Just list the order from favorite to least favorite and give a reason if you can of why they are a good addition.

1. App St - The following they have
1. Ga. Southern - Same as App St.
3. NMSU - Full Current FBS and hopefully full member of SUNBELT
4. Idaho - Full FBS and that dome!
5. Richmond - Not saying they are in contention but good program
6. JMU
7. Mizzou St
8. Liberty
9. JSU

1. App State
2. Georgia Southern
3. NMSU (If only full membership)
4. JMU (if they come)
5. Missouri State (If they come)
35. Idaho (just too far out of the footprint, and bad football)
500. Liberty

(04-06-2013 10:08 PM)TheRevSWT Wrote:  1. App State
2. Georgia Southern
3. NMSU (If only full membership)
4. JMU (if they come)
5. Missouri State (If they come)
35. Idaho (just too far out of the footprint, and bad football)
500. Liberty

Psssst, Hey Rev. . . . 500? ?? You ranked Liberty waaaaaay too high . ..

App State/ Ga Southern: I see them as equally solid adds. I am excited to have them both.
Texas State: Kept us in Texas and was the first big add news. They are near and dear to many of our hearts for that reason.
Ga State: Thanks for Atlanta, suckas!
NMSU: Ehhh, they are an OK add. If they get on as all-sports I will be more enthusiastic.
JMU/ Mizzou St/ Liberty: Any two of you three would be a win for me.
Idaho: Get lost, I don't want you.

1. Texas state... ( already a FBS member and strong baseball and football. Nice football facility)

2. App state ( nice facilities, great support nice facilities. New state and nice area. Need to improve on baseball and basketball facilities and such. Get rid of
Track in football stadium!)

3. Ga Southen ( same as app. But needs football upgrade and close to me:))

4. NMSU ( existing FBS member. Needs to improve program and we need to add them in basketball)

5. JMU ( nice football facility, good fan base and good band)

6. Missouri State ( good add nice support only 1 other FBS member in Missouri)

7. Ga State ( nice market but that's about it)

8. JSU ( good football facility, good fan base and good band. But we don't need another Alabama school let alone a 6th FBS Bama school)

9. Liberty ( Blah )

10. Idaho ( far away blah)

(04-06-2013 11:18 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  1. Texas state... ( already a FBS member and strong baseball and football. Nice football facility)

2. App state ( nice facilities, great support nice facilities. New state and nice area. Need to improve on baseball and basketball facilities and such. Get rid of
Track in football stadium!)

3. Ga Southen ( same as app. But needs football upgrade and close to me:))

4. NMSU ( existing FBS member. Needs to improve program and we need to add them in basketball)

5. JMU ( nice football facility, good fan base and good band)

6. Missouri State ( good add nice support only 1 other FBS member in Missouri)

7. Ga State ( nice market but that's about it)

8. JSU ( good football facility, good fan base and good band. But we don't need another Alabama school let alone a 6th FBS Bama school)

9. Liberty ( Blah )

10. Idaho ( far away blah)

I was just checking out your list, but I couldn't get past your Number 1. Clearly you are an intelligent and enlightened individual, with GREAT insight and recognition of future conference greatness! You Sir,

(04-06-2013 11:36 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(04-06-2013 11:18 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  1. Texas state... ( already a FBS member and strong baseball and football. Nice football facility)

2. App state ( nice facilities, great support nice facilities. New state and nice area. Need to improve on baseball and basketball facilities and such. Get rid of
Track in football stadium!)

3. Ga Southen ( same as app. But needs football upgrade and close to me:))

4. NMSU ( existing FBS member. Needs to improve program and we need to add them in basketball)

5. JMU ( nice football facility, good fan base and good band)

6. Missouri State ( good add nice support only 1 other FBS member in Missouri)

7. Ga State ( nice market but that's about it)

8. JSU ( good football facility, good fan base and good band. But we don't need another Alabama school let alone a 6th FBS Bama school)

9. Liberty ( Blah )

10. Idaho ( far away blah)

I was just checking out your list, but I couldn't get past your Number 1. Clearly you are an intelligent and enlightened individual, with GREAT insight and recognition of future conference greatness! You Sir,

No problem as long as you know your place when against TROY!

App State (I have been dying to play App State in football)
Texas State (I have been secretly plotting adding them for about 4 years now)
Georgia Southern (Voted to third because I hate the Wishbone)
Georgia State (Still think the Panthers will develop)
Missouri State (Please come)
James Madison (Happy Backup if Missouri State says no)
Liberty (Strong fan base)
Texas Arlington (Nothing against the Mavericks, but I am not a big basketball fan.)
New Mexico State (Only a thousand plus miles from Jonesboro)
Idaho (At least SBC players will be able to say they visited Moscow!! Bucket List?!?!)

(04-07-2013 12:13 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  App State (I have been dying to play App State in football)
Texas State (I have been secretly plotting adding them for about 4 years now)
Georgia Southern (Voted to third because I hate the Wishbone)
Georgia State (Still think the Panthers will develop)
Missouri State (Please come)
James Madison (Happy Backup if Missouri State says no)
Liberty (Strong fan base)
Texas Arlington (Nothing against the Mavericks, but I am not a big basketball fan.)
New Mexico State (Only a thousand plus miles from Jonesboro)
Idaho (At least SBC players will be able to say they visited Moscow!! Bucket List?!?!)

Oh boy. He thinks Georgia Southern runs the wishbone. Incoming barrage of X's and O's.

The obvious fits are all gone, so it's now a cost/benefit analysis.

1. NMSU all sports. Distance and terrible football is the cost. Huge benefits in basketball.
2. App State (FB only might have been nice, but they'll just have to learn the game of basketball)
3. Ga So -- good attendance and solid FB program. Get serious about hoops.
4. Idaho (FB) -- They're in FBS, and that matters right now. Hopefully, they go west in 5-7 years.
5. JMU -- football is all I really want.
6. Missouri State -- all sports add, if you get serious about football.

Beyond that, it's all tough choices. Once NMSU is in, the schools further up into the Mid-Atlantic region are pushing out of an all-sports footprint. It really seems that an all-spots NMSU is a big decision about the long-term geographic footprint for this conference. Could you add a William & Mary, Richmond, Delaware. At that point, would you want to?

Any additional school added must average at least 11k in football going in (15k looks even better for you), must not bring down our hoops RPI (bonus points if you help it), and must make sense to the footprint for all sports.

(04-07-2013 09:50 AM)Journeyman22 Wrote:  The obvious fits are all gone, so it's now a cost/benefit analysis.

1. NMSU all sports. Distance and terrible football is the cost. Huge benefits in basketball.
2. App State (FB only might have been nice, but they'll just have to learn the game of basketball)
3. Ga So -- good attendance and solid FB program. Get serious about hoops.
4. Idaho (FB) -- They're in FBS, and that matters right now. Hopefully, they go west in 5-7 years.
5. JMU -- football is all I really want.
6. Missouri State -- all sports add, if you get serious about football.

Beyond that, it's all tough choices. Once NMSU is in, the schools further up into the Mid-Atlantic region are pushing out of an all-sports footprint. It really seems that an all-spots NMSU is a big decision about the long-term geographic footprint for this conference. Could you add a William & Mary, Richmond, Delaware. At that point, would you want to?

Any additional school added must average at least 11k in football going in (15k looks even better for you), must not bring down our hoops RPI (bonus points if you help it), and must make sense to the footprint for all sports.

Should I have included GaSt, TxSt and UTA? I figured they'd all been invited in a previous round and didn't include. I'm happy with those adds, but GaSt has to prove to me they can be supported amidst all the competition in Atlanta. They really need to team up with MLS to build a smaller soccer palace for an MLS team and GaSt football. Maybe seating 22k.

know my opinion will be a little off from this, but here is my honest view.

1)NMSU - Hopefully for all sports soon. I started following the cajuns closely in 2002 when I started going to school, which was also the first year of bustle. We had some good games with NMSU even in football, and consider the fact they still even have fans at their school for football is surprising. I could see them getting some pretty good crowds if they start winning. Would love the basketball and baseball too.
2)Appalachian State - It's bad to say it, but the upset over Michigan did more for there program than any amount of National Championships at the FCS level. I've heard of this team and they play good football. They also have a good baseball program which is important to me. Basketball is embarrassing, but so is a lot of the sun belt, and for me, basketball just isn't my sport so its not as much of an issue.
3)Idaho - I know no one else will have them anywhere near this high, but for nostalgia for me, this is one of the teams I remember us playing when I started going to UL games. I remember being soaking wet in yet another one of our rain games and being one of about 100 people in the redzone (student section) and just being brutal in the smack talked to them. I'm taking the equation of the travel out, and just thinking about the football program, and I don't mind their program, although their fan support is spotty at best.
4)Georgia Southern - Traditional football FCS power. I hate to say it, but really, before the process I had no clue who they were. I think there is good potential, but it won't be an overnight thing like some think.
5)Georgia State - Like I said, I've come off the hate on GSU bandwagon when they were added as full members, but I was as outspoken against their addition as possible. I like the market size, but it has to be proven if they can penetrate the market or get a fan base. The addition of Georgia Southern will make this a little bit easier as they'll help with fan support.
6)UTA - I don't like non-football additions and I thought this was a chase after a market, one that's already flooded at that. I hadn't heard much of anything about this program before being added to the WAC then eventually over to us.

(04-07-2013 10:51 AM)Tuffguy21 Wrote:  know my opinion will be a little off from this, but here is my honest view.

1)NMSU - Hopefully for all sports soon. I started following the cajuns closely in 2002 when I started going to school, which was also the first year of bustle. We had some good games with NMSU even in football, and consider the fact they still even have fans at their school for football is surprising. I could see them getting some pretty good crowds if they start winning. Would love the basketball and baseball too.
2)Appalachian State - It's bad to say it, but the upset over Michigan did more for there program than any amount of National Championships at the FCS level. I've heard of this team and they play good football. They also have a good baseball program which is important to me. Basketball is embarrassing, but so is a lot of the sun belt, and for me, basketball just isn't my sport so its not as much of an issue.
3)Idaho - I know no one else will have them anywhere near this high, but for nostalgia for me, this is one of the teams I remember us playing when I started going to UL games. I remember being soaking wet in yet another one of our rain games and being one of about 100 people in the redzone (student section) and just being brutal in the smack talked to them. I'm taking the equation of the travel out, and just thinking about the football program, and I don't mind their program, although their fan support is spotty at best.
4)Georgia Southern - Traditional football FCS power. I hate to say it, but really, before the process I had no clue who they were. I think there is good potential, but it won't be an overnight thing like some think.
5)Georgia State - Like I said, I've come off the hate on GSU bandwagon when they were added as full members, but I was as outspoken against their addition as possible. I like the market size, but it has to be proven if they can penetrate the market or get a fan base. The addition of Georgia Southern will make this a little bit easier as they'll help with fan support.
6)UTA - I don't like non-football additions and I thought this was a chase after a market, one that's already flooded at that. I hadn't heard much of anything about this program before being added to the WAC then eventually over to us.

UTA came with TXST (noticed we are left off the list) - a package deal
They have good baseball and basketball. Don't be surprised if they challenge for the WAC BsB title this year and they (BB) did get into the post-season this yr (NIT). They are a founding member of the SLC and had football until 1986, won the SLC 3Xs and the Pecan Bowl in 1967.
They just need to restart football.

Can't believe I forgot yall. Yall would go #3 on the list between App State and Idaho.

I love Tx State's baseball program and think there is tremendous potential for yall. I really think Texas State will look like a genius move in the future.

We just built a new baseball stadium a couple of years ago. Not sure if everyone knows that, but saw where
someone mentioned we need a new one. In fact they announced a month or so ago enlargement of it and
adding more luxury type seating. Last year we went to the regionals with forty something wins. Have had
thirty or more wins for @ 7 years now. Plenty of players moving on after college.

I got alot of respect for the SunBelt.

I think you guys got a steal in Appalachian St.

Here's how I rank your adds.

#1 App. St. - CUSA should have invited them in. But instead, they are Sunbelt bound.
I really feel they will come in similar to how Marshall came in to the MAC. This is a strong football program that will compete for conference championships immediately. Their Olympic sports will get better in the Sunbelt.

#2 New Mexico St. - yes, their football is down now, but they are a legit fbs program and will be competitive in the new Sunbelt. Throw them in for all sports, which I think is gonna happen, and their basketball program will be at the top of the Sunbelt.

#3 Texas St. - good program, great market. Great investment for the future of Sunbelt.

#4 Idaho - again, another established fbs program that needs a conference like Sunbelt to get back on track. Alot better program then what people on here give them credit for.

#5 Georgia Southern - another good solid fcs program ready to compete in Sunbelt.

#6 UTA- good strong Olympic programs. Nice potential market pull.

#7 Georgia St- head scratcher. Similar to CUSA/Charlotte but Atleast Charlotte has solid basketball.
Great market but can they deliver market? Will they become a competitive program in Sunbelt?

Sunbelt potentials rankings......

#1 Missouri St. - solid program making all the right moves to make the move up to fbs. If they want in now, take them. If they need a year because of more planning, wait on them.
This possible addition would be similar to the Texas St addition. JMO

#2 whoever really wants in the Sunbelt the most and shows and means it.
Quit fu<king around with schools who are wishy washy. Go with schools who are showing the money and ready to be loyal to the Sunbelt.

(04-07-2013 05:09 PM)HERD-it-wuz-DJ Wrote:  I got alot of respect for the SunBelt.

I think you guys got a steal in Appalachian St.

Here's how I rank your adds.

#1 App. St. - CUSA should have invited them in. But instead, they are Sunbelt bound.
I really feel they will come in similar to how Marshall came in to the MAC. This is a strong football program that will compete for conference championships immediately. Their Olympic sports will get better in the Sunbelt.

#2 New Mexico St. - yes, their football is down now, but they are a legit fbs program and will be competitive in the new Sunbelt. Throw them in for all sports, which I think is gonna happen, and their basketball program will be at the top of the Sunbelt.

#3 Texas St. - good program, great market. Great investment for the future of Sunbelt.

#4 Idaho - again, another established fbs program that needs a conference like Sunbelt to get back on track. Alot better program then what people on here give them credit for.

#5 Georgia Southern - another good solid fcs program ready to compete in Sunbelt.

Sunbelt potentials rankings......

#1 Missouri St. - solid program making all the right moves to make the move up to fbs. If they want in now, take them. If they need a year because of more planning, wait on them.
This possible addition would be similar to the Texas St addition. JMO

#2 whoever really wants in the Sunbelt the most and shows and means it.
Quit fu<king around with schools who are wishy washy. Go with schools who are showing the money and ready to be loyal to the Sunbelt.

+1

I'm not going to rank them, but I will say that I am actually starting to dig the potential Liberty addition. They have money to burn, will put us into Virginia, and they will bring to us some television opportunities no one else can which will increase the league's exposure. If we can add both them and JMU, we will be in a great position to add an Olympic sports only school in South Carolina, increase our exposure and tighten up our eastern footprint. In the west, make NMSU all sports, add Oral Roberts as Olympic only and tighten up as greater bulk of that western footprint. Add Weber State and tighten it up even more, while adding more exposure and money.

(04-07-2013 05:09 PM)HERD-it-wuz-DJ Wrote:  I got alot of respect for the SunBelt.

I think you guys got a steal in Appalachian St.

Here's how I rank your adds.

#1 App. St. - CUSA should have invited them in. But instead, they are Sunbelt bound.
I really feel they will come in similar to how Marshall came in to the MAC. This is a strong football program that will compete for conference championships immediately. Their Olympic sports will get better in the Sunbelt.

#2 New Mexico St. - yes, their football is down now, but they are a legit fbs program and will be competitive in the new Sunbelt. Throw them in for all sports, which I think is gonna happen, and their basketball program will be at the top of the Sunbelt.

#3 Texas St. - good program, great market. Great investment for the future of Sunbelt.

#4 Idaho - again, another established fbs program that needs a conference like Sunbelt to get back on track. Alot better program then what people on here give them credit for.

#5 Georgia Southern - another good solid fcs program ready to compete in Sunbelt.

#6 UTA- good strong Olympic programs. Nice potential market pull.

#7 Georgia St- head scratcher. Similar to CUSA/Charlotte but Atleast Charlotte has solid basketball.
Great market but can they deliver market? Will they become a competitive program in Sunbelt?

Sunbelt potentials rankings......

#1 Missouri St. - solid program making all the right moves to make the move up to fbs. If they want in now, take them. If they need a year because of more planning, wait on them.
This possible addition would be similar to the Texas St addition. JMO

#2 whoever really wants in the Sunbelt the most and shows and means it.
Quit fu<king around with schools who are wishy washy. Go with schools who are showing the money and ready to be loyal to the Sunbelt.

No credibility

ANY person who ranks Idaho over Georgia Southern in ANYTHING other than potato making has lost their ever loving mind!

I get that App brought in another state and that gives them one up on the Eagles. Their attendance is currenly a little higher than Georgia Southern, something that was launched be their win over Michigan. But guys, Ga.Southern is a sleeping giant in terms of growing fan support. The state of NC is just about tapped out on much more growth in that area, plus Boone is harder to get to. GA is booming! And doing so close to Statesboro. Georgia Southern is only competing with 3 other in state FBS programs (App state is going to be competing against 6 others!). One of the three GA programs is GAST, obviously. Given that ALL 3 of the other in state FBS programs are very close together (Atl), the location (closer to FLA) of Georgia Southern and playing FBS programs is going to open up a lot of interest for people who want to watch foorball at that level in the rest of the State. Also, consider the recruiting advantages of Southern by location comparred to App State. I think that puts Georgia Southern at the TOP of your addition list with App being Second. The rivalry between the two helps put them both at the top of your list. Overall, I couldnt tell you much about that sport with the big orange ball, but we are GOOD in Baseball and GREAT in Football.
We will see how this plays out, but dont be shocked if everyone is agreeing with this comment within our first 5 seasons.

(04-07-2013 09:16 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(04-07-2013 05:09 PM)HERD-it-wuz-DJ Wrote:  I got alot of respect for the SunBelt.

I think you guys got a steal in Appalachian St.

Here's how I rank your adds.

#1 App. St. - CUSA should have invited them in. But instead, they are Sunbelt bound.
I really feel they will come in similar to how Marshall came in to the MAC. This is a strong football program that will compete for conference championships immediately. Their Olympic sports will get better in the Sunbelt.

#2 New Mexico St. - yes, their football is down now, but they are a legit fbs program and will be competitive in the new Sunbelt. Throw them in for all sports, which I think is gonna happen, and their basketball program will be at the top of the Sunbelt.

#3 Texas St. - good program, great market. Great investment for the future of Sunbelt.

#4 Idaho - again, another established fbs program that needs a conference like Sunbelt to get back on track. Alot better program then what people on here give them credit for.

#5 Georgia Southern - another good solid fcs program ready to compete in Sunbelt.

#6 UTA- good strong Olympic programs. Nice potential market pull.

#7 Georgia St- head scratcher. Similar to CUSA/Charlotte but Atleast Charlotte has solid basketball.
Great market but can they deliver market? Will they become a competitive program in Sunbelt?

Sunbelt potentials rankings......

#1 Missouri St. - solid program making all the right moves to make the move up to fbs. If they want in now, take them. If they need a year because of more planning, wait on them.
This possible addition would be similar to the Texas St addition. JMO

#2 whoever really wants in the Sunbelt the most and shows and means it.
Quit fu<king around with schools who are wishy washy. Go with schools who are showing the money and ready to be loyal to the Sunbelt.

No credibility

ANY person who ranks Idaho over Georgia Southern in ANYTHING other than potato making has lost their ever loving mind!

I get that App brought in another state and that gives them one up on the Eagles. Their attendance is currenly a little higher than Georgia Southern, something that was launched be their win over Michigan. But guys, Ga.Southern is a sleeping giant in terms of growing fan support. The state of NC is just about tapped out on much more growth in that area, plus Boone is harder to get to. GA is booming! And doing so close to Statesboro. Georgia Southern is only competing with 3 other in state FBS programs (App state is going to be competing against 6 others!). One of the three GA programs is GAST, obviously. Given that ALL 3 of the other in state FBS programs are very close together (Atl), the location (closer to FLA) of Georgia Southern and playing FBS programs is going to open up a lot of interest for people who want to watch foorball at that level in the rest of the State. Also, consider the recruiting advantages of Southern by location comparred to App State. I think that puts Georgia Southern at the TOP of your addition list with App being Second. The rivalry between the two helps put them both at the top of your list. Overall, I couldnt tell you much about that sport with the big orange ball, but we are GOOD in Baseball and GREAT in Football.
We will see how this plays out, but dont be shocked if everyone is agreeing with this comment within our first 5 seasons.

Lol...Idaho does have recent success...They went to a Bowl back in 2009 I believe.