Syracuse and Pittsburgh Heading to ACC
Syracuse and Pittsburgh, two of the better football teams in the Big East Conference, are heading to the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference). I have read countless articles, from prominent college football executives, saying the sport is heading into a new era. I finally believe the age of super-conferences is almost upon us.
This move opens the door for other schools to jump ship as well. West Virginia has been courted numerous times by the SEC (South Eastern Conference), which could finally happen. TCU may reconsider joining the Big East and look to another BCS conference for entrance.
The Big East Conference, who currently has an automatic BCS (Bowl Championship Series) bowl game bid, looks to be in a state of disarray. With high aspirations for the conference, Big East Commissioner John Marinatto was qutoed on BigEast.Org saying,
“Although I was obviously very disappointed to learn the news about the ACC’s being in discussions about membership with the University of Pittsburgh and Syracuse University, I continue to believe the BIG EAST Conference is well positioned for the future and that the events of the past 24 hours will unify our membership. We have been working steadily to solidify and strengthen the BIG EAST Conference and position us for our upcoming TV negotiations and I am confident that we will again emerge from this situation and remain strong.”
I can't imagine he wholeheartedly believes that. Losing two major schools is going to cripple the conference, with no signs of things improving. Just ask the Big 12 Conference how things are going.
I predict TCU backs out from coming to the conference in 2012, as well as the Big East losing their automatic BCS bid. That will create a financial disaster for the conference, making it time for the rest of the teams to find new homes as well.
I look forward to following this story as things continue to unfold.
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