College Football 2011: The Next 10 Programs to Change Conferences

With all of the college football teams moving around this season and next, one has to stop and ask the question, who's next?

The six BCS conferences could eventually move into large, 16-team mammoths.

The Big 12 may decide 10 teams is not enough, or the Big East could decide to finally catch up to the rest of the football world in their number of teams.

Whatever the cause, it's almost certain some more moves will be made, further shaking the college landscape and causing even more changes to take place.

This is a list of teams that are probable suspects to move first, should the upheaval start.

10. Vanderbilt Commodores

This one is purely a figment of my imagination and not realistic by any means.

However, with the program at Vanderbilt mired in countless years of atrocious football, it would be admirable to see the Commodores leave the SEC and give way for an up-and-comer to fill their position.

Though not at all likely due to the prestige associated with being part of the best conference in football, it would be great to see Vandy trade conferences with...

9. East Carolina Pirates

Yes, the Pirates.

Over the past several seasons, ECU has seemed to grow within the national consciousness, and it would be intriguing to see what such a program could do with the recruiting clout being a member of the SEC provides.

In 2011, Dominique Davis will lead an offense that will easily throw points up on the board.

While no one truly knows who will go where or whether the SEC would even consider such a swap, the move could be beneficial for both Vanderbilt and East Carolina.

8. Northern Illinois Huskies

The Huskies are a long-shot for moving to another conference, but it could definitely take place.

Now that Jerry Kill is gone for the friendly, welcoming environment that is the freezing environs of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Huskies may drop off in level of play a bit.

But every 3-4 years they seem to put together a squad that puts a scare into some of the big boys, and with some recruiting clout that comes from a BCS conference, they could make the move to one of the big six.

7. Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Tulsa is another team in the heart of Big 12 country with a prolific offense and potential to finish in the BCS rankings this season.

The loss of head coach Todd Graham to Pitt might hurt a little bit, but Bill Blankenship is more than capable of maintaining their level of play.

Tulsa would be the third team from the state of Oklahoma if they joined the Big 12, but what was said for Houston regarding the Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC goes the same for Tulsa.

6. Miami (OH) RedHawks

Why not?

The RedHawks are up and down within the MAC and currently on the upswing.

A move to the Big East perhaps?

They would almost certainly be used to the level of play...

5. SMU Mustangs

June Jones, the quarterback-making machine, has done it again with stellar young talent Kyle Padron.

The Mustangs are back for the first time in a long time.

While they are currently part of C-USA, a move to the Big 12, SEC, Big East or Big Ten is not unimaginable, especially considering the market available.

If the program continues to excel, and they find themselves atop the C-USA standings a few more seasons, expect a move to greener pastures.

4. Missouri Tigers

Missouri may have missed their opportunity to join the Big Ten in the recent conference upheaval, but they are still a prime candidate for realignment.

With a geographic location conducive to any conference east of the Mississippi, the Tigers could very get into talks with any of the BCS conferences in the East regarding a transfer.

If the Big 12 remains the way it is, and there is no sign of expansion, the Tigers might jump at the chance to join an expanding Big Ten or SEC in the future.

3. Southern Miss Golden Eagles

This one is also a bit of a pipe dream, unless the SEC goes to 16 teams; in which case, the Eagles have to be a prime suspect.

While it would take some time to adjust to the level of play in their new home, the Golden Eagles are set this season to prove that it can be done.

They are a potential BCS buster, one of many from C-USA, and head coach Larry Fedora has the team rolling right now.

If there is another shake-up of larger proportions in the future, expect the Eagles to land on their feet elsewhere.

2. Troy Trojans

Troy is the cream of the Sun-Belt Conference crop.

A move up to the MAC or C-USA is not out of the question, especially if some of those teams start to bail for the big six.

Leaping from the Sun-Belt to a BCS conference is not even feasible, but a move to one of the better "mid-major" conferences would help the Trojans improve and could eventually lead to a BCS conference in the future.

1. Houston Cougars

The Big 12 is down two squads.

Houston is smack in the middle of Texas, prime Big 12 country, and has a fanbase and talent pool deep enough to warrant consideration by the conference.

Case Keenum is expected back from injury in time for this fall, and the Cougars could very easily finish ranked in the BCS top 25.

A team with the talent the Cougars have been able to produce would be a prime target for the Big 12, but especially for a super conference of 16 teams if the SEC, Pac-12 or Big Ten go that direction.

None of those conferences has a foothold on the market in Texas, and you can probably bet there are some commissioners who would like to get their greedy paws into the Texas market.