Rumors that the Big East conference is targeting TCU as a potential new member are beginning to gain serious traction. Reports began to surface earlier this week and by mid-week non denail denials were being issued on both sides as well as talk that the two sides had actually met to discuss.
As a lifelong fan of the Big East, i'm all in favor of such a move and have actually thought TCU would be a great addition to the league for quite some time now. They have become a perennial top 5/top 10 caliber team under Gary Patterson the last several years. The Big East has long been in need of another strong football program to bolster the football side of the conference. The dismal showing by the league thus far in the early season underscores that fact. Not to mention that adding TCU would increase the football teams to 9 and solve the scheduling headaches that an 8 football team league presents. Whether TCU would join as a full member or just in football remains to be seen. Remember, the Big East boasts 16 basketball schools and stands as THE elite hoops conference in all the land (sorry ACC). Critics of TCU joining the Big East are quick to point out that a Texas school hardly belongs in the Big East. However, upon closer inspection, travel distance to most Big East schools would be the same as it is for TCU traveling to far flung MWC schools. Did Texas in the Pac 10 or Big 10 make sense? No, but it almost happened. How about BC in the ACC? I could go on and on..... Throw in the fact the the Big East has an automatic bid into the big money BCS bowls, something that the MWC does not posess (and most likely never will with BYU and Utah bolting for greener pastures) and the TCU/Big East marriage seems all the more realistic.
It would be a win win for both sides and would help the Big East improve its tarnished football image, add a huge TV market for a potential Big East Network, open up fertile Texas recruiting grounds to the league and most of all... fend off potential raids by rival leagues down the line. Here's hoping TCU joins the Big East sooner rather than later.
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