According to ESPN: SMU target of BE, not AFA

[smupony94]

http://www.wmctv.com/story/15657761/rc-johnson-on-u-of-m-we-deserve-to-be-in-sec?clienttype=printable

"We want to try to get ourselves in the best possible place," Johnson said. "Ultimately we would like to be in the SEC. That's where we think we belong geographically. We think we deserve to be."

Did EJ mean Memphis instead of SMU?

[PonyKai]

Can't fault him...we feel and publicized the exact same thing to the big 12...

But did we do it with Phil Bennett going 0-12 in a watered down non-AQ league while playing in the Cotton Bowl and spinning bulls*it promises to our alumni that we "promise to compete and win?"

Memphis looks and feels like we did with Copeland running the show, Bennett driving the car into the wall, and being stuck off campus at a way-too-big stadium that's far from top of the line in an urban setting.

[PonyPatrol]

Last few paragraphs from this afternoon's Boston.com article below. This seems like the most likely scenario, and has been mentioned in two articles from northeastern sources within the last hour. Temple/UCF (in), Air Force (in), Boise/Navy (?), SMU/Houston (take 1 immediately and the second when Louisville bolts for Big 12).

Western division then includes: SMU/Houston/Air Force/Boise/Cincinnati/WVU
Eastern division: UCONN/Rutgers/USF/UCF/Navy/Temple

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/e ... xpans.html

According to sources in the Big East, the focus group of teams would include a group of football-only schools like Boise State, Navy and Air Force, as well as potential full members in Central Florida, Temple, Southern Methodist and Houston, as well as Villanova, which is already a member of the conference in all sports but FBS football.

The idea will be to present the overall plan for consideration among the membership in the next few days, approve it, with the idea of forming a 12-team league in football and a 16- to 18-team league in basketball.

Of the list of candidates, UCF and Temple seem the most likely to immediately accept full membership, while Boise, Air Force and Navy still have some obstacles to overcome.

Houston or SMU would also be part of the package and if Louisville, which has been projected as a target of further expansion by the Big 12, were to leave, both Texas schools would join the conference. Such a move would give the Big East a Western-dominated division consisting of Boise State, Air Force and the two Texas schools

[smupony94]

Big East with a western dominated division

[peruna11]

More of the same.

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2011/10/big_east_expansion_update_bois.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Stallion]

This is going to be a challenge-unfortunately w/o the local attendance bump of the Big 12

[PonyPatrol]

It still appears much more attractive to our current situation and BE could potentially retain BCS standing w/ Boise's inclusion.

[PonyKai]

After four glorious hours in the spotlight, ECU has already been shoved back to the periphery, despite the fact they've been playing a boombox outside of the Big East's window for six years.

[ColoStang]

Its very relieving to hear our name back in the fold. Need it to happen already.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Bennett never coached in the Cotton Bowl. The Ponies moved to Ford in 2000 when Cavan was coach. The point, however, is very valid.

[gostangs]

you get SMU and UH several million a year in extra reveune and a path to a BCS bowl and look out - both our programs could get really interesting. I kind of like the way that conference lays out - would be pretty solid top to bottom. I think Houston has way more long term potential then lousiville - so it is interesting that Big 12 would pick them and then open the door for Houston in the BE. The basketball would be flat out great for our program at just the right time.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

I love this part of the NJ article:

"But Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson told the Boston Globe that his league would consider taking the remaining sports from both Boise and Air Force."

Benson is looking for revenge against Craig Thompson. The personal war between those two is fascinating.

[Stallion]

I agree 1000% on Houston having more potential than Louisville in Football. Their respective histories clearly show this. UH has been a Top 10 team numerous times in the 70-80-90s. Give Houston a nice venue and a good conference and watch out. Houston just sucked at the wrong time and didn't have the alumni support to build quality facilities. Low academic standards, good minority environment right in the middle of a fantastic recruiting base. Big 12 will probably ignore Houston though.

[MustangSTATS]

After four glorious hours in the spotlight, ECU has already been shoved back to the periphery, despite the fact they've been playing a boombox outside of the Big East's window for six years.

YouTube clip for reference

ECU (holding boombox):in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete

Big East: ummmmm...no

[goldenstang]

Every team that we will be playing should draw better than everyone we currently play excluding maybe UTEP