Because Im curious to see what the overall opinion is.

2 Assumptions

1. Texas Arlington will be officially announced this week.

2. Missouri State is off the table because of their administrations non interest

I probably left a couple expansion options off. Im going on the hunch that the only candidates are the ones that we have heard rumors about.

Not listed option-

Add NMSU and both App. State and Ga. Southern

Has Furman ever been mentioned in any of these realignment discussions? From what I can remember, they always seem to be a very competitive FCS team and would give us a team in South Carolina, which would still fit the Sun Belt's southern geographical footprint. I'm sure somebody will shoot this down, with reasons of why they would be a bad addition, but just from the top of my head (admittedly, not giving it too much thought), do they at least sound like a reasonable option?

Appalachian State and Georgia Southern is a NO BRAINER. This is all about football and these two programs make Sun Belt football better. Adding New Mexico State to a southwest Sun Belt Division is also a good move. That gives the conference a second charter member of 1-A (BCS)football, New Mexico State along with Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Also something special about watching the Cajuns play at 2' below sea level "The Swamp" and once every four years at 3,333' in Boone North Carolina.

SoCon 2.0: The Rising

(05-06-2012 12:55 PM)WestEndRaider Wrote:  Has Furman ever been mentioned in any of these realignment discussions? From what I can remember, they always seem to be a very competitive FCS team and would give us a team in South Carolina, which would still fit the Sun Belt's southern geographical footprint. I'm sure somebody will shoot this down, with reasons of why they would be a bad addition, but just from the top of my head (admittedly, not giving it too much thought), do they at least sound like a reasonable option?

The problem I see with Furman is that they're a private school. Typically (on-campus and traditional students only count IMO), these schools have lower enrollments, fewer alumni, and less support by those in their communities. Its well within the footprint and is a good school. I question its commonality with our other universities though.

(05-06-2012 12:55 PM)WestEndRaider Wrote:  Has Furman ever been mentioned in any of these realignment discussions? From what I can remember, they always seem to be a very competitive FCS team and would give us a team in South Carolina, which would still fit the Sun Belt's southern geographical footprint. I'm sure somebody will shoot this down, with reasons of why they would be a bad addition, but just from the top of my head (admittedly, not giving it too much thought), do they at least sound like a reasonable option?

Furman, Elon, Wofford, Samford will never move up to IA. There is only 2 schools that could move up tomorrow and thats Montana and Appy. Others such as G. Southern, Montana State, Deleware, James Madison could move up but it would take them a few years to get up to speed.

(05-06-2012 12:55 PM)WestEndRaider Wrote:  Has Furman ever been mentioned in any of these realignment discussions? From what I can remember, they always seem to be a very competitive FCS team and would give us a team in South Carolina, which would still fit the Sun Belt's southern geographical footprint. I'm sure somebody will shoot this down, with reasons of why they would be a bad addition, but just from the top of my head (admittedly, not giving it too much thought), do they at least sound like a reasonable option?

I really hope that by the time the SBC (or whatever Benson changes the name to) "gets down" to needing Furman, South Alabama is in another conference.

A lot of hate coming App's way from the newest Belt member. Why does every other Belt fan base approve except for the newbie?

(05-06-2012 08:48 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  A lot of hate coming App's way from the newest Belt member. Why does every other Belt fan base approve except for the newbie?

i think the hate is directed at southern.

(05-06-2012 08:48 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  A lot of hate coming App's way from the newest Belt member. Why does every other Belt fan base approve except for the newbie?

I think App State will make a great new member of the Sun Belt. A little proven on the field mixed with the market adds seems like a big plus.

Southern, however, even says in their feasibility study that they are not ready for FBS. With a 40% increase in their budget they will be able to make the jump but will still be significantly lower than current Sun Belt members.

(05-06-2012 09:01 PM)Tuscon Wrote:  

(05-06-2012 08:48 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  A lot of hate coming App's way from the newest Belt member. Why does every other Belt fan base approve except for the newbie?

I think App State will make a great new member of the Sun Belt. A little proven on the field mixed with the market adds seems like a big plus.

Southern, however, even says in their feasibility study that they are not ready for FBS. With a 40% increase in their budget they will be able to make the jump but will still be significantly lower than current Sun Belt members.

Yeah...I'm liking the idea of App too.

Would like to see the SBC finish up with App, UTA, and NMSU.

Its more shock than hate. I dont think we got to savor a full 72 hours before swamp thing (Southern) reared their heads. At this point I am pretty numb and would not be surprised if NMSU ends up out and GaSo ponzi schemes their way in. I have a feeling we're going to lose our MBB coach.

(05-06-2012 09:10 PM)panama Wrote:  Its more shock than hate. I dont think we got to savor a full 72 hours before swamp thing (Southern) reared their heads. At this point I am pretty numb and would not be surprised if NMSU ends up out and GaSo ponzi schemes their way in. I have a feeling we're going to lose our MBB coach.

Not with the way the CAA is looking. If VCU and Georgia Mason leave, and UTA joins the belt, he'll look at this move as a move to a conference with a lot of upside. UTA, WKU, MT, NMSU... us. This could turn into a pretty good basketball league.

(05-06-2012 09:10 PM)panama Wrote:  Its more shock than hate. I dont think we got to savor a full 72 hours before swamp thing (Southern) reared their heads. At this point I am pretty numb and would not be surprised if NMSU ends up out and GaSo ponzi schemes their way in. I have a feeling we're going to lose our MBB coach.

Wha...? Huh? Are you saying if GaSo joins Hunter might leave? Why?

I wouldn't mind having App State in the conference. They are a quality school academically and they are in a state that the SBC is not in right now. I also mentioned NMSU as being a good thing for the SBC and everyone was against it. But, those two schools would be good for the Sun Belt.

(05-06-2012 09:20 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  

(05-06-2012 09:10 PM)panama Wrote:  Its more shock than hate. I dont think we got to savor a full 72 hours before swamp thing (Southern) reared their heads. At this point I am pretty numb and would not be surprised if NMSU ends up out and GaSo ponzi schemes their way in. I have a feeling we're going to lose our MBB coach.

Wha...? Huh? Are you saying if GaSo joins Hunter might leave? Why?

No no, not specifically because of them in particular. But the guy came to coach in the CAA. The last couple of times I have heard him interviewed it sounded like he was trying to convince himself that he's ok with conference move. We need desperately to improve our conference RPI. UTA and NMSU do that. I could see a scenario down the road once his son is a Sr where he is made an offer and if certain things do not change he finds that offer enticing.

I think everyone here is greatly underestimating Liberty University and what we would bring to a conference like the Sun Belt.