PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Big East Conference, hard-hit by defections, has headed west, inviting Boise State, Houston, Southern Methodist and Air Force, CBS Sports reported Tuesday.
The University of Central Florida and Navy also were tendered invitations, the network said.
Citing unnamed "college football industry sources," the broadcaster said nationally ranked Boise State has been asked to join the Big East as a football-only member while Houston, Southern Methodist in Dallas and Central Florida in Orlando would come aboard in all sports.
The sources said league Commissioner John Marinatto was authorized by the Big East's presidents and chancellors Tuesday to send invitations to those schools along with previously reported football-only invites to Navy and Air Force.
CBS said Marinatto was in "constant contact" with all six schools after the Philadelphia meeting, adding that Boise State, Houston, SMU and UCF are "100 percent" in favor of joining the Big East as a group and could be announced as members by Friday.
The conference has been hit defections of long-time members Pittsburgh and Syracuse, which left for the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Texas Christian and West Virginia to the Big 12.
