Conference Realignment: TCU To Join The Big 12

Well, this isn't the final killshot to the Big East, but we're getting close as TCU has received a formal invitation from the Big 12 conference and plans to accept the invitation, ditching the Big East before they've ever played a competitive game.

TCU will have to pay the Big East's $5 million exit fee, but will not have to wait 27 months like Syracuse and Pitt, instead joining the Big 12 for the 2012-2013 athletics season.

The move leaves the Big East with just 6 football-playing schools (Louisville, West Virginia, Cincinnati, South Florida, UConn, Rutgers) along with the 8 basketball-only schools. Initial reports indicate that the Big 12 may be happy with 10 teams (assuming Missouri stays), although I'm sure West Virginia and Louisville would jump at the chance to leave the Big East as well. BYU will be in play as a possible member for the Big 12 with the aforementioned Big East schools.

If Louisville and West Virginia were to leave for greener pastures, that'd be the end of the Big East conference. Catholic League, here we come!

Let's talk doomsday people.