Post by elp525 on Aug 26, 2009 4:49:59 GMT -5
August 25, 2009
By Mitch Vingle
Sports Editor
The lips, they were tight on Tuesday.
Those within the Big East office offered this in regard to the Big East bowl negotiations: "We can't say anything today.''
The statement came from league associate commissioner John Paquette. He was pressed and prodded. OK, he was even goaded.
"We're talking to people now,'' he replied. "We're talking to games. That is happening this week and next.
"All I can say is not all bowls are lined up yet. I don't know what's happening with the ACC [bowls] since [the league] signed on the with Sun.''
A guess, though, can be extended. With the Sun now in the ACC mix, the Emerald Bowl at AT&T Park in San Francisco and the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., have been pushed down by the agreement. Both would now get No. 6 through No. 8 ACC teams if they stay.
The guess is Big East commissioner John Marinatto and associate commissioner Nick Carparelli are burning cell minutes to Nashville offering their league's No. 3 team.
The Big East, remember, has history with the Music City Bowl. When the game was started, the league sent a representative against an SEC opponent. Afterward, in 2002, the bowl replaced the Big East with the Big Ten. In 2006, the ACC stepped in.
Mountaineer fans might remember the 2000 game, in which Ole Miss freshman Eli Manning almost brought his team back in the fourth quarter and ruin coach Don Nehlen's finale. WVU, though, held on 49-38.
Anyway, no one at the Big East office was talking on Tuesday, perhaps in hopes of avoiding another letdown like that following the Sun announcement. Calls were placed to Music City officials. At press time, there were no replies.
We shall see.
nn
An update on the proposed
Sports Hall of Fame in South Charleston:
According to the latest minutes, three placement and layout options were presented to the Hall committee for a proposed 11,000- to 12,000-square foot building.
Included would be a gallery, kids zone, theater, banquet area, office space, restrooms, a workshop and storage area.
In case you haven't been following, the proposal is to build the structure next to the South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena.
Anyway, architect Greg Martin has been asked to present a fourth option with the building to the left of the arena, turned to give more visibility and, perhaps, more height so it catches the eye from a distance.
nn
Around the Big East in 60 seconds:
In case you're wondering why visiting Cincinnati is a 51/2-point favorite in Week One over Rutgers, a team many expect to contend for the league title, I think I have an answer.
As of Tuesday morning, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano hadn't decided - or at least hadn't declared - his starting quarterback. Dom Natale is expected to be No. 1, with true freshman Tom Savage No. 2. But the drama continues with the clock ticking.
Cincy, meanwhile, will enter the game with not one, but two starting QBs. You read correctly. Tony Pike, of course, will take the snaps. But UC coach Brian Kelly told the Cincinnati Enquirer that ex-quarterback Demetrius Jones, a transfer from Notre Dame, has moved to the first team at linebacker.
Other interesting tidbits?
Well, South Florida has been experiencing a version of the Tevita Finau saga in Tampa. Defensive end Ryne Giddens, the highest profile recruit in USF history, is still awaiting approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse. And, according to reporter Brett McMurphy, Giddins may no longer practice with the Bulls until he is cleared.
And in Pittsburgh, freshman Dion Lewis still appears to be the choice of Dave Wannstedt to (try and) replace LeSean McCoy at tailback. But he's now being challenged by fellow freshman Ray Graham of Elizabeth, N.J. (Somewhere Tommy Orr is smiling.)
And finally ...
Clint Thomas of our Metro department asked an interesting question on Tuesday.
Did West Virginia schedule Liberty in its opening game because Death was booked?
Have a good one.
By Mitch Vingle
Sports Editor
The lips, they were tight on Tuesday.
Those within the Big East office offered this in regard to the Big East bowl negotiations: "We can't say anything today.''
The statement came from league associate commissioner John Paquette. He was pressed and prodded. OK, he was even goaded.
"We're talking to people now,'' he replied. "We're talking to games. That is happening this week and next.
"All I can say is not all bowls are lined up yet. I don't know what's happening with the ACC [bowls] since [the league] signed on the with Sun.''
A guess, though, can be extended. With the Sun now in the ACC mix, the Emerald Bowl at AT&T Park in San Francisco and the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., have been pushed down by the agreement. Both would now get No. 6 through No. 8 ACC teams if they stay.
The guess is Big East commissioner John Marinatto and associate commissioner Nick Carparelli are burning cell minutes to Nashville offering their league's No. 3 team.
The Big East, remember, has history with the Music City Bowl. When the game was started, the league sent a representative against an SEC opponent. Afterward, in 2002, the bowl replaced the Big East with the Big Ten. In 2006, the ACC stepped in.
Mountaineer fans might remember the 2000 game, in which Ole Miss freshman Eli Manning almost brought his team back in the fourth quarter and ruin coach Don Nehlen's finale. WVU, though, held on 49-38.
Anyway, no one at the Big East office was talking on Tuesday, perhaps in hopes of avoiding another letdown like that following the Sun announcement. Calls were placed to Music City officials. At press time, there were no replies.
We shall see.
nn
An update on the proposed
Sports Hall of Fame in South Charleston:
According to the latest minutes, three placement and layout options were presented to the Hall committee for a proposed 11,000- to 12,000-square foot building.
Included would be a gallery, kids zone, theater, banquet area, office space, restrooms, a workshop and storage area.
In case you haven't been following, the proposal is to build the structure next to the South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena.
Anyway, architect Greg Martin has been asked to present a fourth option with the building to the left of the arena, turned to give more visibility and, perhaps, more height so it catches the eye from a distance.
nn
Around the Big East in 60 seconds:
In case you're wondering why visiting Cincinnati is a 51/2-point favorite in Week One over Rutgers, a team many expect to contend for the league title, I think I have an answer.
As of Tuesday morning, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano hadn't decided - or at least hadn't declared - his starting quarterback. Dom Natale is expected to be No. 1, with true freshman Tom Savage No. 2. But the drama continues with the clock ticking.
Cincy, meanwhile, will enter the game with not one, but two starting QBs. You read correctly. Tony Pike, of course, will take the snaps. But UC coach Brian Kelly told the Cincinnati Enquirer that ex-quarterback Demetrius Jones, a transfer from Notre Dame, has moved to the first team at linebacker.
Other interesting tidbits?
Well, South Florida has been experiencing a version of the Tevita Finau saga in Tampa. Defensive end Ryne Giddens, the highest profile recruit in USF history, is still awaiting approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse. And, according to reporter Brett McMurphy, Giddins may no longer practice with the Bulls until he is cleared.
And in Pittsburgh, freshman Dion Lewis still appears to be the choice of Dave Wannstedt to (try and) replace LeSean McCoy at tailback. But he's now being challenged by fellow freshman Ray Graham of Elizabeth, N.J. (Somewhere Tommy Orr is smiling.)
And finally ...
Clint Thomas of our Metro department asked an interesting question on Tuesday.
Did West Virginia schedule Liberty in its opening game because Death was booked?
Have a good one.
