Big East Anchors

by fracas on Oct 11, 2025 9:18 PM EDT

I have read that most conferences are anchored by 2 traditionally dominant programs. B1G has Michigan & Ohio State. Big 12 has Oklahoma & Texas (was Nebraska & Oklahoma in the Big 8 and Texas & Texas A&M in the SWC). The SEC has Alabama & Georgia (but also LSU & Florida). The Pac 12 has USC & UCLA. Looking at the Big East even with Syracuse and Pittsburgh who are the conference's dominant programs to serve as anchors for the conference? While the thought of a conference of equals may sound appealing, within any groupings there has to be a leader or two (an alternate). It may be that having such anchor programs set the standard and tone, and in doing so, build a culture and provide stability for the conference. True?

Does the lack of anchors in the Big East make it less stable? Will this change with expansion to 12?

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I think Syracuse and West Virginia

Were the anchors for Big East football along with Miami. Being down to just one of them hurts, but I think ultimately, USF, Louisville, and West Virginia could be the staple powers in this league, especially if it gets all the way to 12 teams.

Big East Coast Bias

by Mengus22 on Oct 11, 2025 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

If Louisville and WVU stay put

I think they could anchor it. I could use some guidance here though; Louisville seems more like a follower to me over the years. Am I flat wrong here? It seems to me like they kind of go with the flow and look out for their own interests though I really think a highly of their coach, Charlie Strong.

Conversely, WVU seems to be the pathfinder, out in the wide open exploring new territory, taking on new challenges, and not afraid to get down and dirty with anyone.

USF is in a weird place imo. After setting records for how fast a program was built from scratch, they fired their coach and are in the middle of redefining themselves and their culture via Skip Holtz. I have no idea how this will turn out in the end.

Another alternative that may be out of left field is the potential addition of Boise St. I don’t think that coach of theirs is going anywhere, he built his own house there and has free reign as a result that other coaches simply do not get. I think his kid requires special medical attention too that Boise specializes in. I have read some concern over their NCAA infractions but, after cruising their site for a bit, it looks like it’s all of the most minor consequence that it’s laughable.

I don’t know, looking at how they have built their program, where they came from and where they are now, it seems like they could help lead or at least throw out some pointers lol.

Temple is on the rise as well and maybe Cincinnati could pitch in. The whole thing is so fluid it would be really hard to establish anything for a few years to see who stays and who goes.

by cfbfanbase on Oct 12, 2025 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I think USF will be a staple with WVU because of the coaching

I like Charlie Strong and Butch Jones is doing a great job too, but Skip Holtz is doing an amazing job at USF and as long as he is there I expect that team to get better and better. If the rest of the teams stay put, and we can manage to osmehow get Boise, I don’t see this league as being too bad. It would definitely be the sixth or 5th best league. With USF, WVU, Louisville, Cinci, and Boise, we could have a few good teams every year. I dont know what UCONN and Rutgers are planning on doing.

by Dwalk1217 on Oct 12, 2025 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

You know, it occured to me after reading your statement

that so much turns on good coaching when you are trying to come up from the bottom and are surrounded by better established and winning programs. Especially if that coaching includes some truly innovative thinking, which is something we really appreciate out here in Boise.

I have to admit that I actually like this list A LOT

West Virginia: Dana Holgorsen (innovative offensive mind)

USF: Skip Holtz (innovative program overall and throughout its short history)

Louisville: Charlie Strong (defensive mastermind, clear headed, focused)

Boise St: Chris Petersen (innovative offensive mind, innovative institution, created own recruitment model (Think Moneyball movie)

I know it’s freaking crazy geographically (in our case), but that looks like a group that could maybe lead this conference into new waters.

I Wall of Text like it's the in thing to do
"...and just things really starting to unravel now for Utah..." Herbie, BSU vs. Utah, 22 Dec 2025

by pjohn56 on Oct 14, 2025 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

The problem is that the Big east can’t keep its coaches when they’re successful. Every coach who has won the Big East and represented it in the BCS has gone on to take a job somewhere else, even a West Virginia alum ditched out on the Big East after a bigger program picked up the phone. What if Dana gets a call from Georgia or someone this offseason? I’d put it at 80% that he’s gone.

http://www.frogsowar.com/

by HawkeyedFrog on Oct 18, 2025 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I realized through Big East news today

that the dominant programs in the Big East are the BBall programs without a football presence. No wonder WVU, Louisville, or USF seem to function in that role.

by fracas on Oct 12, 2025 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

There is only one Big East anchor

West Virginia. No one else is consistant enough although I think USF has the most potential there. Cuse is certainly no anchor for football unless you mean they drag everyone down.

by redmen9194 on Oct 14, 2025 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

trivia time

WVU has the most Big East titles of current BE football members.
Who’s second on the list?
(Yup, Syracuse.)

Judging Orange football on Greg Robinson’s teams… not a good idea.

by drothgery on Oct 14, 2025 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Michigan. Ohio State. Texas. Oklahoma. Nebraska. Alabama. Florida. USC.

No, the Big East doesn’t have an anchor program. Miami or Penn State could have been if things had been different—write your own scenario, most of us have.

I don’t think it was going to work anyway, because there weren’t more than 7 serious college football programs in the East. 2 of those were service academies and 1 (West Virginia) isn’t exactly in the heart of the northeast. Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia and BC just weren’t enough to make a serious conference out of.

by John Bragg on Oct 21, 2025 2:07 PM EDT reply actions