Conference Expansion Talk, Again

If Texas A&M jumps to the SEC, what does it mean for USF?

There is never a dull day in college sports these days. Aside from the 2011 season for USF approaching, those dirty two words have surfaced again, conference expansion. The Big East is not alone in rumors about adding other teams to the conference, just ask TCU coming in during 2012.

The big talk isn't about the Big East or the Pac-12 either, it is all about the rumors swirling around Texas A&M and their continuous rumor mill about joining the SEC.

So what does this have to do with the Bulls and the Big East? While the Bulls won't be jumping ship anytime soon to the SEC, if TAMU does take the offer that is rumored out there to the SEC (Texas and their network are pushing them that way), the fallout from that shift could make things interesting for the Big East and all of its teams. [keep reading]

If TAMU bolts for the SEC, the SEC will have 13 teams and could be looking for another team to add to the conference. FSU and Virginia Tech continue to be brought up in conversations as a possible 14th team to be added to the SEC (remember this is all pure internet speculation and talk, although TAMU and FSU rumors have more leg to it). If FSU or VT went to the SEC to make it a super conference (Pac-12 is working on that already) that would leave the Big-"12" and the ACC down several teams and would try to make a move to keep their conferences together and add people.

What would the Big 12 do? With Texas and its Longhorn network, would it try to target schools such as a Colorado State or others to rebuild the conference depth or would the Big 12 simply disband and add the teams to other conferences? It is really hard to tell due to the money involved, but the Big 12 could possibly fall apart and programs such as Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas State would be looking for a home.

If the ACC was plucked for teams, how would they reload? It is obvious that the Big East would be a prime target due to the geographic location of teams. UCONN, Syracuse, and even Rutgers would be high on the list for the ACC to rebuild their conference depth (once again, just talking out the situations that could happen).

So where does that leave the Big East? By now it is clear the Big East doesn't make a lot of crazy moves (TCU is a bold move though). They have invited Villanova but that continues to be debated if they will make the move to Division 1 or not. Would the Big East become the picking conference, other conferences taking teams away and leaving a conference of basketball schools hanging around? Where would USF go?

Would the Bulls jump to the ACC if the Big East fell apart? The state of Florida and Tampa region would be a big market for the ACC (title game is played down here sometimes to start with). The ACC would like to increase its market if FSU left, joining Miami. The Bulls have beaten ACC teams over the years, Miami, FSU, NC State, and Clemson. Would the SEC grab USF? I would not see this happening at all to be honest, the SEC is targeting big, big programs. Or would the Big East make some moves and target the fallen teams from the Big 12 like Missouri and Kansas or add Villanova and other teams (don't even say that school near Disney).

This is a lot of what if, what if talk that continues to be thrown out there, but if there is smoke, there is a possibility a move could happen. If TAMU to the SEC is real, it could have a major domino effect and the Big East and USF could be part of it.