UConn - UConn football moved up to Division I-A status in 2000, was included in official NCAA Division I-A statistics for the first time in 2002 USF - The team began playing in 1997, competing their first four years as a Division I-AA, moved to Division I-A, in 2001 Cincinnati - former CUSA Louisville - former CUSA
Rutgers WVA
add:
UCF - move to Division I-A in 1996 Army Navy AFA
I think the MWC has better overall strength.
Current Big East
Last edited by GRGB on Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
If all three services academies accept along with UCF, the BE is a 10 FB member conference.
If 12, SMU/UH would add western depth with AFA.
If 14, ECU and Temple.
Does the Big 12 need to put a fence around DFW and Houston? Having the SEC gain a second foothold in Texas, it would be bad news with a weekly SEC game in either College Station or Dallas.
After thinking about it here are some reasons why the Big East might make a good fit for SMU and vice versa, if two or three of the service academies sign on.
Somewhat similar academics, size of schools and athletic budgets. SMU gives the BE a presence in Texas which is what TCU offered. If two or three service academies sign on preferably three, the BCS will feel pressure to keep the BE a AQ conference. For SMU it offers schools which we have a better chance of competing with, even dominating. Down the road ND might see the sense of joining the BE because of the above factors, which would really enhance the BE.
USF, UConn and Rutgers have no options. BC will blackball UConn and, as a result, no reason to take Rutgers. The remaining threat to the BE is the Ohio River schools being poached by the Big 12, who should focus regionally on the SW and Great Plains. I don't think Big 12 gets better, except for WVA, which is a long way from Texas/OK.
I would not be one bit surprised if Orsini is not having conversations with the Big East. Of course SMU would not want to get in if the BE dissolves. The key is at least AFA and Navy, to keep the BE an AQ. SMU offers much the same advantage as TCU did.
