The Conference Expansion Thread

[dannyz]

Well the Big East needs to get a like TCU to keep it's AQ Bid. If they don't the AQ Bid should get taken away.

[diabsoule]

Originally Posted by dannyz

Well the Big East needs to get a like TCU to keep it's AQ Bid. If they don't the AQ Bid should get taken away.

Here's a little data just for hell of it:

Edited since news has broke of Hawaii's extended offer to join the MWC

Since the creation of the BCS in 1998, the Big East has had every team, with the exception of Rutgers and Syracuse, maintain a winning percentage at or above .500 with the top team in the Big East, West Virginia, maintain the highest winning percentage. South Florida and Connecticut, the two teams in the Big East that have upgraded their football teams to the FBS level in 2000, rank near the top of the Big East's ranking despite competing in the conference for only five and six years respectively.

Here is the total win/loss percentage of each team and the conference as a whole since 1998:

West Virginia 98-50, .662
Louisville 97-53, .647
South Florida 75-44, .630
Connecticut 62-58, .567
Cincinnati 83-65, .560
Pittsburgh 81-65, .555
Rutgers 64-79, .447
Syracuse 61-82, .426
Total: 621-496 (.556)

Since the Big East is looking to expand here is what the two of the more likely schools (UCF, ECU) would do for the conference's winning percentage.

East Carolina (74-73, .503)
Central Florida (70-73, .489)
Total: 765-615 (.554)

The Big East's total winning percentage does not take that much of a hit by adding ECU or UCF but they would be adding two teams that are right in the middle between Pittsburgh and Rutgers winning percentages. In the long run, however, it would add to the overall competitiveness of the league, boost membership to a more manageable 10 teams, and should help solidify their BCS status.

On the flip side is the Mountain West, the top non-AQ conference, and their bid in trying to create and automatic BCS bid. TCU leads the pack in winning percentage for the conference while Utah, who is leaving for the Pac-10 this year, comes in second. There is no doubt that the top half of the conference is strong with traditional power team like TCU, Utah, and BYU maintaining strong W-L records but what drags the conference down as a whole is the weak bottom half. Wyoming, UNLV, San Diego State, and New Mexico have deplorable W-L records which significantly brings down the conference's strength as a whole.

Here is a look at the conference with Utah and without:

TCU (108-38, .740)
Utah (102-43, .702)
BYU (98-53. .649)
Air Force (86-60, .589)
Colorado State (77-70., .524)
New Mexico (66-80, .452)
Wyoming (57-83, .407)
UNLV (44-96, .314)
San Diego State (50-91, .355)
Total: 688-614, .528 (w/ Utah
Total: 586-571 (.506) (w/o Utah)

In their efforts to boost their strength due to the departures of Utah (to the Pac-10) and BYU (to football independence), the Mountain West have added the best non-AQ team (Boise State) along with two solid football programs in Fresno State and Nevada. Now news has been issued that the University of Hawaii has been extended an offer to join the MWC as a football-only school which brings in one of the strongest non-AQ programs out there. By adding those schools, especially Boise State, their conference winning percentage improves as a whole but still falls short of what the Big East's percentage is.

Boise State (102-15, .872)
TCU (108-38, .740)
Air Force (86-60, .589)
Fresno State (94-60, .584, since 2000)
Hawaii (89-67, .570)
Colorado State (77-70., .524)
Nevada (59-64, .480, since 2000)*
Wyoming (57-83, .407)
UNLV (44-96, .314)
San Diego State (50-91, .355)
New Mexico (66-80, .452)
Total: 832-724 (.535)

Despite those gains by adding those four schools, it still does not best the Big East's winning percentage. If the best non-AQ schools in the non-AQ leagues wanted to ban together to create a "power" conference, then this is what it would look like for W-L records and winning percentages.

Boise State (102-15, .872, since 2001)*
TCU (108-38, .740)
BYU (98-53. .649)
Southern Miss (90-60, .600)
Air Force (86-60, .589)
Fresno State (94-60, .584, since 2000)
Hawaii (89-67, .570)
Colorado State (77-70., .524)
Nevada (59-64, .480, since 2000)*
Houston (70-76, .479, since 2000)
Total: 873-563 (.608)

That is a 10 team conference, however, if they would like to expand to 12 teams in order to gain the ever lucrative conference championship game then Tulsa and Southern Methodist would probably be the front runners. Southern Methodist would be added for the Dallas/Forth worth market value and because of their cross-town rivalry with TCU. Despite their lack of success since 1998 and beyond, the Mustangs are heading in the right direction now with June Jones as their head coach. While it lowers their overall winning percentage by adding them, it would hopefully help out in the long run. Tulsa was added because of the geographic fit and strength in football and basketball.

Boise State (102-15, .872, since 2001)*
TCU (108-38, .740)
BYU (98-53. .649)
Southern Miss (90-60, .600)
Air Force (86-60, .589)
Fresno State (94-60, .584, since 2000)
Hawaii (89-67, .570)
Colorado State (77-70., .524)
Nevada (59-64, .480, since 2000)*
Houston (70-76, .479, since 2000)
Tulsa (68-80, .459)
Southern Methodist (43-97, .307)
Total: 984-740 (.571)

A twelve team conference with those teams involved would look like such:

East: Houston, SMU, Southern Miss, TCU, Tulsa, Air Force

West: Boise State, BYU, Hawaii, Fresno State, Nevada, Colorado State

Are these BCS conferences? That would remain to be seen, it would more than likely help if a name brand like BYU were to join such a conference as you would have marketable teams like the Cougars, TCU, and Boise State along with what could be a strong slew of games (TCU vs. Boise State, Boise State vs. BYU, Nevada vs. BYU, Fresno State vs. Boise State, Houston vs. TCU, etc...). Will this ever happen? That is doubtful but if it does they would more than likely be granted BCS status.

[Go Cowboys]

So for someone that has forgetten what happened..

This all applies starting next season? Or in the 2012 season?

[diabsoule]

Utah joins the Pac 10 next year and Nebraska joins the Big 10 next year. Boise State joins the MWC next year as well. Nevada and Fresno St. join the MWC in 2012, TCU joins the Big East in 2012, and Colorado joins the Pac-10 in 2012.

[diabsoule]

There have been unconfirmed rumors/reports that Utah St. and the Mountain West are in discussions on adding them to the conference.

[MassNole]

UMass eyes move to join BC in FBS - BostonHerald.com

UMass to the MAC......honestly though it would only be a matter of time before UMass was in the Big East.

[derza222]

Originally Posted by MassNole

UMass eyes move to join BC in FBS - BostonHerald.com

UMass to the MAC......honestly though it would only be a matter of time before UMass was in the Big East.

This means Villanova's FCS conference is falling apart, looks like they may have to move up to the Big East or downgrade their football program to a sub-D1 level.

[devinhester=R.O.Y 2006]

Originally Posted by derza222

This means Villanova's FCS conference is falling apart, looks like they may have to move up to the Big East or downgrade their football program to a sub-D1 level.

CAA is taking a beating lately...Northeastern and Hofstra dropped football, UMass and Nova exploring FBS options, and Rhode Island and New Hampshire going to the Northeast for football. CAA is losing all of is New England schools.

[derza222]

Originally Posted by devinhester=R.O.Y 2006

CAA is taking a beating lately...Northeastern and Hofstra dropped football, UMass and Nova exploring FBS options, and Rhode Island and New Hampshire going to the Northeast for football. CAA is losing all of is New England schools.

Yup, basically. This really leaves 'Nova with very few options. Move up, which I think they should but won't do, make a lateral move within the FCS (Patriot League with no scholarships?) which seems to be crumbling anyway, drop down to the NEC, or drop football completely again. I tend to think that given football runs everything in college athletics, you take the chance to move up to a BCS conference and run with it - but my gut says that won't happen. On the bright side for the Big East, UCF isn't bad and a conference with 18 teams and 10 football members works alright as far as numbers go. Houston would make a lot of sense too.

[bearsfan_51]

The WAC still clings to dear life as the Mountain West decides against inviting Utah State or San Jose State.

[TitansCJftw]

Does tv market really matter if there is basically no fan base...?

[LizardState]

Originally Posted by bearsfan_51

The WAC still clings to dear life as the Mountain West decides against inviting Utah State or San Jose State.

San Jose St's FB program made enough $ the last 3-4 yrs scheduling USC, Alabama, Wisconsin, Nebraska, etc. as the Visiting Cupcake opener they're revamping the Jeff Garcia Athletic Center & Spartan Stadium, a rare thing in these days of severe Cal St. system budget cutbacks, especially for SJ St. whose FB program was hanging on by its fingernails.

Not every big Pac 12 school can make enough $ from FB to pay for other varsity sports : it looks like Cal baseball will be the next victim of UC system cutbacks:

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci...nclick_check=1

[diabsoule]

Rumors are picking up that UMass will be invited to join the MAC. This could be a trial run for UMass considering the fact that if they do well then they would be a geographic fit for the Big East should they choose to expand to 12.

[GB12]

Originally Posted by diabsoule

Rumors are picking up that UMass will be invited to join the MAC. This could be a trial run for UMass considering the fact that if they do well then they would be a geographic fit for the Big East should they choose to expand to 12.

But they're already at 16 for basketball. I don't think the Big East can expand anymore without some kind of split.

[diabsoule]

Originally Posted by GB12

But they're already at 16 for basketball. I don't think the Big East can expand anymore without some kind of split.

I think UMass would accept a football only invite. However, a football/basketball split is inevitable. I expect it to happen within the next couple of years especially if they experience greater success on the football field with TCU

[P-L]

A lot of people still think Notre Dame is going to cave and join the Big Ten in a few years, which would free up spot in the Big East.

[yodapoop]

I know I am kinda late on this, but did TCU consider there other sports besides football when they decided to move to the Big East. Their poor basketball team. They are currently 1-10 in the Mountain West play. Man, that terrible. What are they gonna do in the Big East yikes! De-Paul vs. TCU...EPIC basketball game.

[devinhester=R.O.Y 2006]

Originally Posted by yodapoop

I know I am kinda late on this, but did TCU consider there other sports besides football when they decided to move to the Big East. Their poor basketball team. They are currently 1-10 in the Mountain West play. Man, that terrible. What are they gonna do in the Big East yikes! De-Paul vs. TCU...EPIC basketball game.

Everyday I open up the paper and see DePaul's conference losing streak continue to grow, and I just continue to laugh. They need to get the hell out of the Big East asap. Blue Demons belong in CUSA where they can actually compete.

[JoeJoeBrown]

Originally Posted by devinhester=R.O.Y 2006

Everyday I open up the paper and see DePaul's conference losing streak continue to grow, and I just continue to laugh. They need to get the hell out of the Big East asap. Blue Demons belong in CUSA where they can actually compete.

I think the Atlantic 10 would be a better fit for DePaul.

[Hines]

Vilanova to the Big East:

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports...e-to-big-east/

[bearsfan_51]

Good news for the Big East. Now if they could just find a way to drop DePaul, Marquette, and force Notre Dame to make a decision.

[thenewfeature06]

Nova should have always been D-1 even though it isn't a football school.

Pretty interesting.

[dannyz]

http://omaha.com/article/20110313/NE...-and-wrestling Not big News but University of Nebraska at Omaha will go to the Summit League but will drop Football and Wrestling. I think it is stupid because those are two of the only sports they are good at along with Hockey. I think the Wrestling team just Won a National Title and will not be able to do the Sport anymore.

[derza222]

Villanova appears to be leaning towards accepting the Big East's invitation to join the conference, though nothing is official and it appears this could definitely change. There will be a press conference on Tuesday either way.

http://vuhoops.com/2011/04/07/expans...ng-a-decision/

[jrdrylie]

The Sun Belt is looking to expand as well. Rumor has it that they might be stealing Lousiana Tech. Certainly not high profile.