http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/061510dnspoblogcoll.a2975b0c.html
That's good for college athletics. Now, the Big East can't rest on its laurels and assume it has several more weeks of life. It has to find some way to guard against a Big Ten raid, or die trying. Right now, I am somewhat skeptical that the Big Ten is going to blow the Big East up. Rutgers and the other ilk just won't bring in the cash, and don't have the tradition. I don't think we will see Rutgers going unless they are followed by Notre Dame, or 3 other Eastern teams.
The era of super conferences may be over before it got started.
Perhaps the Big Ten -- when it doesn't get Notre Dame -- stops where it is. NU is a nice scalp for that league and adds a ton of tradition. Also, I assume Missouri is out of the picture for the Big Ten so there is one more less team in play. Rutgers should be careful about batting eyes or they too can be "Missouried." I wonder what Colorado and Nebraska are thinking right now?
Got to hand it to Beebe and it's a lesson for the Big East. Now, it helps to have some bullets in the holster namely Oklahoma and Texas, but the Big 12 was going to go down on its own terms instead of going quietly and being resigned to its fate. The Big East should leverage its teams much like the Big 12 did and put them all on the spot. Beebe made the institutions uncomfortable and made them choose. Now, it was a miracle save, but even if it blew up and the Pac 16 came to be -- isn't knowing that your done better than wondering when the ax is going to fall? Do nothing, and eventually it's over anyway.
I would recommend the Big East either insure its future, or accelerate its demise. You can't wait for the Big Ten to do it on its terms.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Texas mucks up Pac 16?
It looks like Texas may have blinked and they are looking into the viability of the Big 12 at 10 teams.
http://texas.rivals.com/.
To me that's bad news for the Big East. It would seem that Missouri would be out of the Big 10 expansion list, and that means the only way Big 10 goes 13 or 14 is if it's East to either Maryland of the ACC or the Big East.
I have read a lot of the expansion stuff. Some of it's garbage. I never believe TV reports or radio reports. I don't find those local media outlets credible. They never pan out. I always look for a media source close to the decision maker. Texas has Orangebloods, and they have nailed this every step of the way.
I have a gut Texas may go to the Pac 10 anyway. Universities always err on the side of progress. It's not just about money in the next 4 years. It's money over the next 20 or 30 years. Also, they have to get commitments from Missouri and A&M that they won't bolt to the Big 10 or SEC. The ship may have sailed, or they are having cold feet.
We should know tomorrow. And, if the Big 12 remains, we probably won't know the Big East's fate for another 6-12 months as the Big 10 can take their sweet time trying to convince Notre Dame to become No. 13.
FYI: I am going to be moving the BLOG from Blogspot to the Journal Inquirer's own blog network in the next couple of days. When I have the URL, I will make sure to send it out. I hope you all make the transition with me.
http://texas.rivals.com/.
To me that's bad news for the Big East. It would seem that Missouri would be out of the Big 10 expansion list, and that means the only way Big 10 goes 13 or 14 is if it's East to either Maryland of the ACC or the Big East.
I have read a lot of the expansion stuff. Some of it's garbage. I never believe TV reports or radio reports. I don't find those local media outlets credible. They never pan out. I always look for a media source close to the decision maker. Texas has Orangebloods, and they have nailed this every step of the way.
I have a gut Texas may go to the Pac 10 anyway. Universities always err on the side of progress. It's not just about money in the next 4 years. It's money over the next 20 or 30 years. Also, they have to get commitments from Missouri and A&M that they won't bolt to the Big 10 or SEC. The ship may have sailed, or they are having cold feet.
We should know tomorrow. And, if the Big 12 remains, we probably won't know the Big East's fate for another 6-12 months as the Big 10 can take their sweet time trying to convince Notre Dame to become No. 13.
FYI: I am going to be moving the BLOG from Blogspot to the Journal Inquirer's own blog network in the next couple of days. When I have the URL, I will make sure to send it out. I hope you all make the transition with me.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
How east does the Big Ten turn?
So let me get this straight. The Big 12 has 10 teams currently (at least for the weekend), the Big 10 has 12 teams and the Pac 10 has 11 teams and may soon be 16.
That Mountain West could be going to the Great Plains and the Big East's best basketball school could reside in the center of the country in Kansas.
Nothing like getting a bunch of academics in the room to figure out geography.
The one good thing I am getting from the Big 12s imminent implosion is for the first time I can see the Big East surviving as a BCS conference. The MWC is almost assuredly going to have access to the BCS next go around (to keep Congress of their backs) and the Big 12s BCS auto bid has to go somewhere (not in favor of two autos for the Pac-16. If they want auto bids, remain apart. The PAc 16 champ gets the auto bid. What happens if USC never makes it back from probation? Could have 8-3 getting a BCS bid. The Pac-10 without the Big 12 is a weak conference if USC isn't national caliber.
But, a glimmer of hope with Kansas and KSU possible targets of the Big East. the conference said it would only expand in football if it added something. That means that Memphis and ECU aren't worthy. But Kansas and Kansas St. would certainly add to the conference.
Kansas has to take along Kansas St., and the only way to do that would to go to the MWC or the Big East. I think the Big East is a better spot for Kansas and KSU. The Big East gives East Coast media access to the conference and allows them to remain viable. MWC, no matter how good, are always relegated late night in all sports. When I was a AP Poll voter I had to search and search to watch Utah play. TV access is much better in the Big East. And, let's not talk basketball.
Now, the Big Ten can destroy the Big East by taking Syracuse or Pittsburgh, two linchpin programs. The only team the Big East can afford to lose is Rutgers (side note, if they are worth so much $$$$, how come the Big East hasn't prospered from it?) . So, this is contingent on how strong the Big Ten moves to the East Coast, though I think its kind of waned.
Here's a simple expansion to get to 12 teams in football for a championship game. It's worth noting that I think the Big East is going to have to add 4 more in football to get this championship game to keep its BCS berth. All the other conferences are going to title games, why should the Big East not go through a title game? That inequity will be fixed eventually.
Assuming the Big Ten takes Rutgers -- and only Rutgers -- and the ACC stays on the sideline for another 5 years add Kansas, Kansas St. Iowa St. and Central Florida. I think Missouri winds up in the Big Ten- Eleven-Twelve-Thirteen-Fourteen, and Baylor is just too far South to be meaningful. If the Big East needs to go to 14, Memphis and ECU are on deck.
Divisions:
Big East:
UConn
Syracuse
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
South Florida
Central Florida
Big Midwest
Ville
Cincinnati
Kansas
Kansas St.
Iowa St.
Memphis
That would make the Big East a 20 team monstrosity for hoops. Not sure that could work. You would have to move Pitt and probably WVU to the Midwest Division for hoops to join DePaul and Marquette.
Now, if the Big Ten takes Rutgers, Cuse and/or Pitt, then the Huskies need to go with WVU to the ACC. The Big 12 and Big East would merge with Ville and Cincy joining Kansas in a new Great Midwest.
We have to be patient. It's going to take a couple of weeks, if not months, to see where everyone is going. The Big 12 did everyone a favor by accelerating the Big Ten expansion. I think the Big East should do the same so as not to lose Kansas and Kansas St. to the Big East. That, or just add them anyway in a preemptive strike at expansion.
A month ago I saw no way the Big East could survive. But, unless the ACC and Big Ten join the Pac-16 as a mega conference, there is a chance the Big East could remain.
Now, what happens to the Yankee Bowl?
That Mountain West could be going to the Great Plains and the Big East's best basketball school could reside in the center of the country in Kansas.
Nothing like getting a bunch of academics in the room to figure out geography.
The one good thing I am getting from the Big 12s imminent implosion is for the first time I can see the Big East surviving as a BCS conference. The MWC is almost assuredly going to have access to the BCS next go around (to keep Congress of their backs) and the Big 12s BCS auto bid has to go somewhere (not in favor of two autos for the Pac-16. If they want auto bids, remain apart. The PAc 16 champ gets the auto bid. What happens if USC never makes it back from probation? Could have 8-3 getting a BCS bid. The Pac-10 without the Big 12 is a weak conference if USC isn't national caliber.
But, a glimmer of hope with Kansas and KSU possible targets of the Big East. the conference said it would only expand in football if it added something. That means that Memphis and ECU aren't worthy. But Kansas and Kansas St. would certainly add to the conference.
Kansas has to take along Kansas St., and the only way to do that would to go to the MWC or the Big East. I think the Big East is a better spot for Kansas and KSU. The Big East gives East Coast media access to the conference and allows them to remain viable. MWC, no matter how good, are always relegated late night in all sports. When I was a AP Poll voter I had to search and search to watch Utah play. TV access is much better in the Big East. And, let's not talk basketball.
Now, the Big Ten can destroy the Big East by taking Syracuse or Pittsburgh, two linchpin programs. The only team the Big East can afford to lose is Rutgers (side note, if they are worth so much $$$$, how come the Big East hasn't prospered from it?) . So, this is contingent on how strong the Big Ten moves to the East Coast, though I think its kind of waned.
Here's a simple expansion to get to 12 teams in football for a championship game. It's worth noting that I think the Big East is going to have to add 4 more in football to get this championship game to keep its BCS berth. All the other conferences are going to title games, why should the Big East not go through a title game? That inequity will be fixed eventually.
Assuming the Big Ten takes Rutgers -- and only Rutgers -- and the ACC stays on the sideline for another 5 years add Kansas, Kansas St. Iowa St. and Central Florida. I think Missouri winds up in the Big Ten- Eleven-Twelve-Thirteen-Fourteen, and Baylor is just too far South to be meaningful. If the Big East needs to go to 14, Memphis and ECU are on deck.
Divisions:
Big East:
UConn
Syracuse
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
South Florida
Central Florida
Big Midwest
Ville
Cincinnati
Kansas
Kansas St.
Iowa St.
Memphis
That would make the Big East a 20 team monstrosity for hoops. Not sure that could work. You would have to move Pitt and probably WVU to the Midwest Division for hoops to join DePaul and Marquette.
Now, if the Big Ten takes Rutgers, Cuse and/or Pitt, then the Huskies need to go with WVU to the ACC. The Big 12 and Big East would merge with Ville and Cincy joining Kansas in a new Great Midwest.
We have to be patient. It's going to take a couple of weeks, if not months, to see where everyone is going. The Big 12 did everyone a favor by accelerating the Big Ten expansion. I think the Big East should do the same so as not to lose Kansas and Kansas St. to the Big East. That, or just add them anyway in a preemptive strike at expansion.
A month ago I saw no way the Big East could survive. But, unless the ACC and Big Ten join the Pac-16 as a mega conference, there is a chance the Big East could remain.
Now, what happens to the Yankee Bowl?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
It's the end of the world as we know it
Is the apocalypse upon us in college football?
Take the lede in Stewart Mandel's SI column. An absolutely sobering read.
For most of the last three months the Big Ten's expansion plan has focused on the demise of the Big East. In Connecticut, that would be catastrophic, but who knew when Big Ten commish Jim Delaney said he wanted to expand that we would get not only the Big East's implosion but a titanic shift of the college athletic landscape?
It's bigger than anyone ever imagined.
The potential Pac-10 expansion dwarfs anything what the Big 10 was going to do. The Big 10 was going to raid the Big East and move into the Eastern markets. The product of that would have been expansion by almost every other conference and depending on the scale, the dissolution of the Big East. That's small potatoes now. The Pac-10 has decided to destroy the Big 12. That would make the Pac 10 the Pac 16 adding Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St. and Colorado (If Baylor doesn't do some politicking).
Now, the Big 12 has decided to either survive or die in a week. I guess Texas Hold'Em isn't called that because the longhorn state is timid. The Big 12 has given Missouri/Nebraska an in or out ultimatum. If Nebraska doesn't commit to the Big 12 longterm, Texas is taking their ball to the Pac-10.
That's pushing all your chips to the table. Texas went all in and decided to decide its fate on their terms this week. Big Ten is going to have to extend invites in the next week, or be done with any thought of taking Nebraska or Missouri (that latter not a big loss for the Big 12).
Texas wants to stay in the Big 12, and is going to put the pressure on Nebraska to stay around, or destroy the entire thing. This will accelerate the Big 10 timeline because Nebraska has to be in or out in the next week. What would happen if the Big 10 never offers Nebraska/Missouri? This is going to get settled soon. It's a power play by the Big 12 that could keep its existence together, or destroy it. Bold move, a little reckless, but this is new territory.
If Nebraska bolts, and the Big 12 dissolves, the collateral damage is astounding. Then, the Big 10 will turn East an presumably take 3 of Rutgers, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, UConn and the big guy -- Notre Dame.
If this goes down, it vaporizes the athletic landscape. Kansas is tied to Kansas St. (politics) so the inclusion of the Jayhawks in the Big 10 is unlikely because they won't go without the Wildcats. So, Kansas hoops will be looking for a home. Will the SEC pillage the ACC? Will the ACC expand and take UConn?
Teams left out in the cold after all this could be Iowa State, Baylor and the two Kansas schools. If the Big East loses 3, would they attempt to expand again by adding Kansas, Kansas St. and perhaps Central Florida into the mix?
Or, would the Big East break up? The Mountain West wants to add Boise St. and get a BCS bid. Could Kansas, K-State got to the Mountain West with Iowa St and Boise? That league would probably take over the Big East's BCS auto bid
To think that UConn and Kansas -- two of the great basketball programs in the NCAA -- could be left out and scrambling for their athletic futures shows how little hoops plays in this decision.
We have been all following this expansion scenario with bated breath. We are waiting for something to come. After all of this talk, I am not sure I want to see what happens on the other side.
One thing I do like however is what the Big 12 did. They put their destiny into their hands. As Andy Dufrense told Red in the Shawshank Redemption -- "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
Take the lede in Stewart Mandel's SI column. An absolutely sobering read.
Today is Monday, June 7, the first day of what could be the most earth-shattering week college athletics has seen in decades.
It's hard to believe that less than a week ago, hardly a soul outside of the parties involved had any inkling the Pac-10 might be on the verge of inviting Texas and five other teams. But with The Conference Realignment Texas Hold 'em Game suddenly moving at breakneck speed, we could be sitting here a week from now looking at a radically altered landscape. A series of impending, interconnected decisions currently being made in the offices and board rooms of a select few universities -- most notably Notre Dame, Nebraska and Texas -- could unleash a sweeping tidal wave that impacts nearly every Division I-A member.
For most of the last three months the Big Ten's expansion plan has focused on the demise of the Big East. In Connecticut, that would be catastrophic, but who knew when Big Ten commish Jim Delaney said he wanted to expand that we would get not only the Big East's implosion but a titanic shift of the college athletic landscape?
It's bigger than anyone ever imagined.
The potential Pac-10 expansion dwarfs anything what the Big 10 was going to do. The Big 10 was going to raid the Big East and move into the Eastern markets. The product of that would have been expansion by almost every other conference and depending on the scale, the dissolution of the Big East. That's small potatoes now. The Pac-10 has decided to destroy the Big 12. That would make the Pac 10 the Pac 16 adding Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St. and Colorado (If Baylor doesn't do some politicking).
Now, the Big 12 has decided to either survive or die in a week. I guess Texas Hold'Em isn't called that because the longhorn state is timid. The Big 12 has given Missouri/Nebraska an in or out ultimatum. If Nebraska doesn't commit to the Big 12 longterm, Texas is taking their ball to the Pac-10.
That's pushing all your chips to the table. Texas went all in and decided to decide its fate on their terms this week. Big Ten is going to have to extend invites in the next week, or be done with any thought of taking Nebraska or Missouri (that latter not a big loss for the Big 12).
Texas wants to stay in the Big 12, and is going to put the pressure on Nebraska to stay around, or destroy the entire thing. This will accelerate the Big 10 timeline because Nebraska has to be in or out in the next week. What would happen if the Big 10 never offers Nebraska/Missouri? This is going to get settled soon. It's a power play by the Big 12 that could keep its existence together, or destroy it. Bold move, a little reckless, but this is new territory.
If Nebraska bolts, and the Big 12 dissolves, the collateral damage is astounding. Then, the Big 10 will turn East an presumably take 3 of Rutgers, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, UConn and the big guy -- Notre Dame.
If this goes down, it vaporizes the athletic landscape. Kansas is tied to Kansas St. (politics) so the inclusion of the Jayhawks in the Big 10 is unlikely because they won't go without the Wildcats. So, Kansas hoops will be looking for a home. Will the SEC pillage the ACC? Will the ACC expand and take UConn?
Teams left out in the cold after all this could be Iowa State, Baylor and the two Kansas schools. If the Big East loses 3, would they attempt to expand again by adding Kansas, Kansas St. and perhaps Central Florida into the mix?
Or, would the Big East break up? The Mountain West wants to add Boise St. and get a BCS bid. Could Kansas, K-State got to the Mountain West with Iowa St and Boise? That league would probably take over the Big East's BCS auto bid
To think that UConn and Kansas -- two of the great basketball programs in the NCAA -- could be left out and scrambling for their athletic futures shows how little hoops plays in this decision.
We have been all following this expansion scenario with bated breath. We are waiting for something to come. After all of this talk, I am not sure I want to see what happens on the other side.
One thing I do like however is what the Big 12 did. They put their destiny into their hands. As Andy Dufrense told Red in the Shawshank Redemption -- "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Gray traded to Colonials
Former Uconn center Keith Gray was acquired by the Colonials today. Gray will be the 5 th uconn player on the colonials roster. He joins andre dixon, dahna Deleston, mike hicks, and Danny Lansanah.
-- Post From My iPhone
-- Post From My iPhone
Friday, June 4, 2010
Michigan ticket packages
UCONN FOOTBALL TO FACE MICHIGAN AT THE
"BIG HOUSE" ON SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2010
---Ticket and Travel Information---
Our University of Connecticut football team is excited to open the 2010 season at Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 4. Kickoff will be at 3:30 p.m. Much like our historic game at Notre Dame last year, we are hoping to have a large contingent of Husky fans in Michigan Stadium for this great event.
The ordering period for game tickets and travel packages begins on Tuesday, June 15 and will continue for one week. For complete ordering details as well as ticket and travel package information, please use the link below. We hope to see you in Ann Arbor as we kickoff the 2010 football season against the Wolverines!
-- Post From My iPhone
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Dixon off to UFL
It was nice seeing Andre Dixon land on his feet in the UFL.
Dixon was selected No. 2 overall by the Hartford Colonials and will join the upstart league for 2010. For Dixon, it ends 6 weeks that at times were unbearable. I was in the war room when the Colonials made the pick and Dixon shook Colonials coach Chris Palmer's hand and then did so with the rest of his staff. It was probably the first real smile he cracked since the end of the NFL Draft.
Dixon always believed in himself.
The disappointment of not getting drafted still rests with Dixon. He knows why he wasn't taken. Whenever a projected late round pick can't even get an invite to camp means there is something else at play.
Dixon had to go down to Danbury and pay his $60 to tryout. He wasn't humbled however, and instead went out and lit the camp of fire. Chris Palmer came over to me at the logo unveiling and mentioned how Dixon can do a lot of things catching the ball that Brian Westbrok can do. This was a part of his game UConn really never exploited (much to my dismay, I had been clamoring for that for two years), but if he does eventually end in the NFL it will be because of that skill.
I would be remiss to not give my opinion on the UFL and the Colonials. There is legit talent on the roster and some names. Ahmad Carroll will be on the Colonials and the QBs currently on the roster include Andre Wooodson (Kentucky) former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux and Pittsburgh's Bill Stull as well as Josh McCown. There is also going to be a significant QB signing later in June.
I know there is a lot of skepticism about the team and league, but I get the feeling talking to everyone involved -- it's legit..They had their ducks in a row and a plan before they landed in Hartford. For example, Chris Palmer isn't going to jump into this league because he needed the job.
Nearly all the executives are former NFL executives, and the league eventually will get major backing from the NFL as a developmental league (NFL desperately needs a developmental league). The quality of the league is going to be so far superior to the XFL and World League it isn't even worth discussing. This is going to be a league of NFL caliber players, not the CT Seawolves of the Arena League. I would say it's Triple A caliber football. You will recognize the names.
People think that this is some kind of mom and pop shop and they are just looking to sell some seats as glorified semi-pro. It can't be further from the case. These guys have done their home work and more importantly know what they are doing. This isn't some pie in the sky enterprise.
The quality will be there, the professionalism will be there, and they are going to run things first class. I think the league is going to stick around. Will it do so in Hartford? I don't know, that's up to the fans, but if people think this is some fly by night organization they are misinformed.
It's a real league, and they know what they are doing.
Dixon was selected No. 2 overall by the Hartford Colonials and will join the upstart league for 2010. For Dixon, it ends 6 weeks that at times were unbearable. I was in the war room when the Colonials made the pick and Dixon shook Colonials coach Chris Palmer's hand and then did so with the rest of his staff. It was probably the first real smile he cracked since the end of the NFL Draft.
"“I didn’t sign a free agent and I didn’t know where I was going. I felt out of control. You always feel a certain weight when its out of your hands. What was my next move? When you can’t control something you feel like it's a dead end.”
Dixon always believed in himself.
“I knew I was a good enough athlete to play something. CFL, AFL, all of those options passed through my mind. I wasn’t going to get a job. I think I am too talented for 9-5 right now. Getting a job part didn’t cross my mind."
The disappointment of not getting drafted still rests with Dixon. He knows why he wasn't taken. Whenever a projected late round pick can't even get an invite to camp means there is something else at play.
"My off the field issues shied teams away," Dixon said. "I can honestly say that. S lot of teams had great things to say to me, but with how strict the NFL is now, and how they don’t tolerate any negativity I was too much of a risk. There were too many red flags around me.”
Dixon had to go down to Danbury and pay his $60 to tryout. He wasn't humbled however, and instead went out and lit the camp of fire. Chris Palmer came over to me at the logo unveiling and mentioned how Dixon can do a lot of things catching the ball that Brian Westbrok can do. This was a part of his game UConn really never exploited (much to my dismay, I had been clamoring for that for two years), but if he does eventually end in the NFL it will be because of that skill.
I would be remiss to not give my opinion on the UFL and the Colonials. There is legit talent on the roster and some names. Ahmad Carroll will be on the Colonials and the QBs currently on the roster include Andre Wooodson (Kentucky) former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux and Pittsburgh's Bill Stull as well as Josh McCown. There is also going to be a significant QB signing later in June.
I know there is a lot of skepticism about the team and league, but I get the feeling talking to everyone involved -- it's legit..They had their ducks in a row and a plan before they landed in Hartford. For example, Chris Palmer isn't going to jump into this league because he needed the job.
Nearly all the executives are former NFL executives, and the league eventually will get major backing from the NFL as a developmental league (NFL desperately needs a developmental league). The quality of the league is going to be so far superior to the XFL and World League it isn't even worth discussing. This is going to be a league of NFL caliber players, not the CT Seawolves of the Arena League. I would say it's Triple A caliber football. You will recognize the names.
People think that this is some kind of mom and pop shop and they are just looking to sell some seats as glorified semi-pro. It can't be further from the case. These guys have done their home work and more importantly know what they are doing. This isn't some pie in the sky enterprise.
The quality will be there, the professionalism will be there, and they are going to run things first class. I think the league is going to stick around. Will it do so in Hartford? I don't know, that's up to the fans, but if people think this is some fly by night organization they are misinformed.
It's a real league, and they know what they are doing.
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