Big East Conference Expansion: Boise State and BYU Could Announce This Week

Boise State President Bob Kustra is hoping to announce Boise State's journey East this week... maybe. 

He was quoted in an article by Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman as being confident an announcement would come. 

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...there are "lots of details" to work through in the process and that each day brings new challenges. But he said he didn't want to make it sound like he was being negative and that he is "still confident."

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Of course, we heard the same kind of talk last week so who knows what the actual timetable will be.

It also appears as if BYU is very close to jumping the independence train for the security of a football conference.  It seems that last minute issues keep popping up, but from several reports, those issues seem to be getting resolved.

So, what are other future Big East partners saying?

UCF President John Hitt was quoted as saying the following in an Orlando Sentinel article;  

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I would guess it would be announced next week, but you've got a short week because of Thanksgiving," Hitt said. "There are just a lot of moving parts. Just when you think everything is set, another little question moves up involving a different school. There's an agreement in principle. And I know it's frustrating to people—I get a little frustrated myself—but it's going to happen.

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So, it appears the only thing holding back an announcement of these teams joining the Big East are small, individual issues from each school. 

But, that can be expected. 

We are talking about six or seven schools joining a single conference at one time.  Of course, there are going to be individual issues.  It would be troublesome if there weren't issues.   

However, from what it appears at this point, a major announcement is brewing.  It seems that Boise State, BYU, Houston, SMU and Central Florida will all announce in a ceremony either this week or, at the latest, sometime next week. 

Either way, it will be an incredible announcement no matter when it comes, even if there's no mystery involved. 

Air Force and Navy would then be added later, according to some of the same reports.  This is because there are simply more issues involved in a service academy changing conferences over a state or private school. 

So be patient fans, and enjoy some college football. 

Oh, and if any of you know of any good prospects for kicker, point them towards Boise State before Oregon gets to them.