East Carolina applies to Big East

GREENVILLE -- East Carolina has sent a letter of application to join the Big East.

In a joint statement Wednesday, Chancellor Steve Ballard and athletic director Terry Holland said the school will "maintain a proactive approach" in dealing with uncertainty about conference realignment.

The school sent its application Tuesday and it arrived at the Big East offices Wednesday, athletic department spokesman Tom McClellan said.

East Carolina's interest in the Big East has simmered in the background in recent years, though the announced departures of Pittsburgh and Syracuse from the Big East to the ACC might finally open the door for such a move.

The Pirates would bring a football program with five straight bowl appearances and a strong fan base, while giving the Big East a presence in media markets in both Carolinas and Virginia.

Meanwhile, The Associated Press reported Navy and Air Force are the top choices for Big East expansion, but as football-only members, a person with knowledge of the discussions said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity.

BIG 12: Texas officials said they are open to a new revenue-sharing model in the Big 12 and have already suggested that top-level television money be shared equally.

But athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Texas doesn't want to share the money from its Longhorn Network, a 20-year, $300 million deal with ESPN.

"That's never been in play, that's not in play," Dodds said.

He said Big 12 athletic directors more than a month ago approved Texas' suggestion to equally share network revenue around the league, which is the practice in other leagues. The plan has not been voted on by league presidents, Dodds said.

"Those were Texas proposals," Dodds said.

Texas President William Powers said creating stability is the top priority for the Big 12. And a day after the Pac-12 said it had no plans to add any Big 12 members, Powers said one way to build stability is to restructure media contracts.

The Big 12 agreed to a 13-year television deal with Fox Sports in April worth more than $1 billion.

ELSEWHERE

ARKANSAS: Quarterback Tyler Wilson will make his first start in an SEC game when the No. 14 Razorbacks (3-0) play at No.3 Alabama (3-0) on Saturday. Wilson replaced record-setting quarterback Ryan Mallett and through three nonconference games has completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 274 yards per game.

His true test will come in Tuscaloosa against the Crimson Tide's fierce defense.

OREGON STATE: Flanker James Rodgers was cleared to play Saturday against UCLA. He is coming off two surgeries on his left knee after he was injured last October during a game at Arizona.

Rodgers was ranked sixth in the nation with an average of 176.75 all-purpose yards last season when he was hurt. He holds Oregon State's record for all-purpose yards with 5,784.

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