Yeah there's lots of wild cards when it comes to BCS expansion. like Notre Dame. They could write their own Big 10 or Big East ticket if they so chose. But that TV deal with NBC almost guarantees they stay independent. UNC-Charlotte is an interesting team. NCAA rules say you can't play football in a conference and other sports in a different conference if original conference plays those sports. That means UNC-Charlotte MUST play in conference USA if they jump to Div. I-A

Another wild card is Villanova. They play montana for the I-AA title this weekend. They play in the Big east in all other sports. But what if they follow UConn's lead and jump to I-A? that's right, they HAVE to play in the Big East. that means less spots for teams like FAU, UCF, E. Carolina, etc.

Also there's Army and Navy. They play in the Patriot League in all sports but football. Since Patriot League isn't in I-A, they could also join Big East or Conference USA.

So there's lots that can happen. I do think FAU will eventually move up from the Sun Belt, but whether that's to the Big East, Conf. USA, who knows. I know Howard's preference is the Big East, but we'll have to see.

GeorgiaOwl said

Even if B11 takes a Big12 team, BigEast still will need to expand to 12 teams to "keep-up" with the competition and be able to stage a conference championship game. Also the BE conference leadership has changed and has already stated a need for change.

A move to the BE is possible in a couple of years but at a minimum, CUSA will probably be needing new members then as well with this next "wave" of conference membership shifts! And let's face it, CUSA is WAY ahead of the Belt in recognition, cash and bowl tie-ins.

I agree 100%. Too many people on this board want to say that CUSA isn't a step up, but it is. They have far more recognition and that is important.

GO OWLS!!!

MatttheOwl said

Yeah there's lots of wild cards when it comes to BCS expansion. like Notre Dame. They could write their own Big 10 or Big East ticket if they so chose. But that TV deal with NBC almost guarantees they stay independent. UNC-Charlotte is an interesting team. NCAA rules say you can't play football in a conference and other sports in a different conference if original conference plays those sports. That means UNC-Charlotte MUST play in conference USA if they jump to Div. I-A

Another wild card is Villanova. They play montana for the I-AA title this weekend. They play in the Big east in all other sports. But what if they follow UConn's lead and jump to I-A? that's right, they HAVE to play in the Big East. that means less spots for teams like FAU, UCF, E. Carolina, etc.

Also there's Army and Navy. They play in the Patriot League in all sports but football. Since Patriot League isn't in I-A, they could also join Big East or Conference USA.

So there's lots that can happen. I do think FAU will eventually move up from the Sun Belt, but whether that's to the Big East, Conf. USA, who knows. I know Howard's preference is the Big East, but we'll have to see.

Since you brought up Montana, there is also a push for Montana to move to 1A. Right now it doesn't make financial sense, but I could see them making the move in the next 5 years. They wouldn't have a direct impact on the BIG EAST or CUSA, but there could be a ripple effect.

GO OWLS!!!

Notre Dame says NO to Big Ten...

The Big Ten's decision to study expansion brings back an oft-asked question – would Notre Dame consider joining the conference, which includes a number of its regional football rivals?

The answer is no, athletic director Jack Swarbrick told the Chicago Tribune.

"Our strong preference is to remain the way we are," Swarbrick said, according to the report. "Independence is a big part of the tradition of the program and our identity. We'd sure like to try to maintain it."

No problem,

Let Notre Dame stay independent. Just give them no share of the BCS money or opportunities for a bowl.

They need to find homes for ND/Army/Navy. Stick those 3 in Confrence USA since its the Military Acadamies (sans Air Force) and NOTREDAME (Americas's Team).

Lets see how ND would react to being in the Non-AQ boat.

I agree, to force ND out of it's independent, self-serving, we are better than the rest of the world mode (special BCS qualifications, own TV contract, etc……………….) other school president's and NCAA vote to require you win a conference championship to play in a BCS bowl (what a concept!).

FAU is not moving to a better conference what would we bring at this point? a sub-par football team an unproven Basketball team? an inconsistent baseball team…Its not like we are selling out Lockhart or the Burrow and we sure do not travel well at all even after the stadium is built we need a new gym right now I think FIU has a better chance of moving up then us…If FAU would try to get more fans to support the teams we would be in a better position I mean honestly $5 for parking to watch a basketball team play in the burrow? I say give away tickets maybe to local schools I think you would have a good turn out of parents taking their kids to see a game.

owlmart said

If FAU would try to get more fans to support the teams we would be in a better position I mean honestly $5 for parking to watch a basketball team play in the burrow? I say give away tickets maybe to local schools I think you would have a good turn out of parents taking their kids to see a game.

Well students don't have to pay $5 for parking and it's not like they're packing the Burrow either. However, we have had an excellent turnout so far. Sometimes it trickles in slowly though… I remember for the last home game (vs Warner) there were about 20 people there at tip-off (Ted took a picture around this time) and then by the end of the game it was almost up to its normal capacity for this season. Anyway, they have been giving away tickets to local schools. And not just regular seats either: the Warner game had one of the Boca high school basketball teams up in a skybox.

There are two things that are realistically going to increase attendance:

1. Getting to the Sweet 16 (or higher)
2. More students living on campus

owlmart said

I think FIU has a better chance of moving up then us…

What?  Based on what?

1. When our stadium is built, it will be better than theirs (since ours will be an "event" atmosphere).
2. They have never had a winning season in Football.
3. Their attendance for the money sports is terrible.
4. They have not had many winning seasons at basketball.
5. They have no support for football or basketball.  They had a bball game the other night and not a single mention of the game taking place on their message board.  I got the info on our site because I like to follow the SunBelt.  If they are not winning, they disappear.

So because we charge $5 for parking and they park for free they deserve to move ahead of us?

That's absurd.

fauowl said

owlmart said

I think FIU has a better chance of moving up then us…

What?  Based on what?

1. When our stadium is built, it will be better than theirs (since ours will be an "event" atmosphere).
2. They have never had a winning season in Football.
3. Their attendance for the money sports is terrible.
4. They have not had many winning seasons at basketball.
5. They have no support for football or basketball.  They had a bball game the other night and not a single mention of the game taking place on their message board.  I got the info on our site because I like to follow the SunBelt.  If they are not winning, they disappear.

So because we charge $5 for parking and they park for free they deserve to move ahead of us?

That's absurd.

They have a stadium
They have higher enrollment
Better campus
Its in Miami
Higher admissions requirements
USF's football team was horrible prior to moving to the big East
Politics (First conference with a predominantly Hispanic school)
More notable alumni