Reports: Boise State may reconsider joining Big East
Boise State again is in the middle of reports about possible changes to conference alignment.
The Broncos are having second thoughts about joining the Big East next year, according to reports by ESPN.com and SI.com, and may want to return to the Mountain West Conference without ever playing a game in the Big East.
Meanwhile, two other current members of the Mountain West Conference - ColoradoState and New Mexico - have shown some preliminary interest in forming a new conference with either BYU or Boise State - or both - as the conference's anchor team, CBSSports.com's Dennis Dodd reported.
Much of the discussion results from the fact that the state of the Big East is in question with so many of its members leaving or planning to leave. Furthermore, the Big East now seems to be on the same level as the Mountain West Conference as far as access to football's major bowl games.
Boise State was scheduled to join the Big East next year. But the Broncos' departure from the Big East before then is "inevitable," according to Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel, based on information from sources.
The Mountain West is having discussions with Boise State about having the Broncos return to the MWC, according to ESPN.com, which also reported that the MWC is not having similar talks with San Diego State, which is also is scheduled to leave the MWC in fall 2013.
Schools are trying to position themselves to be part of the most dominant conference below the five major football conferences -- the Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12, ACC, SEC. One of the other conferences is hoping to land the sixth automatic BCS bowl game berth that goes to the Big East this year and in 2013. After that, the sixth automatic berth is up for grabs.
And Boise State is a hot commodity in that competition.
CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that the Big East has made overtures to Mountain West members UNLV and Fresno State about joining the Big East.
The Big East's uncertain status has given rise to the informal discussions by officials from Colorado State and New Mexico about the possible formation of another conference.
It's not clear what other schools would be added, according to the CBSSports.com report.
