Big East targets SMU and Central Florida for football expans

[ponyinNC]

I wonder if Big East officials watched or attended the SMU-TCU game and saw the natural, regional rivalry that truly exists between us. Packed house, great game, 40 miles between us, two competing cities.

[mustangxc]

Would be awesome to have SMU-TCU become the signature game of the Big East Conference!!!

[mathman]

Game Day.

[EastStang]

I have to say, I would love for very selfish reason for SMU to end up in the Big East. Hoops games against Georgetown and Villanova nearby. Conference tourney at MSG. And for football. Games in WVA, NJ, PA and NJ would be a bonus. As to why SMU over Houston. I think there are three probable reasons: (1) Private school (2) Notre Dame and (3) we beat TCU. I also think there is some evidence that perhaps DeLoss Dodds is getting his wish for no more Texas schools in the Big XII and for that reason, TCU which has done everything needed for inclusion is getting stiff armed. If you can't join 'em, beat 'em.

[ponydawg]

Uh oh.....now UT has to decide the lessor of two evils.

If they don't take TCU in the big 12 they could have TWO more texas schools that are now BCS. Or they can take TCU and shut out SMU and prolly UH. Which is worse for them?

Always comes back to f'ing UT....

[smupony94]

We should not go to Big East. It will hurt Tulane and Rice.

So UT should never do anything that benefits them?

[ponyinNC]

Over on the TCU board, they prefer Houston to us. But they are overlooking some very notable differences between SMU and UH...differences that are very important to the BB only schools in the Big East---money, facilities, academics, travel, location, relationships, rivalry.

I'm sorry, there is no rivalry between UH and TCU. Not even really in the old SWC days. We already play TCU and Navy every year, so we have those built-in relationships established already (Gansz trophy, Iron Skillet). Academics are obviously way better (we rank #56, UH is a tier 2 school), we have the $ to make improvements if needed, UH only talks about it. We could get those improvements done immediately, UH would need to impose a new student fee in order to raise the money, which could take years. And I have to assume the BE schools would prefer to knock out 2 games in one trip to D/FW as opposed to traveling to DFW AND Houston. No way.

[NickSMU17]

If I was TCU I wouldnt want us either...

Better location, academics, facilities, alumni, women, ect....

Why open the door to a team that will eventually put you in your place....

[LA_Mustang]

I have to say, I would love for very selfish reason for SMU to end up in the Big East. Hoops games against Georgetown and Villanova nearby. Conference tourney at MSG.

East, bball rules my sports world but with football dominating the realignement talk I hadn't thought much about this in terms of bball. The thought of us playing at MSG is awesome, and scary.

[Nacho]

i'm not worried. baylor will help us.
they are big time into regional rivalries and keeping conference mates together, like they did when the swc folded. bless you baylor.

[2ndandlong]

I have to say, I would love for very selfish reason for SMU to end up in the Big East. Hoops games against Georgetown and Villanova nearby. Conference tourney at MSG.

East, bball rules my sports world but with football dominating the realignement talk I hadn't thought much about this in terms of bball. The thought of us playing at MSG is awesome, and scary.

I agree. I am very excited for the football aspects, but my basketball pants are going crazy for the Big East talk.

[NickSMU17]

With new moody and crum, we could become a bball power in the big east...defn way ahead of TCU in that venue...

[ponyinNC]

i'm afraid of the old TCU two step. everytime we join, they leave. Have to hope Mizzou stays put and Big 12 doesn't expand by taking TCU, Loisville, Cincy and WVU.

[Dutch]

i'm afraid of the old TCU two step. everytime we join, they leave. Have to hope Mizzou stays put and Big 12 doesn't expand by taking TCU, Loisville, Cincy and WVU.

i don't think big12 wants TCU.

[PonyKai]

With new moody and crum, we could become a bball power in the big east...defn way ahead of TCU in that venue...

Biggest gripe with some of the crap that's being peddled by columnists and bloggers. Gary Parrish? Bite me. Dan Wolken? Sod off. It's about a school's investment in building a successful, sustainable athletic PROGRAM that can compete at the highest level. Barring some unforeseen calamity, that's what is going on at SMU.