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Major college sports returned to Tulane University on Tuesday. It's been nearly 40 years since the school foolishly departed the SEC for the independent ranks. Since the halcyon days of the 1950s and 1960s, the Green Wave has operated largely in the shadows of major college sports, an alternate universe from the sport's elite hierarchy. At best, Tulane was a "used-to-be." But for anyone under the age of 50, it was for all intents and purposes a "never was." That's why membership in the Big East Conference is landmark news. It's the most significant transaction for the school's athletic program since that fateful day in 1966 when the school left the SEC. It's the athletic equivalent of Jim Clark and David Filo donating $30 million apiece to the school's endowment in 2004. Sure, I know what you're thinking. The Big East isn't what it used to be. This is not Patrick Ewing's Big East that Tulane will be joining in 2014. Or even Kemba Walker's Big East, for that matter. West Virginia has bolted, and Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Rutgers are right behind them. Before all is said and done, Cincinnati, Connecticut and/or Louisville could also wind up elsewhere. But whatever iteration of the Big East survives will be decidedly better than where Tulane was or might have been. Standing still was not an option. Conference realignment is in full swing. Schools are playing musical chairs with conferences from coast to coast. Tulane threatened to be left without a seat at the BCS table and undoubtedly would have been if not for a bold, unprecedented commitment to athletics in the past three years. By committing more than $125 million to new athletic facilities, programs and staff, the school accelerated the recovery process and opened the eyes of its peers. No longer could anyone question Tulane's commitment to athletics. No longer would the school's academic and athletic support staffs be at war with each other. "If you're building and you're performing and you're showing commitment, eventually good things will come of it," said a beaming Tulane president Scott Cowen. Cowen understands the shifting landscape of college sports better than most. As a member of the BCS presidential oversight committee, he's spearheaded the sport's postseason bowl system and more than anyone, he knows how important this move is for the brand of Tulane athletics. Sure, the future Big East membership and its on-field product might be closer to C-USA than anything in the Big Ten or Big 12. But in terms of perception and prestige, the Big East is light years apart. And in college athletics today, perception rules. Read more: http://www.nola.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/11/big_east_membership_is_big-tim.html

BATON ROUGE - Each week, we'll throw a set of questions at a writer or other media member who covers LSU's opponent to get the a take "from the other sideline." Brett Vito This week, longtime North Texas beat writer Brett Vito of the Denton Record-Chronicle steps to the plate. 1. Now that the storm has passed and football is a go Saturday night, give us a quick synopsis on what the expectations are this season for North Texas in year two under Dan McCarney? "I don't think the expectations for McCarney are different than they are for any coach early in his tenure. People just want to see UNT continue to improve. The interesting question will be what constitutes improvement for this team in terms of its record at the end of the season. "UNT went 5-7 in McCarney's first season, which was pretty astounding when you think about it. UNT won five games the previous two seasons combined. "The immediate thought is, well, the target this year should be six or seven wins, and it is, but the schedule might make that unrealistic. UNT is at LSU, at Kansas State and at Houston this year. Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette are expected to be at the top of the Sun Belt this season, and UNT just lost its best player and all-time leading rusher Lance Dunbar to the Dallas Cowboys (at last check of the waiver wire). "Finishing 5-7 again might not sound all that great, but if UNT gets there and looks good doing it, that might be the low end of what would constitute a good year." Read more: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/08/view_from_the_other_sideline_n.html

BATON ROUGE -- The North Texas football team isn't expecting a particularly warm reception when it takes the field Saturday in Tiger Stadium. But visiting a Southeastern Conference powerhouse for the second consecutive season, the Mean Green know what's in store for them. In week three of last season, the Mean Green suffered a 41-0 drubbing at the hands of then-No. 2 Alabama, but North Texas junior linebacker Zachary Orr said his team learned not to be intimidated. "We tell the young guys to avoid the crowd and don't get caught up in the hype or the big stadium," Orr said. "It's still a 100-yard field, 11-on-11 just like we played in Pop Warner. We still have to go out there and play the game." North Texas senior wide receiver Chris Bynes said he enjoyed the SEC environment playing Alabama last season, but is making sure he and his teammates don't get too caught up in the crowd. "We know (the fans) are going to be loud and talk a lot of smack to us," Bynes said. "We've got to be united and come out with a win." Mean Green junior quarterback Derek Thompson, who completed 11-of-22 passes for 80 yards against Alabama a year ago, said a year of starts under his belt prepared him for the challenge he'll face this Saturday. Read more: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/08/north_texas_no_stranger_to_sec.html