Big East to expand football league to 10 schools

By Mike Jensen, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: November 03, 2010

At a meeting Tuesday in Philadelphia, Big East presidents unanimously voted to expand their football league from eight to 10 schools.

The first candidate to join the league is Villanova, which was informally invited in September. The school is in the midst of its own fact-finding and is expected to give the Big East an answer around the end of the year.

If Villanova decides not to move up from the Football Championship Series, the former I-AA, Temple could be a candidate to rejoin the Big East football league. Villanova won the FCS national title in 2009.

In a statement, the Big East said it unanimously "approved the process to evaluate the terms and conditions for potential expansion candidates."

"Today, our board of directors affirmed a set of key strategic initiatives, including expansion, designed to enhance membership stability and maximize our value," said Big East commissioner John Marinatto.

TCU, currently ranked fourth in the AP poll and third in the current BCS standings, would be a top Big East target. The New York Post reported that TCU was interested in a Big East overture. Others mentioned as possibilities include Houston, Central Florida, East Carolina and Memphis.

Contact staff writer Mike Jensen at 215-854-4489 or mjensen@phillynews.com.

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