Yes, that is a given. But there is more money in most regional based conferences. It is why Stony Brook has even trying to get into the CAA and A10 even before settling on Big South. The only reason SB is in Big South is because the better conference rejected them.

And desperation does play its role. The reason the western fBS schools are giving thought to Big Easy is solely because the system has made it clear that a 3 loss Big East school can still goto a BCS bowl while a 1 loss MWC school and #7 in BCS rankings, Boise St, cannot.

But if you think Stony Brook in the Big South, or any FCS football conference is about the money, Ive got a bridge with a view of Brooklyn you can purchase from me. One looks at Stony Brooks football budget and revenue and one can see that FCS football is a financial disaster…as is most non-BCS FBS football.

The Big 12 has reportedly not said an official “No” and “Never” to BYU joining them, and for the record BYU did not turn down a Big 12 invitation that AD Tom Holmoe made clear “never materialized.” By all accounts the Big 12 presidents/chancellors all wanted BYU but FOX TV Sports-Net vetoed the idea due to BYU’s strict “no Sunday play” policy. While the Big East might be willing to deal with BYU out of desperation and give them more options than the Big 12, this idea is something that the fans are much less enthused about than the idea of going to the Big 12.

How stable either conference is can be anyone’s guess since both have been poached of significant members over the last few years, and with rumors starting at Vanderbilt in the last couple of days of a possible 16 institution SEC in a few short years, who’s to say Texas and Oklahoma won’t bolt to the SEC next on the heels of Texas A&M and Missouri? After all, Florida President Bernie Machen has wanted more AAU representation in the SEC and knew that expansion was the only way to get it given the academic elite organization has become more likely to contract (Nebraska was expelled earlier this year).

The next few days could say a great deal about the turns of this round of league realignment and possible future moves.