Conference Realignment: 3 Reasons TCU Should Honor Its Move to Big East

Things just continue to get more and more confusing with regards to college football's conference realignment. After both Pittsburgh and Syracuse were granted entrance into the ACC, word has come out that TCU may be having second thoughts about joining the Big East next season.

According to a tweet by Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com (a Rivals.com subsidiary), TCU is considering staying in the Mountain West next season rather than making the jump to the Big East that they have already committed to.

"Also hearing TCU is exploring the possibility of returning to the Mountain West instead joining the Big East next season."

This is just speculation for the time being, of course, but the notion of a team deciding to remain in a non-BCS conference over advancing to an automatic qualifier is quite the indictment of the Big East.

Despite TCU's supposed reluctance, here are three reasons why the Horned Frogs should go through with their move to the Big East.

They Gave Their Word

Giving your word may not mean much anymore, but TCU has already agreed to move to the Big East and it would be in poor taste to renege at this point. While seeing Pittsburgh and Syracuse leave must be disappointing, it isn't as if either team has been a football power in recent years.

TCU's addition would greatly improve the Big East in terms of being a football conference. The Big East likely figured it could afford to lose the likes of Pittsburgh and Syracuse with TCU on the horizon.

Deciding to stay in the Mountain West would be hanging the Big East out to dry.

Big East Might Crumble Without Them

Provided TCU follows through on its word, the Big East should still be able to exist as a football conference. If the Horned Frogs pull out, however, it might prompt other Big East teams to jump ship.

The addition of TCU is likely one of the Big East's biggest selling points; if they lose that, there could be a mass exodus.

With TCU, the Big East could actually be on track to becoming a formidable football conference once again. West Virginia and South Florida both have very solid teams this season, as does TCU.

The Big East's reputation has taken a big hit in terms of football over the past few years, but TCU's addition would be a huge coup.

Big East Is Still an Automatic Qualifier

Until further notice, the Big East still exists as a football conference and the winner of the Big East still gets an automatic berth into a BCS bowl game. This is something that should be extremely attractive to TCU.

While the schedule will be more difficult in the Big East than it is in the Mountain West, an undefeated season would give them a legitimate chance to play for the national championship.

The same can't be said if they stay in the Mountain West. The Horned Frogs have gone undefeated on a couple of occasions, only to get passed over by undefeated or one-loss teams in power conferences.

TCU's waffling could certainly lead to the dissolution of the Big East as we know it, but provided the Horned Frogs come through, it will still be considered a BCS conference.