I realize taking a shot at the Big East is like doing the same with Congress. It’s easy and everyone does it. That doesn’t change the third factor — they both deserve the abuse.

The settlement with West Virginia has been previously mentioned for some of the face-saving. Some of the terms in the agreement, though, are just as laughable.

I suppose I should not be surprised by the inclusion of a “non-disparity” clause, but that ship sailed capsized when WVU AD Luck made his “sinking ship” reference to the Big East. Still, given Luck’s propensity or shooting off his mouth, WVU’s legal department may want to advise the school to hire someone with a taser to stay close to Luck at all media events for the next year or so.

What is more pathetic is the fact that the agreement calls for WVU to help the Big East get Syracuse and Pitt find another game for this season.

“Upon request within a reasonable period of time following the Effective Date, WVU shall use its reasonable best efforts to help the Big East members to schedule additional football games for the 2012-13 season. In the event that either the University of Pittsburgh or Syracuse University makes such request on or before February 15, 2012, WVU will use its reasonable best effort to assist the University of Pittsburgh or Syracuse University to schedule a game with a Big 12 member for the 2012-13 season if possible.”

It goes on to say that “if another school announces that it is joining the Big East for football for the 2012-13 season, then WVU shall not be required to take any such reasonable steps to help the University of Pittsburgh or Syracuse University.”

Pitt, along with Louisville and UConn are the schools that lost a home game by WVU leaving. Yet it is Syracuse that gets the extra help over the other two. Gee, can it be more obvious as to the why the Big East would specify Pitt and Cuse?

Answer: the league is apparently trying to cover its behind. Again.

Imagine that. The Big East being reactive instead of proactive.

The conference could not keep West Virginia from leaving. So it made sure a judgment was entered into the Monongalia County lawsuit dismissal saying the conference bylaws are valid and enforceable.

Then there was the “Additional Games” paragraph. The one that screams, “Hey, Pitt and Syracuse, see, we’re trying to help you get games! Please don’t leave before the 27-month withdrawal period by saying we’re not a viable conference!”

It feeds into the criticism of the league that dates back to when Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College bolted for the ACC. Rather than be proactive, not much happens in Providence until the proverbial horse, cow or, in this case, Mountaineer leaves the barn.

More like, “don’t try and leave until after 2012.” But, yeah. The Big East is always playing defense. Big East beat writer for ESPN.com, Andrea Adelson wrote after the settlement was announced that the Big East never seems to win. There’s a reason for that. The Big East loses continually, because they never act first. They put off the hard decisions until it is almost too late (hey, another parallel to Congress).

Think back to the time right after the Big East voted in TCU in 2010. It was a seemingly sudden, and decisive move by the conference — totally out of character. Yes, it was Coach Jamie Dixon and Pitt that helped to put it in motion, but at least the Big East did something with it. How did they follow it up? By letting Villanova dither.

Whether you liked or disliked the idea of Nova joining the Big East, the conference was in need of that additional football member. The Big East came out and stated it. Marinatto actually admitted it. Especially after what had gone down in the Big 12 that summer.

Villanova had been given plenty of time to make the choice over the years. If they weren’t willing that fall, the Big East needed to move decisively elsewhere. UCF, Navy, Houston — heck, even BYU might have considered the option at that point.

Instead, Villanova wanted to do yet another study for six more months. And the Big East said, “sure, take your time.” A decision that predictably backfired on the conference (and Villanova). Individual members — including and especially Pitt — looked a little closer at the Villanova plan and realized how flawed it was, and galvanized opposition from the other football schools. Villanova was essentially told no, but the basketball side of the Big East refused to consider other members for the conference. Creating another missed moment.

That also led to the restlessness increasing by the football schools. Pitt sent the Big East a warning letter, but they were hardly the only ones realizing that the Big East was reaching a dangerous tipping point in terms of where it stood with other BCS conferences. To say nothing of more expected expansiopocolyspe.

As we have subsequently learned. WVU was casting about furiously. Same with UConn. Rutgers and Louisville as well to some degree.

As I have said enough times, a good chunk of the Big East dithering on these issues has to do with the split interests of the members of the conference. Unlike the competing interests of the Big 12 of name schools and the others. The interests of the basketball schools are very different from the football schools.

They see the football interests and money as a threat from within the conference. The football schools in the conference get more money and exposure over the course of a year. They have the potential to pay more for their coaches, program and facilities because of the other revenue stream. Meaning they have to compete with that within the Big East. It hurts their exposure and ability to build and compete in the conference. They may not actively fight the football schools, but they won’t do a thing that could help them.

It won’t matter a bit, who stays and who leaves the Big East. As long as the conference members have this split identity, the conflicts will remain. That means the Big East will remain a reactive conference.