The PAC-12 is staying put, the Big 12 has been saved from extinction, the SEC is one institution short of fourteen, the ACC might or might not be happy at fourteen, and the Big East has been hit hard but is still standing. It has been a wild month for college football, and that is not taking in account what has happen on the field. With the realignment picture still unclearer what ramifications lay ahead for Marshall University and Conference USA?
The Big-12 received a reprieve when the Pac-12 decided not to expand although, they still need help. Texas A&M is departing for the SEC leaving the Big-12 with just nine members. They could also lose another school if, as rumored, Missouri also joins the SEC. At least one C-USA school could be a potential target for Big-12 expansion. Former Southwest conference member SMU has already expressed interest and would immediately except an invitation to join the Big-12. Houston, with updated/new facilities planed for basketball and football could also be a prime target.
Just like the Big-12, Houston and SMU are potential targets for the Big East. Yesterday, all seven remaining Big East football schools met in New York and agreed to pursue additional members. The Big East is already adding one new football school next year, TCU. With just one Texas university the Big East might be interested in finding a travel partner for the Horned Frogs.
The Big East could also raid C-USA’s east coast institutions. It was rumored yesterday that East Carolina had filed an application to join the Big East. In the past both Memphis and Central Florida have openly campaigned to join a BCS conference. Although, the Big East has yet to publicly express interest in any C-USA school. In fact, reports surfaced that the Big East has been in talks to add Navy and Air Force as football only members. Adding football only members would be preferable for the Big East, they already support a sixteen team basketball league.
In a worse case scenario lets say C-USA losses Houston, SMU, ECU, UCF and Memphis. What schools would C-USA be looking to add in that dooms day scenario? Louisiana Tech would be an obvious choice. The Bull Dogs have openly campaigned for C-USA membership and there current conference, the WAC, does not make geographical sense. The departure of UCF would leave C-USA without a Florida school, something that the conference would look to rectify. With over 44,000 students and a improving football program Florida International would be a solid addition. FIU rival Florida Atlantic, set to open an on campus football stadium later this season, could also be a potential target. With Houston and SMU out of the picture C-USA might look to replace them with another Texas school. From the Sun Belt conference North Texas could certainly fill that void. Also from the Sun Belt, either Middle Tennessee or Troy have supported solid football programs and fit in C-USA’s geographical footprint.
There is no telling when the conference realignment machine stops spinning. When all is said and done it will be interesting to see where Marshall and C-USA stand.
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