Per AP and Washington Post

[EastStang]

BE to expand to 12 teams without TCU.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/big-east-looks-at-expanding-to-12-teams-for-football/2011/10/10/gIQA4DbPaL_story.html

[whitwiki]

12 football schools. Not necessarily all sports?

[Topper]

I would be very surprised if we and U of H don't get an invite. If WVU and UCONN stay in this league, it might be a very attractive offer if it comes through. I'm not holding my breath for the SEC or the Big 12-1 although I would love to see us in the SEC.

[Comet]

Probably something like this: Air Force, Navy, UCF, Temple will be invited for sure. Then maybe Army, Boise State, ECU, SMU, Houston, Memphis, and Villanova.

[StallionsModelT]

I'd be shocked if either SMU or Houston get offers. Let alone both.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

I'm not holding my breath for the SEC either, but I still think that should be our long-term goal. We're not getting an invite now; we have a ways to go with on-field success, facilities, and attendance. But its doable. If the SEC eventually goes to 16 schools, we need to get a seat at that table.

[StallionsModelT]

Just pray that ECU and UCF don't go along with AF and Boise. Then the MWC isn't an option and CUSA is decimated. IMO this is a very real possibility.

[GRGB]

So, fully 1/3 of the potential Big East schools were playing 1aa as recently as 1997.

UCF (97)
USF (01)
Uconn (01)
and
Nova (12?)

Yeah, that conference will definitely keep it's AQ status.

[whitwiki]

Just pray that ECU and UCF don't go along with AF and Boise. Then the MWC isn't an option and CUSA is decimated. IMO this is a very real possibility.

You are the most depressing person on the interwebs...

Go out with redpony...he gets laid every night...or was that Otter?

[Charleston Pony]

I'm sorry but that group is just too far flung to be attractive to me. And...the higher profile Big East schools could still be "stolen" by Big XII, ACC or even the Big 10 if they get into the act. Rutgers and Louisville are most likely to exit next...much depends on the SEC's next move.

[goldenstang]

I'm sorry but that group is just too far flung to be attractive to me. And...the higher profile Big East schools could still be "stolen" by Big XII, ACC or even the Big 10 if they get into the act. Rutgers and Louisville are most likely to exit next...much depends on the SEC's next move.

Is it less attractive than a CUSA -UCF and ECU or a MWC -Boise and AF?

[Charleston Pony]

I'm sorry but that group is just too far flung to be attractive to me. And...the higher profile Big East schools could still be "stolen" by Big XII, ACC or even the Big 10 if they get into the act. Rutgers and Louisville are most likely to exit next...much depends on the SEC's next move.

Is it less attractive than a CUSA -UCF and ECU or a MWC -Boise and AF?

Not sure Boise would go Big East. Boise is going to be attractive as they are the team that brings a conference AQ status.

I could see Big XII growing to 12 (assuming Missou stays) by adding either BYU or AFA along with Louisville.

I'm still thinking SEC will look east to expand (again...assuming Missou stays put) and ACC will grab Rutgers, further watering down the Big East.

For our student athletes' sake, I hope we can find/keep a home that will be more regional and still give us a chance to compete with the big boy conferences. I just don't see the Big East football retaining that status as they are as fractured a league as any these days.