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If the Big East and Conf. USA collaborate on membership or a playoff game (e.g. if BE is at risk to lose BCS status, they might salvage it this way), then the Mid-Majors/non-BCS schools might look for a play-in approach by either pairing up BE/Conf USA or MVC/WAC or qualifying by playing each other's champion.

MAC and Sunbelt may or may not be party to this. Comments? Either way, WAC-East or Conf. USA-West needs to occur for us.

Lastly, what is Army hoping to do?

Excellant summary on the issues and options the Big East will be facing in maitaining BCS Status. Syracuse, BC, Pitt and WVA won't want dilute quality but may need to be more creative.

<A HREF="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/stewart_mandel/news/2003/07/02/mandel_bigeast/" TARGET=_blank>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/stewart_mandel/news/2003/07/02/mandel_ bigeast/</A>

[This message has been edited by Water Pony (edited 07-03-2003).]

Your first question was talked about in a pretty extensive thread yesterday.

Army appears to want to be an independent.

If Army's goal is to be independent, then Navy, ND and they are the only reasonable independents going forward. The remaining few independents, who want to be or remain as Div. 1, must align at some point.

Alternatively, the pool of Div 1A must shrink, as desired by many. What is the magic number of schools in Div 1A? 117, 113, 109, 97, 85, 73, 65? My guess is approximately 97?

[This message has been edited by Water Pony (edited 07-03-2003).]

I haven't done the numbers on it but 97 seems a little high. That would mean a loss of only a few schools. The MAC and SBC will go the way of the dinosaurs. Some schools will be left on an island. No conference to join within reasonable distance.

The issues impacting this number include:

- The Academic Reform, including Progress toward Graduation
- Attendance Targets
- Number of scholarships and Teams

Also, posters on Louisville Message Board feel Army may be a candidate for BE (not independence) and bring Navy, creating a strong academic, very Eastern model with Louisville the only other addition. The other alternative (besides merging with Conf. USA) is to truly seek stronger FB teams for BE, which is very difficult. Who are the candidates?

Also, Army and Navy will not be all Sports members. They are better suited in Patriot League for other sports, especially BB.

[This message has been edited by Water Pony (edited 07-03-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Water Pony (edited 07-03-2003).]

Very funny and entertaining article suggesting that South Carolina is only "rassinall" choice to be added as #12 for ACC. Enjoy. The logic isn't bad either:

<A HREF="http://www.gamecockcentral.com/cgi-bin/article/read.pl?dir=fanfare&id=2810" TARGET=_blank>http://www.gamecockcentral.com/cgi-bin/article/read.pl?dir=fanfare&id=2810</A>