Cumberland is still available.

(11-03-2021 07:01 PM)BruceMcF Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 06:29 PM)Milwaukee Wrote:  It would stand to reason that the CUSA will do everything in their power to move ahead with "at least" 10 members:

1) Their minimum is probably 9, because 8 members might not be able to meet all of the NCAA criteria regarding the number of men's & women's sports.

Note that UTA and UALR as Olympic Sports schools would make it easier to meet the NCAA criteria (CUSA Sports Sponsorship watch: https://csnbbs.com/thread-934292.html), but as noted above, 9+ makes transitioning more than two FCS schools in the same years easier, as it enables an 8 game conference schedule.

Quote: 2) Having a ninth (and 10th) school would help to ensure the longer-term survival of the conference. Twelve would be better still. As we've seen, the SBC ultimately decided that even 10 was too close for comfort.

It seems like the SBC moved because it saw an opportunity to climb a step or two up the totem pole, rather than primarily as a defensive reaction.

Quote: 3) With 10 members, they could play an 18-game round-robin BB schedule, and 8 conference football games, with some variation as to which 8 conference teams they would play from year to year.

Given this conference stitched together from the remnants of CUSA, available FBS Independents and FCS call-ups, there might be a strategic advantage in playing in two divisions even with 10 schools, just to help the supporters of the schools keep better track of who is who and where they are located.

Quote:

4) Having 10 or more teams would be viewed as a positive by broadcasters, and would help to boost broadcasting revenue and viewership.

This is true ... the CUSA contract won't be lucrative, but it's still the case that the inventory from 10 would be 4 or 5 games a week during the most of the season, while the inventory from 9 would be less and the inventory from 8 would be 3 to 4 games.

Good points.

Another benefit of playing a divisional schedule with 5 teams per division would be that it would help them to reduce travel costs. If necessary, to cut costs, they could play a 14-game conference BB schedule with 8 intra- and 6-inter-divisional games (requiring only 3 flights per year to play teams in the other division). They could schedule most of their remaining BB games vs. nearby OOC teams.

(11-03-2021 04:36 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Good lord, CUSA still doesn't get it. They're down to UTEP, Louisiana Tech, and FIU. if they insist on sticking around their only option is to ad New Mexico State and any fcs call ups better be State schools that deserve it that people might watch.

UTEP
*New Mexico State
Louisiana Tech
*Missouri State
*Illinois State
*UNI
*South Dakota State
*North Dakota State
FIU

Go right up the middle of the Country forming a foot print and FIU becomes an outlier until they cancel the program or drop to FCS.

Future addition could always include Montana, Montana State, and Idaho.

Sam Houston, Jacksonville State or Jackson State ( I don't even know the difference or which one), and Tarleton are asinine and deserve the conference to be dropped down to FCS.

Markets are not the answer large State schools with branding and lack of FBS competition in the area is.

I think a lot of people are overestimating the desire of (1) any MVC basketball school to move up to FBS football for this version of C-USA and (2) C-USA to add schools in the Dakotas when it’s already a geographically unpalatable league.

(11-03-2021 07:03 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  Cumberland is still available.

Georgia Tech ready to schedule them, see if they can match that 222-0 win from 1916

(11-03-2021 07:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 04:36 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Good lord, CUSA still doesn't get it. They're down to UTEP, Louisiana Tech, and FIU. if they insist on sticking around their only option is to ad New Mexico State and any fcs call ups better be State schools that deserve it that people might watch.

UTEP
*New Mexico State
Louisiana Tech
*Missouri State
*Illinois State
*UNI
*South Dakota State
*North Dakota State
FIU

Go right up the middle of the Country forming a foot print and FIU becomes an outlier until they cancel the program or drop to FCS.

Future addition could always include Montana, Montana State, and Idaho.

Sam Houston, Jacksonville State or Jackson State ( I don't even know the difference or which one), and Tarleton are asinine and deserve the conference to be dropped down to FCS.

Markets are not the answer large State schools with branding and lack of FBS competition in the area is.

I think a lot of people are overestimating the desire of (1) any MVC basketball school to move up to FBS football for this version of C-USA and (2) C-USA to add schools in the Dakotas when it’s already a geographically unpalatable league.

The footprint does cover a lot of ground (Florida to UTEP/NMSU to Virginia), although they could cut travel costs considerably by playing a divisional schedule for all sports and reducing the number of non-FB conference games, substituting in more local OOC games.

The league could be made more geographically palatable by adding 3 schools located near the center of the current CUSA footprint, such as EKU, ETSU, Chattanooga, N. Alabama, etc. However, the conference will need to try to add schools that can afford to join, with adequate fields/arenas, that have strong FB and/or BB programs and have enough men's and women's sports to help meet the NCAA's FBS criteria.

NDSU would probably meet those criteria, and they sponsor:

Men's............Women's
Basketball......Basketball
Baseball.........Softball
Cross country..Cross country
Football..........Soccer
Golf................Golf
Track & field....Track & field
Volleyball.........Wrestling (gotcha')

.

With these things in mind, they might want to consider adding a school such as NDSU, despite being geographically distant, and also adding a couple of southeastern schools (as a partner for FIU, Jacksonville St., & Liberty).

CUSA East: FIU, Jacksonville St. (Ala.), Liberty (VA), EKU (KY) ?, & ETSU (TN)?

CUSA West: La Tech, SHSU, UTEP, NMSU, and NDSU

If you had your druthers, which three schools would you suggest adding, if they could take their pick of the FCS to FBS schools?

(11-03-2021 07:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 04:36 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Good lord, CUSA still doesn't get it. They're down to UTEP, Louisiana Tech, and FIU. if they insist on sticking around their only option is to ad New Mexico State and any fcs call ups better be State schools that deserve it that people might watch.

UTEP
*New Mexico State
Louisiana Tech
*Missouri State
*Illinois State
*UNI
*South Dakota State
*North Dakota State
FIU

Go right up the middle of the Country forming a foot print and FIU becomes an outlier until they cancel the program or drop to FCS.

Future addition could always include Montana, Montana State, and Idaho.

Sam Houston, Jacksonville State or Jackson State ( I don't even know the difference or which one), and Tarleton are asinine and deserve the conference to be dropped down to FCS.

Markets are not the answer large State schools with branding and lack of FBS competition in the area is.

I think a lot of people are overestimating the desire of (1) any MVC basketball school to move up to FBS football for this version of C-USA and (2) C-USA to add schools in the Dakotas when it’s already a geographically unpalatable league.

Yes. Matt Brown tweeted Missouri St was no longer interested. People connected with Illinois St have posted here the school isn’t interested. I myself know people there, including the former AD, and have heard the same. It’s also been posted how UNI is nowhere near in financial position for FBS.

There are a lot of posters on this site who fundamentally don’t understand the culture at MVC schools, and how unenthusiastic a lot of them are to leave the MVC for a non-top 10 BB league. Missouri St might, but the others aren’t anytime soon.

I just don’t see how a conference of 75% FCS/D2 teams can just automatically be FBS because CUSA signed into that with the last G5 contract with completely different schools. It’s not adding a couple of schools transitioning up. It’s the entire dang conference. Even if they do go to CUSA, the conference shouldn’t remain FBS in my opinion.

The FBS conferences would now be 9.
ACC, SEC, B1G, B12, PAC-12 (P5)
SBC, AAC, MWC, MAC (G4)
+independent FBS, incl ND

(11-03-2021 08:07 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 07:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 04:36 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Good lord, CUSA still doesn't get it. They're down to UTEP, Louisiana Tech, and FIU. if they insist on sticking around their only option is to ad New Mexico State and any fcs call ups better be State schools that deserve it that people might watch.

UTEP
*New Mexico State
Louisiana Tech
*Missouri State
*Illinois State
*UNI
*South Dakota State
*North Dakota State
FIU

Go right up the middle of the Country forming a foot print and FIU becomes an outlier until they cancel the program or drop to FCS.

Future addition could always include Montana, Montana State, and Idaho.

Sam Houston, Jacksonville State or Jackson State ( I don't even know the difference or which one), and Tarleton are asinine and deserve the conference to be dropped down to FCS.

Markets are not the answer large State schools with branding and lack of FBS competition in the area is.

I think a lot of people are overestimating the desire of (1) any MVC basketball school to move up to FBS football for this version of C-USA and (2) C-USA to add schools in the Dakotas when it’s already a geographically unpalatable league.

Yes. Matt Brown tweeted Missouri St was no longer interested. People connected with Illinois St have posted here the school isn’t interested. I myself know people there, including the former AD, and have heard the same. It’s also been posted how UNI is nowhere near in financial position for FBS.

There are a lot of posters on this site who fundamentally don’t understand the culture at MVC schools, and how unenthusiastic a lot of them are to leave the MVC for a non-top 10 BB league. Missouri St might, but the others aren’t anytime soon.

That's the reason why, if I'm CUSA, I focus on SFA, Lamar, Tarleton State, and EKU in the short term. Those four schools was all within the footprint and help to link the conference together, plus each of them has expressed interest recently in moving to FBS and has the potential to one degree or another. If CUSA, wants to branch out a bit and kick the tires on some dark horse FCS candidates, I'd focus on schools like Delaware, Chattanooga, and Kennesaw State, which are teams also within the general footprint and who have relatively strong ceilings.

(11-03-2021 08:24 PM)3BNole Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 08:07 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 07:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 04:36 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Good lord, CUSA still doesn't get it. They're down to UTEP, Louisiana Tech, and FIU. if they insist on sticking around their only option is to ad New Mexico State and any fcs call ups better be State schools that deserve it that people might watch.

UTEP
*New Mexico State
Louisiana Tech
*Missouri State
*Illinois State
*UNI
*South Dakota State
*North Dakota State
FIU

Go right up the middle of the Country forming a foot print and FIU becomes an outlier until they cancel the program or drop to FCS.

Future addition could always include Montana, Montana State, and Idaho.

Sam Houston, Jacksonville State or Jackson State ( I don't even know the difference or which one), and Tarleton are asinine and deserve the conference to be dropped down to FCS.

Markets are not the answer large State schools with branding and lack of FBS competition in the area is.

I think a lot of people are overestimating the desire of (1) any MVC basketball school to move up to FBS football for this version of C-USA and (2) C-USA to add schools in the Dakotas when it’s already a geographically unpalatable league.

Yes. Matt Brown tweeted Missouri St was no longer interested. People connected with Illinois St have posted here the school isn’t interested. I myself know people there, including the former AD, and have heard the same. It’s also been posted how UNI is nowhere near in financial position for FBS.

There are a lot of posters on this site who fundamentally don’t understand the culture at MVC schools, and how unenthusiastic a lot of them are to leave the MVC for a non-top 10 BB league. Missouri St might, but the others aren’t anytime soon.

That's the reason why, if I'm CUSA, I focus on SFA, Lamar, Tarleton State, and EKU in the short term. Those four schools was all within the footprint and help to link the conference together, plus each of them has expressed interest recently in moving to FBS and has the potential to one degree or another. If CUSA, wants to branch out a bit and kick the tires on some dark horse FCS candidates, I'd focus on schools like Delaware, Chattanooga, and Kennesaw State, which are teams also within the general footprint and who have relatively strong ceilings.

They might not have to add any of these if the story is true that the MAC has asked WKU & MTSU for a 25 year grant of rights (GOR), and that their negotiations are on hold. It's possible that they might be reconsidering.

Footprints limit costs
Taking winners outside the footprints can generate value / revenue
CUSA footprint is already screwed yet having both UTEP & FIU

If I was building to thrive I’d extend my footprints.
If I was building to survive I’d minimize costs.

(11-03-2021 12:12 PM)All4One Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 11:29 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 11:21 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

Quote:Tarleton State, which is transitioning to FCS from Division II, is an option. Some FCS schools would prefer C-USA get larger, to at least 12 members for the sake of stability, so the league may try to add several FCS schools. A lot of work has been put into the WAC football project, but if Sam Houston does make the jump, that would make more WAC schools open to following.

So the schools Vannini feels confident enough to mention are Tarleton and another TX WAC school.

SFA or Lamar?

Abilene Christian basketball especially would be a huge get. They beat the Longhorns as a 14-seed in the NCAA Tournament this past March. Football isn't terrible either.

produced some notable NFL players over the years

Really hope MTSU and WKU stay in C-USA.

West
NMSU
UTEP
SHSU
Louisiana Tech
Jacksonville State
East
WKU
Eastern Kentucky
Middle Tennessee
Liberty
FIU

UT-Arlington (basketball / other sports) ??
UA-Little Rock (basketball / other sports) ??

TV deal with CBS Sports, Stadium, and maybe another network would be good. They have to work with ESPN again in some capacity eventually.

With the MTSU and deal looking like it has fallen through, Missouri State might be back on the table. All C-USA have to do is invite Chattanooga and Murray State to keep those schools to stay will bring them to 11 and then invite Missouri State. Murray State would be bait.

(11-03-2021 09:14 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  With the MTSU and deal looking like it has fallen through, Missouri State might be back on the table. All C-USA have to do is invite Chattanooga and Murray State to keep those schools to stay will bring them to 11 and then invite Missouri State. Murray State would be bait.

No. The more FCS callups. The more watered down the league becomes.

Well now CUSA only needs to add 3 and at most 5 FCS schools.

(11-03-2021 07:29 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 04:36 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Good lord, CUSA still doesn't get it. They're down to UTEP, Louisiana Tech, and FIU. if they insist on sticking around their only option is to ad New Mexico State and any fcs call ups better be State schools that deserve it that people might watch.

UTEP
*New Mexico State
Louisiana Tech
*Missouri State
*Illinois State
*UNI
*South Dakota State
*North Dakota State
FIU

Go right up the middle of the Country forming a foot print and FIU becomes an outlier until they cancel the program or drop to FCS.

Future addition could always include Montana, Montana State, and Idaho.

Sam Houston, Jacksonville State or Jackson State ( I don't even know the difference or which one), and Tarleton are asinine and deserve the conference to be dropped down to FCS.

Markets are not the answer large State schools with branding and lack of FBS competition in the area is.

I think a lot of people are overestimating the desire of (1) any MVC basketball school to move up to FBS football for this version of C-USA and (2) C-USA to add schools in the Dakotas when it’s already a geographically unpalatable league.

I agree. CUSA has made mistake after mistake to wind up where it is now at the expense of UTEP and La Tech. What ever Judy and company cobble together I don't see being more marketable or functional than the MVC or Big Sky.

(11-03-2021 09:43 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  Well now CUSA only needs to add 3 and at most 5 FCS schools.

No need to add more than 1 more if WKU & MTSU stay. I would add Eastern Kentucky to maintain rivalries & some geographic continuity.

(11-03-2021 09:14 PM)AuzGrams Wrote:  Really hope MTSU and WKU stay in C-USA.

West
NMSU
UTEP
SHSU
Louisiana Tech
Jacksonville State
East
WKU
Eastern Kentucky
Middle Tennessee
Liberty
FIU

UT-Arlington (basketball / other sports) ??
UA-Little Rock (basketball / other sports) ??

TV deal with CBS Sports, Stadium, and maybe another network would be good. They have to work with ESPN again in some capacity eventually.

Instead of UALR it would be better to add travel partner for FIU. Florida Gulf Coast would be a good choice if CUSA could get them.

(11-03-2021 09:14 PM)AuzGrams Wrote:  Really hope MTSU and WKU stay in C-USA.

West
NMSU
UTEP
SHSU
Louisiana Tech
Jacksonville State
East
WKU
Eastern Kentucky
Middle Tennessee
Liberty
FIU

UT-Arlington (basketball / other sports) ??
UA-Little Rock (basketball / other sports) ??

TV deal with CBS Sports, Stadium, and maybe another network would be good. They have to work with ESPN again in some capacity eventually.

Replace JSU with a Texas school. Replace EKU with JSU.
No need for UTA or UALR.

(11-03-2021 10:41 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(11-03-2021 09:14 PM)AuzGrams Wrote:  Really hope MTSU and WKU stay in C-USA.

West
NMSU
UTEP
SHSU
Louisiana Tech
Jacksonville State
East
WKU
Eastern Kentucky
Middle Tennessee
Liberty
FIU

UT-Arlington (basketball / other sports) ??
UA-Little Rock (basketball / other sports) ??

TV deal with CBS Sports, Stadium, and maybe another network would be good. They have to work with ESPN again in some capacity eventually.

Replace JSU with a Texas school. Replace EKU with JSU.
No need for UTA or UALR.

Well I’m not sure where UTA or Little Rock go. The WAC with heavy travel? The dying Southland? Anywhere else?

What Texas schools make sense over EKU? EKU-WKU and MTSU-WKU have at least some regional rivalry to it. Stephen F. Austin? Lamar?