May 15, 2008
Memphis, East Carolina headed to the Big East?
Let's not go overboard just yet, but these storylines are certainly reminiscent of the great summer shakedown of 2003.
The Memphis Tigers may be negotiating with the Big East to join the conference as an all-sports member.
Sources have confirmed to FOX13 Sports that University of Memphis officials have been in serious talks with the Big East about joining the conference.
And while those talks are progressing, East Carolina is essentially throwing itself at the Big East.
Just for kicks, let's put one on the table in the form of, say, a job application. The school should be willing to:- Play a conference football schedule with zero compensation from the Big East so current members don't have to give up any of their share of revenue.
- Be responsible for negotiating a television contract for home games until the league wants the school to be a part of its package.
- Not expect any of the league's BCS revenue until earning a BCS bid of its own representing the conference.
- Come in as a football member only. Other sports would play in another league in order to not interfere with the league's current 16-member setup for all other sports.
- Show a solid track record of putting fans in the seats at home, on the road and at bowl games — all on a trial basis for a few years.
Who would take that chance?
East Carolina.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, insiders with knowledge of East Carolina's position talked of doing all of the above.
That's how confident they are in coach Skip Holtz's program. By the way, Skip wouldn't return the call on this one, and athletic director Terry Holland said he had no comment.
Told you it was sensitive.
"We would agree to all of that and others," said one prominent ECU supporter. "Our partnership could be described as a 'hand-in' partnership rather than a 'hand-out' partnership. We wouldn't be asking for anything except the opportunity to prove ourselves as good and productive partners of the eight institutions playing Division I-A football."
Is ECU really that desperate to get out of Conference USA that they would whore themselves out -- eschewing all television and bowl game revenue -- and pay the CUSA's exit fees to get a taste of Big East football? Maybe. Maybe.
And you know that must be winning them so many friends over at the C-USA headquarters.
So what would ECU have to gain by joining the Big East as a football only member?
1) Increased awareness. ECU has made significant strides to raise its profile, including a six-year contract for games with West Virginia, the hiring of Skip Holtz, and winning. In many ways, ECU has adopted the Bobby Bowden mentality of the early 1980's... anyone, anytime, anywhere. The most remarkable aspect however is that not only is the team showing up at those games, but ECU is quickly gaining a reputation as a school that travels well. Put the Pirates into the Big East television package and ECU goes from a regional awareness to... well, some kind of blip on the national radar.
2) Rivals. ECU has no natural rivals within Conference USA. As their stature has risen, they've been excited to play with the upper echelon of the conference, but there are no geographical rivals for the Pirates. One of the better "rivals" for ECU is... WVU. Joining the Big East guarantees the extension of the Mountaineers series, and... if you're going to be without geographic rivals, you might as well be in the best conference you can be, right?
3) Increased revenues. Moving to the Big East would have significant costs, but it is probably the only move that would also increase football revenues at East Carolina. The Pirate Club isn't going to get any bigger just because June Jones is coaching in C-USA. While ECU is selling somewhere in the neighborhood of 17,000 season tickets last season. The thinking at East Carolina is that season ticket sales -- as a Big East member -- could go into the 25,000+ range, not to mention a potential increase in upgraded suites.
So what's the Big East's official stand on these rumors? A very Bush 41, "nah gonna do it."
"I know there's a lot of talk about it, but we are not going to add a 17th team. It is just not going to happen," Tranghese told me. "There's no interest whatsoever in taking that path among our conference presidents. I understand where our football coaches are coming from, and I know they have a problem."That problem is scheduling in the new era of 12-game regular seasons. In their eight-team football league, Big East coaches and athletic directors are forced to find five nonconference opponents each season. That's one more than teams in other Bowl Championship Series leagues.
But the bigger scheduling problem in the Big East is the mismatched conference rotation that forces some members to play four league road games and only three home league games each season.
"That's the real driving force behind our coaches' stances on expansion," Tranghese said. "Obviously, it would be much better for everyone to have four home and four away conference games each season. But it's not such a problem that we need to add another school to fix it."
...
"It's a tremendous school, and [Pirates athletic director Terry Holland] and I have been good friends for many, many years," Tranghese said. "ECU's reputation for playing excellent football and having lots of fans that back the team on the road is well-established. The schools in our league have always been extremely impressed by the program there. You can't say enough about the job Skip Holtz has done. But still, that doesn't change the fact that we aren't going to go to 17."
The impetus for much of the expansion talk is being driven by the football schools. The ADs and coaches are basically stuck in scheduling hell because the Big East teams only have seven conference games per year on the schedule, leaving five non-conference games to be scheduled per season. Adding one more football school would ease the pain. Adding two... well, you would see the Big East ADs doing backflips. But, until those coaches & ADs can push the university presidents to force the conference's hand, it isn't likely to happen.
For it's part, the Big East has an official moratorium on expansion until 2010... at least.
A few years ago, I think it would have been foolish for the Big East to make a move with either/both Memphis and East Carolina, just as I thought last year's talk of adding Navy was probably wasted breath.
However, given the current geographic makeup and competitive landscape of the Big East, I can't find any fault with bringing on the Tigers and Pirates. I'm not going to say that it's a slam-dunk done-deal, but it certainly sounds as if the two schools are... interested, to say the least.
UPDATE: Memphis AD R.C. Johnson issued a flat denial that he has met with the Big East.
While Johnson has said the Tiger athletic program, a member of Conference USA, continues to make itself an attractive option for a Bowl Championship Series conference, there have been no meetings with the Big East."No, absolutely not," Johnson said. "I have had no meetings with the Big East."
This denial seems 100% factual correct and 100% flimsy. So... the Memphis AD has not met in person with the Big East. Gotchya.
But Johnson certainly sounds like a man who has plans to leave C-USA.
"To win in basketball -- plus the four bowl games -- really (boosted) our visibility," Johnson said. "I don't know when something will happen, but I think something will happen. And I think we've really positioned ourselves."We've got incredible coaches, our academics have really improved, our sports successes have really improved. And making this run to the Final Four ... we've really got ourselves positioned."
The Memphis Commerical - Appeal goes on to say that Johnson was pulled out of a conference meeting for a face-to-face with C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky to address the reports.
What do you think? Any smoke there?
Comments:
Clemson Joe said:
posted on May 15, 2008 10:46 AM — 165.166.31.249 — link — abuse?
After reading this, the first thought that popped into my head was this:
Big East North
UConn
Cincinnati
Louisville
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
SyracuseBig East South
West Virginia
Marshall
East Carolina
Memphis
Central Florida
South FloridaMaybe I'm the only one, but I'd like to see it happen. It might take the South a year or two to get it together, but it looks like a pretty competitive conference to me. Also, it would add 2 geographic rivalries (USF vs. UCF, and WVU vs. Marshall). It might not ever happen, but again, I'd like to see it.
40 Acres of Burnt Orange
posted on May 15, 2008 10:58 AM — 192.91.75.30 — link — abuse?
said:
Clemson Joe i would laso like to see a renewal of the WVU vs Marshall rivalry. From what i have heard from some mountaineer fans is that it used to be pretty intense. They also need to bring back the WVU vs V-Tech for the black diamond trophy series. Im still trying to figure out how teams from new york and new jersey are in the same conference as teams from florida? Why don't we just invite Boise State to come on board as well?
HookEmHorns!
amp4lsu said:
posted on May 15, 2008 11:39 AM — 75.145.219.49 — link — abuse?
so, according to this, we can drop the BcS altogether and go with:
ACC Champ vs. Big East Champ (Orange Bowl)
Big 12 Champ vs. SEC Champ (Sugar Bowl)
Orange vs. Sugar (Fiesta Bowl)
for the unmythical national championship.
???
NoPlaceInHeavenForArrogantPeople said:
posted on May 15, 2008 3:00 PM — 208.40.194.116 — link — abuse?
Embarrassing???? This conference, that has been ridiculed by bunches of billy-bobs from the south, beat the SEC champion three years ago in the Sugar Bowl, beat the ACC champion two years ago in the Orange Bowl, and beat the Big 12 Champion last year in the Fiesta Bowl. In addition, no BCS conference had a larger percentage (50%) of its teams finish in the final BCS poll last year. Yep, sounds pretty embarrassing to me. I think the thing that is more embarrassing is the fact that someone can't spell embarrassing.
OU-Ron
posted on May 15, 2008 3:31 PM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse? said:
NPIHFAP, What team are you a fan of, or are you a fan of the conference, most new guy's have to post three of four times on here before you can call out the billy bobs of the south, you might bite off more than you chew, but be my guest......
posted on May 15, 2008 4:33 PM — 72.145.94.138 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Watch what you say. Kevin's third cousin, Billy Bob Donahue, is often credited for being the impetus behind fanblogs. We don't need to be insulting our founders here...
Also, Heaven, it might be added that no BCS conference has a fewer number of teams than the Big Eas(y)t.
Ron, what we have here is a WVU fan, I do believe. He's just plain embarissing...
embarrasing...
embarassing...
uh, whatever...
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on May 15, 2008 4:34 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
OU-Ron, I need an objective opinion, my friend. Do you find it ironic that someone who can callously dismiss the people of an entire region of this great nation as "billy-bobs" and yet has the temerity to refer to himself as "NoPlaceInHeavenForArrogantPeople", or am I just being arrogant or a billy-bob?
TE
posted on May 15, 2008 4:37 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
I'm no BillyBob here, but, I am from the South...But, having said that...
PROPHYLACTIC (I'm not so good with the anacronym deal...Did I get all those correct?),
UGA in 2005 was the weakest conference champion we've produced in years, and West Virginia completely snuck up on them, and you all know it...Please don't act like you're some great shakes over that win...a three point shootout that proved one thing...Even a sorry offense led by an "athlete" at QB like DJ Shockley could-if nothing else-almost outscore the best you had to offer IN YEARS...
Who was the ACC Champion in 2006? I don't know, and neither does anyone outside of the fans of the ACC Champion for 2006, and the team that beat them in the Orange Bowl...
Wait...Oh, I remember now...Wake Forest was the ACC Champion in 2006...Talk about a juggernaut...Let me tell you, that's a HUGE statement to make winning that game...Sure set Louisville up for a stellar year this past year, with an NFL ready WR (in his mind), as well as an "alleged" 1st round NFL Draft Pick in Brohm, and Bush, as well...Though admittedly Bush busted his leg...
Give me a break, man...You snuck up on a sad conference champion, beat a sorry ACC Champion in a down year, and the junk punched a guy that obviously has proven he can't win big games when Mack Brown's not coaching the opposing team in Stoops...
If that's your calling card...Two teams that are set to seriously fall back down to earth after two separate coaches-and their systems-are now gone from their programs, then bully for you...
The rest of us live here in the world...a little place we call reality...You might like it here...
Put down that bong filled with salvia divinorum and join us...We feel the pain of your sorry conference...We understand your need to throw empty stats out in order to achieve a sense of relavance...
We empathize with your embarassment over inviting ECU & Memphis into such a sorry fold...
Just breathe, GodMadeDirtAndDirtDontHurt...It'll be okay...The sun'll come out...tomorrow!
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on May 15, 2008 4:47 PM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
TE: a correction - Georgia Tech was the 2006 ACC champion and lost to WVU in a 38-35 Gatorbowl shootout that could have easily gone either way. Based on the "strength" of that game, numerous WVU fans entered the 2007 pre-season with dreams of a MNC, to which I advised they should consider growing a defense before having such dreams (giving up 5 TDs to a Chan Gailey coached and Reggie Ball quarterbacked team is nothing to brag about). We now know the results of the 2007 season and it certainly didn't include a MNC for WVU.
OU-Ron
posted on May 15, 2008 5:07 PM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse? said:
RG, my first thought in a response to NPIHFAP was to mention that it dosent look like he will be visiting Heaven if he believes in his moniker, but then my self control took over and thought why not let him hang himself.....and yes I find it very ironic
I guess I'm a Billy Bob of the West.....
JoshC
posted on May 15, 2008 5:54 PM — 71.63.30.227 — link — abuse? said:
Just remember when Mike Tranghese says "Not gonna do it" about adding a 17th team, he said that in 1994 about adding a 13th team -- four months before he added Notre Dame.
AUtigerman said:
posted on May 15, 2008 8:50 PM — 68.109.9.2 — link — abuse?
#5
considering that the final BCS poll comes out prior to the bowl games i wouldnt brag to much about the big east being ranked so high.
The final AP showed the Big East true colors and only ranks 2 teams.
Should be an awsome basketball conference but still a ways away from football dominance out side of WVU and prehaps South Florida.
I would like to see them pick up Central Florida.
Would be an instant rivalry with south Florida and they look pretty good.c-dogg said:
posted on May 15, 2008 9:25 PM — 76.188.151.33 — link — abuse?
Let it go Big East Lovers. You don't have a leg to stand on after the way Rutgers, W.Virginia & Louisville blew it over the past 2 years. The Big East still gets no respect and does not deserve it after Miami, V-Tech, & BC left. Please don't start with that conference. I'm not saying the ACC is any better, but at least that have some national titles to show for it.
GA DAWG said:
posted on May 15, 2008 9:44 PM — 68.184.132.123 — link — abuse?
TE
Nice comments about the 2005 DAWGS. Yeah I remember that team. The highlight was the 34-14 beatdown that they put on some team from the SEC West in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. I wish I could remember which team that was. Maybe you could remind me.Go DAWGS!
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on May 16, 2008 12:18 AM — 76.100.57.43 — link — abuse?
C-dogg,
Blew it? "Blowing it" is the entire ACC having 1 BCS victory since its inception...Hell Boise St. has that many. The ACC is the epitome of an underachieving conference.
BTW, this is never happened....there is no truth to the rumors what-so-ever and I can post the link for all to see if you guys don't believe me?....There was never any negotiations between Memphis and the Big East.http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/may/15/u-m-denies-big-east-negotiations/
Zac said:
posted on May 16, 2008 3:52 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Some of you guys never cease to amaze me. An over-zealous fan talks a little smack, and suddenly every decent team the Big East beat over the past 3 years were sub-standard. The very idea one of you referred to the 2005 GA squad as "the weakest conference champion we've produced in years"? (Snuck up on them or no, WVU still beat em; GA didn't loose it.) I wonder how the rest of the Dawg fans feel about that one.
Then, there's the comment regarding Stoops alleged inability to win the big one, unless the opposing team's coach is named Brown. "Let it go, Big East lovers. You don't have a leg to stand on." Great stuff coming from the fan of a team, Stoops' boys did manage to put a serious whoop'n on last year. (I know; don't talk smack until we have an NC to show for it.)
By the way, Ramblin-G, TE is correct. Brohm and the Cardinals won the Big East and the right to play Wake in the Orange Bowl in 2006. WVU played and beat GA Tech, the runner up. But this is all besides the point. Apparently Wake Forest was an even worse ACC Champ in 2006, than was GA an SEC champ in 2005. It sure doesn't speak well for the teams beaten by those 2, does it? But, that's the very nature of those who don't appreciate the success of others; find an excuse to diminish it or otherwise drag it down.
Fair enough. My turn. The Big East, for what ever reason, has been struggling for respect since...time immemorial, it seems. The more this conference manages to do, the more it seems they have to do. I don't know why that is, but for now, that's just the way of things. However, the question is not whether or not the Big East is deserving to be among the BCS "Big Six". (They are; they do; get over it!) The question instead is, "Does Mike Tranghese have the imagination to make expansion work?"
I'm with JoshC; Mike Tranghese reveals nothing until he's ready to reveal it. I've said it before; with a conference of 16 teams, the only way to expand the football side is to split the Big East into 2 independent divisions: A Football-Primary division & a Basketball-Primary division.
This won't hurt the basketball side. Each division can schedule to play teams from the other, without impacting their standing within their own division. Each division plays off as they see fit, and the winners of each play for the conference championship. In the mean time, the football side of the house can expand and do as it sees fit. Clemson Joe's scenario in Post 2 could represent the Football-Primary division, while the following teams would represent the Basketball-Primary division: DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, ND, Providence, St Johns, Seaton Hall, Villanova.
One more thing and I'll get off my soap box. Memphis is a great school. Geographically, it doesn't make sense to bring them into the Big East. ECU, on the other hand brings in a decent school, loaded with potential, backed by a solid fan base, a good stadium, and it makes geographic sense. It makes even better geographic sense, were ECU in the ACC; just as it makes better geographic sense for VA Tech to have stayed in the Big East. Both ECU & VA Tech had expressed interest in joining the ACC, and the ACC wanted nothing to do with either. Were it not for VA's governor, VA Tech would still be in the Big East: a loss I truly regret. The Black Diamond trophy was a game I looked forward to every year, but alas...OU-Ron
posted on May 16, 2008 9:09 AM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse? said:
@12 TE, I wish I could argue the point about your assessment of Stoops and big games, but I cant, however, Stoops loves to beat the turtleneck almost as much as he does Brown.
Maybe the football gods will be kind enough to match OU and LSU up in a BCS bowl this year, so Stoops can win back his title of BIG GAME BOB……
http://blog.newsok.com/jennicarlson/2007/11/12/miles-v-stoops-count-me-in/
c-dogg said:
posted on May 16, 2008 10:09 AM — 66.219.131.67 — link — abuse?
diggs....(#20)
I think you missed my point by those teams "blowing It". WVU, Lville, & Rutgers were highly ranked and lost to each other back to back to back weeks. All had the opportunity to be an elite team and play for the national title, but they blew it. Notice that when Miami was in the Big East and highly ranked, no Big east team EVER kocked Miami out of the national title game. We took care of business on teh field. If I'm wrong, do some research and prove it.
As far as Miami in the ACC...yes I'll be the first to admit that we have had our A$$E$ handed to us. We thought that the ACC would be as easy as the Big LEAST. Now that we are adjusting with better players(good recruiting again), we will be OK in the ACC.
Ramblin' Gator said:
posted on May 16, 2008 11:13 AM — 74.185.133.40 — link — abuse?
#22: Zac, you're right about the ACC runner-up thing - my bad. I guess that was a case of wishful thinking on my part. :-)
No offense intended with my remarks (#13) regarding the 2006/2007 Gator Bowl. I recall a number of WVU fans bragging about MNC hopes after that game and I posted several comments about the defense needing improvement. As usual, I was the one proposing that people flavor their optimism with a bit of skepticism and I was (as usual) called a lot of brilliant names regarding my negativity (the name "nega-gator" comes to mind, as well as "nattering nay-bob of nay-gator land" - a good one, I must admit). I hadn't really thought about it since, though I'm compelled to claim an I-told-you-so to all those name-calling WVU fans as I'm guessing even they would admit that a better defense could have produced wins over USF and Pitt last season.
posted on May 16, 2008 11:23 AM — link — abuse? said:
UPDATE: Memphis AD R.C. Johnson issued a flat denial that he has met with the Big East.
While Johnson has said the Tiger athletic program, a member of Conference USA, continues to make itself an attractive option for a Bowl Championship Series conference, there have been no meetings with the Big East.
"No, absolutely not," Johnson said. "I have had no meetings with the Big East."
This denial seems 100% factual correct and 100% flimsy. So... the Memphis AD has not met in person with the Big East. Gotchya.
But Johnson certainly sounds like a man who has plans to leave C-USA.
"To win in basketball -- plus the four bowl games -- really (boosted) our visibility," Johnson said. "I don't know when something will happen, but I think something will happen. And I think we've really positioned ourselves.
"We've got incredible coaches, our academics have really improved, our sports successes have really improved. And making this run to the Final Four ... we've really got ourselves positioned."
The Memphis Commerical - Appeal goes on to say that Johnson was pulled out of a conference meeting for a face-to-face with C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky to address the reports.
What do you think? Any smoke there?
Zac said:
posted on May 16, 2008 11:27 AM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
C-Dogg, like yourself I'm gonna need a little help with this one. I'm fairly sure, but not 100% positive, WVU & Miami were in the Big East in 1993. At 9-0, WVU hosted undefeated 4th ranked Miami, in what was considered one of Don Nehlan's biggest games ever. WVU won it, ruining any chance of Miami going after another title. It may not have been the last game of the year for either school, but it was certainly far enough along in the season to argue that WVU knocked Miami out of a chance for that year's NC. Now, in all fairness to your Canes, that was one of only 2 wins WVU had against Miami as members of the Big East. So, while a member of the Big East having knocked Miami out of the NC game has been few & far between, it has happened.
What has come as a big surprise to me, the only teams to benefit from entry to the ACC are BC & VA Tech. Miami hasn't even been a factor let alone benefited much from the move to the ACC. Their basketball team has done better, but football has taken a step back. With the talent they attract year-in & year-out, I just don't understand it. Not only are they lacking the "Chemistry", but it seems they've lost their identity. I don't know if it's the coaching staff, or the Orange Bowl, or what. What ever it is, I personally find it sad.
Zac said:
posted on May 16, 2008 11:45 AM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
Ramblin-G (Post 25), while admittedly a couple of my buttons got pushed by a few comments, yours weren't among them. And for the record, no hard feelings; it's all good to one & all.
What drives me crazy about those 2 games last year, was WVU actually played decent defense. They held S FL's, Matt Grothe, & his offense to 267 total yards & 14 pts. One of his TD's came off a long bomb set up by his scrambling, when almost the entire WVU secondary bit and thought he was running with it. Against Pitt, though LeSean McCoy got 148 yards rushing, WVU held the Panthers to 225 yards total offense. So, in effect, the defense actually did their job; it was WVU's offense which was to blame for both of those losses.
TE
posted on May 16, 2008 12:06 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
GA DAWG,
Don't start barking too loudly, you little chihuahua...As with Barack Obama, context is everything when it comes to what you say and how you say it...
That Dawg team that beat LSU did so after we played 11 games in 10 weeks (you guys had 1.5 weeks off heading into that game), and let's also not forget to mention that our starting quarterback separated his shoulder and was knocked out of that game...
Made just a wee bit of a difference, eh, GA DAWG? Just a skoch, if you ask me...
Zac said:
posted on May 16, 2008 12:22 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
Kevin (Post 26), there's no doubt in my mind, that Mike Tranghese is still smarting from having been caught with his pants down, regarding the defections of BC, Miami, & VA Tech. If he's involved with Memphis, he'll play the ultimate secrecy thing to the hilt. So, Memphis' AD, R. C. Johnson hasn't been involved in any "meetings". OK, has he taken any calls; what about the school's President? Besides, as you've already pointed out, Johnson has made one thing very clear, "…we've really got ourselves positioned." The only question remaining is, "positioned" to do what? Film at 11, me thinks.
I don't know, TE (Post 29). Maybe you have a point; maybe you're just making excuses. True or not, rightly or wrongly, advantages or no, it was still GA's win.
VTBobb
posted on May 16, 2008 12:46 PM — 74.1.112.66 — link — abuse? said:
I don't know enough about Memphis, but East Carolina reminds me a lot of VT in the early nineties. They seem to field teams with talent that play close, but just don’t have the depth to close out games against the tougher opponents. I bet that like VA Tech, joining a BCS conference with more national exposure will give them the opportunity to improve their recruiting and depth to a point where they are a consistent top 25 team.
The funny thing about the Canes fans talking smack is that, according to Florida based football fans, they were supposed to form the second half of the “Florida Based 2 Pony Show” that was to be ACC football. So, when you read Miami Hurricane fans posts, think of it kind of like your mom’s great uncle talking. They are living in the past, hoping for a future.
AUtigerman said:
posted on May 16, 2008 1:00 PM — 129.61.46.60 — link — abuse?
Prehaps im the only one here that dosent judge the strenght of a conference soley on its BCS bowl record.
If you do that then the ACC would have to be at the bottom.
However anyone that knows anything realizes that the ACC is rich on talent and football history and from that standpoint far out classes the Big East at this time.
The ACC obviously thought they would have an instant super conference with the defection of some really good teams but that hasnt panned out at this time either.
Certainly the Big East has done enough to continue its automatic BCS tie in but id have to say they are still a long way from football dominance.
Has Cental Florida signed on to be part of the Big East? I think they would be a pretty good pick up.
VTBobb
posted on May 16, 2008 1:12 PM — 74.1.112.66 — link — abuse? said:
TE, so are you saying that UGA was a weak team that only won because LSU's quartback was hurt and they had an extra 3 days to rest? If so, then maybe VT only lost to LSU last year because our best o-lineman (the ony one with significant experience, I believe) was out and LSU had 3 extra days to prepare for the game.
AUTigerFan08 said:
posted on May 16, 2008 2:48 PM — 74.239.251.222 — link — abuse?
TE
A weak GA team? the only reason LSU lost was because JR had a bum shoulder? Wasn't the back up Matt Flynn? Didn't he beat Miami in the paech bowl that year like 41 to 3?
Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me but then maybe I am remembering wrong! But then again maybe not!c-dogg said:
posted on May 16, 2008 10:11 PM — 76.188.151.33 — link — abuse?
Vt Bob....(#31)
You might want to win at least one national title before talking. You had your chance in 1999 when FSU did you in. I guess your dog abusing QB couldn't pull it off. You also had your chance when you were highly ranked and Miami DID YOU in your OWN BACKYARD 23-3. Just win ONE title, then talk. Until then....SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
c-dogg said:
posted on May 16, 2008 10:20 PM — 76.188.151.33 — link — abuse?
You guys are pulling me out of hibernation early. Bring it! it's fun... You gotta have thick skin here at fanblogs if your a Canes Fan. You either love em' or hate em'. If you hate THE-U I know why. Might be the same reason why people are starting to hate USC. :o)
Zac said:
posted on May 16, 2008 10:55 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
C-Dogg, so you played football with Hennry Slay, COOL!!! What was he like as a lineman in HS? By the way, ya gots ta haz thick skin, if’n you’re a Miami fan??? $hit! That’s only one team. I say ya gots ta haz thick skin if’n you’re a Big East fan. Thar be 8 fat, friggen teams in that thar conference. Rodney Dangerfield got more respect in one month than the Big East has gotten in the last 3 years.
Maurice(Post 36), global or not, with today’s fuel costs, conferences whose teams span the country just aren’t practical. Otherwise, I agree; TCU or UCF would be a good addition to any major conference. In fact, the Big East had originally canvassed UCF to join, following they’re having had a good season. Then, their following season fell through the roof, and the Big East lost interest and began wooing S FL. It’s amazing how that worked out. I would still like to see Penn St in the Big East, but at this point, I’d be willing to settle for something like Clemson Joe’s idea in Post 2. While I think the North/South sub-divisions would probably work better, East/West sub-divisions could also work; i.e. East: ECU, Rutgers, S FL, Syracuse, UCF, UConn; West: Cinci, Louisville, Marshall, Memphis, Pitt, WVU. In the words of Judy Tenuta, “Could Happen...”
c-dogg said:
posted on May 16, 2008 11:16 PM — 76.188.151.33 — link — abuse?
Zac(#40),
Henry Slay was either a sophomore or Junior during my Senior year. Let me give you a clue as to how good he was. During our spring football camp/testing period, he challenged me to a race. Our testings were indoors(on the carpet) because it was cold outside(Ohio weather). I was 6ft 1'/185 pounds. I ran a 4.5 flat 40 yard dash. I beat Henry in the race by HALF A STEP and he weighed roughly 260 pounds at that time...amazing speed! In highschool he was always double teamed and still got the sacks. He showed his skills at WVU. He almost went to Indiana, but chose WVU. He wanted to go to Michigan or Ohio State, but they didn't make a scholarship offer (only wanted him as a recruited walk on). He also made sure to remind me that he sacked the Miami QB when he played them. :o)
He had a shot with the Falcons & Titans but didn't stick. Still a good player though. Last I heard he lives in New Jersey. His brother(Ed Slay/ Ohio University) was a good player too. Ed now runs an insurance company in our hometown.
GA DAWG said:
posted on May 17, 2008 12:05 AM — 68.184.132.123 — link — abuse?
Zac
I will say that that WVA team of 2005 was very good. They showed speed that usually I only expect to see against a FLA or LSU team. They reminded me a lot of the LSU team we lost to twice in 2003. A ton of speed. They got the ball to the outside and turned on the afterburners. I still say the best to ever do that was Addai from LSU. That kid had some breakaway speed. Overall, I think the Big East will have another good year this year.
TE
I am not barking too loudly. I am glad we are around to playing LSU again. The last two times have gone very well for the DAWGS. 5-5 since 1980. Dead even. Dawgs 3-1 at home, LSU 3-1 at home and 1-1 in Atlanta at the championship game. Get ready for the DAWGS to take the lead in the series this year.GO DAWGS!
Patrick said:
posted on May 17, 2008 1:33 PM — 74.130.32.235 — link — abuse?
All this talk about Memphis and ECU joining the BIG EAST is good for them. But something exciting to talk about, West Virginia and Louisville joining the SEC! It would only help the Basketball out, not that the SEC needs it. And FOOTBALL WVU has the tradition has great fans and is a southern team. Louisville is up and coming has great fans and is VERY close to other SEC teams...Kentucky, Vandy, Tennessee, and WVU if they joined. More than likely WVU would go in the East with Louisville in the West. West Virginia playing Tenn, Georgia, Florida? Oh yeah! Louisville playing LSU, Auburn, Alabama? Oh yeah and not to mention keeping that rivalry up with Kentucky but letting the confrence decide when they play..No more power trips in football for Kentucky. And WVU @ Kentucky would be a rival game right away, along with Georgia. Louisville as of right now would have a rival with ARKANSAS..(BOBBY PETRINO)...So all the little talk aside, this is something to talk about and do! Let me know how you guys feel Louisville fans WVU fans SEC fans and Big East fans.
Clemson Joe said:
posted on May 17, 2008 4:08 PM — 165.166.31.249 — link — abuse?
#43: ...or what if USC, UCLA, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Clemson, FSU, Miami, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Louisville, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State all joined one conference. With such great tradition and fans this would be a GREAT conference. Then, the champion could play the USSR in hockey for world dominance!
posted on May 17, 2008 5:54 PM — 68.219.13.70 — link — abuse? said:
There's only ONE problem with your scenario above, Joe: The USSR is now defunct...
I think we could call it the Coast to Coast conference...
If the Big Eas(y)t is to survive, they're going to have to get some bigger names to join as opposed to drafting C-USA and MAC castaways. They need some more heft to join the old guard of Syracuse, Pitt, and WVU. Some possible fits regardless of improbability would include:
1) Notre Dame
2) Army and/or Navy
3) A Penn State defection
4) Central Florida (to give more exposure in the Medicaid State)
Clemson Joe said:
posted on May 17, 2008 6:28 PM — 165.166.31.249 — link — abuse?
#45 Well, I figured if we were going to fantasize, we could fantasize all the way back to 1991.
Back to reality (sort of)...If the Big East is going to expand, they should add 4 new teams to give themselves a championship game. With that said, Marshall and Central Florida should be added because they both add geographic rivals to the conference to spice it up a bit. East Carolina is a solid up and coming program, but if not them, I could go with Navy and Army. Penn State won't defect, and Notre Dame won't join a conference. Actually, I wouldn't want Notre Dame, but that's a different story.
Zac said:
posted on May 17, 2008 11:07 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Patrick(Post 43), what you’re suggesting was actually discussed a few moons back. With the Big East having gone to a “mega-conference” (16 teams), what would happen if the surrounding major conferences (ACC, SEC, & Big 10) picked apart, divied-up & absorbed the Big East? Rutgers, Syracuse, & UConn could go with the ACC; Cinci, Pitt, & WVU could go with the Big Ten(11); Louisville & S FL would then go to the SEC. The ACC could pick up either ECU or Navy to complete their mega-conference; the SEC could pick up Memphis & S MS to complete their mega-conference; the Big Ten(11) could pick up IA St & MO to complete their mega-conference; having lost 2 (and not to be out-done), the Big 12 could pick up Air Force, CO St, TCU, & Tulsa.
Of course, this would leave poor Mike Tranghese sitting there scratching his sack and wondering how that beautiful house of cards he built collapsed all around him. Don’t get me wrong. Mike Tranghese, for the most part, is a successful business strategist, when it comes to crisis. With the defection of BC, Miami, & VA Tech, some fast decision making was needed. He made some good ones; the schools involved and the Big East have all benefited for it. When everything relaxes to steady state, he tends to rest on his laurels a bit.
That’s why I’m saying he should move now. He thinks building the 16 team mega-plex will halt further defections. I seriously doubt that. Not to mention, he thought a 16 team basketball conference would get more teams in the tourney. Well, this past season it did; all of one more. If he establishes the 16 teams into a football-primary side, and a basketball-primary side, he’ll be able to expand both, if he chooses. The results will be 2 independent sub-conferences, which can play off each other in basketball, as well as off the rest of the nation, and a football conference, which could include a conference championship game. If he doesn’t act quickly, by picking up solid up-&-coming programs like ECU & Memphis, it’ll be just a matter of time before the 3 big neighbors start waving their dollars, after which you’ll see defections in droves. Just a thought.
Tomcat said:
posted on May 21, 2008 12:51 AM — 69.150.213.9 — link — abuse?
#22 Zac OU didnt play LSU
TE likes to try to run down Brown & Stoops
Probably because both of them have winning records against Miles
Browns record against Miles coached teams is 1000
Fact
What happened last time LSU vs Texas Texas Won
Miles has never beaten Brown
I beleive He is 1-3 vs Stoops or 1-4 I'm not sure
Miles is like 1-9 vs Brown & Stoops
TE can check the record books
BTW I'd love to see Texas vs LSU
Hookem-Horns
BTW OU Ron can check Isnt Brown vs Stoops 3-6 ?
I'm not sure but Browns record against Stoops is better than Miles record against Brown
Adios TomcatTomcat said:
posted on May 21, 2008 2:19 AM — 69.150.213.9 — link — abuse?
Zac Okay little confusion I thougt you were responding to TE- c-dogg Ya OU beat them Canes and WV beat OU I get it now.
Read #29 easy to make excuses TE give it a break
Look at Post #5 arrogant
BE had 50% in the BCS polls ? 8 team conference
B-12 had 4 teams in top ten
I think we would all like to see BE expand to 12 teams and I like Clemson Joes idea
Hey Zac to you think ole Coondawgs back post #5
refering to folks as billy bobs and claiming to be a WV fan. I'd love to visit WV sometime
BTW I'm sure theres plenty of Billybobs up there
L.O.L. these driveby posters
I dont know any Billybobs- I know Joe Bob,Walter Lee,Danny Wayne ,Bubba,Shorty,Speedy,Brownie Red,Slim,Chuy,Cornbread,Bull and Jitter.
Hookem Horns
R.I.P. Pinky & Booger
Tomcat said:
posted on May 21, 2008 3:35 AM — 69.150.213.9 — link — abuse?
Hey Zac My eyetalyun buddy, just got thru running some lab tests myself.No Nukes here, were pumping for you. Right now we are running wide open full throttle.I operate a water treatment faclility suppling about 18,000 people with drinking water. In between paperwork,washing filters, runing lab tests etc.etc. I'll check on here from time to time. Two SCADA screens and this other one-probably ought to type up a meeting agenda-na not right now, think I'll get some of that pie out of the ice-box, dang coffee eats on me at times.
Hookem-Horns
Shift work sucks 7-12's then it rotatesZac said:
posted on May 21, 2008 9:55 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
OK, Mr. Tranghese, how come you haven’t chimed in? It’s so simple it’s actually scary. In fact, it’s so simple, not only did I think of it 1st, ECU & Conference USA may actually beat you to it. What’ll you do then???
There are so many good schools to choose from. I posted a list of em last year. I even included advantages and disadvantages. Why are U forsaking me???
Hey, Kevin. Do ya think we could get the Big East Commissioners to pose for a wet T-Shirt contest as a fund raiser? Think about what posting those pics would do. They’d be so scary, fans would pay big to have us take em down. Besides, what else are they good for? They don’t even know a good idea when they see one.
Tomcat said:
posted on May 23, 2008 7:48 AM — 69.150.213.9 — link — abuse?
Patrick #43 Clemson Joe-Zac
What is La Tech doing in the WAC?
The regional solution would be for PSU go to BE
IA st join the B-10/11 along with N ILL making it a 12 team conference.That would fee up TCU for the XII.Kentucky to BE and Troy to SEC-purly geographical. La Tech go to Sunbelt when Troy leaves
Adios Tomcat
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c-dogg said:
posted on May 15, 2008 10:10 AM — 12.33.203.234 — link — abuse?They loose THE-U, V-Tech & BC and gain.....these clowns? Embarassing.