BaltoBull

I could live with this conference. Many of the schools are near large airports making travel easy. It would be great if we could start to get the ball rolling on something like this and begin talking about staging our own Championship series with MWC, C-USA and Indys. I don't care what some of you say, after all of this realignment and re-positioning, there is no way in hell the powers that be will let any team outside of the Big 4 (5) anywhere NEAR a large payout bowl, let alone the NCG.

This would not surprise me in the least.

I'm not doubting you and I thank you for your feedback. Everything thus far about realignment has been 'fixed' with money. There were supposed to be legal roadblocks pertaining to lots of things. I guess we will see how many roadblocks apply to the Univ. of Maryland going to the B1G. Forgive me for being pessimistic and skeptical. I just see all of the pieces moving and the fact we are not one of them bothers me immensely. I do not see the lifeline forthcoming.

Sorry stupid question. I keep reading this but I'm unclear how ESPN is responsible for all the realignment. Thanks for a simplified understanding. ESPN loses if these guys join the A-10, they have a contract with NBC... I'm not so sure it won't be the other way around - A10 teams joining the Big East BB schools. I imagine the BB schools will keep the Big East name and rebuild a metro-based BB league under contract to ESPN. You don't think Bristol would love to have another premier league under contract in addition to the ACC? I don't like ESPN for what the network has done with respect to realignment and I don't trust them either. My gut tells me at the end of the day, ESPN will get what it wants and the current Big East schools who haven't been tossed a lifeline are about to be kicked to the curb.

ESPN won. Time to get started putting out feelers to the 'best of the rest' and trying to patch together a 'legitimate' all-sports conference. Boise State and San Diego are as good as gone.

+1 **** right! +2 Yup, my point exactly! I've never been a fan of having Boise or San Diego State in the "Big East". If the basketball schools do split, perhaps we can finally figure out a realistic way to establish a regionally manageable conference consisting of the 'best of the rest' east of Texas. We need to realize and embrace our lot in life and come to terms with what we have to work with.

Really, crap. I really wanted to see him here.

Crap.

I'd like to see Sonny Dykes name on the list as well. As I mentioned in another post, I am really excited about the possibility of Dykes fielding a USF team utilizing the Air Raid offensive scheme.

More like would Dykes give USF a chance. He is highly sought after right now. I can see why. It would take a lot of balls on Wollard's part to put up the money and commit to something different. I'm not sure we could win a bidding war with other schools, but if we gave him a good enough rea$on to come here, maybe he would. I understand other's desire to get McGee and Taggart - I have them on my wishlist as well. I really want to see what Dykes could do here if given the chance though.

In order - Dykes Taggart McGee Quinn Cristobal

So, I've gone from wanting Cristobal to Taggart and I admit, after reading this Voodoo Five article, I'm pretty close to being sold on Sonny Dykes and the whole Air Raid scheme. What do you guys think? Would Wollard give Dykes a chance? I really am excited about the idea of USF doing something completely different than the big boys and I wonder if his scheme were to be executed properly, wether we could steamroll the NBE in a couple of years.

+1

Yes, I noticed that comment too. His eyes were nearly shut, like he hadn;t slept. Ive met him a few times, and he is a genuine guy. Cares about his players, coaches, and USF. I am sure he is devastated, but it had to be. Bittersweet for USF.... We could use an ethical, caring, individual in the role. But they also need to posses an inate desire to win at nearly all costs. He was missing the "fire". You're right, he's a great guy - I've met and spoken with him several times. He just was not a good fit here.

I saw the final few minutes the show. You're right IncrediBull, he looked awful. At the end, Skip made a point of thanking the commentator for his 'professionalism', which I guess in retrospect, judging by the way he said it could be read as Skip saying, "goodbye". I believe he knew he was headed for the gallows.

I'd be happy with any of those. Although I highly highly highly highly doubt that Tuberville would leave Tech for us. Wasn't Tuberville's name mentioned as a candidate here when Skip was hired?

I didn't know this was 'The Dude'. Thanks for the head's up. I know I've read plenty of negative reviews of him.

Here is another, more recent article describing the ACC's money woes and the likelihood Maryland will not pay the full $50 million departure fee. If this article is true and correct, it is only a matter of time before the ACC is gutted. Interesting quote: "I cannot confirm it but a usually reliable source has told me the Big 12 has offered to contribute $25 million each to FSU and Miami’s buyout whatever it may be." http://www.eersautho...2-makes-a-push/

Yep. And at that point, I doubt the name ACC will exist either. If it truly comes to this, I imagine a new regional conference with a new name and new identity will be formed with the best pieces left. Again, we will still be on the outside of the contract bowls looking in, but with perhaps a better contract. I do not see USF ever being a member of the "ACC". Why do you think that's the case, re: a potential name change? The ACC has pretty good name recognition and is actually almost all Atlantic Coast-ish in terms of geography. Unless they lose their minds and start adding West Coast teams like the BE did, I don't see why they'd want to drop their name. The Big East with half the conference on the west coast is just stupid, but so long as it's east-ish teams that the ACC adds, I think the name makes sense and has history. No need to change it. I know tradition apparently doesn't mean anything in CFB anymore, but hopefully someone, somewhere has a sliver of nostalgia in them and decides not to torpedo every last element of traditional CFB. My gut just tells me that if only a few teams; Duke, Wake and Boston College are left with the new additions of Pitt, Syracuse and Louisville (and I'm not convinced all of them will be there) - somewhere, there will be a push for a name change and new identity. I agree, there is value in the ACC name, but the conspiracy theorist in me believes that the powers that be will do everything to strip the leftovers of any prestige and value they have left. In my opinion, if there is a merger, it is better to start anew.

my question is would the "New ACC" still be included in the top5 conferences for the playoff configuration or whatever you call it.? I don't see it happening. I think the endgame is four 'super-conferences' who will ink contracts with the 'prestige' bowls based on team and conference 'brands'. The goal is for the major bowls to not have their hands tied and have to invite someone due to NCAA rules. Again, look at the animosity towards Kent State and the chatter of a 6-7 Georgia Tech possibly 'stealing' San Jose State's bowl bid after being granted a waiver from the NCAA.. I believe those teams not in the 'super four' will be left with the scraps.

I grew up in Crofton. I would love to see the Bulls play in Annapolis as well!

Yep. And at that point, I doubt the name ACC will exist either. If it truly comes to this, I imagine a new regional conference with a new name and new identity will be formed with the best pieces left. Again, we will still be on the outside of the contract bowls looking in, but with perhaps a better contract. I do not see USF ever being a member of the "ACC".

I agree with you. I doubt we'll be seeing him in the stands once he retires.

If these super conferences expand their in-conference games and start playing the "lesser" left out competition in the little conferences, I can imagine this having massive atheltic budget implications for I-AA schools who depend on those pay day games. Not to mention the left out teams that have higher operational budgets for stadiums and the like who will feel a crunch. It won't matter Econ_Nerd. It's all about selling games and not sharing the pie. Once the conferences go to 16 (if they go), there won't be a need for 1-AA games. It will be about ratings and having two 'brands' play one another. A 1-AA team is not a 'brand'. Furthermore, I think it will get to the point that scheduling a 1-AA team will be poison to your SOS and therefore, no one will dare play a 'lesser' school. I think this is about ESPN and Fox having something akin to the NFL where 'every game matters' and every game can be hyped. I agree. But, what I am saying is that those athletic teams that before relied on those pay day games for their funding will suffer. I was trying to agree with you and say what you said. I worded my response poorly.

Whatever angst there is against Kent State doesn't matter because if they move up just one spot in the BCS poll, they're automatically in a BCS game. There will be no more BCS games starting with the 2014 season. and the equivalent will be the 6 "Access" bowls and unless they change the rules, which I wouldn't be surprised if they did, we can get to one of those via the field ... Yeah, but after this season the reality will be that USF making an access bowl or the tourny will be as shocking and frequent as seeing Kent State do it, which will also be followed by the Kent State like team getting the absolute ass blasted out of them by a Florida. Yes.