Even though the TCU Horned Frogs have announced a move to the Big 12 less than a year after they accepted an invitation to the Big East, the Air Force Falcons could still move to the Big East, reports Frank Schwab of the Colorado Springs Gazette. However, the other possibility, Schwab writes, is that Air Force would keep its football program in the Mountain West Conference but drop its other athletic programs to a lower conference.
Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson has spoken with Air Force about this and has publicly said:
"It has been discussed," Thompson said. "Obviously it’s not a decision I could make, it’s a full board decision. But the Hawaii model is there. All options are open because Air Force football is important to us."
The Hawaii model has the Warriors competing in football as part of the Mountain West starting in the fall and most other sports in the Big West Conference.
Schwab suggests the Missouri Valley Conference as the most likely destination for Air Force's non-football programs, but also believes the West Coast Conference might also be suitable. However, this could be moot if Army and Navy decide to join the Big East, but Navy wants the Big East to fix its sinking ship before making any decisions.
For more on the Mountain West and possible realignment, visit Mountain West Connection.