Conference Realignment: Where Will Homeless Teams of the Big 12 & Big East Go?

The college football water cooler talk has hit its high point, and the rumors of conference realignment are swirling around the Internet right now.

Texas?

The Pac-12?

Notre Dame?

The Big East?

So many questions about schools and conferences are being thrown around right now. Speculation is running rampant, but the problem is, nobody has any definitive answers.

The future of college football is certainly murky right now, and the superconference structure sounds like a huge adjustment to make to a sport that’s already flourishing.

Are we watching the Big 12 and Big East die right before our eyes?

Are we seeing college athletics take a turn in a completely new direction?

We don’t have any answers yet, but no matter how this all ends up going down, there are sure to be a number of casualties left in the wake of the college football realignment tidal wave.

What will happen to all the Big 12 and the Big East teams left without a home?

Baylor: Zombie Big East

You can see why Baylor was so afraid of having Texas A&M leave.

The Bears may be improving on the football field, and the basketball program is a sleeping giant, but it’s hard to figure out who their suitors would be.

The Zombie Big East?

Cincinnati: Zombie Big East

Cincinnati better hope that the Big Ten sends an invitation, because if not, the Bearcats will be in a world of trouble.

The football program has received a financial boost in recent years that has helped out the facilities, but it's still not the type of school that would wow a power conference.

Connecticut: ACC

The reports indicate that Connecticut is lobbying hard for the ACC to let them in.

The Huskies know that the ACC is their best option at this point, and they are hoping that the conference can appreciate what a Connecticut-Boston College rivalry is capable of evolving into.

Iowa State: Zombie Big East

I don’t want to offend Ames, Iowa, in any way, but let’s just say good old Ames isn’t at the top of every power conference’s wish list.

I’m sure it’s a lovely place, but it’s just not a very desirable market.

Iowa State’s got some work to do.

Kansas: Big Ten

If the Big 12 falls apart and the Pac-12 fills up, Kansas will have to look to the Big Ten conference for a safe landing spot.

The football program is certainly nothing to be proud of right now, but, luckily for the Jayhawks, the basketball team is prime real estate.

Kansas State: Big Ten

Kansas State will likely be a package deal with Kansas.

They can either join the Zombie Big East conference or the Big Ten.

I think it’s safe to say that the Big Ten would be the more appealing destination.

Louisville: Zombie Big East

The football team is improving under coach Charlie Strong and the basketball program has already established itself under Rick Pitino, but are the Cardinals really that enticing of a team to major conferences that are searching for stability?

The ACC or Big Ten might like what they see, but if those two conferences pass, Strong, Pitino and the rest of Louisville athletics will need help finding a home.

Missouri: Big Ten or the SEC

Missouri will be the hottest commodity of the homeless teams.

There was rumored to be mutual interest between the SEC and Missouri back when this all came out, but geographically, the Big Ten might be the better fit.

Either way, Missouri shouldn’t be too worried.

Conferences will surely come calling.

Rutgers: Big Ten or the ACC

If Connecticut goes to the ACC, Rutgers would be wise to join them, however, the Big Ten is really an intriguing option for New Jersey’s only big football brand.

If they want to play it safe, the Scarlet Knights will hop on the ACC express, but I have a feeling that the Big Ten would be a better move for the future.

South Florida: Zombie Big East

If I ran the ACC, I would throw South Florida a big bone.

I know the football program is still young and the basketball program can be shaky, but it wouldn’t hurt to reel in that Tampa market.

If the ACC doesn’t come calling, it’s hard to see any other big conferences that would be interested.

South Florida might be stuck in the Zombie Big East if the ACC decides to take a pass.

West Virginia: SEC

The rumors are starting to swirl that West Virginia could be the SEC’s next target.

Since I went to West Virginia and I’m a big fan of the team, you're not going to here too much complaining out of me if that comes to fruition.

Yes, it would take some time to integrate, but under coach Dana Holgorsen, I could see the Mountaineers becoming a factor in the East division pretty soon.