The winner of the Big East should no longer receive an automatic bid to a BCS bowl. The conference is not worthy anymore. Last year, it was represented in the Fiesta Bowl by a mediocre Connecticut team, which was crushed by Oklahoma. With none of its teams currently in the BCS top 20, the Big East is not likely to crown a highly-ranked champion this year either.
Besides, with three of its best football schools – Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and West Virginia – on their way out, the league will soon be down to just five football-playing schools. That’s one short of what’s needed to be recognized as a conference by the NCAA. Although that number will probably be boosted by the addition of schools like Navy, Air Force, Central Florida, SMU, and Houston, the void left by the loss of quality football schools will not be filled any time soon.
After this season, the Big East’s automatic berth in a BCS bowl should be revoked, with that slot being reserved for a fifth at-large entry. The days of the Big East as a big-time football conference, sadly, are over.
Comments