The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

In that bowl game in Montgomery, USA plays MAC school Bowling Green in what could be seen as an audition for USA's advancement from the Sun Belt if UAB can't stay in C-USA. None of this is certain in what could happen in 2015, but it is clearly out of our hands as a result of administrative actions.

I think it all depends on what happens with the Big XII oddly enough.

If they are granted permission to have a championship game with the teams already in the conference (which I assume will happen to prevent another round of poaching), then I believe that UAB will be replaced if we don't reinstate our football team in time. If the Big XII has to make a move to add more teams then I expect them to raid the AAC for at least one team or possibly two. The AAC in turn would look at C-USA. C-USA in turn would look at the Sun-Belt. If the C-USA actually loses teams to the AAC again, then they'd probably reconsider throwing us out.

I think you are correct about the "bell cow" position of the Big 12 in 2015 realignments. If the Big 12 does have to add two, I think Boise State would be one of their targets and UTEP, Tulsa or Houston might be others. Geographically they make sense.

(12-13-2014 04:05 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  I think you are correct about the "bell cow" position of the Big 12 in 2015 realignments. If the Big 12 does have to add two, I think Boise State would be one of their targets and UTEP, Tulsa or Houston might be others. Geographically they make sense.

Texas schools might have a problem with Houston and even UTEP, although UTEP's history of attendance may appeal to them. I could see them going for a Boise State maybe, but more likely I think is someone like Memphis. Memphis football has improved, Memphis basketball adds value to the conference, and it's a whole new market rather than just adding more Texas schools.

(12-13-2014 04:05 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  I think you are correct about the "bell cow" position of the Big 12 in 2015 realignments. If the Big 12 does have to add two, I think Boise State would be one of their targets and UTEP, Tulsa or Houston might be others. Geographically they make sense.

I think they definitely don't want another Texas team.

I think the best move would be to expand their footprint towards West Virginia. Cincinnati and Memphis are good schools, but they're not at that level of play just yet. Boise State and BYU are big time, but they're on the wrong side of the Mississippi if they're looking to add to the conference. Tulsa could probably be on the short list, too.

Getting in the Big 12 would be a really, really strong move for any of them. If any of them make it, they'd probably be a doormat for a good couple of years, but the money from the deals, the level of competition, the attendance draw from playing big time teams, etc. will make it so worth it that you wouldn't even care about getting stomped for a few years.

(12-13-2014 04:05 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  I think you are correct about the "bell cow" position of the Big 12 in 2015 realignments. If the Big 12 does have to add two, I think Boise State would be one of their targets and UTEP, Tulsa or Houston might be others. Geographically they make sense.

Big 12----My opinion is Cincinnati and BYU.

Memphis would be perfect for expansion. Close enough to Texas and geographically in the "Mid South", can have access to some southern markets and more exposure to southeastern athletes who might eventually flood their way into the conference. Wouldn't really put a dent on what the big boys down this way recruit, but could be enough to have a significant impact over time.

South Alabama isn't going to CUSA as long as southern miss is there in my opinion. I don't think the rumors of Cincinnati and Memphis to the big XII came from nowhere. Boise state is a good program, but it is a definite outlier geographically to most of the big xii.

I'm hoping CUSA will wait to see what happens with watts before they make a decision on us. I understand there are rules in place, but we are a long time member that fits into the conference well location wise, especially with the newer members. i think our biggest problem right now is that we have nobody to lobby for us to get or stay in any conference. It's a waiting game that definitely sucks, but in guessing the ncaa doesn't grant the big XII a waiver and we are looking at another round of realignment in the near future.

CUSA doesn't necessarily have to backfill from the state of Alabama. They'll do what any conference would. They'll look for the team with the best available market and a solid enough athletics program to go after. I think there's better teams that fit that bill than USA but who knows. We'll have to see what the report says, right?

I'm sorry to ask this but what is wrong with South Alabama outside of USM not wanting them in the conference? Would the same apply to Troy?

(12-13-2014 08:11 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  I'm sorry to ask this but what is wrong with South Alabama outside of USM not wanting them in the conference? Would the same apply to Troy?

That's about it, but that's genrally enough. Troy has no market and a terrible basketball program.

USM apparently didn't want us in CUSA, so I can't imagine they want South Alabama.

(12-13-2014 09:15 PM)tibber Wrote:  USM apparently didn't want us in CUSA, so I can't imagine they want South Alabama.

I'm going by what USM fans themselves said on another board. Apparently Jeff Bower didn't want us in.

Dr. G , Dr. Saunders at USM & the Memphis President Raines had a pact to stay in the same conference and the Memphis pres. broke it. USM is an ally, or will be until we have to join the A-Sun.

Oh, it was on a message board. Must be true then.

(12-13-2014 10:37 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Dr. G , Dr. Saunders at USM & the Memphis President Raines had a pact and the Memphis pres. broke it. USM is an ally

Another message board legend that no one has ever provided tangible proof of.

(12-13-2014 10:35 PM)tibber Wrote:  I'm going by what USM fans themselves said on another board. Apparently Jeff Bower didn't want us in.

Well yeah, his best players came from Birmingham, Gasden & Tuscaloosa. I'm sure UaB had a hand in USMs decline in football. Maybe the bot should consider that Joe Webb would have been a Golden Eagle if not for UaB.

(12-13-2014 07:11 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  South Alabama isn't going to CUSA as long as southern miss is there in my opinion. I don't think the rumors of Cincinnati and Memphis to the big XII came from nowhere. Boise state is a good program, but it is a definite outlier geographically to most of the big xii.

I'm hoping CUSA will wait to see what happens with watts before they make a decision on us. I understand there are rules in place, but we are a long time member that fits into the conference well location wise, especially with the newer members. i think our biggest problem right now is that we have nobody to lobby for us to get or stay in any conference. It's a waiting game that definitely sucks, but in guessing the ncaa doesn't grant the big XII a waiver and we are looking at another round of realignment in the near future.

I don't think USA is going to get a CUSA bid this time around. Not that we couldn't compete, but just not in the cards right now.

That being said, USA is perfectly comfortable in the Sun Belt (where we've been for 40 years). If a bid comes, I'm sure the folks in Mobile will look at it. But I think its instructive as to how the USA folks feel that you don't see any of our fans pimping our school as a prospective member. If CUSA feels that USA is the best choice for them, they are welcome to ask us to join at which point we will decide if the move makes sense for us.

First, the idea that a bowl game is some kind of audition is laughable. Decisions aren't made based on the results of a bowl game.

Second, if CUSA by chance decides to offer a bid to South Alabama, they will jump at the chance just like every other Sun Belt school has done. CUSA > Sun Belt. The TV money is better as well as just about everything else. That said, I agree with others that South Alabama is well down on the lists of potential teams.