Not-so-super conferences

Stories have said all fall that the era of the super conference is on the way. That didn’t make me happy, but I could see it coming.

But I wasn’t prepared for what I saw Saturday. That’s when the news broke that the Big East — trying to remain relevant in the BCS mix — is talking with the MWC and Conference USA about a 32-team conference. Thirty-two! That’s 27 percent of all the Division I-A teams in America.

The strange part is that while the Big East is attempting to remain relevant (and fully credentialed), it is buddying up to teams that previously would never have been considered. San Jose State? Rice? Utah State? Memphis?

Since when did UConn and Louisville want to hang with them?

I remember the predecessor to super conferences. The 16-team WAC was unappealing and confusing. I still don’t remember any connection to Rice, SMU or Tulsa. They may as well have been playing in, well, C-USA.

I do recall Air Force not playing Utah for three years (1996-98). It was as though the Falcons had dropped off the map.

Imagine what it would be like in a 32-team conference.

Also, imagine this: If you think it’s hard to get 10 or 12 teams to agree to terms in a conference (look at the Big 12′s problems), try satisfying 32.