Conference Realignment: Who's Future Is Bleaker, the Big 12 or the Big East?

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It's very unfortunate, but it looks as if the long-term plan in college football doesn't include the Big 12 or the Big East.

That being said, which conference's future looks bleaker?

Well, here's an argument for each one and then a conclusion at the end.

Needless to say however, it's reasonable to suspect that neither are going to be around much longer.

Big 12

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Nebraska and Colorado bailed after the 2010 season, and are now in the Big Ten and Pac-12 respectively.

So we were then left with ten schools in the Big 12 and an illogical name to coincide with the number of actual schools.

Before 2012 commences, though, Texas A&M will be in the SEC and there hasn't been any discussion of schools joining the conference.

Therefore, you can expect it to disperse within the next few years (I hope that I'm wrong and that it sticks around) and college football will be without one of its most historical conferences.

Big East

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Arguably the weakest conference in the BCS, only West Virginia has stuck with the Big East despite Miami, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Syracuse and Pittsburgh all leaving for the ACC.

Of course Pitt and 'Cuse won't be gone until next season, but coming in to help save the Big East is the TCU Horned Frogs.

Only problem with that however, is that the Horned Frogs are nowhere near as good as they've been in recent years, and they are significantly underachieving in 2011.

We can only hope that their move helps with recruiting and makes them more competitive because if not, say goodbye to the Big East sooner than later.

Then remember the fact that the conference has not won a BCS game since 2007 (West Virginia), and they're on thin ice.

Answer: Big 12

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The Big 12 is downsizing a lot faster right now than the Big East.

Plus, it doesn't help that your conference name is the Big 12, but there's only going to be nine teams competing in 2012.

As for the Big East, there's only going to be seven teams, but they would be at six with Pitt and Syracuse leaving if TCU had not accepted their invitation.

The problem with college football conference realignment right now is that no one cares about being geographically correct.

It's not a major concern, there's no legit reason to become irrational just so we can have four super-conferences.

Both of these great conferences will be gone before 2016 (that's my guess), and although it's unfortunate, it's becoming more of a reality with each passing season.

 

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