(12-10-2014 11:35 AM)AppManDG Wrote:  Does CUSA wait to see what the Big XII does before moving to replace UAB? With the understanding the FBS playoff payout to G5 conferences based on a 12 team conference. IF the Big XII takes Cincinnati and BYU and the AAC responds by taking someone from CUSA, do the CUSA Presidents elect to remain at 12 schools?

Just looking for opinions and perspectives.

I don't think anyone IN CUSA will move to the B12.

I don't think anyone will move from the B12 to CUSA so no.

The UAB replacement, if the tanking football actually goes 100% down(the political machine FOR UAB seems to heating up for political collateral damaage/damage control), will be the first issue to address. I doubt CUSA wants to stay at 13.

CUSA can attract candidates from successful 1AA, SBC, and MAC schools. They don't have much attraction for MWC and AAC members. That said, *IF* the B12 does something--I bet the "peers" of the AAC and MWC talk about some things internally... I mean, that mega CUSA/BE/MWC conference from 2 years ago probably opened up some back channels among the institutions to converse on it again...

Not implying anyone from CUSA would move to the Big XII or vise versa. Simply that if the Big XII expands and takes 1 or 2 AAC schools and the AAC in turn poaches CUSA, what do they do then? By waiting to replace UAB and watching the fallout from the Big XII's expansion, CUSA Presidents may elect to stay at 12 schools.

Why would the sunbelt go away? They Get the same money as the other G5s. Not like there share will get cut before 12 years. There will be FCS teams willing to move up for that chunk of change. Liberty, JMU, E Ky, Missouri st, etc. Sunbelt serves P5 purposes, basically teams looking for Big Payday for an away game and what some P5 think are automatic Ws. Note don't be foolish to think Ga Southern is one of the automatic wins.

(12-10-2014 04:42 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  Not implying anyone from CUSA would move to the Big XII or vise versa. Simply that if the Big XII expands and takes 1 or 2 AAC schools and the AAC in turn poaches CUSA, what do they do then? By waiting to replace UAB and watching the fallout from the Big XII's expansion, CUSA Presidents may elect to stay at 12 schools.

B12 options are BYU, MWC, and AAC members. I doubt they can pull from any other of their own "peer" conferences at this time. That said, some of their peers could be talking on the back end about crippling the B12. The ACC, B1G, and PAC12 could make interesting bedfellows if they want 14/16 school options.

Just to get back to the original question, I can't see CUSA waiting on the Big12 to make their own move. CUSA has been proactive and you just know Banowsky (and most of the AD's) has a list in his drawer for exactly these types of contingencies (UAB dropping football which had been rumored a while, UTEP leaving, etc.) after everything they've seen the last five years.

Certainly no need to rush it until after the final UAB decision in January, but looking back at their history it seems likely if they want to move, they'll be ready by Spring. Hell, they've visited JMU already and I assume the same for other [maybe even more] serious candidates, it's not like they don't have at least a sense of their bottom line schools even if they don't have a clear picture of their pecking order just yet.

(12-10-2014 04:47 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 04:42 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  Not implying anyone from CUSA would move to the Big XII or vise versa. Simply that if the Big XII expands and takes 1 or 2 AAC schools and the AAC in turn poaches CUSA, what do they do then? By waiting to replace UAB and watching the fallout from the Big XII's expansion, CUSA Presidents may elect to stay at 12 schools.

B12 options are BYU, MWC, and AAC members. I doubt they can pull from any other of their own "peer" conferences at this time. That said, some of their peers could be talking on the back end about crippling the B12. The ACC, B1G, and PAC12 could make interesting bedfellows if they want 14/16 school options.

My guess is if the AAC television contract is on the table because of a team going to the Big 12, the MWC moves to cripple the AAC by offering Houston and someone else.

The CFP did not dictate how the G5 money would be divided. The P5 said here is a pile of money, figure out how to split it and we'll put it in the agreement.

If the G5 want to change the distribution formula the P5 doesn't care and will alter how they do it.

(12-10-2014 04:22 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  I must say....I dont think the Sunbelt conference can make it longterm. I will be surprised if the Sunbelt exists 10 years from now.

How so?

CUSA isn't taking the entire Sun Belt, and no one in the league is even considering dropping football.

Out of the current Sun Belt, Arkansas State, UL Monroe, Troy, and App State are not going anywhere. They are in small markets, or are blocked by teams in other leagues.

Literally, the only way the Sun Belt dies is if there is another MWC situation where teams form their own league Otherwise the league will always have time to backfill from FCS or FBS Independents.

(12-10-2014 05:31 PM)ESE84 Wrote:  My guess is if the AAC television contract is on the table because of a team going to the Big 12, the MWC moves to cripple the AAC by offering Houston and someone else.

Not sure what you mean by cripple, however the AAC is going to be fine. IF the BigXII does go to 12 there is no certainty they take 2 from the AAC; maybe they only take one and match them with a MW or BYU add. Now the AAC is back down to 11 (Navy joins to make them 12 in 2015). The AAC is pretty much the envy of the G5 at this time with UConn, Memphis, Cincy, Houston, etc. They lose someone, they've got a lot of places they can go to find a replacement.

That brings us to the OP (speaking to those opting for a proactive move by C-USA); I doubt very seriously the C-USA presidents look to add another school before the BigXII acts because there really is no guarantee of anything (as explained above). Even if the BigXII moves; at this time we're not sure if they take 2, 1 or no AAC's to get to their number. And even if the dominoes fall in a row and the XII take two AAC's and the AAC takes two C-USA's, C-USA is still at 11 and only needs one school to stay whole.

There are just too many moving parts and lots of time in the glacial game of conference realignment. We really have nothing to lose in standing pat for a year or more....and a lot to lose.

(12-10-2014 04:03 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  And one other reason to wait until March.

UAB would know how the straw poll went, that means they will be actively seeking other membership. If UAB can find another home and save me the press conference announcing that no bylaw change or waiver was granted by the conference.

If I can help them save that last scrap of dignity by choosing a new conference before I have to tell the world they've no home here, I'm going to do it.

This is a strong point. When the MAC did not renew its affiliation agreement with Hartwick in soccer, they said they had previously agreed that the MAC decided they preferred not to have multi-division members. Which was news to everyone ... but between making that decision and the announcement, Hartwick had a chance to sort something out, and shortly after that announce they were joining Sunbelt soccer when the Sunbelt re-started their soccer league with the admission of GA Southern and Appy State.

And that was a low profile move in a low profile sport ... the incentive to have UAB be able to announce their future before CUSA announces what is not their future is much stronger in FB.

(12-10-2014 04:31 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 04:19 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Let's pretend UTEP is gone along with UAB.

Why? MWC has no reason to want 13 football teams, and they're not going to add NMSU or Idaho as #14, nor is there any economic reason to want to divide whatever money they have 14 ways.

Most plausibly, because Hawaii's efforts to shake down the state legislature for more money backfires, and Hawaii ends up actually having to shutter their FB program. If the MWC drops to 11 in FB, adding UTEP all-sports seems the best fit add they could make.

Note that is plausible, not probably ... Hawaii's efforts to shake down the State Legislature for more money will most likely succeed well enough to keep FB.

I think CUSA stands at 13 for now to see if anyone else makes a move or the amend the rules to allow UAB to stay and add UMass as football only.

Having Massachusetts step into UAB's football conference schedule for 2015 makes sense. It may give C-USA a year to find the right replacement and solve UMass's football scheduling issues. http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mid-a...hedule.php

The AAC's TV contract specifically identifies four schools as "Group A" and that they represent a greater share of the value of the contract to the TV partner. ESPN has the right to renegotiate if one Group A and one Group B school leave. If two Group A schools leave it will severely devalue the TV deal.

My guess is C-USA waits on the Big 12. If C-USA winds up at 11, it may add only one.

(12-10-2014 07:35 PM)chess Wrote:  Having Massachusetts step into UAB's football conference schedule for 2015 makes sense. It may give C-USA a year to find the right replacement and solve UMass's football scheduling issues. http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mid-a...hedule.php

UMass has no issues with its 2015 schedule - it's the MAC that will have to deal with 13 teams for 2015. UMass needs help for 2016 and beyond.

For 2015, UMass could convert its game against FIU to a conference game, and then pick up one of UAB's non-conference opponents.

(12-10-2014 02:55 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 12:23 PM)galojah Wrote:  MUther, so, when is the appropriate time to discuss? I haven't seen an obit in the paper yet to know when the viewing and funeral is.

I respectfully disagree. It's a message board. If you can't discuss here, then where? Everyone is respecting UAB and no one is wishing them gone. The amount of support and outcry has been incredible and justified. However, players are looking for new schools, coaches are looking for new jobs, schedules are starting to be adjusted. I think we are past the "viewing and funeral". Doesn't mean it doesn't still suck what has happened and we can't still hope that UAB figures this out and keeps football. But the fall out is happening, whether we talk about it or not. #FreeUAB

You have to keep in mind some of the MU folks have a hang up about App. They're still mad the Mountaineers were the first team to whip them in their new stadium - actually handed them their first two reg season loses in the new diggs - and hold a 14-6 SoCon record over them.

Has nothing to do with being an Appy St fan. Has everything to do with not being a CUSA fan and asking a question because you think you're in line to be the next school to join in their place.

I didn't even think about any contests between our two schools. You just don't matter enough to me to consider it. But I'm glad you've had something to hang on to for the last 23 years, that and Michigan I guess will get you through the dark times.

(12-10-2014 08:29 PM)MUther Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 02:55 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 12:23 PM)galojah Wrote:  MUther, so, when is the appropriate time to discuss? I haven't seen an obit in the paper yet to know when the viewing and funeral is.

I respectfully disagree. It's a message board. If you can't discuss here, then where? Everyone is respecting UAB and no one is wishing them gone. The amount of support and outcry has been incredible and justified. However, players are looking for new schools, coaches are looking for new jobs, schedules are starting to be adjusted. I think we are past the "viewing and funeral". Doesn't mean it doesn't still suck what has happened and we can't still hope that UAB figures this out and keeps football. But the fall out is happening, whether we talk about it or not. #FreeUAB

You have to keep in mind some of the MU folks have a hang up about App. They're still mad the Mountaineers were the first team to whip them in their new stadium - actually handed them their first two reg season loses in the new diggs - and hold a 14-6 SoCon record over them.

Has nothing to do with being an Appy St fan. Has everything to do with not being a CUSA fan and asking a question because you think you're in line to be the next school to join in their place.

I didn't even think about any contests between our two schools. You just don't matter enough to me to consider it. But I'm glad you've had something to hang on to for the last 23 years, that and Michigan I guess will get you through the dark times.

I laugh at the fact that you think we ask questions because we think we're next in line for CUSA. We ask these questions because it likely will have an impact on our conference and many other conferences.

News flash: the world does not revolve around Marshall and/or CUSA.

(12-10-2014 04:47 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 04:42 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  Not implying anyone from CUSA would move to the Big XII or vise versa. Simply that if the Big XII expands and takes 1 or 2 AAC schools and the AAC in turn poaches CUSA, what do they do then? By waiting to replace UAB and watching the fallout from the Big XII's expansion, CUSA Presidents may elect to stay at 12 schools.

B12 options are BYU, MWC, and AAC members. I doubt they can pull from any other of their own "peer" conferences at this time. That said, some of their peers could be talking on the back end about crippling the B12. The ACC, B1G, and PAC12 could make interesting bedfellows if they want 14/16 school options.

LOL. Such BS. B12 options are ANY G5 school and quite possibly a couple options from P5 as well. It doesn't have to be a MWC or American school.

(12-10-2014 06:17 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 04:22 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  I must say....I dont think the Sunbelt conference can make it longterm. I will be surprised if the Sunbelt exists 10 years from now.

How so?

CUSA isn't taking the entire Sun Belt, and no one in the league is even considering dropping football.

Out of the current Sun Belt, Arkansas State, UL Monroe, Troy, and App State are not going anywhere. They are in small markets, or are blocked by teams in other leagues.

Literally, the only way the Sun Belt dies is if there is another MWC situation where teams form their own league Otherwise the league will always have time to backfill from FCS or FBS Independents.

I just think at some point in the future these P5 conferences are going to be 16 team leagues. If and when that happens the ripple effect will be huge.

(12-10-2014 08:14 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 07:35 PM)chess Wrote:  Having Massachusetts step into UAB's football conference schedule for 2015 makes sense. It may give C-USA a year to find the right replacement and solve UMass's football scheduling issues. http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mid-a...hedule.php

UMass has no issues with its 2015 schedule - it's the MAC that will have to deal with 13 teams for 2015. UMass needs help for 2016 and beyond.

For 2015, UMass could convert its game against FIU to a conference game, and then pick up one of UAB's non-conference opponents.

The link I provided only show 4 games scheduled for UMass. Regardless, C-USA could work with the MAC to help with scheduling the baker's dozen to buy time and, possibly, make a better decision.

(12-10-2014 08:46 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 06:17 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 04:22 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  I must say....I dont think the Sunbelt conference can make it longterm. I will be surprised if the Sunbelt exists 10 years from now.

How so?

CUSA isn't taking the entire Sun Belt, and no one in the league is even considering dropping football.

Out of the current Sun Belt, Arkansas State, UL Monroe, Troy, and App State are not going anywhere. They are in small markets, or are blocked by teams in other leagues.

Literally, the only way the Sun Belt dies is if there is another MWC situation where teams form their own league Otherwise the league will always have time to backfill from FCS or FBS Independents.

I just think at some point in the future these P5 conferences are going to be 16 team leagues. If and when that happens the ripple effect will be huge.

Even if that happened, you would likely still see those left over in the Sun Belt doing what they can to survive.

You're not going to see anyone voluntarily dropping football or going to FCS, not after this UAB mess.