newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The NCAA realignment roulette continues, and the uncertain future of the Big East is affecting a lot of schools. Pittsburgh and Syracuse have already moved on to the Atlantic Coast Conference, and the Big East is currently on life support.

The conference is now down to five football programs, as the New York Times reports that West Virginia has applied and been accepted into the Big 12.

West Virginia has been the flagship football program of the Big East, and losing the Mountaineers will hurt the conference’s chances to hold on to its automatic spot in the Bowl Championship Series.

But they may be losing a bigger plum than that. Campus Corner reports that Notre Dame is considering becoming an associate member of the Big 12. Notre Dame was listed as a “possible future candidate” in conference realignment reports given to Missouri officials last month.

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The Irish want their football program to remain independent, but the Big 12 can present a more stable league for their other sports. According to orangebloods.com, Notre Dame will make a decision in 60 days if it is taking its non-football sports out of the Big East. If they do move to the Big 12, it is being proposed that Notre Dame remain independent in football but play six football games against Big 12 competition.