Mountain West could lose Utah, TCU and BYU

The Pac-10, combined with the Big Ten considering adding at least one more school, could lead to some far-reaching changes in several other conferences, including the Big 12 and the Mountain West. There has been speculation that Utah may be one of the schools going to the Pac-10, and perhaps TCU eventually ending in the Big 12. And BYU wouldn’t hesitate to jump if some league could make room for the Cougars. And as one would imagine, the league that would be hurt the most is the Mountain West. One thing is for sure, if these other leagues decide to expand, it will all be handled behind the scenes. One morning you will climb out of bed, and it will be there. So, there is no sense worrying about what’s going to happen. The Mountain West has been a big pain to the BCS big boys in recent years with the number of top 25 teams the league has had and their performance against BCS schools in postseason bowl games. The MWC wants, and deserves, an equal share of the money pie. So, what’s a good way to take the pesky MWC out of play? The answer would be to take two or three of its best teams in expansion. And you can take this to the bank now … Utah, BYU and TCU would abandon the Good Ship MWC in a heartbeat. The bottom line is that Utah is in it for Utah … BYU is in it for BYU … and TCU is in it for TCU. – Boomerang

Notre Dame job intrigues Gary Patterson

Several high-profile coaches have said that they are not interested in the Notre Dame job. The leading remaining candidates include Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly, Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh, Texas Christian’s Gary Patterson, Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson and Temple’s Al Golden. Patterson said in a telephone interview that neither he nor his agent had been contacted by Notre Dame, but he called the university’s rich football history –intriguing.” “I’d have to know the ins and outs,” Patterson said. “Just like anywhere, I’ve always listened.” – New York Times

Al Groh, Virginia at a Crossroads?

With an 0-3 record for the first time in the Al Groh era, the eyes of Cavalier fans are no longer on the head coach, but on Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage. Littlepage recently sat down with former Richmond Times Dispatch writer Jeff White for a very interesting interview. In it, White did a good job of asking the hard questions, particularly the one that everyone in Virginia is interested in: What is the future of Al Groh? Littlepage is no fool. He saw the empty seats against TCU two weekends ago. He can hear the angry alumni, and he can see the dismal product on the field. So when asked on his stance, Littlepage spoke with a practical thoughtfulness. “Two games into a season [is not a long time], particularly given the number of new things that have been incorporated into the program, everything from new staff to new techniques and schemes, relative to the X’s and O’s,” Littlepage said. “I think that the players and coaches deserve the opportunity to show that these changes can be successful.”… So, with the bye week ahead, Virginia must sit and contemplate it’s football fate. – Bleacher Report

Is this it for Al Groh at Virginia?

Is this it for Al Groh at Virginia? Tommy Tuberville tried it at Auburn and it didn’t work. Phillip Fulmer tried it at Tennessee and it didn’t work. Both men tried radically changing their offenses in an effort to pump up a struggling program. Groh brought in Gregg Brandon, the former Urban Meyer assistant at Bowling Green who became head coach when Meyer left for Utah. The spread has not worked. In its first game with William & Mary, Virginia had seven turnovers. In the second game with TCU, the Cavaliers had only seven first downs and did not run an offensive play inside the Horned Frogs’ 20-yard line. So it is hard to believe things will get better Saturday at Southern Miss (2-0). But know these two facts: If Virginia forces Groh out, it owes him $4.5 million. Virginia president John Casteen, who has supported Groh in the past, is set to retire in August. – CBS Sports

Al Groh on Short Leash at Virginia

Now here comes TCU, which despite what we’ve seen from Boise State and BYU, could be the best non-BCS team. This game is a beatdown if there ever was one, right? These are also the type of games Groh’s teams have won in the past, including upsets of West Virginia (2002), Virginia Tech (2003), Florida State (2005) and Georgia Tech (2008). Lose Saturday, and the Cavs may not win again until October—and by that time, Richmond coach and former UVa defensive coordinator Mike London, will be the clear favorite for the job. – Sporting News