It's All About Greed In College Football 

By Scott Anez

"Greed is good."

I am guessing the power brokers of the college football world have seen Wall Street a time or two in their lives.

For the last several years, we have been hearing about the possibility of these so-called mega-conferences being formed and ruling over the collegiate athletic landscape. 

Well, it looks like D-Day has arrived.

The powder keg has been lit over the last few years.  Last season, Nebraska relocated from the Big 12 to the Big 10 and Colorado and Utah moved to the Pac-10 (now the Pac-12).

The keg is now on the verge of exploding with the news that Texas A&M is on its way to the SEC, while Syracuse and Pittsburgh shockingly announced this past weekend that they will shun their Big East roots and join the ACC.

Look for defections galore to follow.

Soon, the Big East and the Big 12 will likely be no more.

Oklahoma and Texas are talking about joining the Pac-12.  If they do in fact go west, expect Oklahoma State and Texas Tech to ride their coattails. 

The Big East, meanwhile, is in a world o' hurt.

With the Orange and the Panthers exiting stage right, how do ya think TCU feels after agreeing to join the conference last year?  Here the Horned Frogs are thinking that they finally joined the BCS fray--only to see that conference imploding before their very eyes.

Better yet, how do ya think West Virginia, a current Big East member, is gonna react to these defections?  Seems to me as if WVU is gonna have to take matters into its own hands and attempt to become the 14th member of the SEC.

The only chance I see the Big East having at remaining relevent is if it, somehow, persuades Notre Dame to join in.  That's a huge IF.

Notre Dame has shunned conference inquiries over the last several of years to remain a stubborn independent.  However, with this very new reality setting in, the Golden Domers may have to re-think their policy.  Why?  If these mega-conferences take form and you have, say 16 to 20 or so teams in a league, that may require as many as 10 in-conference games. How in the world does an independent such as N-D, or for that matter, BYU, Navy or Army put together a schedule?

Furthermore, where does UCF come out in the wash?

For years now, we've heard of the Big East being mildly interested in accepting UCF.  But, now, if I am Athletic Director Keith Tribble, I tell the Big East to sit and spin! 

Barring that minor miracle of luring Fighting Irish to save the conference, I just don't see the Big East surviving as a football power conference. 

I think the best bet for UCF right now is to be quick, but don't hurry.   Play it cool...See where all this takes us...Do your due diligence politically...Then strike.  If we are truly headed toward this mega-conference picture, then it would be vital for UCF to get into the ACC. 

What is going on right now in the world of major college football is chaos--and I don't like it because the conductor that's driving this train is pure unadulterated greed.

Don't ya love it when university presidents wax poetic about education, integrity and sincerity?  There is nothing sincere about what is going on right now. 

Pure and simple, this is a money grab.  This is all about the millions of dollars being thrown about by ESPN and other TV networks.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

Gordon Gecco would be proud.