The University of Houston reportedly received an invitation from the Big East earlier this week. Thursday, they're expected to take the final step towards making the move there.

The UH Board of Regents has called a special meeting for Thursday in regard to the school's athletic conference affiliation. Amongst the items on the agenda is a request for approval to "delegate authority to the Chancellor to negotiate and execute a contract for athletic conference affiliation and to negotiate and provide notice of contract cancellation as necessary."

In other words, give the Houston Chancellor the ability to move the school from Conference USA to the Big East...or any other BCS Conference that might be interested.

Houston is a charter member of Conference USA. If they decide to leave for the Big East, they'll join former CUSA schools Louisville, South Florida and Cincinnati there. SMU, Boise State, Navy, Air Force and UCF are among the other schools expected to be invited and/or join them in the Big East as well.

Stay tuned to SB Nation's conference realignment news section.