(08-28-2015 09:38 AM)slycat Wrote:  Yeah neither school is exciting. App and GS were as exciting as FCS move ups can get. I'd rather see schools come up with travel funds for Montana and NDSU. At least they will elevate football in the conference.

I could get behind that.

(08-28-2015 09:38 AM)slycat Wrote:  Yeah neither school is exciting. App and GS were as exciting as FCS move ups can get. I'd rather see schools come up with travel funds for Montana and NDSU. At least they will elevate football in the conference.

Coastal would take the team they have right now and beat 3-4 teams in this league. When it comes to FCS prominence over the last 3 years, Coastal has been one of the best out there. I'm not worried in the slightest that they will commit and compete in FBS football. They will be a superior choice that will rival CUSA's decision to invite ODU in a few years.

(08-28-2015 07:10 AM)runamuck Wrote:  we are the only option for these schools looking to move up. no other higher level conference is interested in them. I would be happier not adding either one for a while till they or someone else improves themselves and becomes a more desired candidate. no school playing at the highest level of college sports whines about traveling a few states over for a game. dont you guys think that wvu owned a map before they joined the b12. did utep whine about about traveling to ecu ? I think the tightness of the conference footprint is a factor to consider, just not the main one.

WVU is a power conference school. It is ridiculous to compare WVU and App State. WVU had $77 million in athletic revenue in 2014 and that is only going to grow.

UTEP does not travel to ECU. They are in different conferences. CUSA schools get $1 million per school from their TV contract. That helps to offset some of the travel expenses. The UTEP AD has been quite open about the fact that he would love to join the Mountain West Conference. It is a better travel fit for them.

Since the SBC does not have much revenue coming in, their is a need to tighten the footprint for Olympic sports to reduce expenses. The other FBS conferences are not looking to add at this time. They would have no reason to look at CCU and EKU. If they were, they would look at other FBS schools. This is the Sun Belt and FCS options are the only real options for this conference.

(08-28-2015 09:43 AM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 09:38 AM)slycat Wrote:  Yeah neither school is exciting. App and GS were as exciting as FCS move ups can get. I'd rather see schools come up with travel funds for Montana and NDSU. At least they will elevate football in the conference.

Coastal would take the team they have right now and beat 3-4 teams in this league. When it comes to FCS prominence over the last 3 years, Coastal has been one of the best out there. I'm not worried in the slightest that they will commit and compete in FBS football. They will be a superior choice that will rival CUSA's decision to invite ODU in a few years.

I think the bigger issue is that they have few alumni and few fans. They're also in an area with lots of transplants that might retain loyalty to their original school rather than to CCU.

CCU will do just fine if they're going 7-5 or 6-6. What worries me is if they go 2-10 or 4-8 a few years in a row. None of us will have attendance to write home about in that scenario, but how bad would it be for CCU?

That being said, I'm not strongly opposed to CCU, just mildly so.

(08-27-2015 11:55 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  There are two that are slam dunks, but they aren't interested.

If you are talking about JMU and Missouri State... I don't think either of them are anywhere near slam dunks either.

JMU has won 1 national championship and has 4 conference championships. 11 playoff appearances. I will not knock that in any way, shape of form, because it's impressive. But it's no slam dunk.

Missouri State has really good basketball. But it's not "OMG!" basketball.

(Keep in mind, I'm just sticking with the main reasons folks want these two).

I think both would be REALLY GOOD adds (and I don't think CCU/EKU would be "bad" either)... But they are not slam dunks like App & Georgia Southern.

And NDSU isn't a slam dunk either, but for a whole other set of reasons. Their's being that I don't think they could fund it properly, but I don't know enough about them to be sure.

There isn't another App/Georgia Southern out there that has storied football, great fan support, solid location, and a willingness to invest in their athletics to the tune of FBS. That's just a fact. Doesn't mean whomever we invite up won't be good... But they just aren't locks like the last two adds are.

(08-27-2015 11:39 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 10:50 PM)rbostic218 Wrote:  The more and more this drags out the more I'm against either candidate. Nothing jumps out and grabs you about any of these choices. It may just be me.

You're not alone. CCU and EKU will be there next year if we kick it down the road. Appy and Ga Southern were slam dunks.

I'm not in favor of either CCU or EKU. I'm not very opposed to them, just mildly opposed. For me its really related to CCU's small fan/alumni base and no history of attendance and EKU's closeness to UK.

If I had to pick one, I'd pick CCU. But I see no need to pick anyone at this point.

Both of these schools are more 'risky' than App or Georgia Southern

However very very few schools will be as prepped for it as App and GS they were kind of no brainers.

At least App St and G Southern had already invested in their program, before, the invite was considered.

CCU and EKU are wanting the invite before they do the work.

Sam Houston has better facilities and has won their conference 3 out of 4 years, and has made it far into the playoffs many years in the last ten. And, with Sam Houston...you get outstanding recruiting, a bite of the Houston market and amenities, and Texas St gets an instate rival in fb. Sam also, plays a pretty strong OOC schedule. They have also shown a great ability to sell tickets....their game with SFA sells about 28k seats every year at a neutral site in Houston.

SHSU will also help to shrink the footprint instead of increasing it further to the north or east.

Sam, of course, like many of the others isn't a slam dunk. But, they seem to be better athletically and facilities-wise over EKU and CCU. It seems there are plenty of schools to choose from....that are just as deserving as EKU and CCU. I don't know why the SBC is forcing the issue with these two candidates??

(08-28-2015 10:47 AM)MellowCorn Wrote:  At least App St and G Southern had already invested in their program, before, the invite was considered.

CCU and EKU are wanting the invite before they do the work.

Sam Houston has better facilities and has won their conference 3 out of 4 years, and has made it far into the playoffs many years in the last ten. And, with Sam Houston...you get outstanding recruiting, a bite of the Houston market and amenities, and Texas St gets an instate rival in fb. Sam also, plays a pretty strong OOC schedule. They have also shown a great ability to sell tickets....their game with SFA sells about 28k seats every year at a neutral site in Houston.

SHSU will also help to shrink the footprint instead of increasing it further to the north or east.

Sam, of course, like many of the others isn't a slam dunk. But, they seem to be better athletically and facilities-wise over EKU and CCU. It seems there are plenty of schools to choose from....that are just as deserving as EKU and CCU. I don't know why the SBC is forcing the issue with these two candidates??

Just to clarify, EKU is doing the facility upgrade regardless of the Sun Belt decision. The delay in these upgrades had to do more with a lack of leadership at the school.

(08-28-2015 08:40 AM)MellowCorn Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 10:50 PM)rbostic218 Wrote:  The more and more this drags out the more I'm against either candidate. Nothing jumps out and grabs you about any of these choices. It may just be me.

I don't really like either of these schools, as well.
CCU's stadium deal is lame. High schools in Texas have bigger stadiums(there are 10 hs stadiums in Austin that are bigger than CCU). How is it that they only seat 9000 people?? Having less than 10k at each game doesn't really tell me that they support their fb team very well. Having them expand their stadium...ONLY, if they get an invite says way too much about CCU.

Central Kentucky isn't a recruiting hot bed...and neither is SC. Recruiting seems to be very important to other realignment discussions...why not here?

Neither of these two schools carry their state...or even get close....let alone, have their own market. Aren't...support, fan base, attendance, and market...important factors for realignment?

I would rather the SBC wait if this is the best they can do, now. The conference doesn't need another school like Troy at this time.

When your primary argument against a school is the current size of their football stadium, you have lost the argument. A football stadium can always be expanded. They do they play good football is a more relevant question. They have been to the FCS playoffs three straight seasons and have had back-to-back top ten rankings in FCS football.

You look at the head football coach and he is a multi-millionaire and current Chairman of Ameritrade. Besides football, how much could a kid learn from this guy?

As for recruiting, CCU currently recruits in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina. They have at least a dozen players on their current football roster from both Georgia and Florida. They are not restricted to recruiting in the state of South Carolina, which is also loaded with talent.

Myrtle Beach is one of the top tourist destinations in the country. It is a good market. Taking cheap shots at Troy or any other Sun Belt school is not going to convince anyone that CCU should not be added.

(08-28-2015 07:56 AM)moehler Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 07:10 AM)runamuck Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 01:16 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 11:47 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 11:39 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  You're not alone. CCU and EKU will be there next year if we kick it down the road. Appy and Ga Southern were slam dunks.

I'm not in favor of either CCU or EKU. I'm not very opposed to them, just mildly opposed. For me its really related to CCU's small fan/alumni base and no history of attendance and EKU's closeness to UK.

If I had to pick one, I'd pick CCU. But I see no need to pick anyone at this point.

Both of these schools are more 'risky' than App or Georgia Southern

If you are waiting for two schools that aren't, we will never expand.

Correct. The only slam dunks are either too far away (NDSU) or would have to leave a current FBS league to do it (any CUSA School really)

I think CCU is a breakaway layup though, I mean yeah, we could blow the layup, but the odds are better. EKU is a free throw. Probably 75 percent chance that turns out well.

Or we could do what LFlorida Jag wants and go for the half court shot blindfolded with West Florida. I mean...you might make that once if you tried.

we are the only option for these schools looking to move up. no other higher level conference is interested in them. I would be happier not adding either one for a while till they or someone else improves themselves and becomes a more desired candidate. no school playing at the highest level of college sports whines about traveling a few states over for a game. dont you guys think that wvu owned a map before they joined the b12. did utep whine about about traveling to ecu ? I think the tightness of the conference footprint is a factor to consider, just not the main one.

sorry just cant get behind CC as a member, they just aren't in an area that will support collage athletics just too many other things to do on a Sat afternoon than to spend it watching CC vs Troy. I think after the novelity of being in the SBC wears off, and after a losing season or two, you will see their attendance drop consistently below 10,000 a game.

You do realize that everyone said that about App State and Georgia Southern...right?

(08-28-2015 10:47 AM)MellowCorn Wrote:  At least App St and G Southern had already invested in their program, before, the invite was considered.

CCU and EKU are wanting the invite before they do the work.

Sam Houston has better facilities and has won their conference 3 out of 4 years, and has made it far into the playoffs many years in the last ten. And, with Sam Houston...you get outstanding recruiting, a bite of the Houston market and amenities, and Texas St gets an instate rival in fb. Sam also, plays a pretty strong OOC schedule. They have also shown a great ability to sell tickets....their game with SFA sells about 28k seats every year at a neutral site in Houston.

SHSU will also help to shrink the footprint instead of increasing it further to the north or east.

Sam, of course, like many of the others isn't a slam dunk. But, they seem to be better athletically and facilities-wise over EKU and CCU. It seems there are plenty of schools to choose from....that are just as deserving as EKU and CCU. I don't know why the SBC is forcing the issue with these two candidates??

Just so you are aware...Sam Houston State's admission to the Sun Belt is being blocked. Same with Lamar, McNeese, and some other Southland schools. They'll likely never get the votes

(08-28-2015 10:47 AM)MellowCorn Wrote:  At least App St and G Southern had already invested in their program, before, the invite was considered.

CCU and EKU are wanting the invite before they do the work.

Sam Houston has better facilities and has won their conference 3 out of 4 years, and has made it far into the playoffs many years in the last ten. And, with Sam Houston...you get outstanding recruiting, a bite of the Houston market and amenities, and Texas St gets an instate rival in fb. Sam also, plays a pretty strong OOC schedule. They have also shown a great ability to sell tickets....their game with SFA sells about 28k seats every year at a neutral site in Houston.

SHSU will also help to shrink the footprint instead of increasing it further to the north or east.

Sam, of course, like many of the others isn't a slam dunk. But, they seem to be better athletically and facilities-wise over EKU and CCU. It seems there are plenty of schools to choose from....that are just as deserving as EKU and CCU. I don't know why the SBC is forcing the issue with these two candidates??

Im a proponent of SHSU at some point.

But I've been told, repeatedly, that so long as ULL, Ark State, and ULM are in the conference, that will never happen.

Its a shame, because SHSU could make a lot of sense. And SHSU isn't primary here in Houston, but they certainly are relevant.

(08-28-2015 01:16 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 11:47 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 11:39 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 10:50 PM)rbostic218 Wrote:  The more and more this drags out the more I'm against either candidate. Nothing jumps out and grabs you about any of these choices. It may just be me.

You're not alone. CCU and EKU will be there next year if we kick it down the road. Appy and Ga Southern were slam dunks.

I'm not in favor of either CCU or EKU. I'm not very opposed to them, just mildly opposed. For me its really related to CCU's small fan/alumni base and no history of attendance and EKU's closeness to UK.

If I had to pick one, I'd pick CCU. But I see no need to pick anyone at this point.

Both of these schools are more 'risky' than App or Georgia Southern

If you are waiting for two schools that aren't, we will never expand.

Correct. The only slam dunks are either too far away (NDSU) or would have to leave a current FBS league to do it (any CUSA School really)

I think CCU is a breakaway layup though, I mean yeah, we could blow the layup, but the odds are better. EKU is a free throw. Probably 75 percent chance that turns out well.

Or we could do what LFlorida Jag wants and go for the half court shot blindfolded with West Florida. I mean...you might make that once if you tried.

Chief,

A half court shot has won many a game.

If we are not adding Missouri State, JMU or UTA football, then we have to look at what is the most benefecial long term addition.

EKU >> 16,000 students (20,000 seat stadium)
CC >> 10,000 students (9,00 seat stadium)
UWF >> 13,000 sudents (5,000 seat stadium)

UWF recommendation

1. UWF gets us back into Florida.
2. Fifty minutes from South Alabama
3. Three hours from Troy.
4. App State and Ga Southern become travel partners.
5. Troy and Ga State become travel partners
6. USA and UWF become travel partners
7. UWF has plans to build OCS


East

App State
Ga State
Ga Southern
South Alabama
Troy
West Florida

West

Arkansas State
Idaho
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
Texas State
New Mexico State


This gets you to 12 football members and keeps travel expenses low.

Add UTA Football when Idaho leaves:

East

App State
Ga State
Ga Southern
South Alabama
Troy
West Florida

West

Arkansas State
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
Texas Arlington
Texas State
New Mexico State

Then add Missouri State and EKU:

East

App State
Eastern Kentucky
Ga State
Ga Southern
South Alabama
Troy
West Florida

West

Arkansas State
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
Missouri State
Texas Arlington
Texas State
New Mexico State

(08-27-2015 10:01 PM)RamblinRedWolf44 Wrote:  http://www.kentucky.com/2015/08/27/40085....html?rh=1


RICHMOND — The Ohio Valley Conference has awarded 67 football championships in its history — and Eastern Kentucky has competed for every one of them. Yet it is possible that 2015 will be the final OVC crown the Colonels pursue.

Eastern has been open about its desire to move from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision. At present, an invitation from the Sun Belt Conference appears to be the only viable path for EKU to enter the FBS.

New Eastern Athletics Director Steve Lochmueller said Tuesday he expected to hear "sooner rather than later" what the Sun Belt will do about expansion.

In July, a Sun Belt expansion committee visited EKU. League officials later visited Coastal Carolina and New Mexico State. Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson has stated publicly that the Sun Belt would like to add a school that could serve as a "travel partner" for Appalachian State in Boone, N.C.

"If they are going to have that for the '16-17 season, time is becoming short," Lochmueller said.

The Sun Belt's 11 full members now include two schools each in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Georgia plus Appalachian State. Benson has said the conference would like to be able to split into East and West divisions for scheduling purposes.

Presumably, the desire for an Appalachian State travel partner makes New Mexico State — which, along with Idaho, is now a football-only Sun Belt Conference school — a tough sell for full league membership.

How do EKU and Coastal Carolina "match up?"

Geography seems a wash between Eastern and Coastal Carolina. Google Maps says the EKU campus is 268 miles from Appy State, while Coastal Carolina's home in Conway, S.C., is 285 miles from Boone, N.C.

Coastal Carolina became an autonomous university in 1993. According to the Equity in Athletics Data Base, Coastal had a $20,548,216 athletics budget for 2013-14 (the most recent figures available), while EKU spent $13,033,262 on sports.

Yet while EKU's Roy Kidd Stadium has a listed capacity of 22,000 (due to a renovation, it will hold less in 2015), the biggest knock on Coastal Carolina seems to be that its football stadium seats 9,214. The school reportedly has promised the Sun Belt it will expand immediately to 20,000-plus seats if it is invited into the league.

"Coastal being such a young school ... most everything they have is brand new," said Lochmueller, the 1970s Kentucky Wildcats basketball and (briefly) football player. "... They've got a very excellent baseball and softball complex. A brand new basketball gymnasium. Competition-wise, they're a good school."

When the Sun Belt officials left Richmond in July, Lochmueller said, Eastern had the impression they liked what they had seen.

"We showed them our facilities," the AD said. "Those that we feel like need to be improved, we told them what our plan was. In our particular instance, we need to improve our baseball and softball (facilities). The Sun Belt is a big baseball and softball league. And we have a plan in place to, we have the financing and the funding, to do both softball and baseball."

Should Eastern receive the Sun Belt nod, Loch mueller said, the school has a five-year projection that sees its athletics budget growing to "about $20, $21 million."

"We believe what we were told from the Sun Belt folks is that, with the baseball and softball facilities being upgraded, we are in pretty good shape for an invitation," Lochmueller said. "It's like we're waiting to go on a date, we're just waiting on that invite."

If the Sun Belt asks EKU to the prom, Lochmueller says Eastern would join its new league July 1, though it would not become a full football member until 2018. That could make the 2015-16 season the Colonels' final one sharing a conference with ancient rivals Murray State and Morehead State.

Lochmueller said Eastern has not had any specific conversations with its fellow in-state schools about the ramifications of the Colonels leaving the OVC. "But we've been very transparent with the conference," he said.

Conversely, if the Sun Belt spurns EKU, Loch mueller said Eastern cannot let that burst its bubble.

"At this juncture, we've got all our cards with the Sun Belt," he said. "If we're not successful, we will continue to work hard and try to elevate every program here to the next level. Who knows about the future? I don't think realignment is over yet."

I like the use of the word verdict. I feel as if EKU is softening the landing a bit for their fans. FWIW, I see membership coming eventually for EKU. There will be a decision made on Idaho and NMSU at some point. Just have to believe that Idaho has no future in the conference. NMSU might if mo state can't come around. If that's the case we will need another east coast team to get back to 12 football. EKU should get that call barring any change of heart from anyone else in the east. Just glad something is finally happening to replace WKU.

(08-28-2015 11:19 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 10:47 AM)MellowCorn Wrote:  At least App St and G Southern had already invested in their program, before, the invite was considered.

CCU and EKU are wanting the invite before they do the work.

Sam Houston has better facilities and has won their conference 3 out of 4 years, and has made it far into the playoffs many years in the last ten. And, with Sam Houston...you get outstanding recruiting, a bite of the Houston market and amenities, and Texas St gets an instate rival in fb. Sam also, plays a pretty strong OOC schedule. They have also shown a great ability to sell tickets....their game with SFA sells about 28k seats every year at a neutral site in Houston.

SHSU will also help to shrink the footprint instead of increasing it further to the north or east.

Sam, of course, like many of the others isn't a slam dunk. But, they seem to be better athletically and facilities-wise over EKU and CCU. It seems there are plenty of schools to choose from....that are just as deserving as EKU and CCU. I don't know why the SBC is forcing the issue with these two candidates??

Just so you are aware...Sam Houston State's admission to the Sun Belt is being blocked. Same with Lamar, McNeese, and some other Southland schools. They'll likely never get the votes

Come on, we want a western bus league, surely we are behind them.

(08-28-2015 11:19 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 10:47 AM)MellowCorn Wrote:  At least App St and G Southern had already invested in their program, before, the invite was considered.

CCU and EKU are wanting the invite before they do the work.

Sam Houston has better facilities and has won their conference 3 out of 4 years, and has made it far into the playoffs many years in the last ten. And, with Sam Houston...you get outstanding recruiting, a bite of the Houston market and amenities, and Texas St gets an instate rival in fb. Sam also, plays a pretty strong OOC schedule. They have also shown a great ability to sell tickets....their game with SFA sells about 28k seats every year at a neutral site in Houston.

SHSU will also help to shrink the footprint instead of increasing it further to the north or east.

Sam, of course, like many of the others isn't a slam dunk. But, they seem to be better athletically and facilities-wise over EKU and CCU. It seems there are plenty of schools to choose from....that are just as deserving as EKU and CCU. I don't know why the SBC is forcing the issue with these two candidates??

Im a proponent of SHSU at some point.

But I've been told, repeatedly, that so long as ULL, Ark State, and ULM are in the conference, that will never happen.

Its a shame, because SHSU could make a lot of sense. And SHSU isn't primary here in Houston, but they certainly are relevant.

Their attendance says otherwise. A Texas school with that level of success not doing better at the gate worries me.

(08-28-2015 11:19 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Just so you are aware...Sam Houston State's admission to the Sun Belt is being blocked. Same with Lamar, McNeese, and some other Southland schools. They'll likely never get the votes

What schools would block them at this point? I ask because it would seem a little odd for western SBC schools to insist on western adds but block reasonable candidates.

(08-28-2015 11:35 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 11:19 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 10:47 AM)MellowCorn Wrote:  At least App St and G Southern had already invested in their program, before, the invite was considered.

CCU and EKU are wanting the invite before they do the work.

Sam Houston has better facilities and has won their conference 3 out of 4 years, and has made it far into the playoffs many years in the last ten. And, with Sam Houston...you get outstanding recruiting, a bite of the Houston market and amenities, and Texas St gets an instate rival in fb. Sam also, plays a pretty strong OOC schedule. They have also shown a great ability to sell tickets....their game with SFA sells about 28k seats every year at a neutral site in Houston.

SHSU will also help to shrink the footprint instead of increasing it further to the north or east.

Sam, of course, like many of the others isn't a slam dunk. But, they seem to be better athletically and facilities-wise over EKU and CCU. It seems there are plenty of schools to choose from....that are just as deserving as EKU and CCU. I don't know why the SBC is forcing the issue with these two candidates??

Just so you are aware...Sam Houston State's admission to the Sun Belt is being blocked. Same with Lamar, McNeese, and some other Southland schools. They'll likely never get the votes

Come on, we want a western bus league, surely we are behind them.

No, it seems that becoming a bus league is only important to a few members of the league. Not all.

(08-28-2015 11:36 AM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 11:19 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Just so you are aware...Sam Houston State's admission to the Sun Belt is being blocked. Same with Lamar, McNeese, and some other Southland schools. They'll likely never get the votes

What schools would block them at this point? I ask because it would seem a little odd for western SBC schools to insist on western adds but block reasonable candidates.

The only way McNeese gets into the league is if North Korea mistakes Lafayette for Ruston and nukes it by mistake.

Lamar and Sam Houston are pretty much the same way. Same thing with Jacksonville State. No one wants to invite a current school from an SBC State into the league. Only exception in the last decade plus is Georgia Southern, and that was done despite the protestations of a current school.

(08-28-2015 11:23 AM)FloridaJag Wrote:  

(08-28-2015 01:16 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 11:47 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 11:39 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(08-27-2015 10:50 PM)rbostic218 Wrote:  The more and more this drags out the more I'm against either candidate. Nothing jumps out and grabs you about any of these choices. It may just be me.

You're not alone. CCU and EKU will be there next year if we kick it down the road. Appy and Ga Southern were slam dunks.

I'm not in favor of either CCU or EKU. I'm not very opposed to them, just mildly opposed. For me its really related to CCU's small fan/alumni base and no history of attendance and EKU's closeness to UK.

If I had to pick one, I'd pick CCU. But I see no need to pick anyone at this point.

Both of these schools are more 'risky' than App or Georgia Southern

If you are waiting for two schools that aren't, we will never expand.

Correct. The only slam dunks are either too far away (NDSU) or would have to leave a current FBS league to do it (any CUSA School really)

I think CCU is a breakaway layup though, I mean yeah, we could blow the layup, but the odds are better. EKU is a free throw. Probably 75 percent chance that turns out well.

Or we could do what LFlorida Jag wants and go for the half court shot blindfolded with West Florida. I mean...you might make that once if you tried.

Chief,

A half court shot has won many a game.

If we are not adding Missouri State, JMU or UTA football, then we have to look at what is the most benefecial long term addition.

EKU >> 16,000 students (20,000 seat stadium)
CC >> 10,000 students (9,00 seat stadium)
UWF >> 13,000 sudents (5,000 seat stadium)

UWF recommendation

1. UWF gets us back into Florida.
2. Fifty minutes from South Alabama
3. Three hours from Troy.
4. App State and Ga Southern become travel partners.
5. Troy and Ga State become travel partners
6. USA and UWF become travel partners
7. UWF has plans to build OCS


East

App State
Ga State
Ga Southern
South Alabama
Troy
West Florida

West

Arkansas State
Idaho
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
Texas State
New Mexico State


This gets you to 12 football members and keeps travel expenses low.

Add UTA Football when Idaho leaves:

East

App State
Ga State
Ga Southern
South Alabama
Troy
West Florida

West

Arkansas State
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
Texas Arlington
Texas State
New Mexico State

Then add Missouri State and EKU:

East

App State
Eastern Kentucky
Ga State
Ga Southern
South Alabama
Troy
West Florida

West

Arkansas State
Louisiana Lafayette
Louisiana Monroe
Missouri State
Texas Arlington
Texas State
New Mexico State

If UWF would make the commitment then that would be great. Jag fans (those that don't travel) could catch the Argos when their team is on the road and Argo fans could watch the Jags when their team was away.