TCU to Big 12: Helps Boise State Play in a BCS Automatic Qualifying Conference

The Big 12 Conference Has Officially Announced That They Are Extending an Invitation to TCU to Become Its Newest Member.

No official news yet if the Big 12 plans to add any other members at this time.  Speculation is that they could be looking at BYU, West Virginia or Louisville for future invitations.

TCU had originally agreed to join the Big East conference last year, and they were set to begin competing in that conference in the fall of 2012.  That, of course, is probably no longer the case.  

So, What Does This Mean for the Big East?

Pittsburgh and Syracuse have already said they are leaving the conference for the ACC.  Add to that, the TCU departure before even arriving, and I would say the Big East has a serious problem.

The remaining  six football members in the Big East are now Rutgers, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Louisville, Connecticut and South Florida.  If it is true and the Big 12 has its eyes on Louisville and/or West Virginia, that would decimate the conference.  Not only that, but Connecticut has been rumored to want to depart the Big East for the ACC as well.  

So How Is This All Good News for Boise State and the Mountain West? 

Simple, the Mountain West Conference has already been knocking on the BCS automatic qualifying conference door for some time.  With the disintegration of the Big East as a football conference, the one conference positioned to benefit the most, is the Mountain West.  

Now, I don't think the Mountain West can step up and be the next automatic qualifying conference without a little work.  I believe strongly that Commissioner Thompson must get on the phone and get approval from the current Mountain West schools to expand their conference.  

Houston, SMU and Tulsa are three teams the Mountain West should pursue as possible new members.  This would add quite a bit to the conference, and certainly give the MWC the points to be the sixth automatic qualifying BCS conference.  Add to that Utah State, which is a good basketball school, but is also improving in football, and you round out a quality list of additions. 

I Have Been Preaching This for a While, but Think About It. 

West Division: Boise State, Hawaii, Fresno State, Nevada, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah State

East Division: New Mexico, Air Force, Colorado State, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Wyoming

Championship game: In Las Vegas every year and nationally televised. 

This would be a quality football and basketball conference, and in my opinion it would certainly garner an automatic bid to a BCS game. 

I hope that Commissioner Thompson and the Mountain West Conference schools are willing to strike while the iron's hot.