The Big East expansion of adding the Villanova football program is currently at a standstill and it seems that one of the SB Nation New York's local schools, Rutgers, is to blame.
"Supposedly, Rutgers and Pittsburgh are the schools throwing up roadblocks,' wrote Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Jensen on Tuesday, "wanting to know if taking a team that plays in a 18,500-seat soccer stadium, PPL Park, even with the potential for expansion, really helps the league after a fall in which the Big East took major hits for not being BCS bowl-worthy with no ranked teams."
On Monday, the Big East announced that it is now undecided on adding the Wildcats, who currently play at the FCS level, but after months of deliberation are willing to spend the money to move up to the FBS level after receiving an informal invitation from the conference in late November. In early November, the league added the TCU Horned Frogs as its ninth football-playing member.
"The Big East Conference and Villanova University have worked closely with each other over the past several months regarding potential football membership," said Big East Commissioner John Marinatto in the statement Monday. "We will continue with our due diligence process and work with Villanova to continue to share relevant information and materials. The Big East Conference obviously very much values its long-standing relationship with Villanova and we are committed to continuing to work with them on this matter in an open and forthright manner. Until there is additional information to report, the conference plans no further comment."
Reaction to what is transpiring is being talked about by many SB Nation's Big East blogs. The Nova Blog is currently asking why is Villanova football just finding out about this issue now after seven months of talking (or possibly non-talking)? SB Nation's On The Banks (Rutgers) is defending its school's reputation, while Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician (Syracuse) is trying to take a bi-partisan approach.
The fact is, the Big East is looking very bad in this ordeal while 'Nova is just waiting to be picked to play in the BCS game. However, the Wildcats were told beforehand they were going to be one of the first picks. Instead, it is round seven and they're about to cry like Tom Brady.
Come back to SB Nation New York for more updates on this situation.