It's been quoted many times in sporting arenas that the best defense is a good offense. Virginia Tech took that phrase to heart this season en route to posting the highest scoring offense in the NCAA. Tech's Big East brethren also showed formidable offense through their own budding stars. Now, it's time for the Big East conference to follow the example of its members by taking the offensive to protect itself.

Many pundits argued that the demise of the Big East Football Conference was at hand earlier this year when Miami entertained overtures from the ACC. Indeed, the loss of the Hurricanes would have been a debilitating blow to the Big East. However, Miami announced their intention to stay put... but for how long?

In a world where the almighty dollar rules, the conferences containing enough teams to run a season-ending playoff are calling all the shots. The SEC championship game has been pulling in millions in extra revenue for years, and now others are following in their footsteps on the path to football riches -- a path that might include a raiding trip on the Big East.

Instead of shoring up public opinion for their plight, it's time for the Big East to take a proactive position in the conference struggle. The BEFC should look at expanding into a 12-team superconference. UConn is already coming into the fold in a couple of years, but they will further diminish the BEFC's position as yet another weak sister. Add 3 more teams though, and the Big East gets the added benefit (and bucks) of a title game, and potentially more bowl tie-ins.

Of course, the dream scenario would be to add Notre Dame, a present member of the Big East in all sports except football. Although they aren't as powerful as the Fighting Irish of yesteryear, their name still carries import with the media moguls. Notre Dame has been slipping for some time though, and could use conference affiliation as a springboard for their program. A deal could be extended to the golden domers to include a sliding clause for television payouts. By giving them a bigger piece of the TV pie, they could retain their income, and the entire conference could increase revenue through additional bowl tie-ins and further media exposure. The Big East could even use the remainder of the conference as leverage. However, a deal with Notre Dame would only occur if it was beneficial to Notre Dame, so the BEFC needs to consider one that is mutually attractive.

Another good addition, that would take no coercion whatsoever, is the University of Central Florida. Situated in sunny Orlando with a campus population of 30,000, UCF would make a perfect mate. Central Florida has a football program that is on the rise. They have been scheduling the big boys in an attempt to gain recognition, and have been faring pretty well. With a fertile recruiting ground, they WILL grow into a power, and the conference that scoops them up now will be a big winner later.

For the 12th team, East Carolina University would be the best fit for the BEFC. ECU is a great regional matchup and already plays Big East teams each season. They should be eager to enter a conference holding a major bowl berth. However, they might be hesitant to abandon their new ship, Conference USA. If they balk, the BEFC could go with Marshall, Louisiana Tech, or Navy to reach the magical number needed to play a conference championship game.

Miami will be courted again by ACC, unless the Big East makes their conference too lucrative to leave. Increasing to 12 teams and two divisions (North and South) would not only increase the conference income to be divided amongst the schools, but travel costs could actually be lowered. Right now, Miami has to travel quite a distance each year to play Syracuse, Boston College, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, and Temple. But, in a divisional format, Southern teams would only play 3 of the Northern teams each year, and vice versa.

The Big East is in the best position for making this move right now. Miami's program is coming back and Virginia Tech looks to remain in the national spotlight with Michael Vick projected as a Heisman frontrunner. Boston College, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Syracuse all return strong classes and will all contend for bowls in the coming season. That alone is reason enough for concern. Six bowl contenders with only four bowl slots is not a good formula. Especially when one of those slots belongs to South Bend (as long as Notre Dame can qualify).

The Big East now has a choice to make. It can simply wallow in misery and pray that all the marquee programs stay put, or it can create its own destiny. In the words of George Craig Stewart, "Weak men are the slaves of what happens. Strong men are masters of what happens."