Multiple sources reporting that Elon will announce they are going to the CAA tomorrow. Elon really brought nothing to the SoCon and our fanbase doesn't really care about them, so I'm not really concerned about this move. I guess the thing to be upset about is that the CAA would rather take Elon than us, but it appears the CAA is only wanting private schools at this point.

This is not a loss, it's a gain. Hopefully the SoCon fills it with Coastal Carolina, a better opponent on all fronts, plus they are in Myrtle Beach. My sources tell me that's now a real possibility once Elon exits.

Will the Citadel, FU, Wofford, and Western be real happy with Coastal?

Based on what I've heard, Citadel & Western will welcome them, and I think FU & Wofford will come around. What are the SoCon's options? Wilmington is in the CAA and athletics appears to be falling apart. Campbell? Gardner-Webb? I imagine there's no interest in either of those, nor any one else out of the Big South. Coastal has won in basketball, 28-6 two years ago and 19-12 last year with wins over LSU & Clemson, although .500 this year. They were in the playoffs in football this year. So I honestly think they are the most ideal option. Who would be better? I'm asking that question seriously - is there someone better in the region?

Someone on here earlier suggested the SoCon could simply stay at 10 should Elon go. If getting back to 12 is the plan, then they don't have much choice other than Kennesaw State and Coastal Carolina. Or, if you're looking for a Davidson basketball replacement, maybe Winthrop, Radford, or UNC-Asheville. Like you said, what are the other options in the region. And "in the region" is a central issue with the SoCon --- to have the lowest conference travel budget possible for its members.

I've seen posters on other boards throw Belmont's name out there, maybe it has some teeth to it, but it really doesn't make financial sense for them.
The Big South will be down to five scholarship football programs. Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian seem to be in the most trouble, Liberty and Coastal have facilities and commitment to try to win.
What does the SoCon do? All of those schools would fit the footprint, and they wouldn't have to take a transition team (North Alabama).
Also, what are the prospects that Furman and Wofford try and bolt now?

Haven't heard anything about Furman & Wofford leaving. Where would they go? Neither are ready for the Sun Belt. Coastal is interested in the SoCon, however.

(05-23-2013 07:38 AM)GoBucsGo Wrote:  Haven't heard anything about Furman & Wofford leaving. Where would they go? Neither are ready for the Sun Belt. Coastal is interested in the SoCon, however.

I've heard rumors of Furman and the CAA but I really don't know how true those are. Probably just message board rumors, you would know better than me if the CAA is actually interested in Furman.

Glad to see Elon go. They bring little to the table.

Coastal is the obvious best choice, but I'm not sure some of the private schools are concerned about "best choice." They desire more small privates. (giggity)

Exchanging Elon for Coastal would be great. That at least makes the move to the Socon look a little better. I hope it happens.

http://www.thetimesnews.com/sports/elon-...l-1.147510

Fan 1- That may be, but they also have to look @ the big picture. The RPI of the SoCon took a pretty big hit losing Davidson for men's basketball. You need a team to come in that can improve that (at least not hurt it), plus, the league needs a decent well-established football playing member, and Mercer, ETSU & VMI are not going to fill that void in the immediate. I hope they look at the big picture.

So....Coastal.

(05-23-2013 12:32 PM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  http://www.thetimesnews.com/sports/elon-...l-1.147510

Interesting column. I agree - they haven't earned much, yet, they are jumping to the CAA. I guess they can afford the travel, and since they haven't made any rivalries and have a small fan base, no problem there. Why would the CAA let them in? They offer very little.

Regardless, here's to hoping for Coastal.

Some are suggesting that you stay at 10, but the way I look at it with realignment being so crazy right now, I almost think you need at least one more football playing school so you won't be hung out to dry if someone else leaves.

What are the football playing options outside of Coastal?

Gardner Webb? Presbyterian?

(05-23-2013 12:43 PM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  Some are suggesting that you stay at 10, but the way I look at it with realignment being so crazy right now, I almost think you need at least one more football playing school so you won't be hung out to dry if someone else leaves.

Agreed. And like I said - you need to add a decent football program to the league. They're the only one, unless you go to Gardner-Webb, but I assume they aren't doing much in football (?). I didn't take time to look it up. Do Furman & Wofford ever play Gardner-Webb? If not, I would assume they don't like them much. Hate to 'cherry picking' the Big South, but that's what the times are dictating.

(05-23-2013 12:43 PM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  Some are suggesting that you stay at 10, but the way I look at it with realignment being so crazy right now, I almost think you need at least one more football playing school so you won't be hung out to dry if someone else leaves.

What are the football playing options outside of Coastal?

Gardner Webb? Presbyterian?

Liberty, Radford, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville (although a bit out of footprint) West Georgia (who wants to move up), Kennesaw, (who has no fans), etc.

Why would any of those OVC playing football schools, want out and into the SoCon?

If we could get EKU or Tenn Tech, that would be ideal.

The only one of those that looks sort of appealing is Liberty, just because they have decent facilities. Personally, I don't want them in the league, but I was never much of a Falwell "fan." Not sure how the rest of the SoCon feels about Liberty.

We're not pulling Tech, TSU, or EKU out of the OVC. J'ville is in the non-scholly Pioneer League. West GA & Kennesaw both would be just starting at this level.