The End of The Big East Conference?

Scott Merryfield · 05-14-2003, 08:59 AM

The Atlantic Coast Conference has voted to expand from nine to twelve teams, and it appears that the conference has its sights set on schools from the Big East to fill those spots. Miami is the primary school being recruited, with Syracuse, Boston College and Virginia Tech being the other possibilities.

Supposedly, Miami wants Syracuse to come along, and Virginia agreed to the expansion only if Virginia Tech was part of the plan. However, the rest of the ACC wants Boston College and its large TV market. Syracuse does not seem too thrilled at the idea of riding into the ACC on Miami's coat tails.

The Big Ten has also been looking into adding a 12th team, and Syracuse's name has come up as a possibility. If Miami relents on the Orangemen coming along, it's entirely possible that Miami, BC and VT could end up in the ACC and Syracuse could then jump to the Big Ten.

This would remove virtually all the football powers from the Big East. Could the conference survive as a basketball-only conference, or would it fall apart like the Southwestern Conference did after its football powers left for the Big 12 and SEC?

Steve Clark · 05-14-2003, 09:34 AM

I would think that if those teams mentioned moved to the ACC, then Pittsburgh, which is getting its football act together with coaching and facilities, would be forced to make noise about moving to the Big Ten.

Todd Henry · 05-14-2003, 09:43 AM

I think the Big East is in a lot of trouble. They might try to cherry pick some Atlantic 10, Conference USA or even MAC schools. The teams with big issues would be the 5 remaining football schools and Notre Dame.

The big domino is the Big 10 (11). The commissioner has said that they are very happy with 11 teams and are not thinking about expansion. Joe Paterno has made some comments about adding Pitt. I do think the Big 10 is still holding out for Notre Dame.

It will be interesting summer for college sports fans.

Todd

Patrick Sun · 05-14-2003, 09:56 AM

The Big East will turn into the Big Least if this happens.

Scott Merryfield · 05-14-2003, 10:03 AM

Quote:

I would think that if those teams mentioned moved to the ACC, then Pittsburgh, which is getting its football act together with coaching and facilities, would be forced to make noise about moving to the Big Ten.

Pitt would definitely be a candidate for the Big 10/11, along with Syracuse. Even though the commish has stated that the Big Ten is happy with 11 teams, the possibilities of all that money from a football conference championship game by adding a 12th team will be too much to pass up. This move by the ACC just makes it easier for the Big Ten to expand.

Quote:

I do think the Big 10 is still holding out for Notre Dame.

While the Irish would be a perfect fit for the conference, there is no way that ND is going to give up all that money NBC keeps throwing their way to broadcast the school's football games and that they get from bowl appearances. If they join the Big Ten, the Irish will have to start sharing all the revenue with the other 11 teams.

If the Big East ends up disbanding, though, Notre Dame will once again be looking for a place to play basketball.

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Jed M · 05-14-2003, 02:53 PM

This does not look good for the Big East or the BCS. Its a shame because it looked like the Big East was moving forward with teams like Pitt and even UConn jumped into the mix. I honestly think this move will devastate Big East football for a long, long time.

As far as the BCS, I don't think they could give an automatic bid to a conference that would be on par or inferior to Conference USA, or almost the Mtn West (if SU,Miami, And VT go). I read reports that the Big East would go after Louisville, but personally I think the CUSA looks pretty good right now. Give them about 10 more years to grow and you never know, they could be a powerhouse conference if they make the right moves. They have a great basketball conference and thats a cheap way of getting name recognition in order to expand and attract football (like the ACC).

I never thought I would say the ACC is a major football conference but with teams like Virginia, GT, Clemson, Maryland, Syracuse, Florida St., Miami and either VT or BC it is going to be pretty tough. Even NC and WF can surprise you with a decent season.

I think the Big East got what was coming to them, unfortunately. They never put enough emphasis on football, and although I prefer college basketball I realize football is the reason we have these mega conferences, because its football that brings home the real money. I always thought it was kinda ridiculous to allow the Big East a BCS spot when a handful of their members did not even field teams. That, to me, does not epitomize what a football conference deserving of an automatic BSC spot is. Without Miami or Syracuse, I can't say that it has weakened my opinion.

I am sure the Big East will survive and I think they should go after Louisville, UMass, and possibly RI, but that is not going to replace what they are about to lose. Its a real tough situation for Big East fans and as a Big 8 fan we saw it happen to the South West Conference when we took their 3 best teams + Baylor. Its not fair to the fans left behind, but in the end its all about the all mighty dollar.

Angelo.M · 05-14-2003, 03:07 PM

My guess is that all large conferences that aren't yet at 12 teams--Big 10, Pac 10, ACC--will be there within the next few years. Conferences like the Big East and Atlantic 10 will have to reorganize.

Of course, the Big Ten is already at 11, so when it goes to 12 it can call itself the Big Twelve, or the New Big Twelve, or the Really Big Twelve, and the Big Twelve can be the Big Fourteen, or the Conference Formerly Known as the Big Twelve.

Evan S · 05-14-2003, 03:28 PM

Quote:

This does not look good for the Big East or the BCS. Its a shame because it looked like the Big East was moving forward with teams like Pitt and even UConn jumped into the mix.

This is depressing for fans of UConn as they have the preseason #1 team in basketball and are perennial powers. They just built a 300 million dollar football stadium for the Huskies move to division 1 football and had a very surprising 6-6 season last year in division 1 including a season ending thrashing of Seneca Wallace and Iowa State in Ames. The future never looked brighter for UConn football, but if this comes to fruition, what conference would they play in and what recruits could they get if they don't have Syracuse, BC and Miami on the schedule?

Scott Merryfield · 05-14-2003, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Of course, the Big Ten is already at 11, so when it goes to 12 it can call itself the Big Twelve, or the New Big Twelve, or the Really Big Twelve, and the Big Twelve can be the Big Fourteen, or the Conference Formerly Known as the Big Twelve.

How about the Big "We Can't Count Past" 10 Conference?

I would expect The Big Ten to retain its existing name even with a 12th team. Unfortunately, the current conference logo will have to change (it incorporated the number 11 into the words "Big Ten").