Somebody gonna be left standing in this high stakes game of musical chairs. Nordy and Pedey getting smarter by the day. ACC should grab Rutgers and UConn. Force Notre Dame to the Big 2 and little 8,9,10 where they belong. We become the penultimate basketball conference and a highly competitive football conference. If Miami and or Clemson decide to jump to the SEC, ND begs to get in.

Why would Pitt benefit from being able to play in the ACC next year as opposed to 2013 or 2014? It’s very possible I’m missing something but I see the two years of anticipation as a good thing. Recruiting wise, Pitt will benefit just as much with the promise of going to the ACC as actually playing in the ACC, so I don’t see that as being an issue. I also think that the additional year or two would give Pitt time to build its football program under Todd Graham. Granted ACC football is not great but it is better than the Big East. If Pitt joins the ACC now, they are middle of the road in football. In the Big East, they are top tier. I think that also helps recruiting. We’re still looked at as one of the bigger dogs – for now (granted in a weak conference). If Todd Graham does deliver, Pitt may be entering the ACC as a challenger for the ACC championship in a couple of years. Granted, I’d prefer to see Pitt play some of the ACC teams sooner rather than later but strictly from a long-term benefit perspective, I don’t see this as being such a bad thing.

Good move Big 12, now follow this up with the additions of BYU, UL, UC, and WVU. Marinatto is such an idiot, 3 teams now gone and ZERO reaction from Providence except for 2 meetings that accomplished nothing.

Well, if Mizzou goes to SEC……..Big 12 has TCU, with BYU still out there that there has been a lot of talk of, would get them to 10. Also, a lot of talk of WVU, Louisville and Cincy, depending how many spots are left open, to get them to 12.

If this does happen, grabbing WVU and Louisvile and going to 12, Big East football is done. Would be down to four. Cincy, USF, UCONN and Rutgers. Done.

You have to realize, that Mizzou, still has a longing for the Big 10. This is not over. I’m sure they’re telling Delaney, if the Big East football is done, will Notre Dame want to stay in the so called “Catholic” league for hoops??

At first sight, sounds ok, but, will Notre Dame also want to keep all 13 olympic sports in a league like that.

Yes, yes, I know, Notre Dame is independent, and also will always be independent………..

However, believe me, the powers that be at Notre Dame have got to be worried about their 13 olympic sports not having a recognized, viable, visible conference to participate in.

As for Pitt, honestly, I’d just as soon get movin’ on to the ACC for next year. Jon, you do make excellent points though, if we have to wait, will let us get our ducks in a row, so, I can live with that, if it has to be. Much rather be playing Maryland and Clemson next year though.

Whatever, we have our safe harbor!! Once again, excellent job Nordy, and as hard as this is for me, Steve also.

Hail to Pitt!! Don’t look past Rutgers!!

The big east wont have a chance for expansion no one will join untill they know what team if any will still be in big east.
Which means they will have to sit and wait till they are done being picked apart.

then teams may join if there is any thing left to join .. but it is there own fault had they added 3 teams 6 months ago it would not have come to this. The best thing now is if wvu and cincy go to big 12 and ucon to ACC and then we could go to ACC. becuse than big east would be done.

Once more, Thank you Providence for such a mess!

I was wondering when this would happen (TCU not joining the BE). Who knows where conference alignment end up though! I am curious who we can get to fill in our schedule for 2012 in TCU’s place unless it is just converted to a non-con game.

Try as they might, this action cannot be blamed on Pitt and Syracuse. Anyone who thinks that TCU would stay in the BE if Pitt and Cuse had stayed is a fool.

As a previous commenter posted, the decision to join the ACC is looking smarter(although I am still sad leaving BE basketball)

Frankly, this is better for the other BE schools as well as TCU. It never made sense geographically or culturally. Having these far-flung schools in a conference might not be a big deal for a few football games, but no one seems to factor in that it means more expensive long-distance travel for every sport at every school in the conference. Who foots the bill for that? I doubt the football program pays for it all at any of the current or former BE schools. There’s probably only a dozen D1 schools in the country where football supports anything but itself, and a lot more where it doesn’t even do that. Given the way things are going economically, these conferences need to start thinking more about keeping costs down, not only for the teams, but also for the fans. Besides, if TCU keeps playing football the way they are right now, they are not going to improve the perceived quality of the BE anyway.

@ Jon – excellent points.

I’m not sure the Big 12 (I hate these conference names more and more) are too serious about L’Ville, Cincy and WVU. Maybe L’Ville is a little more realistic than the others but I think the Big 12 shoots for BYU (long shot with Independence status?) and perhaps Air Force or Houston. It’s all a guessing game right now. Missouri’s comments about wanting to be in the Big 10 over the SE are moronic. Why in the world would you shoot yourself in the foot and potentially cut-off one of your two viable options like that??

As the man said Marinatto take your time no rush. You know what will fix everything navy football. boy what a putz Marinatto is sure glad we are in the ACC.

Too funny. One for the Guiness Book of Records.
Name a team that joined a conference, yet switched conferences, before that team EVER played a game in the original conference they joined.

Everything just seems to be getting crazier and crazier. What next, aliens landing on the WhiteHouse lawn. haha

Adding another Texas based school should do wonders for the former Big 8 dwarfs. Exit visas pending.

Four days after TCU assured Big East officials it was committed to the conference, the Horn Frogs have decided to bolt, leaving the conference with just six football schools once Syracuse and Pittsburgh leave for the ACC. If the conference can add a school quickly, that school would likely replace TCU on the Scarlet Knights’ schedule for 2012.

PITT’s also going to have to find a new school at add since the PITT-TCU game is now kaput.

Marinatto being played like a violin.

In 6 years or less, TCU will be looking to another conference once the Big 12/14 implodes. The SEC wants to grab from the ACC while the Pac 10 wants to move east at some point, and the B1G still has her eyes on Texas. It’s a good geographic fit for TCU, but Texas still runs that conference. TCU is used to looking down on other schools. The Horns will take a beating each year in football and basketball, but its well worth the $20M plus that comes with it. Hell, TCU can’t even beat Baylor and SMU anymore. I guess this move had nothing to do with delivering a market since the Frogs have the 5th largest fanbase in the area.

Marinatto is thinking east carolina is looking good. Or maybe the akron zips or maybe.

lol Frankie,

How about Marshall, FIU & Western Michigan since they beat Louiville and Uconn. Marinatto should just resign, cause they apparently won’t fire the bum.

EMel hi who is next

You know, I can’t put all the blame on these A.D.’s giving a head nod of a committment.

These commisoners call these meetings and demand a yes or no vote on committment to the conference.

What are these A.D.’s suppose to do??

Look, we all know, we’re looking out for our best interests, and you’re calling a meeting and demanding a committment??

Ah, ya, sure, I’ll give you a head nod yes.

We all know what the truth is, we’re keeping our chips here, in case nothing happens………in the meantime, we’re looking for a bigger and better game.

The false shock by some people when teams move is priceless!!!

EMel bum it is you hit the nail on the head you are right as usuall.

But is it done or will there be more going from the big east . what say you all is it over or will more leave?

It feels so nice and secure having your fannie firmly warming a seat in this insane ongoing rendition of musical chairs.

Boy, I’d hate to be a WVU fan right about now, already been rejected by the SEC and the ACC, now TCU leaps from their never occupied home in the BE right over WVU and into the Big 12 while the Mountaineers continue to watch wided eyed while continuing to hold firmly onto their Pud.

Dr.Tom nice one very good they hold firmly to their Pud EMel give the Dr. ten points for that one

Dan you are right false shock you also get 10 points very good.

I think it is over unless the the ACC moves to add more . I dont think any one else wants to wait the 27 months. the big east will be safe now outhers may lose one but big east is done.

Marinatto looks like a fool and has to be shitting bricks!

Dallas Panther he does look like a fool but i think he is safe now . I dont think big 12 wants to wait 27 months for the outher teams which they would have to do.

Thanky you Frank, I’ll take em’!!

Dan think abought this at first i thought big east would lose more teams but on second thought.

I dont think they want to wait 27 month. I think they might be done loseing teams this year what do you think? That might be all big 12 takes.

Hopefully Missouri and the SEC get together soon. That allows the Big Twelve to go get WVU, Louisville and Cincinnati. With the loss of those three teams, why would the Big East even stay in the football business? The Big East will be the only BCS conference to fold. The Big Twelve appears as if it will be a survivor after they took action to get rid of an incompetent commissioner.

Mizzou won’t make it into the SEC. They are getting cock-blocked by Alabama, who doesn’t want to lose their rivalry game with Auburn, becasue Auburn would have to move into the East division. They do add some nice TV dollars to the league though so who knows what might happen…

I agree with everyone, Marinatto is an idiot. And Peterson and Nordenberg made a GREAT move putting us in the ACC. I also agree with Jon – an extra year in a weak Big East is a good thing for Pitt football.

Now if I was Oliver Luck I’d be wheeling and dealing behind the scenes, not to try to get into an unstable Big 12, but to try to form my own coference out of the remnants of the Big East, parts of the Big 12 and maybe a C-USA school or two. Football independence for all…it will never happen.

I see a flaw in the logic, Chas. If those BE schools bolt to the Big12 they still have the 27 month wait right? Am I missing something? Basically, I think the conference collapses on itself and the teams are going to be set free to go as they please, provided they pay more than the $5 mil. required exit fee. And I heard on ESPN the minimum is 7 teams for BCS AQ status, if TCU leaves they will only have 6 once Pitt and Cuse leave. Couldn’t that be grounds for an early exit?

Bama can still play Auburn annually. It would mean that Auburn’s non division annual game will be against them instead of UGA.

Heck, incline, I thought the BCS AQ was 8!!!

Chas, they stay a BCS AQ with 4 teams???

I’ve seen many articles with the phrase, they (whether talking about the Big12 or BE) don’t want to drop to 7, because they will lose their AQ status??

Chas, give us clarity!!

It is over look if missouri stays in big 12 SEC will not take WVU.

Because they would have to play with 13 teams for two years becuse of the 27 month time frame so it wont solve any thing for them so they will wait and see if some one better comes along in time.

If missouri goes to SEC they dont need a outher team.

If big 12 loses missouri they just need one team to go to 10 teams they have same problem 9 teams for two years they wont go for that they will look at BYU or some one they can plug in next year.

Think abought it the big east is safe now for at least two years unless the ACC takes teams agein the ACC has a even amount of teams and can wait two years no one else will.

Wow……………It looks like the Big East basketball schools will be getting a lot of 5 million dollar donations from everyone leaving the conference. Already they will have 15 million coming from Pitt, Syracuse, and TCU. If you add West Virginia, Louisville, Cincinnatti, to kitty, that would kick it up to 30 million. After Pitt and Syracuse left, I don’t think anyone really expected TCU to hang around.

Notre dame joined hockey east yesterday. If they had plans to go to big 10 the would not gone to hockey east. Btw bc is in hockey east.

Sorry hard to type on I phone. If they had plans to go to the big ten they would have not gone to hockey east

Dokish has a new blog called Panthers Prey. In his entry from yesterday, he suggests that ND to the ACC may be a possibility.

link to panthersprey.blogspot.com

Justinian, what’s that tell ya about how BE football has been run, and how the teams have been treated??

People lining up to give you 5 million, to not be associated with you??

Hell, TCU’s giving 5 million with never having played a game, in any sport, and just wants to be left alone!!! lol

Hey, Notre Dame can stay independent if they want, that’s there right.

But, when the new BCS “calculations” for lack of a better word come up again, in I believe 2 years??

I’m sure the commisioners of the Big 5 conferences, aren’t going to be so giddy about the Notre Dame rule.

Thats the Notre Dame gets “consideration” if they have more than 8 or 9 wins. I’m sure the conferences will be expecting the conference champion to go, and the best ranked of the teams left in the Big 5 conferences.

Screw em!!! Never really said that about ND before, until I saw that Jack Swarbuck or whatever his name is saying “I’m shocked at the greed of Pittsburgh and Syracuse” comment.

From the university that has it’s own national network games, the hypocrisy knows no bounds.

I wonder if anyone ever told him, on the side, “psst, hey Jack, do you know how foolish you just sounded??”

Your olympic sports, that you’re so proud of, down to divison II level buddy.

Your hoops will still have a nice conference to play in (not sarcastic), they will, but, it will just be a basketball conference and nothing more, like the Atl 10 and Horizon.

P.S. Anyone else catch the Pitino comments today??? He’s made quite a few lately, but, this really takes the cake.

paraphrasing. “hey, we’ve shown nothing but loyalty to this leg the whole time, and we’re gonna screwed”

1. This whole time, you just friggin’ joined in 2005, so pipe down idiot.

2. If Louisville was asked, you would have been gone in a quarter second.

3. You will probably end up being ok, in what I think, may end up being a pretty good Big 12, if they can BYU, WVU and Louisville.

He makes me so sick, I might have to actually start cheering for Calipari, when UK plays UL.

Talk about the lesser of two evils!! LOL

Suddenly, the Big12 looks stable again…

Got my tickets to the Utah game. I think we’ve got this Rutgers game.

Hail to Pitt!

Here’s a classic photo of our buddy Marinatto.

link to content.usatoday.com

What an assclown.

FRANKCAN, wherever you are, seeing as you have a sick facination with the realignment stuff, as I do, and Chas even stated, that he does.

Latest stuff, can change any second, of course.

If Mizzou goes to SEC, the Big 12 wants to get one more team, to get to 10. Not really wanting to go to 12 at this time, maybe down the road.

BYU was thought to be tenth, they are off the list as of last week it has come out. Maybe they wanted to keep their independence, maybe the Big 12 couldn’t deal with the “no Sunday games” for any sports scheduling.

So, they may only take one, and they are saying, far ahead in all of it, is Louisville.

WVU could really get #$%!@!!!

The BE football would be….

WVU, UCONN, Rutgers, Cincy, USF

EMEl, seeing as your still up, is there a rule for the number of teams a conference needs to stay an automatic qualifier in the BCS.

I’ve googled it, can’t find it.

Hey, EMEL, are you previously MelvinBennett, or is this someone else???

What’s ironic about TCU. They were screwed by the Big 12 back in 1994 when the league formed and were left out(along with Houston, Rice & SMU). They’ve been in just about every conference west of the Mississippi since(except for the PAC 12).

They made a name for themselves by getting AWAY from Texas and in the last decade have been very good and reached 2 BCS bowls including the Granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl and won !

TCU would have NEVER had that success if they had been in the Big 12 since 1994. So now what do they want to do(in the name of money), go be Texas’s bitch again. Go figure.

It’s me Dan-o.

In honor of EJuan Price, I morphed into EMel.
It’s also shorter for you guys to type.

Think it’s 8…since that’s what the BE has been before TCU decided ….not to come.

Dan: You couldn’t tell that EMel was the artist formerly known as melvinbennett? He’s the only person who posts as feverishly as you and FRANKCAN. LOL

Yes, I’m glad you shortened it, EMel. That’s why I often referred to you simply as mb.

Hey TT,

When I think of MB, I think of Myrtle Beach. Or the better part…..NMB. haha

Did you enjoy seeing USF get plastered by the Panthers?

Glad you explained how you came up with the name though. I was trying to figure that out. Like the way your boy EJuan is playing, though I didn’t understand why he came out on 3rd down a number of times against USF. Would think they’d want him rushing the QB.

Maybe I’ll change my name to TampaTino! Just kidding of course.

Ever wonder what some of the AD’s make? (including smiley steve, no wonder he’s always smiling)

These guys at bigtime schools are literally Millionaires.

link to usatoday.com

Yes, I figured it was, as I couldn’t believe someone so new, would have such insightful, thoughtful and exciting prose as MelvinBennett always did!!! Ha ha Mel, I’m bucking for you buying the first drink!!

Yes, I was 99% sure, but, since I asked a direct question, figured I better make sure.

And Mel, if you ever posted the change, never saw that one.

You know, as much as I hate WVU, would be a shame for all of those schools to not be part of the party.

Maybe they can paste something together with the service academies, Houston, UCF, Temple and Villanova.

Maybe if Marinatto had done that earlier, they wouldn’t be in that mess.

Just think, our name could have been on that list.
Seriously, at least for the decent few WVU fans out there, and the fans at the other 4 schools, this really has to be a terrible feeling.

Wanting to be part of the game, and possibly ending up lost in space.

Especially for the young fans of those teams, I remember how “life and death” Pitt was for me 10-17 yrs old, and how crushing this would have been.

Like I said, hopefully they end up with a half decent conference.

As for Marinatto and the execs in Providence I hope it falls apart, but for the young football fans at those schools, I hope it stays together.

Though, after thinking about what I just typed, this is what got the BE in trouble to begin with, mish-mashing and pasting together.

Would love WVU and UCONN in the ACC with us, but, I don’t think anything will happen for awhile, especially if ND feels no pressure for it’s olympic sports to be in a Big 5 conference.

We may be finally coming to an end of conference realignment for awhile after Mizzou makes up its mind and the Big12 says how many they’ll go to.

The Pac12 looks like they’ll stay at 12, Big 10 at 12, ACC at 14 and SEC at 14. May be that way for quite awhile.

Sure did, EMel. I took crap all week from people here before I left for the Burgh. My daughter-in-law, a USF grad, actually had the nerve to send me a pic of my grandson in USF gear during the game.

I got her back on Friday by reminding her of the score and saying that I asked the Panthers to turn it on, so my grandson would know which team rocks and which one rolls – over. She admitted her shame in defeat. LOL

Funny enough they don’t list the State Pen AD’s salary. Might it be less than SP ? and they didn’t want that shown since State Pen and Pitt are listed next to each other. Hmmmm

Because being that their State schools that info should be public knowledge.

Yes TT, we were discussing the other nite, I never met an EJuan, and wallah…EMel came to mind. I might be DeMel come basketball season, ala DeJaun Blair. hahs

You’re already locked into the drinks Dan-o. haha

“Maybe they can paste something together with the service academies, Houston, UCF, Temple and Villanova.”

You know, one of the main reasons they were adding TCU, was to protect the BE’s AQ status since that comes up for renewal in a short time.
With the Horned Frogs no longer in the mix, can the BE keep it’s AQ status by adding Houston, UCF, Temple and getting Nova to go D1.

I seriously doubt it. (and if WVU leaves to anywhere, that is no longer even doubt on my part)

@TT,

Maybe they’ll all become PITT people when the BE implodes and USF is left to join C-USA. Seems like good ole Skip Holtz can’t get away from C-USA.

Looking over the AD salary list this was certainly a shocker.

Louisville Tom Jurich Salary BigEast $1,422,204 $5,500 Total = $1,427,704 Max Bonus = $344,000

This jerkoff makes more than the Ohio State or Texas jerkoffs. No wonder he’s such a blowhard.
Incredible, little Louisville.

Another AD of some note to PITT alum:

Tennessee Dave Hart Jr. SEC Salary-$750,000 $0 $750,000 $0

Yes that is the son of former PITT head coach Dave Hart. You know the guy who won 3 games in 3 years while at PITT in the mid to late 60’s.

You just got to love nepotism in America.

Yeah, the Big East seems doomed as far as football goes.

A number of the “experts” a while back – I think one of you posted the link – had USF as one of the survivors in the 4 mega-conference scenario. Just don’t know where they’d fit in now, so I think you’re right about C-USA.

They could add a few of the bigger Sun Belt schools to form their own mega-conference. Who knows, it might be a conference of the future with some of these newer, giant commuter schools growing their alumni bases and sports programs. You and I will probably be 6 feet under before it happens though.

As I said before, I will miss the ease of seeing the Panthers playing here, and of course, the joy of us spoiling their party on an annual basis.

In an evening press conference at the Stokely Media Center in Neyland Stadium, Dave Hart Jr. was introduced as Tennessee’s new vice chancellor and athletic director. Hart, the father of Chattanooga athletic director Rick Hart, replaces interim athletic director Joan Cronan and will oversee UT’s newly combined men’s and women’s departments.

After his time at ECU, he served as athletic director at Florida State University for 13 years and also worked as an adviser to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Like father, like son, like grandson.

The son one upped the father, as he also got the Vice Chancellor gig.

Chas, Frankcam, Dan, you guys keep knocking yourselves out by reading any and every article and blog about expansion possibilities, most of them unconfirmed.

Now don’t get me wrong, if that’s what row’s your boat … fine … but once again let me remind you of the following:

1) when the B10 announced it was expanding in 12/09, there were hundreds of scenaros written and discussed over the next 6 months but not one of them was that the B10 would take in only Nebraska
2) 3 weeks ago on Saturday, 9/17, the news was that Pitt and Cuse applied to the ACC and would be immediately accepted. Was this at all mentioned by any of these sites that you are reading on Friday, 9/16?
3) 2 days ago, the primary candidates for B12 expansion allegedly were BYU, Louisville, and WVU … and TCU was barely mentioned.

BTW, Chas, Zeise is reporting today that from what he is hearing, Pitt and Cuse will not have to serve the ful 27 month lame duck penalty .. and even might be freed for next fall.

One thing that has not been touched on yet with this whole TCU fallout & potential repercussions is what impact will this all have on the BE TV contract. Certainly there goes any hope of the BE landing the lucrative deal they were hoping for! I don’t see them letting any school out before the 27 month period because of it (unless they really pony up). They will need at least that much time to try to cobble together a new football conference; letting Pitt and SYR leave early will just devalue the conference TV rights further.

WBB, point taken, understand that completely.
Just something to bs about really. I do find it interesting, how it will all end up.

Yes, the most likely scenario is the ones that are not mentioned.

WBB, also, my thoughts and comments, for what it’s worth, usually only come from actual “news” sites, that have some credibility, not some of the sites where anyone can leave a message or write an article.

Now, your regular news guys can get it totally wrong also, but for info purposes only, I don’t read a lot if it isn’t hooked up to a news org.

Agree with Dan. It’s a fun distraction between talking about the games.

Playing virtual commissioner. Heck, I built my own mega-conference last night with USF, C-USA and the Sun Belt! LOL

As a TCU grad school alum, I have to say that it is the right move for all parties. The new stadium renovation here is going to be amazing, but TCU fans were never going to sell out games to watch Rutgers, UCONN, and Cincy just like they can’t for UNLV, Wyoming, and Colorado St. At least TCU can now fill the stadium each week in the Big 12. Regional rivalries – what a noble concept in the era of broader cable TV markets. Finally Texas and OU allowed another school onto their prized recruiting turf….The big losers in this deal are the Pitt fans that would have visited Fort Worth to attend games. The eye candy is second to none, with ALL of the coeds donned in sun dresses and cowboy boots for Saturday games. Quite a sight.

Sounds nice. We do get the “FSU Cowgirls” one of the originals being the famous, or infamous, Jenn Sterger. She also took her show to USF at one time. Just reminded me of one of the other reasons I’ll miss those games here. 🙂

And there’s also Miami and the short trip to South Beach. Not too bad of a tradeoff.

dallas mike, this was an absolute no-brainer for TCU. Frankly, even with the automatic BCS qualification, I still couldn’t understand why TCU would come to the BE … way too many negatives IMO.

Nashville sports radio is stating overtures to ECU, UCF, Temple and Memphis have been made to join the Big (L)East. That makes them a CUSA wanna be. They were ranting about taking away the BE BCS bid.

Pitt and Syracuse are rewarded for maintaining high academic standards. Justice is served as Pitt moves up to a better academic conference and West Virginia is dangling. I hope the Mountaineers find a secure conference but it’s not Pitt’s problem.

This will be a excellent website, will you be involved in doing an interview about just how you designed it? If so e-mail me!

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