SLC Tribune: "BYU and BE working on last minute details"

[Kynd Tulsa Phan]

I'm holding out hope for Texas state red pony

If byu joins the big east I'll stop crying. That with Boise would make this a real conference.

Beat Houston!

[panhandle_pony]

The beat writer listed all the new additions but didn't mention Air Force - are they out?

[SMU 86]

Navy is in and the AFA superintendent thinks AFA should stay in MWC for competitive reasons from my understanding.

[LHS81]

No USAF. Does this mean San Diego St?

[SMU 86]

BYU is the school that is somewhat replacing AFA for now. They still might come later, depending on what General Gould wants to do.

[Kynd Tulsa Phan]

I hate being left out.

This would be a really good conference

Houston
Pony
Tulsa
Boise
Cougar
BYU
Memphis

Uconn
Rutgers
Louisville
Cinncy
UCF
Navy
USF

[Kynd Tulsa Phan]

Youve got to figure that Uconn and Rutgers are out as soon as they get a chance.

14 teams makes more sense if you ask me.

[StallionsModelT]

Tulsa has WAY too many negatives prohibiting it from being in an AQ conference. It is viewed nationally as a tiny regional school that has zero history or tradition, is in a virtual wasteland in terms of TV sets and potential for growing TV deals with networks, and doesn't have the political/power brokers who could potentially get them over the hump. Unless they go on a TCU-esque type of run (i.e. several 10-1 or even undefeated seasons) they will forever be on the outside looking in at AQ status. Southern Miss is very similar. A regional program with no national brand or tradition.

The fact that SMU is actually going to a BCS conference, given our marginal success in football and absolute God-awful record in basketball, speaks VOLUMES about how other university presidents, conference commissioners, and people behind the scenes perceive SMU. Right or wrong, SMU is viewed as a potential windfall for the Big East. Its in Dallas, it has a national brand and tradition (not all Death Penalty crap), is a nationally respected academic institution, and has some of the most powerful, influential, and wealthy alums of any school in America regardless of conference affiliation or alumni numbers. SMU is also 100% committed to winning. It wasn't just hiring June Jones. Crum, the Moody facelift, the IPF, and facilities that are now putting us up there with any program in the country send the signal that we are ready and willing to play at the big boy table.

IMO, we have underacheived the past two seasons. June did a phenomenal job of getting the kids to believe and getting that one landmark season back in 09. But this year and last year we have dropped games that we shouldn't have and in others didn't even bother to show up. That goes back to coaching. Hopefully going to the Big East will reinvigorate the staff to expect and demand better performance. Efforts like Tulsa, Southern Miss, Army bowl game, etc. are not going to get it done.

[LHS81]

Rutgers and UCONN aren't going anywhere. Especially UCONN, due to their academics. Tulsa will make a fine addition when they join the Sun Belt Conference.

[smupony94]

KTP needs to buy the old Mrs. Baited plant and open University of Tulsa-Dallas so they can say they are in a major market

[SMU_Alumni11]

KTP needs to buy the old Mrs. Baited plant and open University of Tulsa-Dallas so they can say they are in a major market

They could play against UTA and UTD and drop their last letters and said they are so good they are soo good they played UT twice

[StallionsModelT]

I agree. UCONN and Rutgers aren't going anywhere anytime soon. If the ACC wanted them they'd have gone out and grabbed them. Besides their commissioner has said any expansion will balance academics with athletics so UCONN has no chance. Rutgers might because its AAU but I highly doubt it. The best case scenario for both schools is to make the Big East the most viable, sustainable, and healthy conference they can.

[redpony]

The new additions to the BE look to be quite good, especially if BYU is in. I think those addditions may give pause to some of the schools that earlier wanted out. The BE could end up being a very excellent sports conference. JMHO.

GO PONIES!!!

[Nacho]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC6_Qbul44s

osu in tulsa. no need for tu.