UConn has shared a conference with some of these schools since the late 1970's. Football has only been I-A/FBS since 2000. I don't think it is a stretch to state that some of the old guard would like to stay with the C7, even if it means the football team ends up in a worse conference. That argument is made easier this year as the MAC outperformed the Big East.

I think it would be a really dumb move for UConn to go through with it, but it wouldn't completely shock me. Cincinnati, on the other hand, WOULD shock me.

If San Diego State can be the only Western Big East FB member then UConn could certainly be the only Eastern MWC FB Member. If that doesn't work there is always the MAC or possibly even C-USA.

I'm not saying this is going to happen and Decourcy didn't say it's a done deal. He simply said that UConn is seriously considering the option. I'm sure that where their FB programs lands (or can land) is one of the major factors in their ultimate decision.

I don't want this to happen at all but you wonder what would happen if the MAC made a power play for UConn, Cincinnati, and Temple to form a real eastern division for that conference. Give the schools a Boise State type deal.

MAC East: Buffalo, UMass, UConn, Temple, Kent State, Akron, Ohio, Cincinnati
MAC West: Miami, Toledo, BGSU, WMU, EMU, CMU, NIU, Ball State

9 conferences games with special crossover rivalry games. Would there be money for this conference and second would it kill recruiting.

(01-16-2013 10:37 AM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:24 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:10 AM)NYCTUFan Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:01 AM)3601 Wrote:  He was on Memphis radio this morning and said UConn is considering staying with the C7 for BB. He says that Cincy isn't really interested in staying with the C7, but may have their hand forced by UConn.

Did Mr. Decourcy name his source for that information?

While I don't know this answer, Decourcy is very close to the Bearcats beat.

I've got a lot of respect for Mike and he's really an easy, common-sense guy to talk to on the street. Additionally, he's been around awhile and I believe that he is connected in a lot of areas. He's not just some wild-eyed guy spewing every thought that comes from his head, hence his "considering" comment and not something stronger based on rumors.

It's pretty easy to see why UConn wouldn't be happy in the the current situation. Almost all of the programs that they partnered with are gone and they feel left behind like some other programs do in other conferences. I understand the Bearcats having similar feelings.

It's easy to see why they would want to, but the practical aspect kills it. I don't see the NBE allowing them to be in fb only in any fashion. For one, if they did, The C7 and UConn/Cincy kill off the conference.

(01-16-2013 10:32 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:28 AM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:21 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:17 AM)johniesFan99 Wrote:  Ofcourse they are interested but is it realistic? no cuz where are they gonna put there football? MWC? i just don't see it happening

Either MWC or nBE. I don't expect it will happen, but it's not impossible.

Of course it is possible...same with UC. What is the nBE going to do about it? Are they going to let 2 of the best FB programs walk out the door? I doubt it. Just more drama.

The thing is, if they don't let them play fb only in the NBE, where would they go? MAC? Their boosters would have a cow if they were relegated to the MAC for football. MWC? travel would destroy that so fast. There is no other option. They might try, but the NBE should call their bluff.

I can see them putting their FB team in the MAC. Why? Because there is now no difference between the MAC and the NBE in 2014. Both are part of the group of 5. Besides, UCONN was only 1-AA until what 2004? Its not like they have alot of FBS history to worry about. They are a basketball school and one that make a bit of $$ with basketball.

(01-16-2013 10:37 AM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:24 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:10 AM)NYCTUFan Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:01 AM)3601 Wrote:  He was on Memphis radio this morning and said UConn is considering staying with the C7 for BB. He says that Cincy isn't really interested in staying with the C7, but may have their hand forced by UConn.

Did Mr. Decourcy name his source for that information?

While I don't know this answer, Decourcy is very close to the Bearcats beat.

I've got a lot of respect for Mike and he's really an easy, common-sense guy to talk to on the street. Additionally, he's been around awhile and I believe that he is connected in a lot of areas. He's not just some wild-eyed guy spewing every thought that comes from his head, hence his "considering" comment and not something stronger based on rumors.

It's pretty easy to see why UConn wouldn't be happy in the the current situation. Almost all of the programs that they partnered with are gone and they feel left behind like some other programs do in other conferences. I understand the Bearcats having similar feelings.

i think once cincy and Uconn is gone,the Nbe can finally be a stable conference. until then...its unstable

(01-16-2013 10:25 AM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  It is pretty obvious to me what UConn has on its mind. Revenue. Leave FB in the BE and make the additional revenue with the C7 in BB. Will the BE allow this? Nothing would surprise me.

Given the days news, Im starting to be quite concerned about the revenue aspect. UConn wouldnt consider leaving if the revenue would be better in the nBE than with the C-7. Add to that the new information that SDSU is returning to the MW--without a Boise sweetheart deal. This would indicate that 1-2 million per year (which is all SDSU will earn in MW tv revenue) in the MW is better to SDSU than whatever we are going to earn. That doesnt mean will earn less than 1-2 million, but it means that theres certainly no large premium over the MW or SDSU would have stayed. Finally, the fact that we are not considering expansion indicates theres no demand for additional games from us or that Tulsa and UMass is not interested. Probably more likely the former. At any rate, its clear the money to support expansion is not there--not good news. Perhaps now we know why Aresco has not discussed numbers. So our little dinky league moves forward with no CCG and no prospect of one until 2015 at the earliest. Cool. This is working out swell. At this point I dont think I care if we disband.

How do we know if the c7 even want UConn at this point?

(01-16-2013 10:42 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:32 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:28 AM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:21 AM)uccheese Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:17 AM)johniesFan99 Wrote:  Ofcourse they are interested but is it realistic? no cuz where are they gonna put there football? MWC? i just don't see it happening

Either MWC or nBE. I don't expect it will happen, but it's not impossible.

Of course it is possible...same with UC. What is the nBE going to do about it? Are they going to let 2 of the best FB programs walk out the door? I doubt it. Just more drama.

The thing is, if they don't let them play fb only in the NBE, where would they go? MAC? Their boosters would have a cow if they were relegated to the MAC for football. MWC? travel would destroy that so fast. There is no other option. They might try, but the NBE should call their bluff.

I can see them putting their FB team in the MAC. Why? Because there is now no difference between the MAC and the NBE in 2014. Both are part of the group of 5. Besides, UCONN was only 1-AA until what 2004? Its not like they have alot of FBS history to worry about. They are a basketball school and one that make a bit of $$ with basketball.

There is a HUGE difference between the MAC and the NBE.

Just look at this year... MAC had a 1 loss champion and they barely got to #15. If the BE had a 1 loss champion, they would have been much higher... Heck, 2 loss Louisville was only what 3 spots below them.... The perception is the MAC is much lower than the BE.

(01-16-2013 10:39 AM)BullsFanatic Wrote:  UConn has shared a conference with some of these schools since the late 1970's. Football has only been I-A/FBS since 2000. I don't think it is a stretch to state that some of the old guard would like to stay with the C7, even if it means the football team ends up in a worse conference. That argument is made easier this year as the MAC outperformed the Big East.

I think it would be a really dumb move for UConn to go through with it, but it wouldn't completely shock me. Cincinnati, on the other hand, WOULD shock me.

Cincinnati has been through three conferences with Marquette and DePaul and has played them on a yearly basis since 1991. The schools are in close proximity to Cincinnati. The other thing to consider is that UC has a large number of alums that reside in Chicago and on the east coast (particularly NYC). It makes some sense.

I cannot see UC parking their football in the MAC. Alums would go ballistic.

Cincinnati is probably concerned about Xavier when it comes to the C7, if not for them I'm sure they would be in a similar spot as UConn. I think if UConn join the C7, UC will be more willing to come along.

(01-16-2013 10:49 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 10:39 AM)BullsFanatic Wrote:  UConn has shared a conference with some of these schools since the late 1970's. Football has only been I-A/FBS since 2000. I don't think it is a stretch to state that some of the old guard would like to stay with the C7, even if it means the football team ends up in a worse conference. That argument is made easier this year as the MAC outperformed the Big East.

I think it would be a really dumb move for UConn to go through with it, but it wouldn't completely shock me. Cincinnati, on the other hand, WOULD shock me.

Cincinnati has been through three conferences with Marquette and DePaul and has played them on a yearly basis since 1991. The schools are in close proximity to Cincinnati. The other thing to consider is that UC has a large number of alums that reside in Chicago and on the east coast (particularly NYC). It makes some sense.

I cannot see UC parking their football in the MAC. Alums would go ballistic.

Yeah, I can't imagine either UC or UConn thinking that the MAC would be acceptable.

The only realistic way that I could see UC and UConn splitting their sports is if the MWC offers both of them the same TV setup that they agreed to with Boise State. Then, they have something to think about. However, I would still recommend the Big East in that scenario even if the TV money might be better with a special MWC deal (just as I would recommend the opposite to SDSU in that they ought to stay in the MWC even if an equal share of Big East TV money might be better). We're not talking about the difference of tens of millions of dollars in choosing one conference over the other - $1 million or $2 million here or there isn't chump change, but it's also not worth splitting your athletic department over.

UConn and Cinci probably can join the C7 if they'll have them. I don't think most of the new schools can stop them right now from keeping their football only in the BE. For UConn this probably makes a lot of sense. For Cinci - meh

Why would DeCourcey care about anything. When you can quote anonymous sources the whole world is your oyster. Hell, you can say anything. I can ask someone in the UH maintenance building parking lot if they think we're going to the Canadian football league. Voila! I have a source close to the University of Houston.

(01-16-2013 11:00 AM)dakar1 Wrote:  UConn and Cinci probably can join the C7 if they'll have them. I don't think most of the new schools can stop them right now from keeping their football only in the BE. For UConn this probably makes a lot of sense. For Cinci - meh

Come 7/1, they would have the majority. They definitely can stop them from fb only in the BE.

(01-16-2013 11:00 AM)Cooglius Caeser Wrote:  Why would DeCourcey care about anything. When you can quote anonymous sources the whole world is your oyster. Hell, you can say anything. I can ask someone in the UH maintenance building parking lot if they think we're going to the Canadian football league. Voila! I have a source close to the University of Houston.

Someone else mentioned it earlier but DeCourcey is very close to the Cincinnati program. He lives in Cincinnati and before he made it big in the Sporting News he wrote for the local fishwrap. He has a very close personal relationship with UC head coach Mick Cronin. Mike is and always has been a big college basketball guy and is concerned about the future of the sport--- be it C7, Cincinnati, and everyone else.

(01-16-2013 11:03 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 11:00 AM)dakar1 Wrote:  UConn and Cinci probably can join the C7 if they'll have them. I don't think most of the new schools can stop them right now from keeping their football only in the BE. For UConn this probably makes a lot of sense. For Cinci - meh

Come 7/1, they would have the majority. They definitely can stop them from fb only in the BE.

Who would get to vote on a by-law change right now? USF, Cincy and UConn? It's a screwy situation, but UConn can certainly make plans for this configuration.

Unless the Big East adds Navy for all sports (assuming that ECU gets an all sports invite) they have to allow this configuration.

(01-16-2013 11:00 AM)Cooglius Caeser Wrote:  Why would DeCourcey care about anything. When you can quote anonymous sources the whole world is your oyster. Hell, you can say anything. I can ask someone in the UH maintenance building parking lot if they think we're going to the Canadian football league. Voila! I have a source close to the University of Houston.

Once again, I still don't understand this attitude. Unless you want plain vanilla boring non-news press releases, you MUST have anonymous sources to get any news of any real value. No one is going on the record with sensitive information in the middle of the deal or negotiations. So, if you're fine about hearing no news at all until the actual press conference is held, then that's fine. If you want to know anything at all in the interim, though, then it's going to have to come through anonymous sources.

Whether a reporter's sources are to be trusted is another matter. That can only be judged over time. For instance, Bob Woodward's anonymous sources can be assumed to be a tad bit more trustworthy than West Virginia bloggers' anonymous sources. However, the point remains that you'll get nothing but plain vanilla crap if you're expecting reporters to name people that they're getting sensitive information from.

(01-16-2013 11:03 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(01-16-2013 11:00 AM)dakar1 Wrote:  UConn and Cinci probably can join the C7 if they'll have them. I don't think most of the new schools can stop them right now from keeping their football only in the BE. For UConn this probably makes a lot of sense. For Cinci - meh

Come 7/1, they would have the majority. They definitely can stop them from fb only in the BE.

but they can't now and they won't later
The MW would allow BYU to keep their football only in the MW had they wanted and I'm sure the BE will do the same for UConn.
Face it, you'll make more with them than without. Thats the bottom line.
Houston and SMU could probably do the same if they really wanted to.

(01-16-2013 10:48 AM)stever20 Wrote:  There is a HUGE difference between the MAC and the NBE.

Just look at this year... MAC had a 1 loss champion and they barely got to #15. If the BE had a 1 loss champion, they would have been much higher... Heck, 2 loss Louisville was only what 3 spots below them.... The perception is the MAC is much lower than the BE.

That perception gap gets a lot smaller with West Virginia and Syracuse and Pitt and Louisville leaving. That's all the dusty old national championship banners and all but 3 of the BCS bowl bids. 4 of the 5 teams that would get some marginal national respect are gone, and so is Rutgers. (Rutgers doesn't hurt as much, but them leaving doesn't exactly help.) Houston and SMU bring some major bowl trophies, but they're pretty rusted from having been out in the rain of non-power-conference-land.

So is there a huge difference in national respect between the MAC and C-USA wearing "Big East" patches? Houston was 12-0 and ranked in the top ten, then lost one game and dropped to #15 or so. HEck, Louisville went into the Orange Bowl 10-2 with a #22 ranking. If those jerseys say East Carolina instead of Louisville, with losses to 8-5 UConn and 5-7 Houston instead of Syracuse and UConn, what does ECU's ranking look like?

The MAC "one-loss champion", remember, lost their opener to 4-8 Iowa. Not 8-4 Iowa, 4-8 Iowa.

I still think the money is better in the Aresco League than C-7 + MAC or C-7 + MWC. But "only" by a million or two.