Big East Expansion talk time again...

[TheGimp]

Can anyone mention the Big East without mentioning expantion?  And UCF for that matter?

From CFN.com:

3. What can the Big East do to get Notre Dame?

Nothing. Notre Dame is unattainable with its sweetheart of a TV and BCS deal. However, the Big East would be foolish to not look into expansion possibilities to expand from its current eight-team configuration to get to become a 12-team league able to reap the rewards of a two-division format along with a conference championship game. Unfortunately, there aren't four realistically available teams out there who could raise the overall cachet of the league. Maybe Army and Navy because of their national fan bases. UCF might be a nice fit for a natural rivalry made to order with South Florida. Maybe Marshall or East Carolina from Conference USA. Maybe Memphis or Southern Miss, but that would really start to stretch the geographic boundaries.  In any event, expect expansion to become more and more of an issue over the next few years.

I think if it does expand to 12 (in 2010), I think it will be UCF, Memphis, ECU, and Marshall (If WVU blocks the Herd, then Southern Miss.  But Rivarlies make good conferences and Marshall and WVU could be a good one).

[Mission9]

Not the Putrid Purple Pirates again.  They belong in the Southern Conference.

[flsportsfan83]

UCF is going to be a  national Championship football team next year, and then every conference will be fighting for them accding to Mav

[goodknightfl]

Its hard to say how many BE adds if they split in 2010. I agree 12 is the best... but BE may elect to get there in steps.. I dont see memphis as that big of a step geography wise... USM would be a stretch... Now that WV and marshall are playing each other... no real reason for WV to keep them out... My guess would be Memphis.. also gets cusa liberty bowl.. UCF..biggest potential of the avail schools plus as stated natural travel partner and rival for USF.... also makes fla trips better for northern bcs schools.. can play both on 1 trip...Then ECU  and Marshall just because they fit location wise.. Ecu is getting ready to upgrade its stadium..

[deathrow95]

 Sorry UCF needs to look elseware.  Their is no way the Big East will add them.  If the Big East Splits up into 2 confrences look for the Big East to add one team Memphis and stay a 9 team confrence.  Adding teams that don't make money bowls or who don't excel in Baskeball is a waste of time.  Marshall is a remedial school and ECU sits in the sticks with no TV market (not to mention it sucks in B-ball as bad as we do).  Why split your money with school with no upside.     UCF has done some good things as of late and seem to be moving in the right direction.  Hopefully O'Leary stays and doesn't get sucked up by a bigger program.  UCF may one day be their but they aren't close yet.

 As for who would be invited if they went to 12 Memphis, TCU, UAB, Southern Miss.  Don't count on that thought.

[bulls96go]

academics is the clincher

army/navy as one spot

and go to 9 teams

don't the 16 teams need to stay together for 5 years?

[deathrow95]

 I believe the five years was in refrence to the TV contract and the impact a break up would have on this revenue.  Confrence  break ups seem to happen around those times.

[smazza]

none of the teams mentioned makes sense

no deep south team

ftu/ou/oc??????? makes no sense

travel partner?  there is no round robin like pac 10

will usf take buses to games with ftu/ou/oc against other big east teams?

big east needs to add quality to football not quantity

[cygnus34]

There will be NO EXPANSION, as long as there are 16 teams in the league.  The ONLY way to have expansion is to have the football schools break away from the BIG EAST B.B. only schools.  At this time there is no way Louisville, Syracuse, UCONN and Rutgers will do that.

As for what teams would come into the Eastern Ath. Conf.(Football) It would not be ECU, Army or Navy.  There are many reasons and no sense going into it now.

[Guest Hello]

 Sorry UCF needs to look elseware.  Their is no way the Big East will add them.  If the Big East Splits up into 2 confrences look for the Big East to add one team Memphis and stay a 9 team confrence. Adding teams that don't make money bowls or who don't excel in Baskeball is a waste of time.

Which "money bowls" did USF make before for being added to the BE?

When has USF exceled in basketball?

Memphis it's almost 400 miles SW from the closest BE team (LofL)...which doesn't makes sense from a travel time/cost perspective.