1. Louisville.
2. Cincinnati.
3. Rutgers.
4. Central Florida.
5. San Diego State.
6. South Florida.
7. Connecticut.
8. Houston. ...
9. Temple. I think the Owls have a chance to make some major leaps up this list depending on how spring practice shakes out. There is a new coach in town in Matt Rhule, who knows better than anyone what it takes to win at Temple. He needs to make a decision at quarterback and find a running back, for starters.

10. SMU. I do not have much hope for the Mustangs in Year 1, at least not yet. This team is taking bigger losses than any Big East newcomer. Starting running back Zach Line is gone. So are defensive standouts Margus Hunt, Ja'Gared Davis and Taylor Reed.

11. Memphis. The Tigers made marked improvement in 2012 under Justin Fuente, going 4-8 -- including a three-game winning streak to end the season. Seventeen starters return, including quarterback Jacob Karam, so the Tigers definitely have momentum going into Year 1 in the Big East.

I just don't think we are all that far from being middle of the pack...can we compete with 1-4? Probably not, but I don't see any world beaters after that.

(01-08-2013 11:27 AM)madtiger Wrote:  I just don't think we are all that far from being middle of the pack...can we compete with 1-4? Probably not, but I don't see any world beaters after that.

Right. Pretty sure we're better than SMU at the end of the season -- and next year Zach Line is gone. But it's a well-earned perception that we'll have to overcome with more play on the field like our last three or four games last season.

I just don't see how you can expect much better in terms of record next year given the step up in competition. Wouldn't be totally surprised if we won less games. 6 wins isn't out of the question. Much better than that and you're getting into dream season territory.

(01-08-2013 11:13 AM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  The Tigers made marked improvement in 2012 under Justin Fuente

Noticeable, even.

If SDSU actually stays in the BEC, the only game that will need to be replaced is at Boise State.

Assuming the rest of the schedule stays static that means a road game at either Rutgers, Connecticut, or Central Florida. I don't think they will send MEMPHIS to Florida TWICE, so scratch UCF. Rutgers is departing so the league may quietly ask UConn if they prefer a home game with MEMPHIS. It will probably be at Rutgers. I personally prefer at UConn.

H - Temple, SDSU, Cincinnati, SMU
A - Houston, Louisville, South Florida, Rutgers

I will target the USF and Rutgers (UConn) games for travel.

Sigh. This league really had a lot of potential as a football conference plus Boise State.

(01-08-2013 12:41 PM)boss man Wrote:  If SDSU actually stays in the BEC, the only game that will need to be replaced is at Boise State.

Assuming the rest of the schedule stays static that means a road game at either Rutgers, Connecticut, or Central Florida. I don't think they will send MEMPHIS to Florida TWICE, so scratch UCF. Rutgers is departing so the league may quietly ask UConn if they prefer a home game with MEMPHIS. It will probably be at Rutgers. I personally prefer at UConn.

H - Temple, SDSU, Cincinnati, SMU
A - Houston, Louisville, South Florida, Rutgers

I will target the USF and Rutgers (UConn) games for travel.

At least we lost a road game.

What could'a been....

(01-08-2013 12:38 PM)NJ1 Wrote:  

(01-08-2013 11:13 AM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  The Tigers made marked improvement in 2012 under Justin Fuente

Noticeable, even.

(01-08-2013 12:41 PM)boss man Wrote:  If SDSU actually stays in the BEC, the only game that will need to be replaced is at Boise State.

Assuming the rest of the schedule stays static that means a road game at either Rutgers, Connecticut, or Central Florida. I don't think they will send MEMPHIS to Florida TWICE, so scratch UCF. Rutgers is departing so the league may quietly ask UConn if they prefer a home game with MEMPHIS. It will probably be at Rutgers. I personally prefer at UConn.

H - Temple, SDSU, Cincinnati, SMU
A - Houston, Louisville, South Florida, Rutgers

I will target the USF and Rutgers (UConn) games for travel.

I think a condition of leaving the league should be, this year, you have to play ALL your conference games "on the road". It's a shame we are not gonna get Lougie vile in here for at least one home game. Or Rutgers for that matter. I'd love to just beat the ever lovin' Sh!te out of those smug SOBs on their way out the door.

(01-08-2013 12:55 PM)TigerTim Wrote:  Sigh. This league really had a lot of potential as a football conference plus Boise State.

and Boise knew that and tried to push the envelope. they had nothing to lose.