Big East Expansion: New Additions Won't Save Dying Football Conference

Does all of this news about who's going where and when make anyone's head hurt as much as it does mine?

First, ESPN's Joe Schad was one of many people to say that West Virginia was on the brink of joining the Big 12. Just as soon as that came out, we got other reports, like this one from the Orlando Sentinel's Iliana Limón, that there are holdups in that move.

What in the world is going on here? Is the situation really that uncertain? How does something that looks like a sure bet one day turn into a great doubt just days later?

Remember that the Big East has shown interest in attracting Boise State. That's detailed here by Tom Luicci. Why would a school like Boise State want to get anywhere near the Big East? Forget about the ridiculous geography of it all, this is like seeing a car accident and driving towards it.

There is absolutely no stability in the Big East conference. Its biggest schools can't even seem to decide if they want to stay or not. Clearly the rumors about Boise State joining aren't doing anything to keep their interest.

Can I prove that? No, I can't. But all of this stuff with West Virginia is coming well after the news broke that the Big East was going after Boise.

The schools in this conference have shown absolutely no loyalty to their conference. That's produced a setting of absolutely no stability.

So, even if you're a small conference school with an opportunity to join one of the "BCS" conferences, why would you make this move?

How long is the Big East going to be a BCS conference?

The chances just aren't worth it for Boise State, or anyone for that matter. Even a trendy, big name, BCS Bowl winning team like Boise State can't keep one of the best football programs (West Virginia) from looking to leave?

If that doesn't work, nothing will.

Not that long ago, the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton was one of many people to report that UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma was not happy about Notre Dame not being in the Big East for football, but every other sport.

Notre Dame does carry enough of a name to keep big teams in the conference. But even if Notre Dame is going to break their Independent status, is their any reason to think that they would go to the Big East?

This conference's days as a football power are numbered, and that's putting it nicely.