As expected, Butler is finally ready to join the Atlantic 10, to replace departing Temple who is headed to the Big East. Butler will join the A10 for the 2013-2014 season, which would be the first without Temple in the A10.

The addition of Butler comes at a time when the conference has also considered adding even more schools. VCU and George Mason have been targeted as expansion candidates and both have expressed interest. But with ODU potentially leaving the CAA for CUSA, there might me more of a drive for both schools to join.

Current A10 member Charlotte is also planning on joining CUSA for the 2013 season. With the addition of Butler and departures of Temple and Charlotte, the A10 would then be at 13 members. So in order to accept both VCU and George Mason, the A10 would grow to an uneven 15. This would likely require the A10 to expand yet again to 16. But the candidate pool takes a significant drop after Butler, VCU and George Mason. Candidates such as Siena, Boston University, Detroit, Wright St., don’t carry the clout of Butler, GMU and VCU. ODU would be an ideal member for the A10, but their football aspirations would likely cause them to remove themselves.

ODU has all but accepted the CUSA invitation. The only thing that would stop that move would be if they decided to remain in FCS football and was extended an invitation by the A10 to be member #16, joining with Butler, VCU, and GMU.