Reports: SDSU considering MWC vs. Big East, decision by "end of the month"

ESPN's Brett McMurphy sent out a couple of tweets Tuesday afternoon about the current situation between the San Diego St. Aztecs and Mountain West Conference, then filed a report for ESPN Los Angeles that reports that MWC commissioner Craig Thompson expects a decision from SDSU "by the end of the month."

Thompson said he has been in daily contact with San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk.

"They want to know how [the Mountain West's] TV deal works," Thompson said. "We want to know their wants, needs and desires."

He also added this, which puts a damper on talk that the BYU Cougars would rejoin the MWC:

Sources said the MWC also covets independent BYU, but that it's "unlikely" the Cougars would return to the league.

As for moves beyond 12, which is the number the MWC would hit with the return of the Aztecs, McMurphy indicates it is unlikely.

Thompson said the league's "No. 1 objective" is resolving whether they will have 12 members. Thompson said he "doesn't think" the Mountain West would expand to 14 members

Reporting from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (where most college football writers have been since the weekend due to the BCS Championships game) Associated Press reporter Ralph Russo reports (via Yahoo! Sports) that the San Diego St. Aztecs are deep in deliberation over their decision between the Mountain West Conference and the Big East Conference.

Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco told the AP Tuesday he doesn't anticipate an answer from SDSU brass when the Big East meets in Dallas on Jan. 11.

''Every indication is they want to stay,'' he said after attending a BCS commissioners meeting. ''Whether they will or not we still don't know. We're still talking. If I had to guess, it would shake out in a couple of weeks.''

Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson, who reportedly has been in "constant contact" with the Aztec administrators on a "daily basis" said the league has been getting SDSU "up to speed on the new TV deal" this week.

''We're just trying to understand how the league is going to work,'' he said. ''Trying to understand what their wants, desires, concerns might be and then our board would get together and say, 'Yeah, we can live with that,' or otherwise.''

Lastly, unconfirmed internet rumors indicate that the Big East will give San Diego State and the Houston Cougars an "ultimatum" regarding their impending membership at the upcoming Dallas meetings. UH has reportedly been flirting with the MWC, which in turn has reportedly been wooing the Cougars.

As always, stay tuned...