There have been times when Penn AND Villanova both outdrew Temple. They don't bring the Philly market. Delaware, in the metro area, often outdraws them.

Temple fb brings next to nothing. Temple bb could be what the MAC needs to take a step up in the bb hierarchy.

And 13 doesn't work. You have to play everyone in your division to have a championship game, so you can't have a balanced schedule (as the MAC found out the hard way when they added Buffalo as #13).

Army and Navy aren't joining the MAC, although they are likely to have scheduling alliances.

I don't understand why Temple wouldn't want to join the A10 football conf. and be a national contender right away in DIaa.

There're never going to be more than a niche program, esp. now. Why not be one that actually wins some games?

Just reading the forum and wanted to drop in an idea:

What if ECU were to become a football-only federated member of the Big East in 2006 but leave its none-football sports in C-USA? It might open the way for C-USA to invite Temple University in for football-only, allowing the Owls to remain in theAtlantic-10 for all other sports, as there appears to be a more than passing desire to do so.

Before you blow me off the boards here, consider that the NCAA may opt to allow 1A football programs to schedule 12 games a season, which would put the Big East in the unhealthy position of having to sign up more out-of-conference schools to fill their slates. At least the burden of getting more ‘home’ games for financial reasons. The other “Big Six” conferences will not face quite this challenge as they already are in a position to play 8 (in some cases more) conference opponents. Plus, those schools might rapidly sign up that “extra” home game, limiting the Big East’s choices for out-of-conference opponents. Cuts directly at finances.

ECU (no offense Owls) will provide better competition and better revenue for the Big East in football over the long run than did Temple the past 12 yrs. ECU has a bowl following that would easily fill places like Tire and Gator, should the program improve well enough under Skip Holtz. Also, Temple might fair better with football in C-USA and can remain 1A as that desire is there also.

Anyway, just an idea.

I enjoy reading the board.

Mike T.BE Commissioner said no talks are being held with ECU or Memphis on football only membership.Temple will go to MAC in all sports and will be joined by WKU of the Sun Belt.Look for Boston University to replace Temple in the A-10.

Welcome aboard, Pirate. (There's a phrase you don't hear often!) As you're a freshman I'll bring you up to speed.

When ECU went through their coaching hire the AD publicy offered that the candidate must help the program raise it's profile, as if to be a candidate worthy of BE expansion. I believe he meant it in the manner of "Let's be as good as Louisville was and we'll be attractive to larger conferences who may or may not wish to grow." Suffice to say, this made wonderful grist for the rumor mills.

As a result, in a December interview Mike Tranghese (Big Cheese of the Big East Conference) addressed the rumors of ECU joining the BE in any capacity, basically shooting them down by saying the BE, nor any faction of its members, has discussed adding any new members in any way shape or form EXCEPT to say that having one more football member would greatly assist scheduling. That's as far as it went.

The Merits of ECU as a member in any shape or form have been bantered about here and elsewhere (Try thenewbigeast.com message boards from two weeks ago), with the general consensus that the school would be worthy of review but does not stand out among Memphis, Marshall, Temple etc. such that the conversation would begin and end with ECU.

I suspect the school's best shot will be through a BE split, should one come to pass. Even then it's something that won't be addressed for a few years. Hope the programs do improve and I trust ECU will get it's just desserts in CUSA or elsewhere.