The NCAA Rules Committee adopted the following rule changes for the 2004 season : Prior to the 2004 season , Miami ( FL ) and Virginia Tech left the Big East Conference to join the Atlantic Coast Conference ( ACC ) , giving the ACC 11 members . Connecticut joined the Big East after having been an Independent since ascending to Division I-A in 2000 . Troy State also left their Independent status and joined the Sun Belt Conference
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2004 NCAA Division I-A football season