging booster support should be a matter of weeks, not months.

I agree. If it's a matter of a stadium deal, then I could see how that's the hold-up and they don't want to announce anything until all of their proverbial ducks are in a row. If Villanova is still looking for more financing overall, though, I don't see how it could magically appear by April.

(12-16-2010 11:14 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:57 AM)chrisharper80 Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 10:20 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:25 AM)chrisharper80 Wrote:  This. The UCF backers seem to think they are a lock, but I think the situation is much more fluid than they realize. UCF and Houston are certainly next in line, but not necessarily in that order.

Hey Dan Rather...u got a source?

Nope. Simply stating my opinion based on things I have heard. Take it for what it's worth, and you are certainly welcome to disagree.

Good luck to Houston... I got no problem with it. i really think Nova is going to move up to FBS...so it won't matter.

No worries. In all actuality, I believe that Nova deciding to move up is good for both UCF and Houston, and would result in a 12 member football conference much sooner than many believe.

(12-16-2010 11:19 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 10:11 PM)Wilkie01 Wrote:  I think we are waiting on Kansas or Missouri or maybe both to say yes or no.

It would be a slam dunk if we could get Kansas and Missouri into The BEast. Although if we take KU, KSU will be part of the bargain...

But it depends on how tied to Texas those schools are, and what kind of proposal we can put forward...

If the BE is waiting for them, then they'll be waiting for a couple of years at least until they know what the Big 12 is getting from their new TV deal and then they can make an informed decision. Remember that KU and MU actually put together the plan to give up revenue to UT/OU/A&M in order to save the Big 12. It's certainly not wrong for the BE to wait a few years to see if those schools ever become available, but anyone that's expecting KU and MU to bolt within the next few months is drinking a LOT of Tagliabue/Marinatto/Big East Network Kool-Aid.

I don't know if anything will happen quickly or not. But it wouldn't surprise me to see The BEast wait. Everything depends on whether or not the Big XII money turns out to be anywhere close to what ESPN originally offered. I don't see that happening...

What kind of TV package The BEast can put together is an unknown at this point. But if The BEast is smart, they're talking with all interested parties constantly...

(12-16-2010 09:45 AM)Garmuck Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:40 AM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-16-2010 09:35 AM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  

(12-15-2010 11:12 PM)Garmuck Wrote:  I think UCF is going to get their invite within a week of their championship game with SMU. The Big East and UCF's athletic department didn't want to take away from that game or distract their players.

Haha...well that was definitely a theory by some message board fans to keep it exciting after TCU's invite. But that's definitely all it was...it was never based on any reports or anything. We just hoped for a possible surprise.

TCU's situation was different. It was about timing and at that time TCU could have been playing in a national title had Bama lost to S. Carolina. They're already going to play in a BCS bowl and they know that the Big East will be mentioned as TCU's new home during that game, many times.

Going by what Marinatto has said and what we've been hearing from Nova is two things. Nova may actually approve to move up...but the Big East will not wait until April. It's looking like the Big East will have their 10th before Nova officially decides. I'm thinking Nova will be #11 if they do approve and #12 will next in a "phase 2". If Nova declines...then #11 and #12 will be open.

But in my opinion based on how things have been looking...the Big East will invite #10 and it'll be with or without Nova...and before Nova decides.

Why do u think this? of course they will wait for Nova's decision. what difference does 4 months make?

If Nova can't come until 2014-2015 and getting to 10 by 2012 is truly a goal, then why would it matter what Nova says? Something doesn't add up. It also doesn't make sense what Iliana says about an invite maybe coming in February --why then?

prolly becouse that if nova decides to join the BE even tho they wont be an offical memeber till like 2014ish they will still be factored into the new TV deal. The 35 mill is really the only question can they get most of it through donation if yes then BE coughs up the rest they fudge up some attendance numbers for a couple years and bang they are in. I think them accepting or not is gonna tell us how fast we get to 12 honestly. If Nova says no they might not have a 3rd caniadate beyond say UCF,Houston that they wanna add so they might stay at 10 and wait till someone can bump up or they find 2 solid canidates they want to offer an invite together.

So they are trying to figure out between houston/UCF who should be 10 but if NOVA Joins they can just take them both.
As far as recruiting it would be better to invite them for this years class but even if they wait till april the coaches will have all of the offseason to recruit get into houses and have a stronger class for the next year.

(12-15-2010 05:44 PM)BigOwensboroCard Wrote:  Why UMass??? I understand they would provide another NorthEastern presence, but really HOW much more??? I think UConn is enough NorthEastern exposure for the conference,

That's kind of like saying that Louisville provides enough exposure to the Big East in St. Louis. Or Chicago.

Quote:UMass I could agree with if they have been playing division one football say the last 10 years or better, but I don't see them getting in any time soon for I could see Georgia State, and Charlotte looked at before them.

Now that kind of hurts. A team that won't exist for another 3 years and a team that just played its first year ever (losing to a NAIA team) are ahead of UMass, even if we start moving to FBS this year? GSU is locked in FCS for a minimum 3 more years (and will probably wait longer), and Charlotte for 7. I guess this is one of those things where nobody knows what the hell GSU or Charlotte football are going to be like, so it's more exciting.

Anyway, there's no need to rev up the anti-UMass propaganda machines just yet. We're pretty much the only candidate with a publicly reported "no" vote, as mentioned in our MAC articles asking why we didn't pursue a Big East invite (as if). At least let us get an official FBS move announcement in before we have to start exchanging fire with the CUSA-Temples in these all-important message board wars which will truly decide the expansion outcome.

frack Nova....if they join, fine. they can't help BE football for a long time. UCF however....

(12-16-2010 08:31 AM)Joe Rod Wrote:  Question: What happens if Nova moves up and doesn't average 15,000 at their home games in their first few years prior to their official move to the Big East?

An excellent question. I say that, regardless of the NCAA's actions on this, the Big East make the offer conditional on certain stadium and attendance metrics. If they can't get 15,000 per game, it will be embarrassing to the conference to have them as a member.