From an ESPN.com chat with Ivan Maisel:

Jason Jamestown, NY: What’s your take on Dave Wannstedt comming to Pitt. Aside from writers who cover the Big East, it doesn’t seem like he’s getting as much attention as a Myer or Spurrier. Is it because of the conference Pitt plays in . . . or is it something else?

Ivan Maisel: That’s because everyone else in the country has written off the Big East, Jason. Also, Wannstedt is not coming in with a sterling NFL record. I know, neither did Pete Carroll or Al Groh, and both of them have made a good transition. But the Big East is personae non grata, and I have no idea if that’s the correct plural Latin, since I haven’t taken Latin since eighth grade.

Is that fair? Probably not, but he is likely right as to part of the reason for it. I would also suggest that part of the media quiet is that the recruiting successes have all come in Western Pennsylvania — Pitt’s backyard. It limits how much his impact is noticed — for now.

In another piece looking at the reshuffled conferences:

Another winner: The injured Big East got a reprieve when BCS commissioners decided it will retain its automatic berth for at least three years (and probably longer based on new qualification standards).

“When we first lost people everybody was doom and gloom,” Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese said. “What we’ve done is caught our breath and gone about our business. On the football side we have enormous potential.”

When the ACC raided the Big East for the three schools, the Big East acted quickly in luring South Florida, Cincinnati and Louisville from Conference USA.

“When we look back on this 20 years from now this will be a landmark move,” said Louisville AD Tom Jurich. “The Big East is an icon.”

Sometimes image is everything. BC threw an ACC party at Fenway Park on Thursday. Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese is throwing out the first pitch Friday night at a Reds game while in town to welcome Cincinnati.

For those scoring at home, those celebrations were in the houses of defending world champions (ACC) and the last place team in the NL Central (Big East).

I really wish I had a good comeback here, but I’m not completely awake yet.