With the exception of ESPN, other media outlets report that the Big East will
expand by six teams. The teams include Boise St., Air Force and Navy as football playing members only. Central Florida, SMU and our dear old Houston Cougars would play as full members in other sports.
So what is the real scoop? At this point it is really hard to tell. Initially, a week ago, the Big East was on its death bed. Pitt and Syracuse bolted for the ACC and TCU jilted the Big East for the Big 12. UConn desperately tried to join Pitt and Syracuse in the ACC. Louisville, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Rutgers eyed other conferences as well. Pending a move by Missouri to the SEC or Big Ten, and a desire of the Big 12 for 12 members, Louisville and/or West Virgina might head to the B12. Rutgers may or may not be headed to the Big 10.
Regardless, at stake for the Big East was their automatic qualification to a Bowl Championship Series bowl status (BCS AQ). The SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East and Pac 12 champs all receive automatic bids to the lucrative bowls and paths to a BCS title game. All other conferences and independents must meet minimum criteria to get a slot in the country club. Boise St. and TCU are the two non-AQ schools that consistently earn a seat at the exclusive table but neither has been given a national title shot.
With the loss of Pitt, Syracuse and TCU, the Big East faced the loss of revenues from football and the next TV contract. With the expected entry of TCU, the Big East hoped to tap the Texas market in TV and recruiting. The addition of TCU also expected to boost the ranking of the conference to maintain the league's lock to access to a lucrative BCS bowl. With three schools gone, what next?
Attractive schools abound despite the defections. BYU went independent after breaking away from the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Boise St. left the WAC for the MWC in hopes of strengthening its schedule and BCS appeal. Notre Dame plays in all Big East sports except for football. The service academies (Navy, Air Force, Army) maintain national followings from their respective branches and the University status of their academies.
At one point a few years ago, there was speculation that the MWC would either take the Big East's AQ status or force a seventh AQ slot for a conference. Utah and TCU earned victories to strengthen the conference standing. Many speculated that adding some stronger non-AQ schools like Houston, Nevada, Hawaii and Boise St. would only enhance a conference could already compete with the AQ conferences. Then Utah left for the Pac-10/12, TCU went to the Big East/Big 12 and BYU went indie. A promising conference was left in shambles. If the Big East raids come to fruition, then the MWC will be further weakened with the losses of Boise St. and Air Force.
Since the break up of the old Southwest Conference, Houston, TCU, SMU and Rice have been on the outside looking in. TCU earned its place in the new BCS. Houston, SMU and Rice went through the motions in their respective conferences.
Houston Cougar fans through the ages always feel slighted. Playing for years in the 50s, 60s and 70s in smaller conferences or independent, the Cougars enviously eyed the Southwest and Southeast Conferences. It wasn't until the 70s that the Cougars gained membership into the SWC and the validation they sought. Three SWC championships in the first four years of membership only proved the Cougars belonged and three Final Four teams in the 80s showed the Coogs weren't just a football school. So the break up of the SWC and the exclusion in the formation of the Big 12 only opened old wounds for the Coog faithful.
From the depths of the dissolution of the SWC to the exclusion from the Big 12, do the Cougars finally have a home at the BCS Club? From all indications, yes.
There is no reason for any school invited to the Big East to turn the invite down. ESPN tried to play up the MWC/C-USA merger/association as a reason for Boise St. and Air Force turn down the Big East. Houston, SMU and Central Florida also appeared enticed but a 22 football league. ESPN reports appear speculation based on old reports and information. Boise and AF were initially hesitant only due to the fact that they needed reassurance that the league would survive. Once the football schools said they will raise the exit fees then Boise and AF agreed. ESPN also floated that AF soured on the idea after Army backed out a deal. Curiously, only ESPN reports that Army was offered. Multiple news sources never mention Army. Navy appears a fence sitter but reportedly the Big East is also working out a custom offer for the Midshipman.
Other early reports stated that three schools were up for two remaining spots. Houston, SMU and Temple were in play for two spots. Apparently, Villanova, a basketball school, blocked Temple and that opened up the door for the Texas schools.
So how does it all break down? If media reports are accurate, which is a big if, then Big East expansion is set and the moves are all formalities. Six schools that played decent to great football found a home at the Big Boy Money Club. Despite ESPN's reports, the schools won't turn down the invites because to much money left on the table.
So much speculation but so much hope for Cougar fans, let's pray/hope for the best.
