Second round of conference expansion is beginning.

[K92]

If the Big East is "successful" and lands Air Force, Army, Navy, Temple, UCF & ECU can they officially change their name to CUSA II? They are on life support and grasping at straws. WVU fans have to be losing their minds right now.

[UAZipster0305]

If the Big East is "successful" and lands Air Force, Army, Navy, Temple, UCF & ECU can they officially change their name to CUSA II? They are on life support and grasping at straws. WVU fans have to be losing their minds right now.

If the Big Ten, Big 12 (8?), and SEC won't take them, WVU becomes the only major program to be demoted to a mid-major conference in all of this madness.

If the BE takes the teams you say, I think they lose their automatic BCS birth. I'd prefer to see the BE implode myself...there needs to be an emoticon for a mushroom cloud!

[Big Zip]

There is talk about the Big12 actually being the Big12 again....after all with TCU heading to the Big12 I think they only have 12, but apparently Missouri is talking about bolting to the SEC. This is all hard to keep track of.

You know if our Football program was evern .500 you'd have to believe we'd be in the conversation with the Men's Basketball Team playing well and the Soccer Team National Championship.

[ZachTheZip]

With TCU, the Big 12 is back to 10 teams.

[johnnyzip84]

A good summary of the Big East's woes.

Good call, Keener! Instead of CUSA II, the writer calls it Conference USA circa 2004

[Zip Watcher]

For old farts like me, Big East hoops and an infant ESPN basically grew up together in as symbiotic of a relationship as TV sports fans had witnessed up until that time (early to mid 80's).

Nice trip down memory lane. I fondly remember those days when there was only on ESPN and to play on Monday night was huge deal. Now, playing on ESPN is just another TV game.

Some of my more inebriated appearances on National Cable TV were on Monday nights.

[zippy5]

Army says no to the BE.

[ZachTheZip]

Army says no to the BE.

But Navy says "get your house in order and you can count us in".

[zippy5]

CUSA and MWC trying to get a BCS bid for the best team in the 2 conferences. Sadly, the MAC can't even get in that conversation.

[ZachTheZip]

CUSA and MWC trying to get a BCS bid for the best team in the 2 conferences. Sadly, the MAC can't even get in that conversation.

Why does the MWC think that associating with a conference several competitive levels beneath them will enhance their chance at a BCS bid?

[Doug Snyder]

There are 120 D1 programs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_I_(NCAA)

If there are 5 division and if they all get to 16 teams it will mean 80 of the 120 will be in BCS division conferences. It will effectively shut out the other 40 schools. Will they create their own division?? I think it is inevitable. But I believe it will eventually be destroyed from within. If they start paying players and raising costs, not all will be able to compete financially. The college football landscape will continually evolve over the next 15 years. I don't agree with GP1...Akron should not chase this but focus on improving their performance, athletically and academically, and student commitment (attendance).

Dayton used to have horrible attendance and they dropped back 2 divisions and started to win (football). Attendance increased. Marshall thought they were ready to make the move up…how did that work out?? My advice…relax and try to dominate the MAC. Also…work within the MAC to improve the MAC.

[zippy5]

CUSA and MWC trying to get a BCS bid for the best team in the 2 conferences. Sadly, the MAC can't even get in that conversation.

Why does the MWC think that associating with a conference several competitive levels beneath them will enhance their chance at a BCS bid?

I'd argue that Houston/UCF/SMU are better than the new MWC best teams without TCU BYU and Utah.

[Zipmeister]

There are 120 D1 programs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_I_(NCAA)

If there are 5 division and if they all get to 16 teams it will mean 80 of the 120 will be in BCS division conferences. It will effectively shut out the other 40 schools. Will they create their own division?? I think it is inevitable. But I believe it will eventually be destroyed from within. If they start paying players and raising costs, not all will be able to compete financially. The college football landscape will continually evolve over the next 15 years. I don't agree with GP1...Akron should not chase this but focus on improving their performance, athletically and academically, and student commitment (attendance).

Dayton used to have horrible attendance and they dropped back 2 divisions and started to win (football). Attendance increased. Marshall thought they were ready to make the move up…how did that work out?? My advice…relax and try to dominate the MAC. Also…work within the MAC to improve the MAC.

You may have me on a technicality since you didn't say football attendance increased, but assuming you meant football attendance Dayton might not be the best example to use; they averaged 3,286 per home game in 2010. I believe it may have been a tad higher in a few of the previous years but nothing to write home about.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/d47a56...88ffc9080650d5b

[ZachTheZip]

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/c-usa/...USAFootball.pdf

C-USA and the MWC consolidate their football teams into one 22-team mega-conference. It seems to work like they have in the FCS's Missouri Valley Football Conference, where the MVC and Horizon football teams are in one conference under a unified banner that is a semi-independent entity.

[Zipmeister]

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/c-usa/...USAFootball.pdf

C-USA and the MWC consolidate their football teams into one 22-team mega-conference. It seems to work like they have in the FCS's Missouri Valley Football Conference, where the MVC and Horizon football teams are in one conference under a unified banner that is a semi-independent entity.

You aren't making stuff up again are you? Only three teams in the Horizon have varsity football and two of them play in the Pioneer League.

[K92]

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/c-usa/...USAFootball.pdf

C-USA and the MWC consolidate their football teams into one 22-team mega-conference. It seems to work like they have in the FCS's Missouri Valley Football Conference, where the MVC and Horizon football teams are in one conference under a unified banner that is a semi-independent entity.

You aren't making stuff up again are you? Only three teams in the Horizon have varsity football and two of them play in the Pioneer League.

Nit picker.

[K92]

If the reports are accurate, WVU is headed to the Big XII. Congratulations to the Mountaineers. There has to be a huge collective sigh of relief in Morgantown. I don't know about you, but from a fan's perspective it appears to me that the Big XII just got better in this round. Markets be damned: WVU & TCU>Mizzou & aTm

[GP1]

GP1, I respect your opinion on this, but I don't think you realize that conferences aren't really just about athletics. WVU has no chance of the Big Ten, and a miniscule chance at the ACC. Those 2 conferences take academics just as seriously as athletics. Academics as a whole institution, not how smart the players are.for instance, the Big Ten isn't going to accept anyone that isn't an AAU member, which WVU is not.

Looks like WVU to Big XII. I guess schools with low academic standards like Baylor and Texas will have another friend to play football with.Want to know why teams like Missouri, WVU, etc. are passing on the Big Ten? It has nothing to do with academic standards and the Big Ten passing on them. If it was, Nebraska wouldn't get in. It's because the league is crap and schools want to be part of something bigger, not smaller. Adding Nebraska to the league does nothing more than add an average Big 12 team to the league. Granted, Nebraska is still better than 90% of the Big Ten, but the rest of the league isn't very good.Academics have noting to do with the moves conferences are making.

[Zipmeister]

GP1, I respect your opinion on this, but I don't think you realize that conferences aren't really just about athletics. WVU has no chance of the Big Ten, and a miniscule chance at the ACC. Those 2 conferences take academics just as seriously as athletics. Academics as a whole institution, not how smart the players are.for instance, the Big Ten isn't going to accept anyone that isn't an AAU member, which WVU is not.

Looks like WVU to Big XII. I guess schools with low academic standards like Baylor and Texas will have another friend to play football with.Want to know why teams like Missouri, WVU, etc. are passing on the Big Ten? It has nothing to do with academic standards and the Big Ten passing on them. If it was, Nebraska wouldn't get in. It's because the league is crap and schools want to be part of something bigger, not smaller. Adding Nebraska to the league does nothing more than add an average Big 12 team to the league. Granted, Nebraska is still better than 90% of the Big Ten, but the rest of the league isn't very good.Academics have noting to do with the moves conferences are making.

"...you want it to be one way. But it's the other way." --Marlo Stanfield, The Wire

[you am i]

GP1, I respect your opinion on this, but I don't think you realize that conferences aren't really just about athletics. WVU has no chance of the Big Ten, and a miniscule chance at the ACC. Those 2 conferences take academics just as seriously as athletics. Academics as a whole institution, not how smart the players are.for instance, the Big Ten isn't going to accept anyone that isn't an AAU member, which WVU is not.

Looks like WVU to Big XII. I guess schools with low academic standards like Baylor and Texas will have another friend to play football with.Want to know why teams like Missouri, WVU, etc. are passing on the Big Ten? It has nothing to do with academic standards and the Big Ten passing on them. If it was, Nebraska wouldn't get in. It's because the league is crap and schools want to be part of something bigger, not smaller. Adding Nebraska to the league does nothing more than add an average Big 12 team to the league. Granted, Nebraska is still better than 90% of the Big Ten, but the rest of the league isn't very good.Academics have noting to do with the moves conferences are making.

You honestly believe that WVU and Missouri took a "pass" on joining the Big Ten? Wow. They would kill to get an invite.

[bobbyake]

The MAC should be looking into a merger with the Sub Belt Conference right now. The WAC wouldn't make geographical sense. If not a merger with the Sun Belt, steal a few teams from the FCS because if things don't change, the MAC could end up a FCS conference.

[you am i]

GP1, I respect your opinion on this, but I don't think you realize that conferences aren't really just about athletics. WVU has no chance of the Big Ten, and a miniscule chance at the ACC. Those 2 conferences take academics just as seriously as athletics. Academics as a whole institution, not how smart the players are.for instance, the Big Ten isn't going to accept anyone that isn't an AAU member, which WVU is not.

Looks like WVU to Big XII. I guess schools with low academic standards like Baylor and Texas will have another friend to play football with.Want to know why teams like Missouri, WVU, etc. are passing on the Big Ten? It has nothing to do with academic standards and the Big Ten passing on them. If it was, Nebraska wouldn't get in. It's because the league is crap and schools want to be part of something bigger, not smaller. Adding Nebraska to the league does nothing more than add an average Big 12 team to the league. Granted, Nebraska is still better than 90% of the Big Ten, but the rest of the league isn't very good.Academics have noting to do with the moves conferences are making.

You honestly believe that WVU and Missouri took a "pass" on joining the Big Ten? Wow. They would kill to get an invite.

The Big Ten is paying each member $22.6 million this year. The Big 12 is paying out $12 million to each member. No one leaves the Big Ten once they get in. No one.

[GP1]

GP1, I respect your opinion on this, but I don't think you realize that conferences aren't really just about athletics. WVU has no chance of the Big Ten, and a miniscule chance at the ACC. Those 2 conferences take academics just as seriously as athletics. Academics as a whole institution, not how smart the players are.for instance, the Big Ten isn't going to accept anyone that isn't an AAU member, which WVU is not.

Looks like WVU to Big XII. I guess schools with low academic standards like Baylor and Texas will have another friend to play football with.Want to know why teams like Missouri, WVU, etc. are passing on the Big Ten? It has nothing to do with academic standards and the Big Ten passing on them. If it was, Nebraska wouldn't get in. It's because the league is crap and schools want to be part of something bigger, not smaller. Adding Nebraska to the league does nothing more than add an average Big 12 team to the league. Granted, Nebraska is still better than 90% of the Big Ten, but the rest of the league isn't very good.Academics have noting to do with the moves conferences are making.

You honestly believe that WVU and Missouri took a "pass" on joining the Big Ten? Wow. They would kill to get an invite.

Maybe pass isn't the right word. They looked at better options. Missouri was always rumored to join the Big Ten and they didn't because the SEC is a better league. WVU didn't go crawling on their hands and knees to the Big Ten. Outside of Notre Dame, future Big Ten expansion will be adding garbage to an already bad league. Certainly not a Leader in college football.

[UAZipster0305]

GP1, I respect your opinion on this, but I don't think you realize that conferences aren't really just about athletics. WVU has no chance of the Big Ten, and a miniscule chance at the ACC. Those 2 conferences take academics just as seriously as athletics. Academics as a whole institution, not how smart the players are.for instance, the Big Ten isn't going to accept anyone that isn't an AAU member, which WVU is not.

Looks like WVU to Big XII. I guess schools with low academic standards like Baylor and Texas will have another friend to play football with.Want to know why teams like Missouri, WVU, etc. are passing on the Big Ten? It has nothing to do with academic standards and the Big Ten passing on them. If it was, Nebraska wouldn't get in. It's because the league is crap and schools want to be part of something bigger, not smaller. Adding Nebraska to the league does nothing more than add an average Big 12 team to the league. Granted, Nebraska is still better than 90% of the Big Ten, but the rest of the league isn't very good.Academics have noting to do with the moves conferences are making.

You honestly believe that WVU and Missouri took a "pass" on joining the Big Ten? Wow. They would kill to get an invite.

Maybe pass isn't the right word. They looked at better options. Missouri was always rumored to join the Big Ten and they didn't because the SEC is a better league. WVU didn't go crawling on their hands and knees to the Big Ten. Outside of Notre Dame, future Big Ten expansion will be adding garbage to an already bad league. Certainly not a Leader in college football.

They aren't the Legends they proclaim to be either.

[you am i]

GP1, I respect your opinion on this, but I don't think you realize that conferences aren't really just about athletics. WVU has no chance of the Big Ten, and a miniscule chance at the ACC. Those 2 conferences take academics just as seriously as athletics. Academics as a whole institution, not how smart the players are.for instance, the Big Ten isn't going to accept anyone that isn't an AAU member, which WVU is not.

Looks like WVU to Big XII. I guess schools with low academic standards like Baylor and Texas will have another friend to play football with.Want to know why teams like Missouri, WVU, etc. are passing on the Big Ten? It has nothing to do with academic standards and the Big Ten passing on them. If it was, Nebraska wouldn't get in. It's because the league is crap and schools want to be part of something bigger, not smaller. Adding Nebraska to the league does nothing more than add an average Big 12 team to the league. Granted, Nebraska is still better than 90% of the Big Ten, but the rest of the league isn't very good.Academics have noting to do with the moves conferences are making.

You honestly believe that WVU and Missouri took a "pass" on joining the Big Ten? Wow. They would kill to get an invite.

Maybe pass isn't the right word. They looked at better options. Missouri was always rumored to join the Big Ten and they didn't because the SEC is a better league. WVU didn't go crawling on their hands and knees to the Big Ten. Outside of Notre Dame, future Big Ten expansion will be adding garbage to an already bad league. Certainly not a Leader in college football.

ESPN, 10/6/11: MISSOURI WANTED BIG TEN INVITE THE MOST - Missouri is hoping to join the Southeastern Conference but would have preferred an offer from the Big Ten that never came, a university official said yesterday. Missouri hoped to join the Big Ten last year but the league instead chose Nebraska. The university official said the Big Ten remains Missouri's top choice but that conference "has no interest." "That's what's left," the official said, referring to the SEC.Sporting News, 10/5/11: BIG TEN COULD STEAL MISSOURI FROM SEC - The Big Ten carries the academic prestige that so attracted Missouri a year ago. Missouri is a member of the Association of Academic Universities and school officials thought that would be its ticket. *** Given that the SEC currently maintains no buyout for members to escape the league, even after joining the the Tigers could walk away the moment the option to join the Big Ten became available.There are lots of other stories about this but you get the point. The SEC was Missouri's second choice. My prediction is that within the next few years the Big Ten will expand to 16 teams and that Missouri will be in. Probably Pitt and Syracuse as well. Then they will go hard after Notre Dame to be the 16th team. WVU need not bother begging and crawling to get in the Big Ten. It would not help. The school that is going to get screwed the worst after all this shakes out is Cincinnati. No BCS conference has expressed any interest in taking them in. They will be drop down to a non BCS-school when all is said and done.