Big12 + Big East

[GrayEagle]

Someone needs to expand and kill the WAC.

The WAC will be dead as a football conference after next year. They will live on as a basketball conference.

[ColoradoEagle]

[pastorgrant]

I don't know what the 'reports' say but it's way too early for that until we know how many Big East teams we're talking about.

Of the seven that will be left, West Virginia is almost certain to go to an established conference. Rutgers is another that will likely be a target for either the ACC or the Big Ten. Connecticut could partner with the Scarlet Knights if West Virginia goes to a different conference but would probably only be interested in the ACC. It's doubtful that South Florida would want to be that far from conference mates (but they're pretty far right now). That leaves TCU, Louisville and Cincinnati that would be easily available for the merger.

There would be five Big 12 teams left if Texas and Oklahoma leave. Missouri is possibility for either the SEC or the Big Ten (should they decide to expand). Iowa State is another possibility for exit if the Big Ten goes to 16. The two Kansas schools would stay if AQ status can be retained and the same could likely

be said for Baylor.

Regarding the CUSA/MWC merger, does that become a 22-team conference?

The results would be a conference of 5-12 teams outside the four 16 team superconferences. It would also be a geographic nightmare. Of course, if there's enough money involved, no one seems to care these days. Greed is one of the seven deadly sins and it's working overtime in the NCAA.

Regarding the CUSA/MWC merger...does that become a 22-member conference?

I'm from Big Ten country and its hard to imagine Iowa State in the Big Ten. Could happen, things are changing in college sports so rapidly, but it seems like an unlikely fit. I was surprised it didn't work out with Missouri though.

[GrayEagle]

I'm from Big Ten country and its hard to imagine Iowa State in the Big Ten. Could happen, things are changing in college sports so rapidly, but it seems like an unlikely fit. I was surprised it didn't work out with Missouri though.

I know that it's hard to envision and I believe that it only happens if the Big Ten goes to 16 teams. I base that primarily on three things: geography, University of Iowa already a member and Tier 1 research (good academics). It needs to be enhanced by several winning seasons in a row. That would break a few barriers.

[VideoEagle]

Here is an 11-team conference that would make sense. 10 conference games and no conference championship game because really that wouldn't add much:

North Texas

Houston

Memphis

Cincinnati

Louisville

Tulsa

Kansas State

Iowa State

Arkansas State

Southern Miss

Louisiana Tech

You trying to rebuild the 1950s-60s version of the Missouri Valley Conference plus a couple?

[Aquila_Viridis]

I don't know about that but the list is assuming major defections from Big XII leave KS and IS in a bind, but looks like maybe that is getting deferred again. The privates should have their own league, except I let Tulsa because they represent a place.

Also, LOVE the Sun Beast!!!!!

[ColoradoEagle]

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/9/21/2441484/big-east-expansion-navy-rick-pitino

The interesting stuff is that Pitino claims he has been told that both the Air Force Falcons and the Navy Midshipmen will join the Big East as football-only members by the end of the week.

If true, this would take the MWC down to nine football members (eight full).