ericdickerson4life wrote:BRStang wrote:I agree with Stallion, and this is why AFA, Navy and apparently Boise are hesitant to jump. They are (probably like SMU) considering whether they should stand pat or go with this merger plan, which seems like a cluster to most people. The fact remains though, that with more teams clamoring to get out of the Big East, and no one standing up to support it and add more teams, the Big East is losing its grip. What happens if ND pulls out? Does the B1G take Rutgers and Uconn too? What happens if the Big 12 invites Lville, Cincy and WVU after Mizzou defects? The Big East is no longer, that's what happens. And, I bet if you ask, each of those schools would wish for that scenario immediately. And by the way, don't be foolish enough to think the BCS and ESPN wouldn't change the rules to cripple a C-USA in Big East clothing.
For the record, I am still holding out hope that the Big East moves quickly and decisively and can stabilize this thing before its too late.
Again, nothing has changed since day one. These were all possibilities, with a ton of others out there. Let's see the B12 2 months ago was seen as the least stable conference. What, they have an agreement now (essentially between OU and UT) to hold the thing together until one or both decides they want to move on. All the schools in the B12 probably would like to jump to the SEC/PAC 12/B10 as well if they had an opportunity. Money and stability is all that matters. Right now it's about perception and what makes news and BE realignment is making news. Again, nothing has changed since the initial invite/rumor. We jump ship and move forward. If the BE collapses and we don't get into an AQ when the wheels stop turning we join the Sunbelt because it won't matter. Any serious team that wants to have a chance to be in the upper echelon of college football would never look at the merger scenario. That is like standing in line to be executed without even being forced in the line.
With the exception that I don't think "nothing has changed" (sorry for the double-negative), I don't disagree with you. WVU is supposedly leaving and possibly Louisville, too. That is a change. However, the more time that goes by without the Big East making positive news, the worse the circumstances seem to become for the conference. My big concern is that there is no more Big East to join by the time everyone finishes jumping ship.
Could invites to the six schools and acceptances by AFA and Boise have stabilized things a bit? I don't know. I don't think you would have this crazy panic all over the place. But, I agree, there was always the possibilty of defections. I just think the Big East should be trying to work through that situation calmly and methodically, rather than letting this all out panic take hold.
I will say this: I know it would be a coup, but if the Big East could snag BYU along with the Boise, AFA, Navy, SMU, UCF and Houston, I think the Big East ship stops sinking immediately.
