APFollowing up on months of curiosity (to some), the Big East announced its two new divisions for the soon-to-be 12-member conference.
The announcement is mostly anti-climactic — meaning the divisions aren’t named something like “Legends” and “Leaders” — but, yes, we are fully aware that the new “East” and “West” divisions mean there’s a Big East East and Big East West hurrrrrrrrr.
“This new alignment gives the Conference and its fans the best of both worlds – national exposure that is a result of the BIG EAST being in six of the top 10 U.S. media markets – with a schedule that focuses on spirited regional rivalries,” said Big East commissioner Mike Aresco.
“This unique combination of nationwide scope and regional flavor reflects our commitment to innovation in response to the changing landscape in college football while honoring a tradition of success on the field and in the classroom.”
Without any more delay, here are the divisions for the 2013 and ’14 seasons. The only oddity? Temple, as a member of the West division.
East Division
UCF
Cincinnati
Connecticut
Louisville
Rutgers
USF
West Division
Boise State
Houston
Memphis
San Diego State
SMU
Temple
The Big East is still anticipating the addition of Navy and one other to-be-determined program to make a 14-team football conference. It’s possible that divisional alignment could be adjusted accordingly after the 2014 season, but exactly how obviously isn’t known yet.
In the new alignment, each team will play eight conference games per season, five of which will be against divisional opponents.
Not a team in either division worth anything.
Not that I really even care that much, but how is Temple in the West and Cincy in the East?
With the Big East officially being relegated to the kiddie table (Group of Five?!) and the financial and image hit that goes with it, doesn’t it make sense now that SDSU and Boise stay in Mountain West? The highest ranked champion of the Group of Five gets the auto bid. Boise can continue to dominate MWC and be ranked higher than anyone from Big East. If I were Boise, I would make sure my bean-counters did the math very carefully!
I hope Louisville can get out out quick!
@whoisedgy – you are underestimating just how bad the MWC TV deal is. The Big Easts worst case scenario in their upcoming discussions is probably still 3X better than the MWC’s current deal.
@mdac – price they pay for being the newer kid on the block. And besides, this is for two seasons. The plan after that, once Navy and team #14 join, is to go to a non-geographic alignment.
Temple being in the West is like the Atlanta Braves being stuck in the NL West years ago.
How about losers and irrelevant. More fitting than just east and west.
How about “Premississippian” and Semipostmississippian”?
They should have went with Douche and Turd Sandwich
Ha. Some funny comments here.
After giving up 792 points in the month of October, West Virginia wants back in!!!
The best division name suggestion I saw some time ago, depending on how the division structure ends up for 2015 and beyond, was Colonial and Frontier.
I know the Big East seems to want one more western team to be #14, but I almost think an eastern school makes more sense. Divisions in 2015 and beyond could then be:
East: UConn, Rutgers, Temple, Navy, UCF, USF, Team #14
West: Boise, SDSU, SMU, Houston, Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati.
Just rename the entire conference to “The High School Conference” as that’s all the teams are in both divisions. The Big East, MWC and WAC should all be eliminated as they are an embarrassment to college football.
Leaders and Legends…oh that gem is already taken. Damn!
They should have gone with Big East Lame and Big East Suck.