Report: Memphis Tigers to join Big East in 2013

By Kevin Kelley -

Memphis TigersThe Memphis Tigers are likely to join the Big East Conference in 2013, CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy has reported.

Memphis would join the Big East in all sports. The Tigers have been a member of Conference USA since 1996.

The Big East is losing West Virginia to the Big 12, a move that will likely happen this year. Pittsburgh and Syracuse are also leaving to join the ACC. The Panthers and Orange are slated to move in 2014 but could make the switch in 2013 if WVU’s early move is successful.

With those losses, the Big East has successfully added Boise State (football only), Houston, San Diego State (football only), SMU and UCF beginning in 2013. Navy will also give up its Independent status in football to join the conference in 2015.

The addition of Memphis would give the Big East 12 football members beginning with the 2015 season. Under current NCAA rules, that would allow the conference to stage a championship game.

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Comments (6)

What happens to the Big East’s AQ status for 2012 if they have only 7 teams when they need the minimum 8 teams for the BCS

They’ll probably have to file for an exemption. Their case to the BCS/NCAA will be supported by the fact that they’ll have an 11-team league in 2013 season, assuming West Virginia, Pitt, and Syracuse are all gone by then. I’m sure they’ll let it slide.

Having the national appeal of Boise St. and Navy plus the San Diego, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Orlando, Tampa, Memphis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey and other East Coast media markets pretty well assures continued BCS classification.