TSN on the Big East

[Apis Bull]

Changing the forecast from doom to boom

March 14, 2006

Matt Hayes

If only he had it in him. If only Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese weren't such a nice guy, such a polished administrator. If only he were someone who'd call a punk a punk.

So while we're all gushing about the big, bad Big East this week as the most entertaining tournament in sports begins, let us reflect on the real madness: Big East football made a huge statement two months ago. And **** near everyone has forgotten about it.

"I'm just not the kind of guy who says I told you so," Tranghese says.

So I'll say it for him, punks.

OK, there's one eensy-weensy problem. I, too, was among the football-challenged idiots who said Tranghese, the longtime league commissioner, might as well skulk to the corner, curl up in the fetal position and beg for BCS scraps after the ACC had raided the Big East for its three marquee football teams. Now, two years removed from doomsday, the conference could start next season with two teams in the preseason top 10.

And to think Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson once had the stones to say his conference and the Big East should have a playoff game for the automatic BCS bid.

"It's all about perception," West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez says.

You can have perception; I'll take reality. Two months ago, WVU brought its battered Big East reputation to the Sugar Bowl to play Georgia. Before Uga VI could yelp, it was 28-0 Mountaineers. The Bulldogs were no slouches, either; they had won the SEC, the nation's best conference, a month earlier by humiliating LSU in the title game. And they were playing WVU only 70 miles from the Georgia campus in Athens.

Now WVU is the hot team, the trendy pick to play in the national title game. Now Rodriguez is tutoring various coaching staffs in how to run his multi-threat spread option. Now the 'Eers have two Heisman candidates-quarterback Pat White and tailback Steve Slaton-and college football's complete attention.

But that's not all for the little conference that couldn't. There's another team (Louisville) with top 10 potential that is building momentum. Another team with two Heisman candidates (quarterback Brian Brohm and tailback Michael Bush). Another coach (Bob Petrino) who is teaching other staffs about his intricate passing game.

And I'm not giving up on Pitt. The Panthers have the best facilities in the country, and coach Dave Wannstedt has proved he can recruit with anyone in the Northeast. I still think Wanny will move closer to Pete Carroll than Al Groh on the NFL-to-college list. That's three legitimate championship-caliber programs in an eight-team conference.

I can think of one conference that can boast a better ratio. Yeah, that's right-West Virginia already beat that league's champion in a little bowl game in January.

In case you forgot.

Senior writer Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.

Changing the forecast from doom to boom

[smazza]

how many hesiman candidates doies usf have

[bulls96go]

usf will prove to be top 3 in be over time

[smazza]

being 3rd isnt good enough in football

one or nothing

[Velcro]

being third is good enough this early in our existence... strive for 1, but ending anywhere in the top 25 in our first 10 years is great.

[E.T.]

...

one or nothing

giving up on usc ?

[Velcro]

USC sucks, they didn't win the national championship... they are no better than UCF... one or nothing!

[smazza]

usc will always be in championship hunt with pete carroll at helm

velcro-we're number 3.

NICE RING TO IT

[Velcro]

USC sucks though, they didn't win... #1 or nothing, as you said.

They failed, and they are no better than UCF.

[E.T.]

usc will always be in championship hunt ...

Hunting is not good enough ... they are being hunted now ... ALL OR NOTHING  8)