The defection will leave the WAC with seven members, including the University of Hawai'i.

In a statement, Rice president Malcolm Gillis said the school’s board of trustees gave him permission to sign the membership agreement with Conference USA.

Tulsa president Bob Lawless said in a statement that the school’s Board of Trustees "has authorized this proposed change in conference membership. We anticipate having a formal announcement with Conference USA regarding its membership realignment in the near future."

Gillis said in the league’s new expected configuration, Rice, Southern Methodist and Tulsa would join current members Texas Christian, Houston and Tulane to form a western division of Conference USA.

"This configuration will allow for very substantial savings in travel costs," Gillis said. "Even more importantly, the proximity of these schools will benefit our men and women athletic teams through large reductions in time away from class."

Conference USA is repositioning itself as it braces for the expected departure of Big East-bound Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette and DePaul.

SMU athletic director Brad Sutton had no immediate comment Friday.

Marshall officials said Wednesday they were expecting an invitation to join Conference USA, which loses Army as a football member after this season.