Big East Expansion: Air Force 'Strongly Leaning' Toward Staying in Mountain West

Reports have been swirling that the Big East could add Houston, SMU, Boise State, UCF and San Diego State as early as Wednesday. There has also been talk about Air Force and Navy joining the conference as well.

According to sources within the Air Force athletic department, the Falcons would not want join those schools in the Big East.

The school’s superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, reportedly has concerns about how much money will actually come in through the conference’s television contract, which has yet to be determined. He is also concerned about the public perception of going to the league just to get more money as well as backstabbing the Mountain West.

They remained at an eight-game conference schedule despite having 10 members almost entirely at Air Force’s request. Leaving now could be perceived poorly by many people around the country.

There are also reports going around that say the BCS could be doing away with bowl tie-ins as early as 2013. If that is the case, going to the Big East would do absolutely nothing from a football standpoint and could diminish the value of the conference’s television deal.

Obviously, nothing is set in stone but all signs are pointing towards Air Force staying in the Mountain West for the foreseeable future.