Memphis to Big East?

Sources have confirmed to FOX13 Sports that University of Memphis officials have been in serious talks with the Big East about joining the conference.

Meanwhile, East Carolina is throwing itself at the Conference in the hopes of being added as a football-only school.

...So it begins.

I agree, either ND is out or in, after 2010.  Or the conference splits.

Its funny how ECU can get the ball rolling on this thing and everyone is laying their cards on the table now, it just reiterates the difference between the BCS and the non-BCS despite what some will tell you.

Here's one possible scenario...

The 7 non BCS schools are going to be dumped in favor of the likes of some coalition of current non-BCS schools, most likely Memphis, Central Florida, East Carolina, and Marshall (though Army and Navy could be in the mix), giving them 12 teams and a Conference championship (and leaving C-USA basically depleted.)

I think they'd offer ND the opportunity to join, but the Irish would decline, only to eventually accede that they would have to join a conference so their women's tennis team would have someone to play.  Thus, they'd sign a deal with the Big Ten allowing football to become a full member once their TV deal ran out, and the rest of their sports to join immediately.

Finally, the remaining Big East schools--all relatively small, urban, Catholic institutions--would be left to figure out their future.  I think their best move would be to try and grab the 7 Catholic schools with similar profiles from the Atlantic 10, and form a new 14 school league.   Where that'd leave Villanova and Georgetown football, I dunno.  (Possibly as football-only members of the Patriot league?  Obviously this whole shakeup would look different if those two were able to get their football programs up to a BCS level.)

So, here's one plausible realignment (names of the conferences are just for convenience):

"Big East Conference":

Syracuse                    Louisville
UConn                         West Virginia
Rutgers                       Cincinnati
South Florida               Memphis
Pitt                              East Carolina
Central Florida             Marshall

"East Coast Conference":

Georgetown                Marquette
Villanova                    DePaul
Providence                  Xavier
St. John's                   Dayton
Seton Hall                  St. Louis
St. Joe's                    Duquesne
Fordham                    La Salle

Big Ten + Notre Dame

Atlantic 10 and Conference USA... ????

I think the Big East is doing this to themselves

I certainly agree with that.  But not the Big East... the Big East FOOTBALL schools.

instead of making a genuine push for Penn State first and foremost. 

You really think Penn State would leave the Big Ten for the Big East? 

Adding ECU and Memphis won't do anything for them with regards to TV contracts, sexier bowl tie ins, or publicity. 

If both of those programs continue to make strides in terms of facilities and recruiting, joining a BCS conference could well be the thing that puts them over the top.  Remember, not too long ago, Virginia Tech and Florida weren't top-tier programs, either.