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Message: [QUOTE="pj, post: 1271150, member: 2524"] The B1G could keep Rutgers waiting because the Big East was a viable, BCS conference with only a modest shortfall in revenue; Rutgers didn't lose by waiting. But the world has changed radically. The AAC is competitively crippled compared to the P5 and if any P5 conference wants UConn (and any that wants to expand should), then UConn can't turn them down in favor of a mere promise by the B1G to be favorably considered in some future expansion. The B1G has to deliver a guarantee of a future invite to keep UConn from accepting a competing invite. The guarantee would have to be in writing. And if UConn's entry is guaranteed, there's no reason not to bring it in immediately. As I've noted, without a partner, special treatment for football would be needed due to scheduling issues (15 schools, 9 game schedule). So the issue is whether some other P5 conference will force the B1G's hand before a #16 is available. If the ACC or B12 extended an invite to UConn, would the B1G watch us go? What if they had a promise from Va Tech to move in ten years when the ACC GoR expires, and they were counting on UConn to be the 16 to pair with Va Tech? Would they really want to double up on lawsuits and exit fees? What about the rumored policy of not raiding more than one school at a time from another P5 conference to avoid being too disruptive -- if UConn went ACC this would preclude an ACC raid; if UConn went B12 would a raid of both B12 and ACC be politically acceptable in the P5 governing structure? I think it comes down to what the B1G's strategy is. If they really want to dominate the northeast population centers, they need UConn to bracket New York and add New England. If they want UConn, and UConn gets an invite from another conference, then they are far better off adding UConn from the AAC with no fuss and enduring speculation about #16 than trying to get UConn away from the ACC or B12 later. Of course, if no other P5 conference wants UConn, then the B1G can afford to wait. The only risk then is a decay of UConn's stature and brand. [/QUOTE]

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