Big East Conference Expansion Update: Boise State, One Way It Might Work

I have looked deeper into the possibility of Boise State moving to the Big East Conference, and I think there is only one way it would work.

Now, if any of you read my article about BSU moving to the Big East and the possibility of that backfiring, you know that I had a few reservations about this possible move.    

First issue, the distance that Boise State would have to travel for conference road games.  Each away game would average 4,498 miles round trip.  I wonder how that would affect the team? 

Also, fans would rarely get to attend those distant games.  Not only that, but what would the cost increase be for the University?  Would the revenue from the Big East be enough to offset costs, and give enough surplus to build better facilities and continue to improve? 

Second issue; is the Big East stable enough to warrant the risk to partner with them? 

Some reports say that Louisville and West Virginia are looking to leave the conference.  What would happen if these teams were to leave after Boise State commits to join?   

Lastly, is the Mountain West in a good enough position to take the sixth BCS automatic qualifying conference designation from the Big East if Boise State was to stay put?

Again, I think all of these are legitimate questions that need to be asked. 

Well, one story I read today might take care of most of these issues.  NJ.com is reporting that some of the other teams being looked at by the Big East are Houston, Air Force, and SMU. 

Houston and SMU are two schools I thought the Mountain West should have went after a long time ago.  If the Big East were to snag these teams before the Mountain West, and get Air Force to commit, it would go a long way to stabilize the conference. 

The second thing it does is give Boise State some closer opponents. 

If the Big East were to make two divisions, the teams closest to Boise State would be West Virginia, Cincinnati, Louisville, Air Force, Houston, and SMU.  This would bring the average travel for conference road games to 3,400 miles round trip.

While that still isn't right next door, it does shave 1,000 miles off the average.  This also gives BSU better quality opponents than it currently finds in the watered-down Mountain West.  

Of course, only the accountants at Boise State will know if the money will offset travel costs and still leave enough to be beneficial, but I have a feeling with the television money from the Big East... it would be more than enough. 

Also, I heard today on a local talk show that coach Chris Petersen said he is not worried about longer flights for his team.  In most cases, it would only add one or two hours to travel times.

So... If the Big East were to add SMU, Houston, Air Force, and Boise State, the conference would definitely keep its current BCS automatic qualifying conference designation.  It would also make the conference stable in football, and give Boise State closer travel partners than previously thought.  

I don't know if I am yet in favor of this move personally, but if Boise State makes the move, I am now convinced it wouldn't be a horrible thing.

Stay tuned, though, because tomorrow that might change.