Big East is CUSA circa 2000...adding ECU and Tulane.

[DFWJC]

About 10 years ago, Conference USA included Lousiville, Cincinnati, South Florida, Central Florida, East Carolina, SMU, Houston, Tulane, etc.

Now the Big East has all of those schools. I always thought it was wierd that the eaxact same schools could join another conference and all of a sudden have automatice BCS options.

I guess it doesn't really matter now because in two year the automatic quailfier stuff goes away. They sure look like the weakest link in football...especially if Boise St backs out.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/st...-just-football

[Bill Wooten]

As an ECU fan, I'm happy as hell. BCS and AQ was always BS and needs to go away. We're not at the big boy table yet, but we've moved up some from the kid's table. Unfortunately, TV set rule. We'll join the BE in 2014 and possibly lead the league in attendance, but no one will care.

[windward]

Yeah, I think Boise and Sdsu will back out.

[Bill Wooten]

I think Fresno and another Western team will be added. Hoping BSU and SDSU stay. Could be a good football conference if a few teams will settle in and develop.

ECU is committed and will appreciate what the BE has to offer. Could eventually replace the void left by VT and possibly WVU. Consistently draw 45K to CUSA games. Great OOC schedule including VT & South Carolina. Football is #1 there.

Tulane has a TON of money to put toward athletics and could turn into something. Fan support is pathetic. Hopefully, the on campus football stadium will improve that.

Both will stick with BE if it doesn't implode first. Really hope the West division will develop.

[Bill Wooten]

Rumors are Louisville to ACC tomorrow.

[Yeagermeister]

I'm guessing they won't keep the BSC tie in for long.

[DFWJC]

Originally Posted by Bill Wooten

Rumors are Louisville to ACC tomorrow.

Yes, it happened.
I heard UConn had some that didn't want them in...Boston College maybe.

[DFWJC]

Originally Posted by Bill Wooten

As an ECU fan, I'm happy as hell. BCS and AQ was always BS and needs to go away. We're not at the big boy table yet, but we've moved up some from the kid's table. Unfortunately, TV set rule. We'll join the BE in 2014 and possibly lead the league in attendance, but no one will care.

Few schools go tthe shaft by the BCS and AQ as bad as ECU did. I agree.
That program packs out a fairly large stadium and has a rabid fan base.

A lot of programs leapfogged them when the BCS and AQ stuff started and the money started pouring into previously crappy programs. Teams in CUSA , MWC, and WAC were getting shafted.

Problem for the ECU, SMU, Houston and others is that they are basically now just back in the same conference they were in a few years ago. I think I read the Big East will have NINE members from the CUSA beginning in 2014. I guess with Louisville (ex CUSA) going to the ACC , it will now be eight of the 12 football teams.