Second round of conference expansion is beginning.

[K92]

I won't support a program that isn't striving to compete at the top level.

Zach. Thanks for the laugh, man. Really. I gotta give credit where its due. That is one of the funniest things I have heard in quite some time.

[Zipgrad01]

I won't support a program that isn't striving to compete at the top level.It would be economic suicide to drop to a lower level. Without the money that can be brought in from being in the division we're in, it would be better for the athletic department's bottom line to simply drop the football program.

Two points:1. We don't compete at the top level right now. We call ourselves D-1A, but we really aren't. My 20 inch penis agrees.2. They will just ask the taxpayers to pick up the tab...and they will. We are currently killing ourselves by other means.Lastly, I'll say it for the 1,000th time. It isn't being sent to another level. We won't go back to I-AA and will be at a higher level than YSU. It will be a level between bcs and I-AA. We need to live in the world of reality.

This is just stupid. Why don't we just create 50 divisions so that EVERYONE can compete? There are plenty of bottom dweller high school and college programs, regardless of how many divisions there are. Adding more divisions to the NCAA will do absolutely nothing to help UA or other MAC schools. We will be playing the same teams anyway, except losing a few of the big money games like OSU, etc..which I love playing!! How will this help UA? I couldnt imagine trying to recruit a kid right now if we were in D1 part B. "Son, come play at UA where you can be a part of one of the worst D1-B programs in the country." Where do I sign up??? Regardless of how bad we are, we still get kids that are offered by some larger schools because we ARE D1. Dropping a division will hurt recruiting.I have zero interest in watching college football that is in a lower division. I know, you already think the MAC is a lower division. I would rather have the school abolish the program before dropping down a division.

[ZachTheZip]

I won't support a program that isn't striving to compete at the top level.

Zach. Thanks for the laugh, man. Really. I gotta give credit where its due. That is one of the funniest things I have heard in quite some time.

Are you laughing at your own lack of reading comprehension? Striving. We may not compete at the top of the football world, but at least the athletics department is trying. To willingly allow ourselves to be pushed down a step on the ladder so that others can benefit is to give up.

[Zipmeister]

I won't support a program that isn't striving to compete at the top level.

Zach. Thanks for the laugh, man. Really. I gotta give credit where its due. That is one of the funniest things I have heard in quite some time.

Are you laughing at your own lack of reading comprehension? Striving. We may not compete at the top of the football world, but at least the athletics department is trying. To willingly allow ourselves to be pushed down a step on the ladder so that others can benefit is to give up.

I have to go with Zach on this one. The post in question can't hold a candle on the funny scale to his post where he thought maybe a fball player wasn't on the summer roster because the player wasn't attending summer school.

[K92]

I won't support a program that isn't striving to compete at the top level.

Zach. Thanks for the laugh, man. Really. I gotta give credit where its due. That is one of the funniest things I have heard in quite some time.

Are you laughing at your own lack of reading comprehension? Striving. We may not compete at the top of the football world, but at least the athletics department is trying. To willingly allow ourselves to be pushed down a step on the ladder so that others can benefit is to give up.

No Zach, my reading comprehension is just fine. What is hilarious is the biggest football basher on the board somehow threatening to pull his "support". But Zipmeister is right. This post is nowhere near your best. That top spot is probably reserved for the time you said Alabama benefited from being the only D-I program in their state.

[zen]

I won't support a program that isn't striving to compete at the top level.It would be economic suicide to drop to a lower level. Without the money that can be brought in from being in the division we're in, it would be better for the athletic department's bottom line to simply drop the football program.

Two points:1. We don't compete at the top level right now. We call ourselves D-1A, but we really aren't. My 20 inch penis agrees.2. They will just ask the taxpayers to pick up the tab...and they will. We are currently killing ourselves by other means.Lastly, I'll say it for the 1,000th time. It isn't being sent to another level. We won't go back to I-AA and will be at a higher level than YSU. It will be a level between bcs and I-AA. We need to live in the world of reality.

someone who pulls penis size into an online argument may as well be putting hitler into it. You lose all credibility to make a point, even if you are being satirical. I would ask who knows who the division 3 and below state champs are, but anyone who has spent two minutes on the internet wont trust the responses. I'll just say that even if some of you guys know who they are, 98% of the populace doesn't know and doesn't care.

[GP1]

This is just stupid. Why don't we just create 50 divisions so that EVERYONE can compete?

Some of you need to understand something. We may have no choice in the matter. It may not be us dropping. It may be us getting dropped by the BCS level schools wheny they start their own division.There are a limited number of schools with a limited number of scholarships at the BCS level. If a player wants to play college football and all of the scholarships are taken up at the BCS level, he'll have to go somewhere. Our division would be the next best thing. It's already happening.With all that is going on in college football, change is needed. Either we make the change with like schools or we get handed the change. Better to make your own change than allowing someone to make changes for you.

[Doug Snyder]

This is just stupid. Why don't we just create 50 divisions so that EVERYONE can compete?

Some of you need to understand something.

Does this mean BuckZip was wrong and you DON'T think you are smarter than the rest of us??

[lance99]

This is just stupid. Why don't we just create 50 divisions so that EVERYONE can compete?

Some of you need to understand something. We may have no choice in the matter. It may not be us dropping. It may be us getting dropped by the BCS level schools wheny they start their own division.There are a limited number of schools with a limited number of scholarships at the BCS level. If a player wants to play college football and all of the scholarships are taken up at the BCS level, he'll have to go somewhere. Our division would be the next best thing. It's already happening.With all that is going on in college football, change is needed. Either we make the change with like schools or we get handed the change. Better to make your own change than allowing someone to make changes for you.

If and when it happens, it will go from NCAA Football to English Premier League style of play.

[GP1]

If and when it happens, it will go from NCAA Football to English Premier League style of play.

I don't know about the English Premier League. It will be what it is and it will be something we will have to get used to watching. I blame it on Eastern Michigan University.

[Roo]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/...nks-source-saysLooks like the Big East is now a victim of the shuffle if Pitt and Syracuse bounce for the ACC...interesting.

[GP1]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/...nks-source-saysLooks like the Big East is now a victim of the shuffle if Pitt and Syracuse bounce for the ACC...interesting.

Interesting. Makes sense for football and basketball. The ACC isn't quite the basketball conference it used to be and those two will compete well. The football is average. Boston College has done well in football since joining the ACC. I see Pitt and Syracuse doing the same thing.I always thought Pitt and WVU would be natural fits for the Big Ten.

[Doug Snyder]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/...nks-source-saysLooks like the Big East is now a victim of the shuffle if Pitt and Syracuse bounce for the ACC...interesting.

Interesting. Makes sense for football and basketball. The ACC isn't quite the basketball conference it used to be and those two will compete well. The football is average. Boston College has done well in football since joining the ACC. I see Pitt and Syracuse doing the same thing.I always thought Pitt and WVU would be natural fits for the Big Ten.

geographically maybe...not academically. Pitt...yes

[Doug Snyder]

If the big 10 expands to 16 I think they will target Ptt, Syracuse, Rutgers and Notre Dame. Notre Dame will not be able to remain independent if conferences go to 16. Looks like they may lose Pitt and Syracuse. Stay tuned...lots f fun coming our way ;-)

[GP1]

geographically maybe...not academically. Pitt...yes

Outside of Northwestern, I didn't know the Big Ten schools were Ivy Leaguelike. I don't know how the schools rank, but WVU lives in the same neighborhood as the rest of the Big Ten with the exception of Northwestern. Pitt ranks right up there with Northwestern.

[UA Fan]

This is just stupid. Why don't we just create 50 divisions so that EVERYONE can compete?

Some of you need to understand something. We may have no choice in the matter. It may not be us dropping. It may be us getting dropped by the BCS level schools wheny they start their own division.There are a limited number of schools with a limited number of scholarships at the BCS level. If a player wants to play college football and all of the scholarships are taken up at the BCS level, he'll have to go somewhere. Our division would be the next best thing. It's already happening.With all that is going on in college football, change is needed. Either we make the change with like schools or we get handed the change. Better to make your own change than allowing someone to make changes for you.

If the BCS schools leave the NCAA, who knows if the scholarship limit will remain intact. If they bump it back up to 120, us "smaller programs" will be doubly hosed. Greed is alive and well so I would expect it to happen.

[Doug Snyder]

This is just stupid. Why don't we just create 50 divisions so that EVERYONE can compete?

Some of you need to understand something. We may have no choice in the matter. It may not be us dropping. It may be us getting dropped by the BCS level schools wheny they start their own division.There are a limited number of schools with a limited number of scholarships at the BCS level. If a player wants to play college football and all of the scholarships are taken up at the BCS level, he'll have to go somewhere. Our division would be the next best thing. It's already happening.With all that is going on in college football, change is needed. Either we make the change with like schools or we get handed the change. Better to make your own change than allowing someone to make changes for you.

If the BCS schools leave the NCAA, who knows if the scholarship limit will remain intact. If they bump it back up to 120, us "smaller programs" will be doubly hosed. Greed is alive and well so I would expect it to happen.

I doubt it will happen. less than 1/2 of the BCS schools are profitable and adding 35 scholarships will be very expensive. Remember...they would be obligated to increase women’s sports to be in compliance with title IX...adding more to the costs. And they may be paying players a salary (or allowance). Remember...if the BCS does leave...it WILL be about the money. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IXI do not think it would be bad for the UofA in football if they created their own division...but basketball would suffer. Those who see us eventually competing for the national title will be disappointed (and delusional)

[K92]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/...nks-source-saysLooks like the Big East is now a victim of the shuffle if Pitt and Syracuse bounce for the ACC...interesting.

It is starting to look like TCU may have made a huge mistake joining the Big East.

[Zipsrifle]

This is just stupid. Why don't we just create 50 divisions so that EVERYONE can compete?

Some of you need to understand something. We may have no choice in the matter. It may not be us dropping. It may be us getting dropped by the BCS level schools wheny they start their own division.There are a limited number of schools with a limited number of scholarships at the BCS level. If a player wants to play college football and all of the scholarships are taken up at the BCS level, he'll have to go somewhere. Our division would be the next best thing. It's already happening.With all that is going on in college football, change is needed. Either we make the change with like schools or we get handed the change. Better to make your own change than allowing someone to make changes for you.

If the BCS schools leave the NCAA, who knows if the scholarship limit will remain intact. If they bump it back up to 120, us "smaller programs" will be doubly hosed. Greed is alive and well so I would expect it to happen.

I doubt it will happen. less than 1/2 of the BCS schools are profitable and adding 35 scholarships will be very expensive. Remember...they would be obligated to increase women’s sports to be in compliance with title IX...adding more to the costs. And they may be paying players a salary (or allowance). Remember...if the BCS does leave...it WILL be about the money. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IXI do not think it would be bad for the UofA in football if they created their own division...but basketball would suffer. Those who see us eventually competing for the national title will be disappointed (and delusional)

Why not just kill off a few of the sports that don't make money to get your additional 35 scholarships? If this really boils down to money, then why not cut costs and increase income? I'm not saying I'm in favor of this but if this is a money grab, it makes some sense.

[Roo]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/...nks-source-saysLooks like the Big East is now a victim of the shuffle if Pitt and Syracuse bounce for the ACC...interesting.

It is starting to look like TCU may have made a huge mistake joining the Big East.

TCU, Houston, SMU look like they could be strong big 12 replacements should Oklahoma and Texas AM leave.

[GP1]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/...nks-source-saysLooks like the Big East is now a victim of the shuffle if Pitt and Syracuse bounce for the ACC...interesting.

It is starting to look like TCU may have made a huge mistake joining the Big East.

TCU, Houston, SMU look like they could be strong big 12 replacements should Oklahoma and Texas AM leave.

What Big 12? That conference is finished. I agree that TCU has made a huge mistake unless they can act quickly and get into another league ASAP.

[UAZipster0305]

geographically maybe...not academically. Pitt...yes

Outside of Northwestern, I didn't know the Big Ten schools were Ivy Leaguelike. I don't know how the schools rank, but WVU lives in the same neighborhood as the rest of the Big Ten with the exception of Northwestern. Pitt ranks right up there with Northwestern.

I'm a Pitt graduate, and its not that great of a school. My experiences there were terrible. Pitt isn't even the best school in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.Wisconsin and Michigan are the only schools in the Big Ten that academically compare to Northwestern and even they aren't really comparable otherwise because the with the exception to Northwestern, the schools in the Big Ten are land-grant flagship state supported schools and Northwestern is private and urban. Pitt isn't that great of a fit, but WVU definitely is. Other D-IA schools that compare to Northwestern are Rice, Vanderbilt, and Baylor...not enough to make a conference, but if any other big, private urban universities become D-IA, it could happen. The University of Chicago used to be in the Big Ten...other schools that come to mind are Washington University in St. Louis, CWRU, and Rochester. Such a conference would be a midwestern version of the Ivy League. I don't know why the current D-IA schools that I mentioned wouldn't pursue such a thing. Don't they get tired of being punching bags for the other schools athletically. Sure, Rice baseball is good, but.... Stanford fits the profile, but not on a geographic basis...it might be the only school out west that does.

[bobbyake]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/...nks-source-saysLooks like the Big East is now a victim of the shuffle if Pitt and Syracuse bounce for the ACC...interesting.

It is starting to look like TCU may have made a huge mistake joining the Big East.

TCU did make a huge mistake. Staying in Mountain West would seem wise right now considering Boise State's presence there. Big East would lose automatic bid to MW after this

[Zipmeister]

geographically maybe...not academically. Pitt...yes

Outside of Northwestern, I didn't know the Big Ten schools were Ivy Leaguelike. I don't know how the schools rank, but WVU lives in the same neighborhood as the rest of the Big Ten with the exception of Northwestern. Pitt ranks right up there with Northwestern.

If by the "same neighborhood" you mean they live in the cart barn just out of sight of the expensive homes surrounding the country club, I agree with you 100%.

[GP1]

geographically maybe...not academically. Pitt...yes

Outside of Northwestern, I didn't know the Big Ten schools were Ivy Leaguelike. I don't know how the schools rank, but WVU lives in the same neighborhood as the rest of the Big Ten with the exception of Northwestern. Pitt ranks right up there with Northwestern.

If by the "same neighborhood" you mean they live in the cart barn just out of sight of the expensive homes surrounding the country club, I agree with you 100%.

Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, MSU, OSU, Minnesota and WVU can easily be said to have the same level of schooling. West Virginia is easy to make fun of, but we aren't talking Marshall.