How will the Big Ten grow?

Everyone just assumes whoever the Big Ten invites to join the cash-rich conference will just jump. But that may not be accurate.

Notre Dame is still a longshot and probably out of reach. It was also a stretch to consider Texas and the Longhorns are in a pretty strong position and will more than likely remain put (or maybe consider a jump to the SEC one day).

So of course the most likely choices are Nebraska and Missouri from the Big 12 or Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers from the Big East. Look, Rutgers jumps right now. Missouri probably does the same. But is Rutgers or Missouri really the splash Jim Delany is looking for by moving the Big Ten to 12 teams?

Nebraska is better and possible. But Syracuse and Pitt aren't necessarily guaranteed to bolt the Big East for the bigger dollars of the Big Ten.

After recently speaking with a Syracuse source, he said Orange coach Doug Marrone does not support a move and would consider it a big mistake. And a recent article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review makes some valid points as to why Pitt should stay put as well. One key reason is the increasing intensity of the Backyard Brawl.

Now is the time for the Big East to seek new members. What are you waiting for Commissioner Marinatto?

Late observations on Week 1

All right. Enough already. Sorry for the late post, but family time and the UConn-Ohio game last night have kept the 'Eer away from the laptop. So here are my thoughts from the first weekend of games (with a few still to play).

- I guess I'm a little more a believer now. The BCS busters came up big this week. I don't want to take anything away from Boise State and BYU, but is that really the best Oregon and Oklahoma could muster? Seriously Chip Kelly. You've had all that time to get the Ducks motivated and prepared. Instead your offense executed as well as Coca-Cola execs trying to market New Coke back in '80s. Thanks for letting Boise believe it belongs. Maybe I should be more surprised by Oklahoma's showing against BYU, but this is so Bob Stoops. When's the last time this guy really beat a good team? Don't tell me Texas Tech. At least now the Sooners should be eliminated from the national title discussion.

- Do you think Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Ohio State's Jim Tressel are glad not to be lumped into the same conversation with Virginia's Al Groh? I don't see how Groh can even make it through the year after the Wahoos lost to William & Mary, 26-14. The loss was Virginia's first to a Football Championship Subdivision school since 1986.

- Crap. Did both 'Eye and 'Eer really underestimate how much Notre Dame and Michigan have improved? Maybe. But after this week, one of them will be 1-1 and the coach will be on the hot seat again. Also, I'd still be a little concerned watching how both offenses failed to execute as well in the second half.

- It may be a loss, but as someone with nothing to gain, Washington's nice showing against LSU in Steve Sarkisian's first game is a good sign for the Huskies and also important for the Pac-10. However, if I'm a Tigers fan I'd be concerned that LSU is going to struggle again in 2009.

- The Big East didn't do much to help quiet the critics, but we should give credit to Syracuse and new coach Doug Marrone for almost pulling an upset of Minnesota in the Carrier Dome. Greg Paulus also played a solid game, despite throwing an interception in OT.

Enough of that. Now we're ready for Miami-FSU on Monday.

Marrone is God to Cuse fans

Just so no one confuses us of becoming a Rich Rodriguez blog, above is a hilarious video produced by the funny folks over at Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician. And if you watch the entire spot you'll see maybe there's a tiny bit of a knock on RichRod. Enjoy. The bloggers at Nunes Magician also had one of the funniest Tweets yesterday in reference to Practice Gate at Michigan.

"I refuse to believe that a coaching staff that includes Greg Robinson could be working its players too hard."

It's all about perspective and these guys had to deal with some rough times under Robinson. Hopefully it gets better with Marrone. The Big East needs Syracuse to be a player again.

Is it possible...

that Syracuse was even worse than we'd imagined? Today, the Orange named transfer Greg Paulus their starting quarterback. You know, the guy who hasn't played football in four years. The guy who new coach Doug Marrone has no reason to play knowing he'll be gone in a year and isn't really someone you're exactly going to build a program around.

But no, the other options at QB for the Orange were so bad, Marrone had no choice but to stick Paulus behind center.

I guess maybe Paulus could have quickly recovered his timing, throwing motion and mastered the 'Cuse offense. Maybe Paulus will lead the Orange to an upset over Minnesota and Penn State in the first two weeks. But probably not.

Paulus becomes BIG distraction for Cuse

Any PR is good PR? I'll give in to the old maxim. But ESPN's Brian Bennett says the buzz created by Duke point guard Greg Paulus choosing Syracuse to play one year of Division I football makes the Orange relevant again.

He's full of crap. I normally agree with Bennett, but he's off on this one. Paulus has been away from the game for four years and he may be lucky to beat out Ryan Nassib, who was named the starter for this season early in spring practice.

I understand Bennett's point. National media will follow this story all season. And if he finally plays or even starts it will lead ESPN's coverage. I'm sure they are already planning some big feature on Paulus for Game Day and Bennett will probably do daily or weekly updates on Paulus.

Also, Paulus may help draw more fans into the Carrier Dome, and give opposing fans plenty to get riled up about each week.

But this will be destracting for everyone else involved with Cuse football and won't have any long-lasting implications for future recruiting.

Now this could work out real well for first-year coach Doug Marrone. He gets a former top-rated prep prospect for one season as he tries to rebuild the Orange. But it's more likely to backfire and cause some dissension in the lockerroom.

I believe Nassib is a gutsy guy who'll relish the competition. But freshmen quarterbacks can also be a bit fragile. Openly courting Paulus may not sit well. Still, Syracuse was 3-9 last season and everything is free game.

Also, Paulus did say all the right things on ESPN radio and added that he couldn't pass up playing for Marrone and the academics of Syracuse as he works on a graduate degree in communications.

That didn't take long

Seems a group of Syracuse fans have already made up their mind about new football coach Doug Marrone. The group that started getgrossout.com, have now started a site to fire Marrone just days after he was hired.

That was quick, but not sure I blame them.

To answer the 'Eer's question...

looks like Syracuse alum and current Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone gets the 'Cuse job after Skip Holtz skips out. (Get it? Skipped!)

If you listened to the podcast, 'Eer and I agree this is pretty much the wrong hire. He's an alum and while it's sweet that he knows the words to the alma mater, he hasn't coached in college in eight years and he's never been a head coach. It's a stretch when it seems Turner Gill was out there.

As it is, the only memorable Syracuse play I can recall from the past decade is this (fast forward to the 6:17 mark):