Big East Football: Five Schools That Are a Better Choice Than Villanova

Villanova is better known for its basketball performance than its football skills. However, there are reports that Villanova football will soon be joining the Big East. 'Nova, along with TCU, would give the conference 10 schools. 

While the Big East really likes this move because it's getting a school already in the conference in one sport, I for one believe there are better options out there. The Wildcats are an FCS (Division I-AA) football program, and bringing them up with the big boys will just add to the joke that is Big East football right now. 

Here are five schools that the Big East should consider instead of Villanova.

5. East Carolina Pirates

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BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Giavanni Ruffin #1 of the East Carolina Pirates runs with the ball for a touchdown past defensive tackle Dwight Tucker #53 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virgin

The Pirates have been to a bowl game for the past five years and won the Conference USA championship in 2008 and 2009. They know how to recruit and bring in great talent to make them relevant.

They're located in Greenville, North Carolina, so travel is not an issue.

Their most notable alums are Chris Johnson and David Garrard.

2010 was a losing season for the Pirates, but they know how to bounce back and would be a great addition for Big East football.

4. Florida International Golden Panthers

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Coacg Mario Cristobal of the Florida International University Golden Panthers directs play against the Florida Gators, November 21, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty

The Golden Panthers used to be the laughingstock of college football. However, Mario Cristobal was hired in 2007 put in a spread offense, and FIU began its turnaround.

FIU is a fairly new football program, and this past season, it won the Sun Belt Conference and the first bowl game in school history.

FIU is located in Miami, which is littered with tons of talent. If FIU was in a larger conference, kids would be thrilled to play for them. Last time the Big East had a team from Miami, it worked out pretty well...until it left.

3. Kansas State Wildcats

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 30: Carson Coffman #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats gets out of the tackle of Doug Hogue #32 of the Syracuse Orange during the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 30, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris M

This would be an extremely smart move for the Big East. It would get a solid football team as well as a strong basketball team.

The Big 12 is slowly dying, and it would be smart for some of the schools to just go ahead and leave. The conference might as well be called Texas and everybody else.

The Wildcats would add strength to the football programs of the Big East as well as further propel its basketball conference above everyone else.

2. Central Florida Knights

There were rumors that Central Florida would be headed to the Big East, and I have to say it's a smart move—a very smart move, especially since it's coming off a great season.

George O'Leary has made this team something, and in 2011, it's looking to repeat as Conference USA champions. The Knights are a young team with quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey leading the way. Godfrey had a stellar freshman year, throwing for over 2,100 yards and scoring a total of 22 touchdowns.

The Big East would pick up a football program on the rise by having UCF join. The Knights have proven they can play at the FBS level, beating Georgia in their 2010 bowl game. Villanova would suffer for a few years stepping up to the next level.

1. Kansas Jayhawks

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 27: James Sims #29 of the Kansas Jayhawks carries the ball as Jarrell Harrison #11 of the Missouri Tigers defends during the game on November 27, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Kansas is a decent football team, which fits perfectly because the Big East is a decent football conference. However, the Jayhawks are a national powerhouse in basketball, and adding the school to the conference would set the Big East high above all others in basketball.

The Jayhawks are a young team, and head coach Turner Gill is just getting started. They will continue to grow, and once Gill builds this program up, it could be dangerous.

Adding Kansas to the Big East would be a million times better than bringing in Villanova.