(02-12-2014 12:44 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  It would have sparked my interest as an outsider who doesn't follow the Sun Belt if they would've added the cream of the crop in FCS. Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State (which you did). The conference may have been a bit far flung, but it would've made for a fun football league. Three of those teams are also state schools with no FBS competition. Easier to drum up support with no other show in town if they were it when it came to FBS in their area.

Anyway, no idea if there would even be an interest on those schools part or if it would've been feasible. Just an idea I thought sounded good.

You must have forgotten about the 4 championships we won when Marshall was in FCS. Marshall did manage to get 2 although the practices Marshall used regarding FBS transfers in 96 resulted in a rule that no longer allows what they did.

(02-12-2014 01:31 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 12:44 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  It would have sparked my interest as an outsider who doesn't follow the Sun Belt if they would've added the cream of the crop in FCS. Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State (which you did). The conference may have been a bit far flung, but it would've made for a fun football league. Three of those teams are also state schools with no FBS competition. Easier to drum up support with no other show in town if they were it when it came to FBS in their area.

Anyway, no idea if there would even be an interest on those schools part or if it would've been feasible. Just an idea I thought sounded good.

You must have forgotten about the 4 championships we won when Marshall was in FCS. Marshall did manage to get 2 although the practices Marshall used regarding FBS transfers in 96 resulted in a rule that no longer allows what they did.

Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State, and Georgia Southern (which you did).

Better?

(02-12-2014 12:36 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 07:09 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  It is highly probable that CUSA will lose two members to the AAC this Spring. Once that happens, we'll find out quickly whether CUSA will stay at 12 members (which in all probability, it will), or if it will add two to get back to 14 members. These moves, whatever they end up being, will in all likelihood be the last moves we see made by the AAC and CUSA for quite some time. Only then will we know whether JMU will be the 12th member of the SBC. By June, everyone should be able to rest a little easier knowing that the conferences will at least all be stable for the foreseeable future.

PS: Of course, it IS possible that in addition to losing two to the AAC, CUSA could also lose UTEP and UTSA to the MWC. If THAT happens, then all hell will break loose and CUSA will immediately add JMU and either UL-L, AState, or Texas St to get to 12 members. CUSA might also add all three SBC schools and get back to 14 members.

MY Prediction: The SBC will lose one member to CUSA this Spring. I think it is a toss up between UL-L and AState, with Tex St. in the running as a dark horse.

Not sure CUSA would be the target. UMass, Army, ULaLa, Texas State, and JMU could all be potential adds to the AAC.

I giggled like a school girl thinking of the hysterics a Cajun invite from the AAC would cause in certain quarters.

BTW BRtran, didn't you recently tell us that the Cajuns wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon? Now you've got us as a potential C-USA add this spring.

(02-12-2014 12:22 PM)SHWISH Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 11:38 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 12:05 AM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  Bring on a 12th team (as long as it's NOT Liberty), and bring on a Championship Game . . . Has Sun Belt Football improved the last few years?
AB-SO-FREAKIN-LOUTELY . .. Has perception about the conference improved dramatically the last few years? . . . Hardly . . . So give me that 12th team . . AND that Championship Game, as well as the press coverage it would provide the 2 teams involved and the conference . . . for a conference struggling to improve its image/perception, how can a championship game AND its related press coverage be a bad thing? From my perspective . . . it's a WIN/WIN for the conference . . so let's add that 12th team, let's put on a hell of a championship game show . . .. We sure as hell don't have anything to lose by adding to the exposure the conference would receive from a CG . . .

Ask the MAC and NIU. NIU was easily the best team in the MAC in 2013, ranked most of the season and just waiting for a BCS bowl spot. Along came that silly championship game and they lost. They lost their BCS bowl spot and the MAC lost something on the order of $6,000,000.

The Belt don't need no stinkin' championship game......decide the champion one weekend at a time....all season long.

The best team just needs to win. A CCG is national tv.

those championship games work best for the bigs. they get one more multi million dollar game to add to the coffers..I would think it would be a money loser for the two sbc teams if we had one for our conference and like happened in the mac, a losing team could potentially be knocked out of a nice payday. only downside to the bigs is which bowl they are going to might change..

(02-12-2014 01:40 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 01:31 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 12:44 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  It would have sparked my interest as an outsider who doesn't follow the Sun Belt if they would've added the cream of the crop in FCS. Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State (which you did). The conference may have been a bit far flung, but it would've made for a fun football league. Three of those teams are also state schools with no FBS competition. Easier to drum up support with no other show in town if they were it when it came to FBS in their area.

Anyway, no idea if there would even be an interest on those schools part or if it would've been feasible. Just an idea I thought sounded good.

You must have forgotten about the 4 championships we won when Marshall was in FCS. Marshall did manage to get 2 although the practices Marshall used regarding FBS transfers in 96 resulted in a rule that no longer allows what they did.

Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State, and Georgia Southern (which you did).

Better?

I was going to laugh at the fact that a Marshall fan conveniently left us out.

(02-12-2014 02:44 PM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 12:36 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 07:09 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  It is highly probable that CUSA will lose two members to the AAC this Spring. Once that happens, we'll find out quickly whether CUSA will stay at 12 members (which in all probability, it will), or if it will add two to get back to 14 members. These moves, whatever they end up being, will in all likelihood be the last moves we see made by the AAC and CUSA for quite some time. Only then will we know whether JMU will be the 12th member of the SBC. By June, everyone should be able to rest a little easier knowing that the conferences will at least all be stable for the foreseeable future.

PS: Of course, it IS possible that in addition to losing two to the AAC, CUSA could also lose UTEP and UTSA to the MWC. If THAT happens, then all hell will break loose and CUSA will immediately add JMU and either UL-L, AState, or Texas St to get to 12 members. CUSA might also add all three SBC schools and get back to 14 members.

MY Prediction: The SBC will lose one member to CUSA this Spring. I think it is a toss up between UL-L and AState, with Tex St. in the running as a dark horse.

Not sure CUSA would be the target. UMass, Army, ULaLa, Texas State, and JMU could all be potential adds to the AAC.

I giggled like a school girl thinking of the hysterics a Cajun invite from the AAC would cause in certain quarters.

BTW BRtran, didn't you recently tell us that the Cajuns wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon? Now you've got us as a potential C-USA add this spring.

The idea of Texas State in the AAC is better. Poor Cougar King would never be the same.

(02-12-2014 03:22 PM)eaglewraith Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 01:40 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 01:31 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 12:44 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  It would have sparked my interest as an outsider who doesn't follow the Sun Belt if they would've added the cream of the crop in FCS. Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State (which you did). The conference may have been a bit far flung, but it would've made for a fun football league. Three of those teams are also state schools with no FBS competition. Easier to drum up support with no other show in town if they were it when it came to FBS in their area.

Anyway, no idea if there would even be an interest on those schools part or if it would've been feasible. Just an idea I thought sounded good.

You must have forgotten about the 4 championships we won when Marshall was in FCS. Marshall did manage to get 2 although the practices Marshall used regarding FBS transfers in 96 resulted in a rule that no longer allows what they did.

Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State, and Georgia Southern (which you did).

Better?

I was going to laugh at the fact that a Marshall fan conveniently left us out.

The point of the post was I thought it would be cool to see a small FBS conference have a few flagship universities as members. I threw in Appy State because I feel like they're still on the radar nationally off the Michigan win and Armanti Edwards (at least to me).

It really wasn't a slight. Don't be so thin-skinned.

(02-12-2014 01:40 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 01:31 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 12:44 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  It would have sparked my interest as an outsider who doesn't follow the Sun Belt if they would've added the cream of the crop in FCS. Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State (which you did). The conference may have been a bit far flung, but it would've made for a fun football league. Three of those teams are also state schools with no FBS competition. Easier to drum up support with no other show in town if they were it when it came to FBS in their area.

Anyway, no idea if there would even be an interest on those schools part or if it would've been feasible. Just an idea I thought sounded good.

You must have forgotten about the 4 championships we won when Marshall was in FCS. Marshall did manage to get 2 although the practices Marshall used regarding FBS transfers in 96 resulted in a rule that no longer allows what they did.

Teams like Delaware, Montana, North Dakota State, Appy State, and Georgia Southern (which you did).

Better?

No, I think you should put us first. Try one more time.

(02-11-2014 10:44 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  The Belt don't need no stinkin' 12th team nor a stinkin' championship game.

Exactly correct. We do not need a 12th team and certainly do not need a championship game. Silly. Guessing it's more 'monkey see, monkey do' than anything else.

(02-12-2014 04:46 PM)Florida Red Wolf Wrote:  

(02-11-2014 10:44 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  The Belt don't need no stinkin' 12th team nor a stinkin' championship game.

Exactly correct. We do not need a 12th team and certainly do not need a championship game. Silly. Guessing it's more 'monkey see, monkey do' than anything else.

Benson has to push for 12, now that he went to 11. Otherwise Presidents are going to wonder why NMSU and Idaho are receiving their share of the payout money and costing more in travel.

If we aren't going to reach 12 and have a championship game then drop Idaho and invite nmsu all sports.

Wouldn't make sense to add NMSU for all sports. It just creates a bigger travel nightmare. We'd be better off at 9 if we don't get to 12.

Go to 12, split into east/west divisions and have a Championship game. Since we don't play everyone with 11 members, the title is not truly decided on the field. If it costs a team a shot at an access bowl, too bad- just win the dag gum CCG!

How long will it be before ESPN starts picking who is in conferences? I think it's closer than you think.

(02-12-2014 02:44 PM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 12:36 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 07:09 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  It is highly probable that CUSA will lose two members to the AAC this Spring. Once that happens, we'll find out quickly whether CUSA will stay at 12 members (which in all probability, it will), or if it will add two to get back to 14 members. These moves, whatever they end up being, will in all likelihood be the last moves we see made by the AAC and CUSA for quite some time. Only then will we know whether JMU will be the 12th member of the SBC. By June, everyone should be able to rest a little easier knowing that the conferences will at least all be stable for the foreseeable future.

PS: Of course, it IS possible that in addition to losing two to the AAC, CUSA could also lose UTEP and UTSA to the MWC. If THAT happens, then all hell will break loose and CUSA will immediately add JMU and either UL-L, AState, or Texas St to get to 12 members. CUSA might also add all three SBC schools and get back to 14 members.

MY Prediction: The SBC will lose one member to CUSA this Spring. I think it is a toss up between UL-L and AState, with Tex St. in the running as a dark horse.

Not sure CUSA would be the target. UMass, Army, ULaLa, Texas State, and JMU could all be potential adds to the AAC.

I giggled like a school girl thinking of the hysterics a Cajun invite from the AAC would cause in certain quarters.

BTW BRtran, didn't you recently tell us that the Cajuns wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon? Now you've got us as a potential C-USA add this spring.

I don't think the AAC will ever invite a SBC member, no matter how badly you may want it. I do, however, understand completely how it feels to watch former conference mates leave for another conference. It is especially tough when those that leave are schools that you once considered to be your peers. I lived through it as I watched the WAC disintegrate around us before we were invited to join CUSA. I do not wish that feeling on anyone, not even UL-L.

The AAC is basically the old CUSA at this point. The old CUSA model was to go for big city markets even if the schools were marginal on the athletic front..I dont know if the AAC will follow the same model, but if they do neither the Sunbelt or new CUSA have many large markets to offer..

In 2013 the Sun Belt was the highest rated conference in the G5. Then they added two of the most successful programs in FCS and FBS. Assuming there are no more shifts, the SBC became stronger in realignment. FIU, FAU, NT and MTSU could never and will never have national success. WKU has done well but being the third team in Kentucky, a state with little talent, limits their ceiling. GaSt will be at least as good as FIU,FAU.

(02-12-2014 07:50 PM)Fanof49ASU Wrote:  How long will it be before ESPN starts picking who is in conferences? I think it's closer than you think.

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't already. I mean much of the marquee non-conference games are already organized by them.

When the Big East/AAC break up occurred, weren't there rumors that Fox Sports was meeting with the Big East on how to select as there last one or two basketball members?

(02-12-2014 09:05 PM)BRtransplant Wrote:  I do, however, understand completely how it feels to watch former conference mates leave for another conference. It is especially tough when those that leave are schools that you once considered to be your peers. I lived through it as I watched the WAC disintegrate around us before we were invited to join CUSA. I do not wish that feeling on anyone, not even UL-L.

You must have me confused with someone else as I don't give a rat's rear about who goes where. Again, in my humble opinion, there's hardly a hill of beans difference among the G-5 member conferences....the only one with a slight advantage, at this time, is the AAC.

And while I fully understand the challenges of trying to go it alone as an independent, I don't fear that either. If the Belt implodes tomorrow, so be it. Have a plan or get left behind.

Interestingly, there are a number of posters on this site who somehow believe there's something magical about being in XYZ conference. There's not. A sucky program will suck equally in the MAC, the MW, C-USA or the Sun Belt. It doesn't matter what the name of the G-5 conference is. My point all along, though obviously missed by touchy-feely-I-need-a-conference-to-feel-safe-and-secure kinda fans, is that those guiding the Cajun athletic program need to concentrate on what's best for the longterm future of the program, and quite listening to all the silly chatter about whose conference is the most 'prestigious'.

Do such things as increase athletic budgets, hire quality coaches and staff, constantly improve facilities, build local fan support, and WIN, and everything else will take care of itself in due time.

Until recently, the Cajun athletic program, football in particular, was about 30 years behind everyone else because the same university president who was there when I graduated from the university in 1976, who was never a strong supporter of athletics, only recently retired! Fortunately, the new president has a different view and is pushing to close the gap.

Our university, with almost 20,000 students, is very fortunate in that it's located in the heart of a unique part of the country, in the middle of one of the best football-player-producing states in the country, in a city that is the hub for the thriving U.S. offshore oil service industry and in the middle of a population center of 250,000 or more potential fans. There is tremendous potential and I honestly believe that those in charge know it, see it, and are doing all in their power to leverage what we have into something bigger and better.

Who, just 5 years ago, would have thought that we'd be where we are today? We've made incredible progress in a short period of time and as long as I see the kind of committment and progress that the football program has made over the last 3 years, you're not going to see me whining about or being envious of the lateral moves of our 'peers'.

Let 'em do what's best for them and we'll do what's best for us.

(02-12-2014 10:13 PM)GaStPanthers Wrote:  

(02-12-2014 07:50 PM)Fanof49ASU Wrote:  How long will it be before ESPN starts picking who is in conferences? I think it's closer than you think.

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't already. I mean much of the marquee non-conference games are already organized by them.

Agreed. They might not directly choose which schools are included in each conference, they they damn sure have a big influence already.

CUSA is proof positive of that.