TCU Football: Talks Between School and Big East Confirmed by DallasNews.com

Yesterday, TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said, "We are a proud member of the Mountain West Conference... We can assure everyone that our No. 1 priority is to always protect TCU's best interests."

Yesterday's non-denial and today's Dallas Morning News sources confirmed talks between TCU and the Big East have been conducted in the past 30 days.

Del Conte believes the prospects for the Mountain West gaining an automatic BCS berth have lessened with the pending departure of Utah and BYU despite the additions of Boise State, Nevada, and Fresno State. Both Boise State (3) and Nevada (25) are currently ranked.

The Big East has said nothing about a potential TCU invite, but the league indicated there is now consensus for football expansion.

John Marinatto, Big East Commissioner, had an opportunity to broach the subject of TCU when he announced inviting Villanova to join as a full-fledged member. Villanova's football team is currently a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, an FCS conference.

Somehow what Villanova plans to do affects TCU. Indications are that TCU would not want to be in the Big East with Villanova transitioning to the football bowl subdivision. Why is not clear.  

There is also no information about the kind of application TCU might be making--Associate member for football only or full-time membership are the options.

The TCU basketball program is not strong. It would join Rutgers and DePaul at the bottom rungs of the conference.

Would TCU be willing to join the Big East as the only Texas member? Is Marinatto planning to open discussions with SMU and Houston, two likely travel partners for the Horned Frogs?

The TCU to the Big East rumor is 36 hours old, and two aspects are gaining credibility: The Big East wants TCU, and TCU has a list of considerations it would need to work through before making a decision.

This breaking news appears to have legs.