Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
I want to begin this week with a theory that's been bouncing around my noggin. Could West Virginia's demise, if that is indeed what we are witnessing, actually be a good thing for the Big East?
Bear with me a second, Mountaineers fans. Your team still might bounce back from its 1-2 start and rip through the conference schedule, earning its usual place at the top of the standings. No one has done a better job of carrying the banner for this underdog league than West Virginia, whose BCS victories after the 2005 and 2007 seasons brought the Big East much-needed respect and credibility.
Still, another Mountaineers championship might just reinforce the notion that the conference has one great program and a bunch of stiffs. Long term, the Big East would be better off if someone like South Florida, Connecticut or Cincinnati goes to the BCS this year. That team could then build off the exposure and experience to gain stature. (Assuming, of course, it plays well in the bowl game. I don't think Pittsburgh got much of a bump from losing 35-7 to Utah in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl).
Leagues are healthier when they have more giants. Look at the Big Ten, which was ridiculed as the Big Two in recent years because Ohio State and Michigan were so much better than everyone else. Or see the Pac-10 this year, which appears to be USC and a bunch of ugly ducklings.
Add in the fact that some of the Big East programs are young (South Florida, UConn) or haven't done much in decades (Cincinnati, Rutgers). For half the league teams, a BCS game would stand as the biggest moment in their football history.
Having West Virginia regroup and win the league won't hurt the Big East. But having someone else finish on top might help the conference much more.
That's my theory of the day, anyway. Let me know what you think.
