Big East Approves Expansion Goal of 10 Teams
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By
Matt Peloquin
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So now the real fun begins. It took a few decades, but the Big East is finally grasping that when you’re the little fish, it’s time to grow. The Big East released a statement from their meetings today that they will indeed look to expand to a likely number of 10 football schools.
The announcement from the Big East isn’t much of a shock since the conference has had discussions about the topic since back in April. What we know is:
* The Big East is now looking at expansion
* 10 schools seems to be the ideal vision but that could change to 9 schools or even 12 schools if the right mix were available.
As for “right mix”, we can assume that would take something more drastic happening in another conference. For example, when it appeared that the Big 12 would be left with only 4-5 schools this past summer, the Big East could have had the opportunity to invite Missouri, Kansas, Kansas St. and Iowa St.
But if the options were UCF, TCU, Houston and Memphis, it’s less likely that the Big East will expand to 12.
So what will likely happen?
The Big East has had it’s eyes set on Villanova for a number of reasons. The school is already a member for other sports and would keep the current hybrid happy. And the school is in the Philadelphia market. But Villanova would have much work to do. They are a small school with a limited fanbase. They have no FBS stadium like nearby Temple has via their lease with the local NFL stadium. And rather than give Temple a seat at the big table, the conference seems set on bringing in a FCS upgrade in Villanova. Needless to say, other non-BCS schools like those in the MWC, WAC and CUSA might have something to say about an FCS upgrade getting access to BCS money via the automatic bid the Big East has, while their programs and conferences are left on the outside.
But for whatever the reasons are, if Villanova opts to upgrade, they will be the 9th Big East football school.
The next school on the list is TCU.
TCU has expressed interest in the Big East, and the Big East is interested in TCU. As a private Christian school, TCU would fit in with the non-football schools which make up 8 of the current 16 members. TCU would provide the Big East with exposure in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. Despite TCU currently being in a conference that is primarily in the Mountain and Pacific timezones, a move to the east coast conference would hardly be a culture shock. In professional sports like the NFL, the Dallas market has been aligned with rivals in New York, Philadelphia and Washington.
In all likelihood, the Big East expansion process is already set with your next members being Villanova and TCU.
So what hiccups could change that?
The biggest seems to be if Villanova opted to pass on the expensive upgrade. And it’s not a stretch to imagine. Villanova does not have the ideal fanbase to support FBS football. They’d need to build a stadium which would cost many millions…and they’d have to fill that stadium. Sure, Villanova could lease the Philadephia MLS stadium, but even that would be
a small facility compared to other FBS schools.
a small facility compared to other FBS schools.
TCU would likely accept an invitation. The only hiccup would be if a more attractive invitation came from the Big 12.
So what if Villanova passes?
Then it’s to the pecking order.
We know that the Big East has looked at a number of schools. The consensus is that the total candidate pool includes:
Villanova
TCU
UCF
Houston
Memphis
Temple
ECU
If Villanova passes on the FBS upgrade plan, the Big East might be able to break down the search for candidates into a more simple system:
1) Add TCU and as a travel partner of sorts, bring in Houston
2) Add TCU and add the Orlando market via UCF
3) Add TCU and still add the Philadelphia market via Temple.
In a previous article here, we covered some of the pros and cons of the candidates:
- Offers the Orlando market and strong penetration into that market.
- The fastest growing school in the recruiting rich state of Florida with a total enrollment of 54000
- Historically a stronger football program than many candidates
- Newer stadium on par with the top Big East facilities
- willingness to join for football only
- Offers the Memphis market and unlike Villanova, the school has a stronger presence in the city (albeit primarily for basketball)
- Entrance into the south, traditionally a stronger recruiting area of the country
- sponsorship revenue by FedEx
- potential to become a stronger football program due to it’s regional location
- A good fit with former CUSA members Louisville, Cincinnati and USF
- Recent success under their new coach
- A stronger current football share in the Philadelphia market
- Lease of an NFL stadium
- willingness to join for football only
- Further penetration into the south via the North Carolina school
- a strong following, large school, with strong attendance numbers
- willingness to join for football only
- recent football success with access to the BCS
- offers access to the Dallas market
- well funded athletic program with various stadium options at a given time
- a private christian school
- A good fit with former CUSA members Louisville, Cincinnati and USF
- recent football success
- offers access to the Houston market
- A good fit with former CUSA members Louisville, Cincinnati and USF
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Tags: Big East expansion, conference realignment, Featured News
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