Okay. I’m willing to believe this story.
Texas Christian University has accepted an invitation to become an all-sports member to the Big East Conference, industry sources told FanHouse.
The Horned Frogs will join the league beginning on July 1, 2012 and begin play in the Big East in the 2012-13 school year.
The addition of the Horned Frogs will immediately bolster the football league. It also would increase the basketball membership to 17 teams.
Nothing else at this point. No announcement is forthcoming — yet. Brett McMurphy, though, has been a solid writer and one that really likes to line up his facts. Plus, it fits with everything that has been building to this point.
Final call, Villanova.
UPDATE: TCU has announced a 2pm press conference.
Let’s hope that the Texas millionaires do not dangle mega bucks in front of Jamie Dixon offering him a chance to return to TCU his alma mater.
This makes even more of a case to fire Wannstedt, if not we fall even further in the league.
now if only they didnt dampen it by inviting that little catholic school on the main line with no money, facilities, tv ratings, or fan support
no nova… add SMU or UCF!
WOW, that is an understatement huh!
This is really smart by the BigEast to do this now, since across the country, everyone is upset that a 3 loss or 4 loss BigEast team is going to get a BCS Bowl, while some 1 loss teams like Mich. State, Boise, Stanford and others are playing in non-BCS bowls.
FINALLY THE BIGEAST IS DOING SOMETHING SMART FOR FOOTBALL. NOW ADD HOUSTON & SMU, TO GIVE US A REAL PRESENCE IN TEXAS.
And of course Ohio State avoids all of that ( the embarrassment of losing to a non-AQ) and to boot gets a SEC team to play in the Sugar Bowl(which is a win-win situation). Plus they’re running game will stack up good against Arkansas much like Alabama’s did.
Good news for the BigEast though, during the Rose Bowl game the announcers would be mentioning thruout the game, that TCU is joining the BigEast in the 2012 season. TCU just got a whole bunch more fans in the Northeast hoping they trounce the Big 10 team.
The Big East has an 18-game regular-season basketball schedule that calls for three repeat games under television contracts with ESPN and CBS through 2012-13. The contract is based on a 16-team membership. CBS and ESPN each get a choice of one of those repeat games.
A source told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz that in a 17-team league, each program would play every other team (16 games) and then play two repeat games (instead of three like now). That means a lower-level repeat game for a favorite like Pittsburgh would go away. CBS and ESPN requested Pitt and Villanova play twice and each received a game. The Big East then kept the rivalry of Pitt-West Virginia for another repeat game. Pitt’s third repeat game is against South Florida. Under a 17-team, 18-game schedule, this game would go away.
And Lou Holtz, I am definitely up for tailgating at TCU. Having lived in Austin for 9 years, I would love to make it a bi-annual trip!
The only small time team I think worth considering is Central FL – they have one of the largest student populations and are in Orlando, a decent size and fast growing market without much in other sports to distract them. There are a lot of resources in that university and it has potential – outside of USF balking, it’s a decent non marqee get
I’m there.
Have to disagree with you. Houston is a great university and the fans are loyal. Major upgrades planned in facilities and a very proud basketball tradition. (OK, I’m a little biased UH stadium is a 15-minute bike ride from home). Great on campus stadium atmosphere at games (like we used to have). But I like Central Florida too.
I have absolutely nothing against Houston and in fact wish that they were a more viable option, but I just don’t see them bringing enough to the table. If it turns out that they get an invite at some point, I hope it works out.
TCU, unlike the other big time TX programs, have classy fans/alums. I really like this move. To echo what others are saying TCU people are ecstatic this happened. I may be the only one that cares about this, but with our upgrades in baseball and having TCU around, we may be able to actually have a shot at making a regional in the CWS one day.
Once I finish law school, I’ll be moving to Houston to practice. Good to see so many TX Panthers and I will be at all Pitt games in DFW.
UCF? Maybe. Villanova? If they decide to find a way to make it work, then great, welcome them in football.
So when Pitt plays TCU in Fort Worth I’m expecting plenty of Pitt fans to come down here and tail gate with me?
Anyone in?