The Big East expansion groundswell thread

[dabrockster]

Think about this "all of a sudden" accusation for a moment. Was there something that came out in the press recently that maybe could have had some impact on BYU's decision to join the Big East? Like, maybe, a bunch of statements from BCS-related individuals casting doubt on the future of automatic qualifying in the near future (which automatic qualifying is one of the few benefits to Big East membership)?

Sure, there could have been an "all of a sudden" change in position by BYU, but could it not have been in response to some "all of a sudden" revelations about the future viability of the BCS?

Forgive me for being pissed on how BYU is being portrayed.. It seems the Big 12 had similar feelings although BYU states they are on good terms..

Indy is nothing but a WAC schedule right now. With next years schedule not even filled it will be once again a WAC schedule. The fact we do not have any full schedule 3 to 5 years out is alarming. So I do not see anything changing. I love the larger games and the ability to view every game as a Indy, but I miss the Conference competition and the possibilities if they win out... Once they lose 2 games even one, they are out of the picture of a BCS Bowl and are right back in the Armed Forces bowl.. Sorry but it does not sound so appealing...

Now.. If BYU gets into the Big 12 I will take my lashings but right now I don't see much light at the end of this tunnel..,.

[Green Monstah]

When exactly did the Big 12 stabilize? How many teams do they have next year? When is WVU joining? How many teams have signed over their TV rights? When did they hire a commissioner?

The Big 12 is many things, but stable is not one of them. Surely your connections to every school in the conference would confirm this.

It's all relative; Whether the WVU Hillbillies are invited, etc. is a far cry from the four best programs leaving for the PAC-12.

[TripletDaddy]

I actually agree with this move to desist given the reality that the SEC/ACC/B1G/B12 will just play another round of hide the ball for big money bowls..

sorry Viking. I was really rooting for your latest prediction to come true. Those annual games against Notre Dame would have been cool, especially after all that the LDS and Catholics went through together during Prop 8.

Oh, we'll. At least we will play Utah every year in November and the PAC will be just fine with it.

[Surfah]

It's all relative; Whether the WVU Hillbillies are invited, etc. is a far cry from the four best programs leaving for the PAC-12.

You mean the four best remaining right? Two of the four best programs have already left the Big 12.

[Ute]

I'm a Ute fan, but I'm not a dick, so take this sincere advice, BYU.

Do whatever it takes to join the Big XII. Whatever it takes! Stop negotiating and start begging, if it comes to that.

Why?

1) Because after Prop. 8, the Pac-12 won't take you. The Big Ten will never take you because they have an excellent geographic footprint and have already identified the next additions, if it comes to it. So it is Big XII or independence/bust. (This is not to disparage the Big XII, which the computers say is better than the SEC this year, just to say that there aren't any other options.)

2) TV deals are temporary. The BCS system is temporary. But conferences--at least the big ones--are permanent. The Pac-8, Big-8, and Big Ten, have grown, but they have never kicked out a member. Once you're in, you're in. Now, I'll admit that of these three big conferences surrounding BYU, the Big XII is the least stable. I'll admit that the Pac-12 may add four Texas/Oklahoma schools at some point, but in the world of super-conferences, there isn't a home for BYU anyway. Being left with the remaining Big XII schools would mean being left in the best conference you've been a part of. The Kansas Jayhawks in the Marriott Center every year? Or Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium? Come on! Even the worst-case scenario is better than the current one. Plus, your addition to the Big XII makes super-conferences much less likely.

My point, after all that rambling, is that the BCS isn't the goal. A conference is. Get in the best conference you can, regardless of the short-term losses. There are much bigger stakes than your ESPN deal, or AQ status.

[Green Monstah]

You mean the four best remaining right? Two of the four best programs have already left the Big 12.

Right, but Nebraska and aTm was water under the bridge at that point.

[YOhio]

I'm a Ute fan, but I'm not a dick, so take this sincere advice, BYU.

Do whatever it takes to join the Big XII. Whatever it takes! Stop negotiating and start begging, if it comes to that.

Why?

1) Because after Prop. 8, the Pac-12 won't take you. The Big Ten will never take you because they have an excellent geographic footprint and have already identified the next additions, if it comes to it. So it is Big XII or independence/bust. (This is not to disparage the Big XII, which the computers say is better than the SEC this year, just to say that there aren't any other options.)

2) TV deals are temporary. The BCS system is temporary. But conferences--at least the big ones--are permanent. The Pac-8, Big-8, and Big Ten, have grown, but they have never kicked out a member. Once you're in, you're in. Now, I'll admit that of these three big conferences surrounding BYU, the Big XII is the least stable. I'll admit that the Pac-12 may add four Texas/Oklahoma schools at some point, but in the world of super-conferences, there isn't a home for BYU anyway. Being left with the remaining Big XII schools would mean being left in the best conference you've been a part of. The Kansas Jayhawks in the Marriott Center every year? Or Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium? Come on! Even the worst-case scenario is better than the current one. Plus, your addition to the Big XII makes super-conferences much less likely.

My point, after all that rambling, is that the BCS isn't the goal. A conference is. Get in the best conference you can, regardless of the short-term losses. There are much bigger stakes than your ESPN deal, or AQ status.

Thanks for the advice! We'll take it into consideration.

[Ute]

Thanks for the advice! We'll take it into consideration.

You're welcome.

[lambdacoug]

Forgive me for being pissed on how BYU is being portrayed.. It seems the Big 12 had similar feelings although BYU states they are on good terms..

Indy is nothing but a WAC schedule right now. With next years schedule not even filled it will be once again a WAC schedule. The fact we do not have any full schedule 3 to 5 years out is alarming. So I do not see anything changing. I love the larger games and the ability to view every game as a Indy, but I miss the Conference competition and the possibilities if they win out... Once they lose 2 games even one, they are out of the picture of a BCS Bowl and are right back in the Armed Forces bowl.. Sorry but it does not sound so appealing...

Now.. If BYU gets into the Big 12 I will take my lashings but right now I don't see much light at the end of this tunnel..,.

It's just a freight train coming your way, anyway...

[Eddie]

Forgive me for being pissed on how BYU is being portrayed.. It seems the Big 12 had similar feelings although BYU states they are on good terms..

Indy is nothing but a WAC schedule right now. With next years schedule not even filled it will be once again a WAC schedule. The fact we do not have any full schedule 3 to 5 years out is alarming. So I do not see anything changing. I love the larger games and the ability to view every game as a Indy, but I miss the Conference competition and the possibilities if they win out... Once they lose 2 games even one, they are out of the picture of a BCS Bowl and are right back in the Armed Forces bowl.. Sorry but it does not sound so appealing...

Now.. If BYU gets into the Big 12 I will take my lashings but right now I don't see much light at the end of this tunnel..,.

This isn't anything new, is it? I mean, in all the time that BYU was in the MWC, how many different bowls did they go to?

I guess that to a degree I'm coming to terms with independence. It is better than the MWC or WAC. It isn't as good as the Big 12. I don't see it as being any worse than the Big East. I really think that it is a push when it comes to that.

I suppose I'm putting my hope on the fact that I don't see conferences as being all that stable right now, and there will be additional changes in the future. The Big East western division might be a step up from the MWC. But I don't see it as being that much better than independence. Particularly when you consider that within a couple of years the BCS as we know it could be gone. And then what was the point?

[lambdacoug]

Think about this "all of a sudden" accusation for a moment. Was there something that came out in the press recently that maybe could have had some impact on BYU's decision to join the Big East? Like, maybe, a bunch of statements from BCS-related individuals casting doubt on the future of automatic qualifying in the near future (which automatic qualifying is one of the few benefits to Big East membership)?

Sure, there could have been an "all of a sudden" change in position by BYU, but could it not have been in response to some "all of a sudden" revelations about the future viability of the BCS?

So we fuck up the Big XII negotiations because of stability concerns, then are in talks with the more unstable BE, then cut off negotiations with the BE based on sudden speculation about future BCS formats?

Yes, our admins are a bunch of morans.

[dabrockster]

This isn't anything new, is it? I mean, in all the time that BYU was in the MWC, how many different bowls did they go to?

I guess that to a degree I'm coming to terms with independence. It is better than the MWC or WAC. It isn't as good as the Big 12. I don't see it as being any worse than the Big East. I really think that it is a push when it comes to that.

I suppose I'm putting my hope on the fact that I don't see conferences as being all that stable right now, and there will be additional changes in the future. The Big East western division might be a step up from the MWC. But I don't see it as being that much better than independence. Particularly when you consider that within a couple of years the BCS as we know it could be gone. And then what was the point?

I think playing against a PAC team vs. a Conference USA team is more appealing.. Not that I am wanting anything to do with MWC. It is a abomination.. I just wish we had better bowl opportunities as an Indy.. It is difficult when most bowl have conference tie-ins..


I'm just irked today.. This was not the news I was expecting when I woke up this morning.. I was warming up to BE, but would much rather be in the Big 12. But was willing to accept... This effing rollercoaster ride on conference realignment was fun at first... Now I feel like I am on the teacup ride and no one will let me off...

[Pheidippides]

Bacon isn't healthy for you anyway, I guess. Enjoy that sandwich.

[Moliere]

Wait, so no Big East?

[KillerDog]

Two fiascoes in a row. B-12 and BEast both looked at BYU seriously and were interested until they realized that BYU was not stating a negotiation position to get a better deal, they were really that irrational.