(11-22-2011 09:14 AM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  The Big East is at its best in fantasy scenarios and pie-in-the-sky what-ifs. Whether it be the old Eastern indies banding together or KU and company joining last year. It's understandable since in reality the Big East is a dumpster fire.

As far as I'm concerned, the Big East ceased to exist when Syracuse left. No matter what we call ourselves going forward, it's a shell of it's former self. This thread has nothing to do with what we're doing going forward. I just think that Kansas made a choice last year that was not in their best interest, and many of my friends who are Kansas fans happened to agree with me even then.

(11-23-2011 12:31 AM)Captain Bearcat Wrote:  

(11-21-2011 04:16 PM)EerMeNow Wrote:  Yet another "Oliver Luck caused Syracuse and Pitt to leave" argument. People act as if this conference had been a picture of stability. Did 3 teams leaving in 2003 having anything to do with it? Did Rutgers and Pitt courting the Big 10 just one year before have anything to do with it?

That is fine if people do not like Luck. In some cases, I do not blame them. But to suggest that he is the reason for the failure of the Big East is just simply short-sighted.

Perhaps you are correct. If that is the case, can you (or anyone else) explain why you believe that Syracuse and Pitt waited 8 years to leave? What happened in 2011 that caused them to suddenly decide that they no longer belonged in the Big East?

I'd say Pitt and Syracuse waited 8 years to leave because they had no invite previously. Had the Virginia legislature not gotten involved in the last ACC raid, Syracuse would have joined the ACC in 2004 with Miami. Pitt would have left after the 2003 season had anyone been interested in inviting them at that time. Any other original BEast football team would have done the same. But none of us got any interest from another - more stable and higher profile - conference until this year...

That just might have something to do with it, dude. No matter how badly somebody wants to go somewhere, without the means to get there, it's not going to happen. But when the opportunity arises, the outbound path becomes the preferred option...