Big East Expansion: Conference's Expansion Effort Stretching Limits of Absurdity

Got a college? Got a college football program? Looking to join a conference with an automatic BCS bid?

If you answered yes to all three questions, odds are you've already been contacted by the Big East, the ugly duckling of the six major conferences. The conference has been forced to watch several prominent programs depart for greener pastures, and it has been trying like mad to replace them.

By now, you've probably heard about the Big East's latest targets. Per Brett McMurphy of CBSSports.com, the Big East has had discussions with BYU, and San Diego State is actively seeking membership in the conference.

Because, you know, BYU and SDSU would totally fit in with the "East" aspect of the Big East.

This is just how the conference's effort to save itself is taking shape. Before BYU and SDSU entered the picture, the Big East was reported to be ready to extend invitations to Boise State, Navy and Air Force to join as football-only schools, and SMU, Houston and Central Florida as all-sports schools.

Of the bunch, Boise State, UCF, Houston and SMU are expected to join together as a group, and all six schools are committed to joining. However, it has also been reported that Air Force is skeptical, and that it could choose to remain in the Mountain West.

Regardless, the Big East will need at least one more school to fill out its ranks to 12 teams, and that's why it is looking at BYU. If Air Force bows out, SDSU would presumably be the Big East's next target.

Ultimately, what we could end up with is a conference that features schools all across the union, not to mention on both coasts.

Big East indeed. If BYU and SDSU actually end up joining, the conference will have to seriously consider changing its name to "Big Country."

Don't get me wrong: There's nothing wrong with the schools the Big East has targeted to bring in. They are all worthy schools with strong athletic programs—particularly Boise State. If and when they all come aboard, the Big East will be respectable again.

At the same time, it would still be the ugly duckling of the six major conferences. The other five all have winning traditions and at least some semblance of regionalism. These are things that the Big East used to have, but it now stands to become a pack of strays with a quickly-cobbled-together alliance.

This alliance will then smile for the cameras and will go out and try to keep up with the big boys.

But hey, you never know. Perhaps this ugly duckling will bloom into a beautiful swan, just like in the story.

Honestly, I wouldn't rule it out. I rule nothing out when it comes to mad, mad game of conference expansion.