College Football: 5-Step Plan for Big East Conference Success

It's been 141 years since a group of students from Princeton made the 17-mile trip to New Brunswick to play a group of students from Rutgers in the first college football game.

Since that November day, college football has come a long way.

No longer a friendly game between two clubs, college football has turned into a multi-billion dollar business that the country has gone crazy over.

And the recent departure of Pittsburgh and Syracuse from the Big East Conference has made it clear that college football is all about money.

In addition to tradition, winning, and fan interest, what makes a conference successful is providing its members with huge amounts of money.

This had lead schools to scramble for position. We've seen them break commitments and switch conferences in search for a better chance to see the big money.

Because the Big East has been raided by the ACC, for the second time in eight years (Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College left in 2003), it finds itself in a difficult position—trying to sustain itself as a BCS conference.

The ACC thinks it has "enhanced" its product with the edition of two quality football programs. They believe their product is more attractive to the television networks. That equals more revenue.

Now it's time for the Big East to enhance. Here are five suggestions—five steps the Big East can take that will lead to survival as a BCS conference and big-time success.

Replace Wrestling Programs with Mixed Martial Arts

Just imagine 20,000 screaming fans jammed into Madison Square Garden for the Big East Mixed Martial Arts Conference Championship.

Cheerleaders, mascots, bands, beautiful women in the stands, and the great rivalries that have developed over the last 35 years.

This would be a great pro-active step to get a jump on the rest of BCS conferences.

Think about the huge television package that this type of competition could produce.

Start Gambling Casinos and Race Tracks on All Big East Campuses

The government has helped the Native Americans and allowed them to build gambling casinos in states where gambling is legal and illegal.

The Big East needs help. It's the right thing for the state legislatures in the states where Big East schools exist to allow them the same benefits are provided for the Native Americans.

The State legislatures presently allow our nation's college to get away with not having to declare their football programs as businesses.

The legislatures look the other way and allow casino gambling on campus.

There would be one disclaimer: If any casino had a sports book, betting on college sports would be illegal.

Start a Big East Television Network with Shows Like "The Big East Has Talent"

Yes, "The Big East Has Talent."  A 16-20 season with stops at every Big East School and winding up with the finals held in Madison Square Garden, or another well-known arena.

A Yearly Telethon Caled "Big East Aid."

In the style of great telethons like Farm Aid and Comic relief, the Big East could raise money as they organized great singers and entertainers to appear.

Bruce Springsteen and other stars with local ties to Big East locations could be asked to perform on their behalf.

Revenue to pay coaches better salaries and upgrade athletic facitilities could be raised.

Add Canandian Football League Teams

Adding teams from the Canadian Football League would be a great way to reach the 12-16 team level for Big East Football.

This would allow for a Big East Conference Championship Game.

This would likely require a break from the NCAA in football and also mean no BCS Championship appearances.

It would also require convincing Canadian teams they could make more money in the Big East Conference than in Canada.