It won’t happen for a while. And I’m starting to think BE Commish Mike Tranghese might have actually had a plan.

Step 1: Protect the BE’s place in the BCS. Done.
Step 2: Expand both sides so that when there is a split, the two separate conferences are the ones choosing who joins in the long-term. In the short-term it provides a balance so neither side has too much power. Done.
Step 3: TV Money/exposure must improve. Done.
Step 4: Improve and expand the bowl tie-ins. The Big East will have up to 7 bowl tie-ins in the next couple of years — Done.

Step 5: Whisper, quietly nudge potential new members that they need to make sure they are getting things in order.

That seems to be what has been happening. For all the frustration I’ve had with the Big East and Tranghese, there does seem like a long-term strategy. Both sides have been strengthened and put in better position. Now it’s about getting it stabilized and established to ready for the final point where here is an amicable split and expansion.

The inevitable result has always been that the Big East will split and both sides expand/raid other conferences. It’s the timetable and manner that has been an issue.

I favored just doing it, but I’m starting to think I was being a bit impulsive to get to the natural end.

Now, here’s a well thought out, definitely not short treatise on a short-term expansion of the Big East to 18 members in.

Now which two institutions do I think would best shore up the existing alignment of the Big East for the benefit of all 16 current members? The University of Central Florida and Saint Louis University. Both institutions compliment the structure of the Big East in geographic areas containing odd numbers of current members. Please keep bearing with me.

Like I said, it’s a long piece, but actually well-reasoned. I don’t think the Big East would do it. When the time comes I expect the BE to split and expand.

I disagree with him on St. Louis, period. The Bilikens have never walked as big as they talk. They have been one of the most nomadic teams and frankly they need to go back to the MVC. Basketball could and might only expand to 10. That way they could play a true round-robin in an 18 game schedule. Xavier and St. Joe’s would be the likely options.

Football will likely add UCF, Memphis and ECU. Whether there is a 12th is not as important for the Big East football. Especially since the pool is poor after those 3 — Army, Navy, Temple, UAB, Southern Miss. None are particularly appealing for competitiveness, financial commitment and/or geography. Really, having Villanova take the plunge and moving to 1-A would be better than those other choices.

Then there’s this brilliant bit from Troy Nunes is a Magician on Big East football expansion.