Unless you've been living under a rock this week, surely you're heard the rumors by now. Maryland to the Big Ten. Does the timing make sense? Not at all. How about that exit fee? Is $50 million truly enforceable and legal? But when ESPN starts writing about Maryland and the ACC in the past tense... well, this seems like it could go forward. If it does, it could spell disaster for the Big East. Maryland's athletic department is strapped for cash and they've had to cut sports. If Maryland joined the Big Ten, it would solve the athletic department's budget deficit within a number of years. It's sink or swim and they're sinking.

Maryland will obviously need a travel partner, and popular opinion seems to be that partner will be Rutgers. The ACC will need a replacement for Maryland, and the best choice available is Connecticut. If the Big East loses Rutgers and Connecticut, well, I'm sure schools like Louisville will believe the sky is falling. The question is, how many teams can the Big East lose and still hold together? If Rutgers and Connecticut go, we will certainly need to add another football member to get up to 12. Could THIS be the end of the Big East? I really hope not, but if this rumor proves to be true...