I think many university leaders are coming around and see no harm to a two year extension.

Especially now that we'll be at 12 in 2017.

Eastern members will have to travel to either site a maximum of three times over the next four years, probably on once to each.

Retaining them gives us flexiblity for a championship game and a buffer should other conferences expand.

Simply based on geography, I don't see a viable future for Idaho in the conference.

(12-08-2015 09:35 AM)ButlerGSU Wrote:  Simply based on geography, I don't see a viable future for Idaho in the conference.

I don't think anyone sees them here in 2025, but through 2019 is a different story and that is the decision the SBC is facing.

(12-07-2015 06:10 PM)runamuck Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 04:51 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 03:34 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 02:56 PM)ButlerGSU Wrote:  Is JMU even a possibility? Don't get me wrong, I think they would be a great addition but I don't see it happening.

What is puzzling to me is that they pour all the money into the program under the illusion of moving up to FBS, and then don't make the jump when given the chance. In a way this could be seen as fraud if they were collecting more donations based on the belief that they would accept an invitation, when they had no actual plans of doing so.

It's going to be tough to keep up with Liberty gaining more ground financially, and ODU being relatively successful their first two seasons in C-USA.

That and adding JMU and Coastal while dropping Idaho and NMSU would add to quality programs, one of which would almost assuredly compete right away in most sports. (JMU) Overall I believe that would leave the conference better off than C-USA if Louisiana returns to form in the next season or two.

All good points and why I think a year or two from now JMU COULD finally come over to the SBC. They are getting lapped by former peers, they are keeping one eye open on AppState and seeing home games against Miami and Wake. They seeing 10 win seasons and bowls. But now with Coastal and two divisions, they actually have cover to come back and re-evaluate the SBC. Having said all that: the issue under everything with JMU is money. Money. I've said it for the last two years. They talk footprints and academics, but it's declining attendance and lack of donations. There is a small grassroots effort to gather contributions that will only be paid once JMU accepts a conference invite from an FBS league. If it has time time to grow, it could be a factor. So,while I think it's pretty low probability now, things might change in a few years.

I'd rather us not add anymore no-names until the conference has time to build up some rep. at least nmsu is a familiar name and the #2 team in their state not the 5th or 6th..maybe encourage Idaho to find a more geographically favorable conference and get nmsu all in. with east/west divisions, the eastern schools would not have to travel.

James Madison is not a no name school. They are relatively close to a major airport and have the ability to compete financially within the conference.

Personally, I would have rather had Liberty AND JMU join than EKU and Coastal. I don't understand nor do I care to understand the political reasons for keeping Liberty out, but they would actually improve the conference profile in athletics and that is what is most important as this is not an academic conference.

Both of these schools would be competitive immedietely, improve viewership, and add fan bases that would give anyone negotiating bowl tie-in's more power in negotiation.

Based on the SunBeltbbs dropdown at the top of the page, they are already on the outside.