(03-12-2013 06:18 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  I much prefer east and west divisions because I want to be in a division with UCF and USF as well as Temple and UCONN.

The only preventing East/West is Cinci. Cinci doesn't want to be in the west

I much prefer UMass to Tulsa. I'm sure it's a regional thing, but Tulsa is not remotely relevant around these parts. UMass is a rivalry game for us regardless of sport or how long it's been since we've played them. I'm all for it. I don't care that they are not great at football.

If the difference between respectability for this conference is a choice between Tulsa's football program or adding UMass, this conference is never going to work anyway. UMass is a large state flagship institution with a lot of potential. Playing in a conference where they have rivals will help their football program grow up much faster and prompt more support from the state regarding facilities.

Until I see a link or quote from someone with something resembling credibility I'm going to file this as wishful thinking. The talking heads aren't even mentioning umass anymore. The quote was Tulsa is only candidate.

Looking on the bright side, They did win one game last year and are not the absolute worst team in college football (there were two ranked lower). It would give everyone an easy win and path to a bowl, unfortunately by weakening the overall strength of conference no one would make a BCS bowl.

I was biased for Tulsa simply because they are the most successful football program left in CUSA. Take them and CUSA has no real contender for the BCS bowl. Tulsa could very easily run through the new crappy CUSA and get the bid over a 1 loss Team from our conference.

(03-12-2013 06:28 PM)HartfordHusky Wrote:  I much prefer UMass to Tulsa. I'm sure it's a regional thing, but Tulsa is not remotely relevant around these parts. UMass is a rivalry game for us regardless of sport or how long it's been since we've played them. I'm all for it. I don't care that they are not great at football.

If the difference between respectability for this conference is a choice between Tulsa's football program or adding UMass, this conference is never going to work anyway. UMass is a large state flagship institution with a lot of potential. Playing in a conference where they have rivals will help their football program grow up much faster and prompt more support from the state regarding facilities.

You gotta be real careful with this line of thinking. I have no issue with UMASS, and can see the potential, but for me until they have a real plan and timeline to get their OCS expanded to an FBS level they shouldn't be added. Saying that they can make those plans after you add them sets you up for a UAB situation where they get added and then never solve the problem.

I also think it's relevant to the debate that if this is a new conference with no history tied to its name, that it's important that some of the schools have history associated with their name. Houston, SMU, Memphis, Temple, Cinci, UConn, etc have it. UMass adds history and adds a rivalries, and that is really valuable in terms of increasing attendance and creating an overall energetic atmosphere at games.

Tulsa is a great add too. I'm not going to knock them, but I do think there are other important factors to this debate other than how high is the team currently ranked.

Brilliant, I tell you just Brilliant.....give away the most valuable asset you have for a song and dance, which was the Big EAST brand, and at the same time add an EAST team. Not to mention ONLY three members are either on the MS River or west of it.

If this ever did turn out to be true I would think it would be because Tulsa says thanks but no thanks....plus maybe to help Temple out just in case the stuff eventually hits the fan.

Here is your new conference.

North Division:
UConn
Temple
UMass
Cincy
ECU
Memphis

South Divison:
Houston
USF
Tulane
SMU
UCF
Tulsa

Navy isn't coming and yes I think this sucks. I lost interest when they dropped the National Conference attempt but when they even considered to resign with ESpin, I was done.

Best of luck and yes I now wish for USF to get an invite out of this mess.

(03-12-2013 06:33 PM)mwp1023 Wrote:  I was biased for Tulsa simply because they are the most successful football program left in CUSA. Take them and CUSA has no real contender for the BCS bowl. Tulsa could very easily run through the new crappy CUSA and get the bid over a 1 loss Team from our conference.

That's the best argument I've heard for Tulsa's addition. Good job!!

(03-12-2013 06:31 PM)Sam Minuteman Wrote:  Until I see a link or quote from someone with something resembling credibility I'm going to file this as wishful thinking. The talking heads aren't even mentioning umass anymore. The quote was Tulsa is only candidate.

I think UConn believes they are probable. Does the conference think they are probable? Not so much.

How many years does UMASS have at the FBS level? UMASS is the kid of program that could very well be a door mat for the next 10 years.

Honestly the best way to make everyone happy with the divisional alignments is to let Navy walk.

Central Florida
Cincinnati
Connecticut
East Carolina
South Florida
Temple

Houston
Memphis
Southern Methodist
Southern Miss
Tulane
Tulsa

(03-12-2013 06:17 PM)Kruciff Wrote:  

(03-12-2013 06:16 PM)NBPirate Wrote:  

(03-12-2013 06:08 PM)Kruciff Wrote:  

(03-12-2013 05:30 PM)Texas2Step Wrote:  Sources I've talked to are telling me that UMass is emerging as a strong contender for the #12 in the America 12 Conference. Sources said if they are invited, they will likely come in with Navy for 2015. Basketball will have no divisions. Football divisions would look like this:

North Division:
Navy
UConn
Temple
UMass
Cincy
ECU

South Divison:
Houston
USF
Tulane
SMU
UCF
Memphis

Memphis and ECU should be swapped to preserve pre-existing rivalries.

We actually have more history/rivalries with the north schools

YA WELL I DON'T LIKE YOU EITHER.

hmmph.

I prefer the east/west as well but if it had to be north/south then move UCF to the north and Cincy to the south and rename the divisions so they weren't geographically named. UCF/USF could be a permanent cross-over and also have a chance to play in a championship game against each other.

A Division:
Navy
UConn
Temple
UMass
ECU
UCF

B Divison:
Houston
USF
Tulane
SMU
Cincy
Memphis

I would be shocked if UMass is added over Tulsa. Why in the world would we add a UMass program that is a few years removed from FCS over a Tulsa team that was the winningest football program in C-USA 2.0?

Drop Navy, add Tulsa and Southern Miss/UMass

(03-12-2013 05:46 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  I quit worrying "about" Navy a long time ago. Navy joining this conference realistically dried up when the "All Continent" idea died with Boise State and SDSU.

Don't worry about it, they're not coming. And to be completely honest, I'm not sure they ever really were.

All of this.

(03-12-2013 06:51 PM)JMSTiger Wrote:  I would be shocked if UMass is added over Tulsa. Why in the world would we add a UMass program that is a few years removed from FCS over a Tulsa team that was the winningest football program in C-USA 2.0?

Things UMass has that Tulsa doesn't:

Land Grant University Status
Elite Basketball Program
15,000 more students

(03-12-2013 06:56 PM)Kruciff Wrote:  

(03-12-2013 06:51 PM)JMSTiger Wrote:  I would be shocked if UMass is added over Tulsa. Why in the world would we add a UMass program that is a few years removed from FCS over a Tulsa team that was the winningest football program in C-USA 2.0?

Things UMass has that Tulsa doesn't:

Land Grant University Status
Elite Basketball Program
15,000 more students

Elite basketball program?