(08-30-2016 09:56 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(08-30-2016 08:41 AM)CISDuke2014 Wrote:  https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/news/mad...-spotlight

CAA considering a scheduling alliance with another FCS conference? Bourne mentions Patriot and SoCon

While I love the idea of the CAA making an alliance, if the conference looks at the Patriot of SoCon it just goes to show how low the CAA has fallen from the past "SEC of the FCS" moniker. If we are going to do this then the league needs to step up and make it the Missouri Valley or MAYBE OVC.

For JMU, I think 5 of the 7 Patriot teams, and 5 of 9 So-Con, could be (under 400 miles) bus trips (I know the team will often fly to destinations under that).

For the MVFC the only school JMU could bus to would be YSU (and I think the team flew to Youngstown for the 2006 playoff game).

For the OVC there isn't a single football school within 400 miles of JMU, including all 4 TN schools and EKU (a little over 400 miles).

The only possible close to full scholly conferences to have an alliance with are the So-Con and Patriot (the Patriot now allows up to 60). Other than that there is the 40 scholly NEC. It doesn't have anything to do with the current strength of the CAA. Its simple geography and $$.

You are most likely correct but if that's true then have Mr. Bourne explain it that way. The public has only his word to go off of and he makes JMU sound like a scared little girl. There is no harm is saying "hey guys we would love to play tougher opponents but the finances don't make sense." I wouldn't like it but I could accept it.