College Football 2011: Big East Could Add Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State

The conference expansion rumor mill is once again turning out some interesting ideas.

This time, the speculation revolves around the Big East and how they are supposedly courting Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State.

Adding these teams would be a huge get for a conference that is belittled by many as insignificant in conference expansion.

Following news this weekend that Oklahoma is actively pursuing other conference affiliations, and the report that Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could all leave for the Pac-12, this is a well-timed move for the Big East.

The most important thing to remember in any rumored Big East move is the fact that they renegotiate their television contracts in November of 2012. They will be looking to expand their conference to as many markets as possible between now and then.

Adding these three teams would also give them 12 teams and, consequently, a championship game.

In a college football universe that appears to be nearing super conferences, having a conference championship game is simply a must-have.

The biggest concern for the Big East is the movement of the Big Ten, who is now on record as saying, “We’d likely not be reactive” in conference expansion.

Missouri nearly begged to get into the conference last year and, following Oklahoma’s comments, could very well lobby for an invite this season, though Maryland and Syracuse both seem more likely candidates at this point.

The SEC is also actively looking for a 14th  member now that Texas A&M has all but joined the conference. That could be considerably more difficult if Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State all leave for the Pac-12.

The ACC is the only conference that does not appear to be actively seeking expansion options, and that is a serious problem for the conference considering how valuable teams like Maryland, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Florida State are.

Iowa State is the odd-team out now that the Big East has added TCU to get up to nine teams and would likely not be courted by any major conference based on their weak football program and fanbase.

The college football landscape is rapidly changing, and it may not be long before we see the birth of super conferences.