ESPN College Football

Happy Friday, everybody. And it is a happy one, because there's actual football being played (OK, practiced) around the Big East.

As I expected -- and feared -- my mailbag was full of emails about expansion in light of the New York Post article from a couple of days ago. You guys sure love to talk about that. I'm going to keep this an expansion-free zone as long as I can because the issue has just been talked to death and is in no way imminent. But I may relent and run some letters on that topic next week.

On to some emails about stuff that is happening.

Alex from Piscataway, N.J., writes: After seeing the Pitt/Utah series scheduled, I was wondering would it be worth it for the Big East and Mountain West to schedule an annual conference challenge? Say four games a year on a rotating basis? I feel like these two conferences are always lumped together as the two most deserving to be excluded/included in the BCS. Although, the Big East would have more at risk. Perhaps an alternative would be to set up a bowl game for the Big East No. 3 to take on the Mountain West No. 2. Maybe that St. Petersburg bowl could be used.

Brian Bennett: It's an interesting thought, but a lot of the nonconference matchups come down to interest from TV. And given the geographic differences, I'm not sure the casual fan would be too enticed by such a showdown on an annual basis. Besides, after Utah, TCU and BYU, who would you really want to see play from the Mountain West? Do you want a Wyoming-Rutgers game? A New Mexico-South Florida thriller? A bowl game matchup would be fun, but again, geography becomes an issue. Mountain West fans probably don't want to travel across country to Florida, the same as Big East fans don't exactly get excited about going to El Paso, Texas.

Speaking of the Mountain West vs. the Big East, look for a debate on that topic next week between myself and fellow blogger Graham Watson, including a mock playoff. It should be fun.

Corey from Hurricane, W. Va., writes: Randy Edsall and the UConn Huskies recently agreed to play Michigan in the upcoming years, that same Michigan team coached by Rich Rodriguez. When Rich coached the Mountaineers, the UConn game was never close; talent, speed, and coaching were all major factors in WVU's annual double-digit victories. Why would coach Edsall want to renew that with the Wolverines?

Brian Bennett: Despite the rivalry, Rodriguez and Edsall are on good terms. And Connecticut has improved its speed and talent over the years, while Michigan is not exactly striking fear in people's hearts just yet under Rodriguez. Plus it gives UConn a chance to play in the Big House, and most importantly, bring a storied program to Rentschler Field. It's a terrific deal all around.

Russell from Louisville writes: Hey, Brian, I'm not seeing too many mailbag responses from U of L fans the past few weeks ... is that your way of saying your hometown team is no longer interesting, or are you trying not to show favoritism? My guess is the former, as the only input we Cards fans get from the blog is brutally negative. But what about the tremendous upside of returning receivers like "Mr. Hands" Doug Beaumont and the 6-11 match-up nightmare Josh Chichester, or the future Big East rookie of the year -- Darius Ashley? And what about the newly-created "rover/cardinal" position for defensive menace Brandon Heath? Can you give the Cardinal faithful any hope here?

Brian Bennett: The reason you haven't seen much Louisville talk here is because 99 percent of the mailbag emails regarding the Cardinals is some variation of, "When will Steve Kragthorpe be fired?" There's little new that can be added to that subject. I'm glad you broght up something different. I do think receiver and linebacker are both going to be positions of real strength for Louisville this season. With Beaumont, Chichester, a healthy Scott Long and an improved Troy Pascley, the Cards have a very solid core of wideouts. Linebacker is also a position where they're deep and experienced, and I'd like to see what Heath, who's been hyped for a long time but has never really matched it with production, can do in a playmaking role. I don't see Ashley winning rookie of the year honors, because he just won't get enough touches with Victor Anderson around.

Mike B. from Beckley, W.Va., writes: Hey, Brian, I follow the blog on Twitter and enjoy reading it each day. I just saw your post regarding the Big East summer kickoff and bowl tie-in situation and had a question. It's been no secret that the Big East wants out of the split arrangement with the Gator and Sun Bowls. My question is, does this include the split bowl contracts with Notre Dame? Letting the Irish butt in on the league's bowls isn't fair to the eight teams that play football in the Big East.

Brian Bennett: Notre Dame will still be involved in the Big East deal, mostly just affecting where the No. 2 team goes. But the Big East is trying to make it where Notre Dame could only take the slot once every four years instead of two. The reason the Irish are still included is because they bring clout. The Sun Bowl, for instance, remains very interested in the Big East for the chance to get Notre Dame. You may not like it, but the truth is the Big East would not get as good a bowl tie-in for its No. 2 team without the Irish connection.

Jim from Highland Park, N.J., writes: What are you thoughts of a potential New York City bowl game at Yankee Stadium? I have hear many people that think its not a good idea due to the cold weather and open roof. I disagree. The amount of tourists in NYC during the holidays is mind boggling. NYC is filled with people walking the streets, shopping and standing for hours in Times Square for new years. All of which brave the out door temps. I think this would be a hit. Not to mention the millions of people that live in NYC that want to see a bowl game. Your thoughts?

Brian Bennett: I think a bowl game in New York is a tremendous idea. But let me first give you two items for full disclosure: I love New York and would take any chance I could to go there. And if I ever went to that game, it would be in a heated press box. So maybe my opinion isn't the same as everybody else's. Still, if given the choice between going to New York over Toronto or Birmingham, Ala., wouldn't you take New York every time? (No offense to Toronto, which I hear is a wonderful city; there's just no college football vibe there, and fans have to deal with passports and customs). I would rather see the game in the new Giants Stadium rather than Yankee Stadium, though. I like the idea of a couple of regular season games at the baseball park, but let's keep the football on football fields.

Josh S. from Morgantown, Ky., writes: So, when are you going to give us your preseason poll? I am interested to see who you think will take the league this year. Well, we all know WVU will be first, so who do you think will finish second? Thanks.

Brian Bennett: My official preseason power rankings will be out on Monday, and on Tuesday I'll have bowl predictions for every league team. So stay tuned.