Quote:1. Will the Big East football schools be proactive, breakaway and expand to 12 teams to increase market share? Does the Big East call on ECU, Memphis or others to fill those 4 spots.

Doubtful. If I'm interpreting the new rules correctly, market size will only come into effect if the Big East were to have to make an appeal to remain in the BCS in 2008. The only way we would have to do so is if we fail to meet the on field requirements. If that's the case, the market we currently have should already meet any standards the BCS puts in front of us. You may see expansion to 9, but it will be for scheduling balance, not because of any last ditch efforts to remain BCS. As for 12, none of the candidates are top 25 programs, so it would just further dilute the Big East's top to bottom conference strength, and number of top 25 teams per capita -- Not something we'd want to do if we were trying to save the BCS bid.

Quote:3. Will these changes force a struggling Notre Dame to join a conference? If it does, do the Irish take a look at what the Big Ten has done to PSU and say thanks but no thanks we are joining the Big East. Or do the Irish jump to the Big Ten and Joe Pa and the boys come home to the East.

Notre Dame will never ever join the Big East in football. Ever.











Ever.