It was apparently a very foggy morning in Newport, Rhode Island. Many of the stories led with that. It was also well attended by various others.

The upbeat mood at the well-attended Big East functions, which included visits by officials from ABC, CBS, ESPN, the National Football Foundation and numerous bowls, was a drastic contrast from the last two years when the conference seemed to be falling apart due to defections.

“There was a lot of animosity and not much optimism,” said Connecticut coach Randy Edsall.

Depending on where this AP wire story was published the headline was either positive or negative about the state of the BE. Keep in mind the actual content is no different — just the headline.

Louisville seems aware they are going to be a target in the league this year, but are going to stay aggressive.

It is noted that the hoped for favorite has spit the bit, the last couple of years.

Pitt had the chance two years ago under Walt Harris and fell short. West Virginia followed suit last year. This year, it appears that newcomer Louisville will carry the mantle, increasing the burden of being a new player in the league.

Other than that, no pressure.

West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez is fine with being picked middle of the pack.

Cincinnati, picked last this season, seems a bit awed by the whole process. Or at least the beat writer is a little unnerved in the step up in class.

For the University of Cincinnati, it was the first tangible evidence of the new company it’s keeping and the benefits it will reap from membership in the revamped league, one of six members of the Bowl Championship Series that determines the national football champion.

More than 130 representatives from 60 media outlets gathered Tuesday for the Big East Football Media Day, the first for the league since the addition of UC, Louisville and South Florida to the football mix after the defection of Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech.

Actually, it would appear that all 3 of the newbies are a little taken aback by what it means to get out of C-USA.

On a foggy Monday night at a Rhode Island state park, coaches, players, administrators and media covering the new Big East Conference gathered around a smoking pit and watched while cooks unveiled … clams.

Lots and lots of clams.

For the University of Louisville athletic program, which has been salivating at the opportunity to join a big-time conference, the chance to join the Big East represents a chance not only to make considerably more clams but to gain considerably more exposure doing it.
…
Signs of a new day dawning were everywhere. When the prizes were handed out for winners of Monday’s golf outings and many participants were awarded sets of Nike irons, U of L sports information director Kenny Klein looked over at football SID Rocco Gasparro and said, “We’re not in Conference USA anymore.”

Jim Leavitt, coach of new member South Florida, left Monday night’s clambake with a big tray of lobster.

“It was either this,” Leavitt said, “or I was going to put some lobsters into my pockets.”

You always judge meetings, conferences, conventions and groups by the kind of free schwag given away.