Big East Expansion: 5 Expansion Scenarios Now That West Virginia's in the Big 12

If the Big East wasn't in trouble a few days ago, they are in even more trouble today. The Big 12 has decided to accept the best program in the conference West Virginia, leaving just five football schools left. 

This comes after the conference already lost two of their founding programs in Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the ACC.

The Big East was already by far the weakest conference in the BCS and is looking even more shaky as the days go by. If the conference doesn't decide to make a move fast, the Big East could fold as we know it.

Here are some of the things that the Big East could do to get back on track.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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Add East Carolina

East Carolina has had a decent program in the C-USA, making five bowl games in a row. They also draw huge attendance records, as they ranked in the Top 50 last season.

Adding the Pirates will not only expand the fan base of the conference, but also open up TV markets across the Carolina's and parts of Virginia as well.

East Carolina has shown interest in joining the conference in the past, but now it's a question of whether the Big East would be willing to invite them. At this point, why not?

Add Notre Dame

I know Notre Dame joining a conference is highly unlikely but, if super conferences take place, they may be forced to.

Notre Dame is already a member of the Big East in basketball and may eventually decide to join in football as well.

Of course this would be shooting for the stars as far as the Big East is concerned, but it would be a move that definitely would save the conference, and attract several other big name schools.

Add Boise State

Boise State is probably the biggest program the Big East could add, next to Notre Dame of course.

The Broncos have had one of the most successful programs over the past 10 years and are looking for a conference that will provide more competition and an automatic BCS bowl berth.

There have been several talks about Boise joining the Big East, but it appears the Broncos won't make the move until the Big East is more stable. It will also take the addition of a few other solid programs.

Getting Boise State to join the Big East would be a huge step in the right direction.

Add Air Force, Navy, SMU, Houston, BYU and UCF

Adding these schools would provide some quality programs to the Big East and would be a quick fix to all of the conferences problems.

All of these teams have huge fan bases and would open up TV markets throughout the country.

BYU was reportedly interested in joining the Big 12 and, since it appears that won't happen, maybe they'll settle for the Big East.

Adding UCF would also provide an instate rival for South Florida as well.

Add Temple and Memphis

The Big East doesn't just need help for the football part of the conference. Let's remember, this is a basketball conference first.

The Big East has already lost three huge basketball schools in Syracuse, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. There were also reports that Connecticut was looking to leave as well.

Temple and Memphis have great basketball programs and a huge fan following. Temple would also provide a new recruiting area for the conference.

This move would help replace the losses of the three schools that have already left.