Big East Expansion: 2013 Season Critical for Big East's Reputation

A new era for the Big East may begin in 2014, but if the conference really wants to soar it will start lifting off a year earlier.

As soon as Wednesday, the conference is reportedly expected to announce the additions of Boise State and San Diego State as football-only members and Houston, Central Florida and SMU in all sports (via SportsIllustrated.com).

These programs would be added in 2013.

With Syracuse, Pittsburgh and possibly West Virginia not out until 2014, that means the Big East could all of a sudden be a fairly competitive conference and potentially surprise some people.

In that sense, the Big East has the potential to get off to a jump start in 2013. But the conference could also disappoint more than it every has before. Imagine, with all those teams, if the Big East still disappoints. That would kill the conference's already-ailing reputation.

The Big East has a chance to be a respectable conference for the first time in years, and that actually starts in 2013.

Boise State, San Diego State, Houston and even potentially SMU are four teams capable of improving the conference's reputation, while the departing Big East teams have one last opportunity to win a Big East title.

To me, it sounds like a clash bound to happen, and, when the dust settles, the Big East may be standing tall amid all the chaos.

It seems far-fetched at this point, given West Virginia made the Orange Bowl this season despite being No. 23 in the nation, but the Big East may just be set up to make a name for itself even before 2014.

And what better way to start a new era with a full head of steam?