WVU close to leaving for Big 12

[ME80]

Amen. The window for adding any kind of teams that will keep the league afloat is closing quickly. Here we are again, watching members depart as the commissioner twiddles his thumbs. I just hope UC doesn't get stuck on the Titanic when it sinks (it's no longer an if in my mind).

While I agree with the fact that the Big East blew it by not doing something before the Pitt Syracuse move but in all seriousness what can they really do right now. They can send out all the invites they want but most schools who are invited will wait to see who is left.

[dbernie41]

What a laugh and slap in the face after just signing on with the increased buyout. It shows that the increased buyout isn't going to do anything to deter people when their own conference can't get itself in order.

All being said. If we replace WVU with Temple, and the other invitees join, I think the Big East could grow to be pretty solid pretty quickly. Also, if they were to go to 12... you would have to think UL, UC would be a good combo that would be high on their list.

[Bearcat Chris]

I think WV gets the "Big Time Recognition" as it is the only "Statewide" school in the Big East. WV is to West Virginia what OSU is to Ohio.

All other teams are city teams; Cincy, Louisville, Syracuse, Pitt, etc....

No matter what happens, UC is in good hands with our new AD, and a great college President.

B.C.

[mjv780]

What a laugh and slap in the face after just signing on with the increased buyout. It shows that the increased buyout isn't going to do anything to deter people when their own conference can't get itself in order.

All being said. If we replace WVU with Temple, and the other invitees join, I think the Big East could grow to be pretty solid pretty quickly. Also, if they were to go to 12... you would have to think UL, UC would be a good combo that would be high on their list.

I just can't get excited about the expansion options that are out there for the Big East (Temple, UCF, Houston, ECU, etc). I know when UC joined, the schools that were there before probably felt the same way, so it's probably hypocritical of me to think that, but it's just the way I feel about it. Without WVU, the 'new' Big East will be C-USA 2.0. I don't feel like it will be any more 'solid' than the MWC, which will easily be able to argue that they deserve an AQ spot over the revamped Big East...

[cmm27]

What a laugh and slap in the face after just signing on with the increased buyout. It shows that the increased buyout isn't going to do anything to deter people when their own conference can't get itself in order.

The increase in buyout was contingent upon the arrival of additional teams, without expansion it stays at $5 million.

I think WV gets the "Big Time Recognition" as it is the only "Statewide" school in the Big East. WV is to West Virginia what OSU is to Ohio.

What about UConn and Rutgers (The State University of New Jersey)?

[cpawstoney]

The Big 12 has told West Virginia it will be accepted into the conference pending formal approval, which could happen as soon as later Tuesday, a Big 12 source said.

The Big 12 is adding West Virginia because of its football strength, having finished in the BCS standings in four of the past five years, as well as the men's basketball program having reached the NCAA tournament six of the past seven years.

espn:
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/st...ay-source-says

[cmm27]

This move means that the Big 12 will go to 12 again. At least I think it points in that direction. Missourri has not officially left yet, so this puts them at 11 which is an akward size. Since everybody has to pretend like Mizzou isn't going anywhere until they actually do, it means that they have most likely agreed to go to 12. That said, Louisville will most likely be their next target. Once Mizzou actually leaves, the rest should happen fast. UC or BYU? That is going to be the question.

[bearcat25]

This move means that the Big 12 will go to 12 again. At least I think it points in that direction. Missourri has not officially left yet, so this puts them at 11 which is an akward size. Since everybody has to pretend like Mizzou isn't going anywhere until they actually do, it means that they have most likely agreed to go to 12. That said, Louisville will most likely be their next target. Once Mizzou actually leaves, the rest should happen fast. UC or BYU? That is going to be the question.

Mizzou will be gone. WVU won't be joining for 27 months. The reason nothing is 100% official is the fact that IF Mizzou were to leave for next year, this would leave the Big 12 with 9 schools. And a void in the schedule (for each school). It would be nearly impossible for each of the schools to add an FBS game to their schedule for next year. Most would need to add a FCS game (which would leave most of them with 2 on their schedule). I've read where the media deal recently signed by the Big 12 does not allow for 2 FCS games.

So, IF Mizzou were to leave for next year, the Big 12 schools would then file suit against Mizzou. This is the delay. They are trying to work out a deal.

In the meaintime, WVU comes in and the Big 12 is at 10 schools in 2 years. The conference landscape is still changing. It's hard to believe any BCS conference not going to AT LEAST 12 schools. UC has a chance, with L'ville, of getting into Big 12 if expands to 12 or even 14 schools.

[shanacker]

Mizzou will be gone. WVU won't be joining for 27 months. The reason nothing is 100% official is the fact that IF Mizzou were to leave for next year, this would leave the Big 12 with 9 schools. And a void in the schedule (for each school). It would be nearly impossible for each of the schools to add an FBS game to their schedule for next year. Most would need to add a FCS game (which would leave most of them with 2 on their schedule). I've read where the media deal recently signed by the Big 12 does not allow for 2 FCS games.

So, IF Mizzou were to leave for next year, the Big 12 schools would then file suit against Mizzou. This is the delay. They are trying to work out a deal.

In the meaintime, WVU comes in and the Big 12 is at 10 schools in 2 years. The conference landscape is still changing. It's hard to believe any BCS conference not going to AT LEAST 12 schools. UC has a chance, with L'ville, of getting into Big 12 if expands to 12 or even 14 schools.

I agree we do have a chance. Our success this season should help us. If we make a BCS game again, that is 3 out of 4 years and u cannot deny that kind of success. i hope it is enough to overcome our lack of fans and money

[UCfan_kc]

Interesting theory on Big 12 expansion possibilities. On KC sports talk radio today they are now saying WV fits Big 12 profile exactly, and this is what the Big 12 will be looking for in the future. Now they are saying Louisville (and by extension Cincinnati) would not be good fits because they are not massive land-grand schools out in the country, but are primarily city campus schools.

There are a couple problems with this theory - I used to live in Austin and it is a sizeable city (albeit a college-driven town). Norman, Columbia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Lubbock, and Stillwater certainly are smaller college towns. Plus, just last week they were saying the WV wouldn't fit the Big 12 profile...so they not exactly consistent in their arguments.

[GoUC11]

Is it possible for us to file a lawsuit against Mari-Meatball for commissioner malpractice?

[bearcat25]

Is it possible for us to file a lawsuit against Mari-Meatball for commissioner malpractice?

Is there a lawsuit that can be filed for ignorance? I think we could nail the Big Meatball for that!

[1977 BearCat]

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2011/...ig-east-again/

I hope that Dr Willliams and the new AD are playing dumb.

[bearcatgary]

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/uc/2011/...ig-east-again/

I hope that Dr Willliams and the new AD are playing dumb.

At the end of the blog, it says that a report in the NY Post has the Big 12 going to 14 teams after a year. UC has to be a very serious candidate for the 12th-14th team.

--Gary

[waterhead]

I think our odds of eventually being a part of the Big 12 just went up a little and the odds of our signing Boise and maintaining long term AQ status just went down a little. If we can snag Boise it would help...but if it doesn't...we always have lawsuits

I think BYU was their first choice. If they weren't interested then they probably won't be in the future. So if the Big 12 adds 2 more teams...UL and UC are prime candidates...perhaps the leading two. Whether that is this year or next who knows.