Expansion could be a mess for USF

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany took center stage Wednesday amid rampant speculation about his conference expanding to as many as 16 teams and the possible ramifications, including perhaps the death of the Big East as a viable football conference.

Delaney didn't reveal much other than telling reporters in Arizona attending the annual BCS meetings that the Big Ten has been studying expansion for four months.

"The presidents have been clear: This may not happen," Delany said.

In other words, it will happen, but Delany isn't sure when.

What does this mean for USF and the Big East? We don't know that answer yet, but Big East and USF officials are keeping a close eye on the Big Ten's plans.

Shortly after Delany's news conference Wednesday, the Big East announced that former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will serve as a special adviser to the conference on "strategic planning."

While the news release pointed out that Tagliabue is serving on a "volunteer basis" and made no mention of conference expansion, it seems clear the Big East is preparing for what might happen if the Big Ten expands.

"Few individuals have had as broad and deep experiences in sports as Paul Tagliabue," Big East commissioner John Marinatto said.

If the Big Ten expands to 16 teams - with Notre Dame the top target - four schools mentioned as potential candidates are in the Big East: Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and Connecticut. That's half of the Big East's current football membership, meaning the Big East would need to add at least four schools, or USF, West Virginia, Louisville and Cincinnati would be looking for a new home.

USF officials are not commenting on the expansion talk because of conference restrictions. Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, the Big East representative on the BCS committee, told the Louisville Courier-Journal prior to leaving for Arizona that he was "expecting probably the worst."

Whether true or not, let's review some possible scenarios for USF and the Big East:

If the Big Ten added four Big East schools, there is talk the conference could add Conference USA members Central Florida, Memphis, East Carolina and Marshall. That seems unlikely.

If the Big Ten expands to 16 teams, the ACC, SEC and Pac-10 could also expand, forming four super conferences and spelling the death of the Big East and Big 12. In that case, USF's most attractive options could be joining the SEC or the ACC.

The Big Ten also could add Notre Dame and two Big East schools, leaving the Big East with six of its current members. The Big East could then add UCF and perhaps Memphis or East Carolina. That seems most logical.