Big East Football: Looking West for One More—Who Makes the Short List?

With the recent addition of Temple to the Big East, the overall master plan seems to be falling into place for commissioner John Marinatto. The Owls are the latest in a barrage of new teams signing up to play in the once-thought doomed conference.

Temple may have been an afterthought, but their return to the Big East makes sense for all parties. The Owls have certainly improved their football program and the basketball teams will be right at home.

The new Big East will bring many intriguing and interesting match ups on the football side for sure. It will be a conference that blankets the nation to include several time zones and every major recruiting hub in the country.

However, there is room at the table for at least one more team.

ESPN reported that the Big East still wants one more western team to become its 14th football member. Currently San Diego State, Boise State, SMU, Houston, Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers, UCF, South Florida, Louisville and now Temple are slated to be the football playing schools in 2013. Few expect Pitt and Syracuse to stick around past the 2012 season, especially after West Virginia bolted this year far ahead of the 2014 timeline.

This will leave the Big East with 12 football schools in 2013, but Navy will join the conference in 2015 to make it 13. Which is where the new western team comes in. The magic number seems to be 14 for Marinatto. Of course, this is assuming that no one else leaves the conference in the near future.

If the Big East can land another team in the west, it can create two divisions with seven teams each. This would be great for scheduling and a conference championship each season.

It is no secret who the top schools on the short list are at this point, but who else could be a possible selection? There are some intriguing choices out west that could bring value and substance to the conference. Let's look at them and their value.

No.1: BYU

The first choice for the Big East is still BYU. There is no question that the Cougars would bring the most value to the conference.

BYU has already turned down the Big East once, but that was long before the latest additions to the conference.

The Cougars backed out of negotiations last year because of a television rights issue. It was reported by the Salt Lake Tribune back in November of 2011 that BYU wanted to keep their existing television deal if they joined the Big East. However, that was something that just couldn't happen in a league trying to land a large TV deal itself.

So what has changed? Maybe nothing—but maybe everything.

With all the new schools being brought into the mix, the overall value of the Big East has grown substantially with almost every one of the new additions in a large television market. Houston, Philadelphia, Memphis, San Diego, Dallas and Orlando have all been brought into the Big East viewing mix.

So, what does this mean for Brigham Young?

The value of the new Big East television deal that is coming this year will certainly be more valuable per team than BYU's current deal. If the Cougars were worried about losing money, they probably have nothing to worry about now. If they were to join the Big East they will almost no doubt receive more per game than their current deal.

However, money isn't the only thing BYU is interested in. In the current television deal, BYU has they are able to televise one of their home games on their own network and they are able to replay any of their games on the same.

This may seem like a small issue, but in the television world it is a big deal. Still, it should be easy for the Big East to make some kind of concession on this issue. Who knows, maybe they work out a deal to hire BYU TV to do a few other regional games. If there is one thing we have seen with Commissioner Marinatto, it is that he is creative.

Look for him to take one more creative shot at BYU. It would be a great addition as a football-only school. After all, the Cougars have their other sports taken care of so it would be an easy transitions from the world of football independence.

No.2: Air Force

Air Force would be the clear second choice for the Big East. The Falcons are another team that the Big East pursued last year but couldn't land.

However, with Navy planning to sail into the conference in 2015, Air Force may be willing to fly in at some point as well to join them.

The value of a service academy is priceless. The prestige, loyal following and clout that these institutions bring is impressive.

Adding Air Force would do two very important things.

First, you get a qualified and respected western member. Air Force has proven over the decades that they can be competitive and a lot of fun to watch. Few would criticize the Big East for adding the Falcons to the list of conference members.

Secondly, Air Force solves the division issue and creates a centrally located western team that makes it easier for Boise State, SMU, Houston and San Diego State to travel which brings cohesiveness to a conference with an enormous footprint.

Of course, BYU does all of this and more. But that is why Air Force is second on the list.

No. 3: Fresno State

Fresno State would be a great creative choice for the Big East. Fresno is a respected program even though they have had a couple of down years.

They have proven over the last decade that they are a team willing to play anyone, anytime and anywhere.

Pat Hill is gone, but you can expect the tradition of Bulldog football to continue. Don't expect the coaches, players or even the fans to allow Fresno State to sink into the morass of the football swamp. If there is one thing the folks in the central valley of California know about its the ability to generate a bountiful harvest.

Expect a new generation of players to produce a plentiful crop of talent and victory.

Adding Fresno does at least three things. First, it is a rival school for San Diego State and Boise State. This could bring some intrigue and excitement to the conference.

Secondly, it is another California school, which helps travel and recruiting in a rich western hot bed.

Lastly, the Fresno-Visalia area is the 55th ranked television market in the United States. In this day and age of multi-million dollar television deals, this could bring good value to a Big East deal which has already landed several top TV markets.

Overall, Fresno would be a good choice if BYU and Air Force decide they aren't interested.

No. 4: UNLV

UNLV is the wild card in this one.

Some might be scratching their heads with this selection, but there is considerable upside to adding the Rebels as a football-only school.

The obvious downside is the current condition of the Rebel's football program. They have been dismal in recent years and the last thing the Big East needs to do is add a "football-only" program that stinks at playing football.

However, the Rebels did show some improvement last season and in 2012 they are poised to have a decent year. You can imagine that with increased exposure, revenue and expectations, UNLV would make football improvement a top priority.

Still, improvement aside, there would have to be some pretty impressive reasons to add a team like UNLV. Well, believe it or not there are.

First, Las Vegas is obviously a well-placed location for a western partner. Not only that, but the destination could be a good one for fans and could become the western division headquarters for meetings and events.

Next, you may not realize it but Las Vegas is the 40th ranked television market in the United States. This is the highest among any city with a reasonable choice for an additional Big East partner. This would add value to any new television contract for the conference.

Not only that, but Las Vegas is home to an established bowl game. If UNLV joined the conference, the Las Vegas Bowl would certainly make some kind of deal to bring a Big East school to its game. It makes a lot of sense for both parties.

The Big East will need to add some western bowls and the Las Vegas Bowl is one of the best options out there.

All clichés aside, the gamble of adding the Rebels could payoff big time.

Let's just say it's a win-win scenario.

No. 5: Tulsa

Tulsa has a good football program and should be considered in this conversation.

Last season the Golden Hurricane went 8-5 on the year. However, four of those losses were in the regular season to ranked opponents.

They lost to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Boise State and Houston. They almost pulled off a win against BYU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, but fell 24-21.

In 2010, Tulsa went 10-3 and destroyed Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl, 62-35. They had victories against Southern Miss, UTEP, Houston and Notre Dame that year.

They had an off year in 2009 and went 5-7. But in 2008 they were 10-3 and won the GMAC bowl against Ball State, 45-13.

They are a consistent program with good fan support and great tradition.

More importantly they are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma which is 59th on the list of television markets in the United States.

Still, they are a very small school, about the same size as Navy without the benefit of being a service academy.

They are probably the leader in a handful of "other" teams the Big East may consider.