(04-19-2012 07:00 PM)Lolly Popp Wrote:  

(04-19-2012 05:47 PM)Bull Wrote:  ...

I have no problems with Republicans who come across as somewhat normal, like Michael Bloomberg or Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom I mentioned above.


I also call it like I see it. Reactionary people who are incapable of honest intellectual discourse and automatically shout "lefty" or "socialist" make me sick.

And how do you feel about left wingers who call conservatives Nazi's, and conservatives talk sluts, or ignore or encourage black racist groups. It goes both ways, if you lean right you tend not to notice the right stuff much, if you lean left you don't hear it from that side. ie the missing chromosome right that Gore said.

Anybody else find it interesting how long and how quiet all this is going? We had all sorts of leaks about the targets for every other addition... not a word for weeks about #14. Wouldn't they want to wrap it up asap?

I'm probably making something out of nothing... but maybe this could mean it's BYU. The process would take a much longer time for BYU as Marinatto would not only have to go to the HC and AD, but work his way up the church hierarchy and convince them as well. If 14 is Fresno for example, they'd already be here by now... they'd take the invite the moment we give it to them.

(04-22-2012 04:36 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  Anybody else find it interesting how long and how quiet all this is going? We had all sorts of leaks about the targets for every other addition... not a word for weeks about #14. Wouldn't they want to wrap it up asap?

I'm probably making something out of nothing... but maybe this could mean it's BYU. The process would take a much longer time for BYU as Marinatto would not only have to go to the HC and AD, but work his way up the church hierarchy and convince them as well. If 14 is Fresno for example, they'd already be here by now... they'd take the invite the moment we give it to them.

I hope so. It is logical that it would take more time for BYU and Air Force because of all the red tape involved with the LDS and the USAF. On the other hand, Fresno State would sign in a heartbeat. I would think we will hear before the TV negotiations begin... I presume the TV execs would want to know all the teams they are dealing with.

(04-22-2012 04:36 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  Anybody else find it interesting how long and how quiet all this is going? We had all sorts of leaks about the targets for every other addition... not a word for weeks about #14. Wouldn't they want to wrap it up asap?

I'm probably making something out of nothing... but maybe this could mean it's BYU. The process would take a much longer time for BYU as Marinatto would not only have to go to the HC and AD, but work his way up the church hierarchy and convince them as well. If 14 is Fresno for example, they'd already be here by now... they'd take the invite the moment we give it to them.

I do find it interesting.

To me it means the Big East knows the next move is an impmortant one and has its sights on who they want. The NBE is obviously not rushing this important decision and things are being worked out as we speak.

(04-22-2012 04:36 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  Anybody else find it interesting how long and how quiet all this is going? We had all sorts of leaks about the targets for every other addition... not a word for weeks about #14. Wouldn't they want to wrap it up asap?

I'm probably making something out of nothing... but maybe this could mean it's BYU. The process would take a much longer time for BYU as Marinatto would not only have to go to the HC and AD, but work his way up the church hierarchy and convince them as well. If 14 is Fresno for example, they'd already be here by now... they'd take the invite the moment we give it to them.

If BYU was joining it would have been leaked all over the place by now. Tend to believe that L'Ville and BYU are eventually headed to the B-12 and Spaghetti man already knows this. He'll need one or two western teams to keep the Continental Big East together.

East = Rutgers, UConn, Temple, USF, UCF, Cinn, Memphis
West = SMU, Houston, Boise, SDSU, Fresno, Air Force, Navy

BE BB / Olympic = ND, Nova, G'town, St Johns, Providence, Marquette, DePaul

if it's so "sure" Louisville is leaving...why add anyone?

just consider Memphis and Temple their replacement...

that said...Memphis, Louisville, and Cincy need to stay together this time.

(04-22-2012 05:27 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  if it's so "sure" Louisville is leaving...why add anyone?

just consider Memphis and Temple their replacement...

that said...Memphis, Louisville, and Cincy need to stay together this time.

East = Rutgers, UConn, Temple, USF, UCF, Cinn,
West = SMU, Houston, Memphis, Boise, SDSU, Navy

BE BB / Olympic = ND, Nova, G'town, St Johns, Providence, Marquette, DePaul

Don't think Boise will be very happy with out another western partner or two though.

(04-22-2012 05:27 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  if it's so "sure" Louisville is leaving...why add anyone?

I don't think its so sure... which is why they want to even the divisions out at 7 teams a division.

Regardless, Marinatto has let it be known that his long-term vision for the conference has always included the academies. So, even if the nBe were to lose a team, I believe we'd go back to #13 for AFA. That would be Nova's wet dream. I'd expect that they would campaign hard for #14.

However, they have so much work to do, I find it hard to believe the conference wouldn't look West again. Perhaps, Air Force would leverage their position to have Colorado State join them. I still wonder how the conference perceives Fresno State. Would the AFA/CSU rivalry be given greater consideration? Would academics enter into it? Who knows what the outcome will be.

(04-22-2012 05:45 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(04-22-2012 05:27 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  if it's so "sure" Louisville is leaving...why add anyone?

I don't think its so sure... which is why they want to even the divisions out at 7 teams a division.

Regardless, Marinatto has let it be known that his long-term vision for the conference has always included the academies. So, even if the nBe were to lose a team, I believe we'd go back to #13 for AFA. That would be Nova's wet dream. I'd expect that they would campaign hard for #14.

However, they have so much work to do, I find it hard to believe the conference wouldn't look West again. Perhaps, Air Force would leverage their position to have Colorado State join them. I still wonder how the conference perceives Fresno State. Would the AFA/CSU rivalry be given greater consideration? Would academics enter into it? Who knows what the outcome will be.

The Air Force - Colorado St connection would make AF happy.
The Air Force connection would would make Boise happy.
The Air Force connection would make Navy happy.
All the newbies are now happy. Hooray!!!!!!

Tom Jurich has always said we will do what's best for positioning U of Louisville into the best position for the future. If that turns out to be the Beast then we fans can live with that decision as well as moving. Today it's all about survival in the future just as others are moving into the Beast for their survival. So far I like the moves the BE has taken lately. I'm on record for Fresno. 2 California, 2 Florida and 2 Texas schools along with great Mid West , Mid South markets and East coast schools are Too much to overlook.

(04-22-2012 05:27 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  if it's so "sure" Louisville is leaving...why add anyone?

just consider Memphis and Temple their replacement...

that said...Memphis, Louisville, and Cincy need to stay together this time.

Not enough teams in the "true" West.

The NBE ventured into the West. You can't have two teams (Boise and San Diego State) out West by themselves.

There has to be more...And I am talking West of El Paso. WEST means WEST. There is a gigantic market out here to be had. All we have to do is kick the Pac 10's asses, steal a few of their players and start making the Big East a household name in the West.

It CAN happen, but Fresno State needs to come aboard soon. Fresno State coming to the Big East to join Boise State and San Diego State will make the Pac-Whatever shiver.

(04-22-2012 04:36 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  Anybody else find it interesting how long and how quiet all this is going? We had all sorts of leaks about the targets for every other addition... not a word for weeks about #14. Wouldn't they want to wrap it up asap?

I'm probably making something out of nothing... but maybe this could mean it's BYU. The process would take a much longer time for BYU as Marinatto would not only have to go to the HC and AD, but work his way up the church hierarchy and convince them as well. If 14 is Fresno for example, they'd already be here by now... they'd take the invite the moment we give it to them.

+1 I find it very interesting and have been what has been going on?

Here's a thought:

What if the reason we have heard nothing of #14 is because Meatball is doing / planning / researching exactly what this board has been implying and advocating in majority all along? A 16 team national conference. That WOULD be a valid excuse for 2 months of silence.

The more I think of the potential of a 16 team conference, the more I like it. There really is no downside if the 3 target teams (BYU, AFA, CSU-Fresno) are brought in, and the benefits are staggering.

-Conference super stability (i.e. raiding)
-Largest market presense in any conference. Period.
-Best recruiting footprint (Texas, Florida, California)
-Best Basketball Alliance (Typical Big East basketball with guaranteed OOC with the likes of SDSU and BYU)
-Solid all sports platform to build around with western team (BYU, Fresno, Boise, SDSU, AFA)
-Homerun rivalry builder with rivalries in SDSU / Fresno, Fresno / Boise, SDSU / BYU, Boise / everyone, AFA / Navy and anything in between.

The big question is... Pod + Conference Playoff / Pods only / Division + Conference Playoff / Division + CCG?

(04-22-2012 09:53 PM)Kruciff Wrote:  Here's a thought:

What if the reason we have heard nothing of #14 is because Meatball is doing / planning / researching exactly what this board has been implying and advocating in majority all along? A 16 team national conference. That WOULD be a valid excuse for 2 months of silence.

The more I think of the potential of a 16 team conference, the more I like it. There really is no downside if the 3 target teams (BYU, AFA, CSU-Fresno) are brought in, and the benefits are staggering.

-Conference super stability (i.e. raiding)
-Largest market presense in any conference. Period.
-Best recruiting footprint (Texas, Florida, California)
-Best Basketball Alliance (Typical Big East basketball with guaranteed OOC with the likes of SDSU and BYU)
-Solid all sports platform to build around with western team (BYU, Fresno, Boise, SDSU, AFA)
-Homerun rivalry builder with rivalries in SDSU / Fresno, Fresno / Boise, SDSU / BYU, Boise / everyone, AFA / Navy and anything in between.

The big question is... Pod + Conference Playoff / Pods only / Division + Conference Playoff / Division + CCG?

Very good point. I didn't think of that and would certainly be ecstatic if we could pull it off. However I have my doubts. If that were the case, than I'm sure we would have heard something by now. Dealing with three different schools just triples the odds of a leak. We haven't even heard a single biased, over-optimistic local newspaper rumbling yet... nothing! Whatever is going on, it's been quite impressive how Marinatto has been able to keep it all under wraps. That alone deserves a ton of credit!

EDIT: To add some, I think that whatever is going on... Fresno is the clear plan B right now. I'd bet money that BYU has had something major to do with the delay. Either we worked with them the past couple months and are now moving on, or we are continuing to work with them. Negotiating their concessions and dealing with the church officials would take a lot of time. Also, add to the fact that we'd have to settle their current TV Deal with ESPN, and maybe work it out with their future opponets (not sure how far past 2015 BYU has scheduled). Air Force would take time too, but I don't think there would be quite as many obstacles with them. Could very well be them though.

No pods! Two divisions of eight teams with only one crossover per year, limited cross-country travel, and a championship game! Keep it simple!

(04-23-2012 04:10 AM)Lolly Popp Wrote:  No pods! Two divisions of eight teams with only one crossover per year, limited cross-country travel, and a championship game! Keep it simple!

Hosting each team once every 16 years??? No thanks.

(04-23-2012 04:27 AM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  

(04-23-2012 04:10 AM)Lolly Popp Wrote:  No pods! Two divisions of eight teams with only one crossover per year, limited cross-country travel, and a championship game! Keep it simple!

Hosting each team once every 16 years??? No thanks.

How often are you going to host cross-division teams in a 14-team conference playing 8 league games per year? Once every 7 years. I honestly don't see much difference at that point.

We need to be honest here. Big East football is not a traditional conference anymore. It's a Made-For-TV Potpourri. Since that's the case, they might as well have it make some sense.

Furthermore, personally I don't care if Boise State only visits Rutgers or Temple or UConn once every 16 years, as it makes those games even more special. Every 4 years not necessary.

(04-22-2012 05:22 PM)panite Wrote:  

(04-22-2012 04:36 PM)Bleedin Blue Wrote:  Anybody else find it interesting how long and how quiet all this is going? We had all sorts of leaks about the targets for every other addition... not a word for weeks about #14. Wouldn't they want to wrap it up asap?

I'm probably making something out of nothing... but maybe this could mean it's BYU. The process would take a much longer time for BYU as Marinatto would not only have to go to the HC and AD, but work his way up the church hierarchy and convince them as well. If 14 is Fresno for example, they'd already be here by now... they'd take the invite the moment we give it to them.

If BYU was joining it would have been leaked all over the place by now. Tend to believe that L'Ville and BYU are eventually headed to the B-12 and Spaghetti man already knows this. He'll need one or two western teams to keep the Continental Big East together.

East = Rutgers, UConn, Temple, USF, UCF, Cinn, Memphis
West = SMU, Houston, Boise, SDSU, Fresno, Air Force, Navy

BE BB / Olympic = ND, Nova, G'town, St Johns, Providence, Marquette, DePaul

The non-football thing is something I'll never get my head around since it's unique to the BE. Isn't there a good chance those schools will just bail and form their own conference?

As to BYU, I'm still waiting for even one poster who thinks they might come to make a persuasive argument why they would. BYU won't earn a dime more in TV revenue and although they'd be playing in a better basketball conference, if the Borg can make the NCAAs as an at-large WCC team like they did this year, how much difference would that make?

I sense that BYU fans aren't elated with their present circumstances but the fact is, they don't see BE membership as an improvement. Instead, they see Big 12 membership as their Holy Grail (they know they're never going to be asked to join the Pac-12). There is accordingly every reason to think they're going to stay where they are right now until they get the expected offer from the B12.

And what school makes the most sense to be offered along with them? Uh, Louisville maybe?

I don't have time to read 32 pages of comments. So, my apologies if someone brought this up. My .02 is that CSUF gives the nBE two programs in Cali. In the long run that will be significant in helping the nBE compete with the P12 out west.

Here's my opinion on conference division

7-1 division - teams host every team once every 16 years - Bad, that means no (your eastern team) vs Boise State matchups till well in the future

7-2 division - teams host every team once every 8 years - still bad. College football nowadays doesn't have the patience for that.

6-3 division - better, if you cycle home / away in consecutive years you can host / visit every team in less than 6 years

POD SYSTEM - Stronger regional rivalries AND you host / visit every team in the conference once each every 4 years. Who can argue with that? Someone mentioned earlier that this is a "new national conference" and "we cant fit in the traditional setting of college football anymore" or something along those lines. What better way to do that than the first AQ / BCS / whatever conference to implement (successfully) a pod system?