Serious Conference Expansion Rumors...Serious

This is serious talk, avoiding all the wild speculation that I can find, on where conferences will go with their next expansion.


Big 10--I can find nothing current on future Big 10 expansion talk, other than the usual...Notre Dame. But I find one writers take on what it would take to get Notre Dame into a conference...

1. Notre Dame would keep their exclusive TV contract with NBC.
2. Notre Dame would play only 6 conference games, allowing them to play 6 non-conference games.
3. Notre Dame would get the Big 10's slot in the BCS if they are the top team in the conference, meaning they get to go to the Rose Bowl.
4. Notre Dame gets to keep their November date with USC.

My take is that Notre Dame will never be in the Big 10. But someone once told me the same about Nebraska about 15 years ago. Times may changes.

SEC--Back in January there was some talk of getting Texas A&M and Oklahoma...but only if the SEC's spot as the top conference in the USA was threatened.

Conclusion: Do not expect Big 10 expansion at this time.

ACC--I can not find any serious talk of ACC expansion at this time. If the ACC does expand, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Rutgers would be the leading candidates.

Conclusion: No ACC expansion at this time.

Big 12--It is said that eventually, the Big 12 will be back to 12. Arkansas is who they want. One ESPN blogger says that they should go after Arizona State and Arizona. If they succeed, then we will see that the PAC-12 expansion was a failure. Realistically; BYU, Boise State, UNLV, Memphis and Louisville are the best options.

Conclusion: As much at the Big 12 would like to get back to 12 and have a conference championship game, they are not willing to give up what it would take to get any of the above expansion candidates into the fold. Unless Arkansas is willing, nothing will happen right now.

PAC-12--If Boise State does not get a Big 12 invite, then look for Boise State and UNLV to be the next teams in the PAC-12...and that will happen in...20-30 years.

Conclusion: The PAC 12 is not interested in expansion at this time unless someone really big wants to join.

Big East--The Big East is likely the next conference that will expand. They too would like Notre Dame...as if. Others link them with Kansas and Missouri. More likely we will see them invite Central Florida, Houston and maybe East Carolina. Villanova may accept an invite to join them for football, but some are saying that PPL Park, home of the MLS Union, where Villanova will play is too small and want to see the stadium expanded to over 30,000.

Conclusion: The Big East is trying to ensure that they remain a relevant football conference. That is why TCU was brought into the fold...it brought their program up and weakens the competition. They would like a championship game, but only if the right programs will join.

C-USA--No plans for expansion, but will need to replace Central Florida, Houston or perhaps East Carolina if that is the way that the Big East goes. Louisiana Tech wants it, but they do not offer much. If I was C-USA, I would add North Texas, Middle Tennessee State, Troy and if they decide to move to the FBS, Appalachian State.

Conclusion: Conference USA may need to look for replacements.

MWC--No plans to go to 12 at this time. One blogger suggested Gonzaga as a basketball-only school. That would be the ultimate middle finger to now-departed BYU, but otherwise does nothing to help the MWC get what they really desire...which is inclusion in the BCS.

Conclusion: The MWC wants to go to 12, but there are no good options for them until Utah State can prove that they can win in football. They want someone who can help them become BCS Automatic Qualified.

WAC--The WAC will announce plans to expand next month. Rumor is that Montana, Montana State, Portland Sate and Cal Poly have already received invitations, but they would not join until 2013 or 2014. As long as they have no more than one new defection, they will survive. Two or more leave, say goodbye. The WAC will likely invite Seattle (basketball-only) to avoid losing the automatic NCAA tournament bid. I have more to say here.

Conclusion: The WAC does not want to become the Sun Belt of the West, but that is the role they have been relegated to. May as well embrace it.

MAC--Has just announced plans to go to 14 teams with the inclusion of U-Mass. They could be looking to go to 16. They stand ready to accept anyone from the CAA; like Richmond, William and Mary, James Madison and New Hampshire...or other schools form their footprint. They should be ready to accept Villanova should the Big East back down.

Conclusion: The MAC is surviving by being the place where programs upgrading from the FCS in the north and east find a home.

Sun Belt--Just accepted South Alabama and should be ready to take on Georgia Southern, James Madison, Georgia State and Appalachian State should they want to move up to the FBS as well. Jacksonville State is moving up and needs a home. They will provide a home to Lamar should the WAC not invite the Cardinals.

Conclusion: Football programs in the Southeast need a place to move up to, and the Sun Belt has been willing to accept them.