The Big East expansion groundswell thread

[USUC]

You can't imagine why moving into a crappy motel 6 by the airport would be better than living in a van down by the river?

:igiveup:

[TripletDaddy]

Here's a reason to accept a BE invite: A 6-5 Louisville team is going to win that conference and go to a BCS bowl.

I suppose if going to a "BCS bowl" is your endgame above all else, it would be a good reason to make the jump.

[UtahJazzFan88]

I suppose if going to a "BCS bowl" is your endgame above all else, it would be a good reason to make the jump.

You've made your point clear about just going to BCS games is not good enough, so here's a question for you (this isn't an opinion by me), does Independence give BYU a better chance at a National Championship than the Big East?

[il Padrino Ute]

What is it with you Utes and pirate ships?

It's fun?

BTW, that pic wasn't drawn by a Ute fan.

[Green Monstah]

It's fun?

BTW, that pic wasn't drawn by a Ute fan.

Arrrrrrrrgghh!!!

[TripletDaddy]

You've made your point clear about just going to BCS games is not good enough, so here's a question for you (this isn't an opinion by me), does Independence give BYU a better chance at a National Championship than the Big East?

Probably.

In the same sense that having one arm is better than having no arms when you are thrown overboard in the middle of the ocean. Ultimately, what difference does it make?

[UtahJazzFan88]

I will say that Independence is slowly starting to turn back to being good again after hearing those rumors of the BCS only being 1 vs. 2, and the other BCS games currently being regular bowls (this kills non-AQ schools for getting recognition). I don't understand why the BCS would just drop from "sanctioning" (is that a good word for it) the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls, aren't they throwing a lot of money away by doing so?

[jay santos]

I will say that Independence is slowly starting to turn back to being good again after hearing those rumors of the BCS only being 1 vs. 2, and the other BCS games currently being regular bowls (this kills non-AQ schools for getting recognition). I don't understand why the BCS would just drop from "sanctioning" (is that a good word for it) the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls, aren't they throwing a lot of money away by doing so?

What do you think the BCS is? It's a coalition of the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls.

[UtahJazzFan88]

What do you think the BCS is? It's a coalition of the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange Bowls.

Yeah, but wouldn't these bowls be better off being part of the BCS name for ratings and TV wise? I guess I could see the attendance being better if they aren't officially "BCS bowls" anymore, since they could invite anyone they want. I could see the case for both ways being better economically. Non-AQ's are screwed even more with it though.

[myboynoah]

From Nov 19 ESPN Rumor Central:

It wasn't that long ago that the Big East Conference seemed ready to announce a significant westward expansion, adding as many as seven new teams. But there has been no news on that front for a few weeks now. ESPN Big East blogger Andrea Adelson says the conference is taking its time and still hoping to attract a critical western school:

Andrea Adelson

Big East in no hurry

"The Big East really is trying to get an East/West Division set up. BYU is a key part in that, because Boise State would love the Cougars aboard. There are a lot of complicated factors in bringing BYU in (TV being one of the biggest). Unknowns about the future of the BCS also hurt. And yes, the Big East is not going to offer anyone unless it knows for sure they accept. It appears Houston, SMU and UCF are all on board. But Air Force, Boise State, BYU and Navy need more convincing."

[Green Monstah]

I just spoke with my Univ. of Houston booster friend (if you recall, he called Big East-BYU talks a couple of days in advance of it blowing up on the internet).

He claims we're in and all deals are signed. He also heard that BYU has been "a real pain in the ass" for stupid reasons (e.g., broadcasting rights to Women's softball and other olympic sports). Apparently everyone was willing to give up rights to non-premiere sporting events, but BYU insisted it be put in writing, which bogged things down.

Now for the interesting part: He claims that the reason they're delaying is that the ACC and B12 can't finalize their schedules until all of this gets resolved, so they're using it as a bargaining chip to extract cash from the exiting teams/conferences, which will in turn go to the new members to pay their own exit fees and to all of the members of the Big East pro rata.

[LiveCoug]

I just spoke with my Univ. of Houston booster friend (if you recall, he called Big East-BYU talks a couple of days in advance of it blowing up on the internet).

He claims we're in and all deals are signed. He also heard that BYU has been "a real pain in the ass" for stupid reasons (e.g., broadcasting rights to Women's softball and other olympic sports). Apparently everyone was willing to give up rights to non-premiere sporting events, but BYU insisted it be put in writing, which bogged things down.

Now for the interesting part: He claims that the reason they're delaying is that the ACC and B12 can't finalize their schedules until all of this gets resolved, so they're using it as a bargaining chip to extract cash from the exiting teams/conferences, which will in turn go to the new members to pay their own exit fees and to all of the members of the Big East pro rata.

So, is he suggesting that BYU will be a full fledged member of the Big East?

[Green Monstah]

So, is he suggesting that BYU will be a full fledged member of the Big East?

Hmmmmm.....

I hadn't thought to ask. I guess that is what he's suggesting, but he later said that he thought we'd get guaranteed scheduling stuff for basketball.

I'll follow up.

[il Padrino Ute]

Probably.

In the same sense that having one arm is better than having no arms when you are thrown overboard in the middle of the ocean. Ultimately, what difference does it make?

What difference does it make? It's a lot easier to use that one arm as a rudder when you're on your back using your feet to propel you to the shore. Without arms, it's a lot more difficult to get going in the right direction.

[Uncle Ted]

I just spoke with my Univ. of Houston booster friend (if you recall, he called Big East-BYU talks a couple of days in advance of it blowing up on the internet).

He claims we're in and all deals are signed. He also heard that BYU has been "a real pain in the ass" for stupid reasons (e.g., broadcasting rights to Women's softball and other olympic sports). Apparently everyone was willing to give up rights to non-premiere sporting events, but BYU insisted it be put in writing, which bogged things down.

Now for the interesting part: He claims that the reason they're delaying is that the ACC and B12 can't finalize their schedules until all of this gets resolved, so they're using it as a bargaining chip to extract cash from the exiting teams/conferences, which will in turn go to the new members to pay their own exit fees and to all of the members of the Big East pro rata.

Wow... Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting. The part about BYU being "a real pain in the ass" makes it sound like this guy is a true insider. Also, I don't blame BYU for insisting for it to be in writing given the MWC channel deal history.

So is SMU in as well? If so, it will be nice if BYU's schedule alternates between Dallas and H-Town so we can have an annual Texas CUF'er tailgate party or something.