Big East Expansion: 5 Teams to Bring in That Can Salvage the League

It's really no secret about which BCS conference is the weakest: we all know it's the Big East. They currently have no teams in the BCS Rankings, and with Syracuse and Pittsburgh leaving for the ACC, they will be hurting even more competitively. Add the fact that West Virginia wants to join the Big 12 and the Big East becomes the laughing stock of college football.

The conference is already trying to make up for their losses by extending invites to other teams, but everybody is scared to make the move to such an unstable conference.

Here are five teams that would help the Big East become respectable again.

Southern Miss

The Golden Eagles are one of the top teams in the C-USA, and this year will make it the tenth straight season they've made a bowl game. They have an enrollment of around 17,000 students and have invested nearly $67 million dollars into their athletic programs since 2000.

There are also plans to improve the stadium they play in that already holds 37,000 people.

Entering the Big East would open up new doors for recruiting for this team and also add a competitive team to a conference that currently lacks that. 

Boise State

Boise State is one of the teams that was invited by the Big East and recently given the clearance from the MWC to pursue their options. The Broncos are probably the biggest team the Big East could add right now, as it would add a competitive team right away.

The university has nearly 20,000 students and the stadium holds 33,500.

The Big East would be getting what they want, and the Broncos would finally get a chance to compete for a National Championship.

BYU

This move could happen at any moment, making several other teams much more willing to make the move as well. BYU would be another competitive team to join the conference but would also be bringing in a large television market and a huge fan base.

BYU wants to be able to compete in a BCS bowl game like everybody else and have a permanent place to call home.

The Cougars would be a great addition if they actually make the move from being independent.

Army or Navy or Both

What conference wouldn't like to add either one of these teams with all of the history these programs have? Adding these two teams would be a great fit geographically and the Big East could certainly do worse as far as competitiveness goes. 

Both of these schools provide a huge fan following and would add one of the greatest rivalries to the conference.

Both schools would also make a lot more money by joining the conference.

Notre Dame

I know Notre Dame fans are happy and take pride in their independence, but if the Big East could convince them to join the conference, it would be huge. Notre Dame is by far one of the most popular schools in college football and provide a one of the strongest fan followings.

Notre Dame would benefit by joining because they'll be guaranteed a BCS bowl if they win the conference. Something like that could help put this program back in the elite category.

Although this move is highly unlikely, it would make the Big East competitive and give the other top conferences a run for their money.

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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