Florida Bull

The Big East used to have Miami and probably more football prestige than the ACC. What is important in the long-term would not necessarily be what they bring to the Big 12, but if it is worth it for them to stay. If the Big 12 becomes more like the Big East but without the large media presence and great basketball, of course Oklahoma and Texas could lose recruits and fans to Texas A&M and the SEC. The expansion options may not be USC, Notre Dame, and Michigan, or even Florida State. But, the quickest way to protect the Big 12 and media exposure for the members thereof, is to add decent universities in large media markets in respectable states.

By the way, forget the Big 12. They still don't even have to expand past 10, right now. If they can't get FSU and another ACC school, they won't go after anyone else. I am also skeptical that the Big 12 will expand without ACC members. However, I disagree with the notion that the Big 12 should not expand. They are the only AQ conference without a conference championship game, struggling with rankings in spite of actually great football strength (sound familiar to other Big East fans?), have the smallest media and population footprint, and are gradually becoming less relevant in the national media-like the once proud Big East. Many of their most outspoken fans brag that their tv contract makes more than the ACC's. Well, there is a decent rumor claiming the Atlantic Coast Conference will be on par with the Big 12 where the latter loses one of its only few confirmable objective advantages it had between the two conferences. And, the ACC could start making even more money in its tv contract. The Big 12 absolutely has to expand to 12, almost ASAP.

Research grants are very important, entailing even more money than football. This is why I do not think FSU is actually much if any better for the Big 10 Conference than us.

It is sad to think all of our pre-2012 conference mates are deserting us. And, the national media seems to enjoy it.

I have a feeling Brett McMurphy could care less about us. He is content with the idea that the MAC would not even consider a Florida member from an AQ conference. McMurphy said nothing about MAC. I dont think it would be MAC causing the decision here, I think it would be the new BB team league. Assuming Cincy/UConn have the power now to dissolve Big East completely. If the Cincy/UConn BBall goes with BBall teams then they would have to find a spot for their football by themselves, I just suggested MAC as I think they would be willing to add those 2 teams even temporarily, with no requirements due to location and adding as much prestige as possible. USF doesnt have a partner unless its UCF and regionally that doesnt make sense, and I dont see bball teams inviting USF/UCF. I know you are not anti-USF, and just sharing your predictions. But, I am getting irritated hearing how USF is not even good enough to be among "the best of the rest." I know we are not UF. But, the Bulls deserve better than what is apparently the developing status quo.

I have a feeling Brett McMurphy could care less about us. He is content with the idea that the MAC would not even consider a Florida member from an AQ conference.

[Response in next post.]

There are some commenters, I am wondering if they can ever be happy with USF's accomplishments.

St. Louis makes sense, with its central location and the interesting blend of its sports culture. I think it is actually a good city for basketball.

I think when anti-USF critics call the university a "commuter school," they are doing more than just emphasizing the students who live off-campus. The purpose is to imply inferior academics-if not also just a level above community college. It may not be the literal definition, but that is the cultural reference when people demean USF as a "commuter school" as it is trying to associate with other top 200 undergraduate programs. Of course a "commuter school" having an average incoming freshman gpa around 3.9, an acceptance rate around 40% (I believe 38% in 2010), a top 50 research ranking, and top 10 for US patents (in two consecutive years) is hardly bad.

I agree 100%. Who's doing it? I'm sure JG and DW are trying ... lol yeah sure. Keep dreaming Trip. They are doing what they can even giving a presentation/status report to Big 12, the money is not there right now for Big 12 to expand in the way it's tv contracts are setup and the fact 6/10 teams are in Texhoma and don't want to give up playing one another. The ACC has a plan if/when the conference dam starts leaking then breaks open and until then JD and DW are doing whatever is best for the mean time. Those two cant force an invite and have done the same type of marketing Cincy has done but no one has done a FOIA to see what they have done. The ACC setup wil make it beneficial for USF/UCF to team up if 6 teams leave ACC with 2 being Miami and FSU. But, what if the glorious ACC collapse many want doesn't happen?

Apparently, they consider us as rivals.

Or about to kick a virtually guaranteed game-winning field goal?

I would like a national championship. I know technically only one wish is allowed, but I would also like a conference included in the AQ club again. I don't want USF to drop to the level (Mid-Majors) just ahead of the FCS.

You seem kind of down on Boise State joining the Big East. You say we bring no TV value. Well CBS Sports would beg to differ with that statement. http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/21378913/boise-state-holds-the-key-to-big-easts-shaky-future I support the inclusion of Boise State.

I don't think so, the computers "hated" FSU. The computers and ranking system didn't hate them in the 90's and early 200's. And one of FSU's games got cancelled, so they had to schedule a second FCS team this year.

The Big 12 rumor of the day.

I know many like to hype up conference realignment between the "Power 5" conferences, some even treat it like fantasy football. But, I have a gut feeling the Big 10 is not going to expand again for a while (at least for one or two years). Of course, they could try to eliminate the ACC from the "Power 5" club, by taking up to 6+ members almost immediately for all I know. But, I think they will deal with Maryland's exit fee, integrate Maryland and Rutgers, and then probably evaluate and test the conference landscape before rushing to further permanent expansion.

Hope that's right. And hope we smash the Big East this year to show we're serious. +1 What a quote: "Everybody makes significantly more money except the Big East" Maybe Mr. Potato Head really did piss off somebody at ESPN to cause them to do this to the league. If USF gets less conference revenue than it currently does-while the other conferences make more money-we need to fight tooth and nail. It would be a real shame to lose all of our Big East conference rivals and see our athletic department fall into heavy debt.

I am just suggesting keeping an open mind. I prefer to take the self-promoting "insiders" with a grain of salt. I did not accuse WVU of promoting the new FSU to Big 10 rumor, although it's a surprisingly bad idea when you realize the CIC is actually bigger than football.

1. I did not know the Big East exit fee was only $12.5 million for WVU. But, that does not mean all of the ACC schools pay only that much. And, I am all but absolutely certain WVU is paying the Big 12 back for every penny-at least through reduced in-conference payments. I doubt there is a free lunch, even for WVU, or FSU for that matter. 2. I suspect the rumored tv contract number for the ACC is only a base level or partial real Tier 3. I am keeping an open mind on the real answer, but I have not seen actual documentation proving your absolute argument either. 3. I don't think either of us really know what Baylor wants. If USF and Cincinnati are finally seen as good for the Big 12 Conference, you might be surprised. Some might have argued ACC teams did not want to play FSU or Miami less often, in spite of more money and conference stability.

The issue is also about more than just playing good teams, but also revenue. After adapting to more money, USF's athletic department would suffer-possibly in serious debt-if all of the sudden the conference rug is pulled from under us.

The SEC is not going to add teams it would kick out shortly thereafter for not being a good enough football team. It cares for its members, lest Vanderbilt and a least one Mississippi school would have been exiled long ago.

All right, I get it. USF isn't good enough, but FSU must join the Big 12 ASAP.

1. I thought WVU paid half of its own exit fee, with the Big 12 loaning the other half-being indirectly paid back by reduced membership payments for a few years. Is that what you suggest for FSU and possibly 5 otter ACC schools? 2. The exclusive ESPN-ACC does not appear to cover everything. The USF-Miami game was not on ESPN, but a regional network. I think it was Florida Fox Sports, Sunshine Network, or something like that. I think the ACC's contract only cover Tier 1, Tier 2, and perhaps the best of Tier 3(?)-not all of Tier 3 rights. Without a conference network, I suspect the Tier 3 revenue almost evens out. If the ACC contract actually deliberately costs FSU around $10 million+ in Third Tier revenue alone, I doubt it would have been signed.