(03-09-2023 02:19 PM)JSchmack Wrote:  It would be much easier to follow if it was "FCS to FBS conference" andFCS conferences and staying there, and three "basketball focused conferences!"

It would NEVER happen, but "keeping it all straight" would be easier if we had:

WCC: adds Cal Baptist, Denver and St. Thomas

MOVING TO FBS
WAC: Utah Tech, So Utah, Tarleton St, SFA, ACU, UTRGV, Central Ark, Kennesaw St, EKU, Austin Peay, North Alabama.
- possibly rebrand the name of the conference; and anyone else who wants to go FBS could be the 12th-14th members.

STAYING FCS, but football focused:
Southland: HCU, UIW, Lamar, McNeese, NW State, SELA, Eastern Illinois, SEMO, Tenn St, Tenn Tech, UT Martin

Gateway (Replaces OVC): Ill St, Ind St, Missouri St, No Iowa, So Ill, Murray St, No Dakota, ND State, So Dakota, SD State, Youngstown St, Western Illinois

BASKETBALL FOCUSED:
A-SUN: Stetson, FGCU, UNF, Jacksonville, Queens, UNC Greensboro, Lipscomb, TAMU-CC, TAMU-Commerce, New Orleans

MVC: Morehead, Belmont, Drake, Valpo, Evansville, Bradley, Detroit, Robert Morris, Oral Roberts, Lindenwood, UIC.

Horizon: Cleveland St, Wright St, Ft Wayne, IUPUI, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Oakland, No Kentucky, Bellarmine

Summit: Omaha, Kansas City, Southern Indiana, SIUE, Little Rock, Arlington, Grand Canyon, Utah Valley, Seattle.

Lindenwood have football and they are in the OVC.

(03-09-2023 05:22 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Lindenwood have football and they are in the OVC.

I didn't realize they were a football playing member. My bad.

Are Southern Indiana, West Georgia or Texas A&M Commerce going to be FCS-playing schools?

Commerce has football too

(03-09-2023 05:37 PM)JSchmack Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 05:22 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Lindenwood have football and they are in the OVC.

I didn't realize they were a football playing member. My bad.

Are Southern Indiana, West Georgia or Texas A&M Commerce going to be FCS-playing schools?

West Georgia have football as well.
UIndy and Grand Valley State are eyeing D1 as well with football, and Central Oklahoma have been talking to several D1 conferences as well.

I've got a spreadsheet to keep all the changes straight, and when those guys joined DI conferences, I just didn't color-code them for football.

Is West Georgia to the OVC official, or did I just add it to my sheet because MB said it was gonna happen?

(03-09-2023 11:11 PM)JSchmack Wrote:  I've got a spreadsheet to keep all the changes straight, and when those guys joined DI conferences, I just didn't color-code them for football.

Is West Georgia to the OVC official, or did I just add it to my sheet because MB said it was gonna happen?

No, that's not official.

I wish UIS or Mckendree could move to D1

(10-19-2022 07:04 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(10-18-2022 09:47 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  So here's a scenario for say, 2024-25, in which most of the FCS schools that impulsively jumped to the ASUN and WAC since the pandemic began end up essentially back where they started.

ASUN (9 BB [7 full D1], 7 FB [6 full D1])
FB: , North Alabama, Southern Utah* (WAC), Tarleton State* (WAC), Utah Tech* (WAC), UTRGV* (WAC), West Florida [full D1 28], Austin Peay
NFB: FGCU, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, North Florida, Queens [full D1 26], Stetson

OVC (12 BB [10 full D1], 12 FB [11 full D1])
FB:, Bryant* (AEC), Central Arkansas, Charleston Southern* (BSoC), Eastern Illinois, Gardner-Webb* (BSoC), Lindenwood [full D1 26], Robert Morris* (HL), Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin
NFB: Little Rock, Morehead State, SIU Edwardsville, Southern Indiana [full D1 26]

Southland (12 BB [11 full D1], 10 FB [9 full D1])
FB: Abilene Christian, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, SE Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, TAMU Commerce [full D1 26]
NFB: New Orleans, TAMU Corpus Christi

WAC (9 BB, 0 FB)
NFB: Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon, Seattle, Southern Utah, Tarleton State, Texas-Arlington, Utah Tech, Utah Valley, UTRGV

Austin Peay has returned to the OVC, having departed from their old home in respectable fashion. ACU and SFA have grown tired of the travel in the WAC and have returned, hat in hand, to the Southland. UCA however opts for the OVC, becoming a travel partner of UALR.

The ASUN-WAC FCS collab clings to existence. With UNA and Lipscomb on deck for the OVC and Queens for the Big South, the ASUN will need to start promoting more D2 schools like West Florida if they want to survive as a conference. The WAC could also be in trouble soon, as both Tarleton and UTA are looking to the Southland for a better geographic fit.

Not listed here is Bellarmine, which I have leaving the ASUN for the Horizon League by 2024. Note that EKU and SUU are stuck in the ASUN and WAC, respectively, as neither the OVC nor the Big Sky, respectively, want them back.

I agree with the scenario you've put forth, but I would like to add some additional points. EKU, SFA, and Tarleton State are the most likely teams to leave the FCS for the FBS after Kennesaw State, so the ASUN and WAC will have to find replacements for them. I also see Queens leaving the ASUN for the Big South before 2024-2025, but Lipscomb will most likely remain, unless the OVC pulls the trigger and adds them to the fold.

The ASUN will need to bring up teams from the D2 Gulf South Conference if they want to keep football around. The teams I would suggest are West Alabama, West Georgia, Valdosta State, and West Florida. If EKU is still in the ASUN, then the football conference remains with six members. I can see the WAC reloading with teams from the Lonestar Conference such as West Texas A&M and Angelo State. Western Oregon and Central Washington would also be good adds for the WAC, as it would also those schools to be closer to Southern Utah and Utah Tech.

West Alabama doesn't belong anywhere near D1 right now!!! Now, I can see UWF leaving the GSC and UWG also leaving the GSC, but that's it!!

EKU is intent on moving up to FBS. I think UNA & Tarleton also want to move up to FBS, but they haven't been on D1 very long. They are more of a long range project, IMO.

I remember Andybible saying that APSU is a commuter school. Trying to convert a commuter school to a residential school is very hard work, IMO, and takes a lot of $$$'s too!!
I think that APSU is better off staying in the ASUN for a bit until they can complete their transformation into a residential college/university.

I can see Central Arkansas bolting to the OVC.

(03-10-2023 03:09 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(10-19-2022 07:04 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(10-18-2022 09:47 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  So here's a scenario for say, 2024-25, in which most of the FCS schools that impulsively jumped to the ASUN and WAC since the pandemic began end up essentially back where they started.

ASUN (9 BB [7 full D1], 7 FB [6 full D1])
FB: , North Alabama, Southern Utah* (WAC), Tarleton State* (WAC), Utah Tech* (WAC), UTRGV* (WAC), West Florida [full D1 28], Austin Peay
NFB: FGCU, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, North Florida, Queens [full D1 26], Stetson

OVC (12 BB [10 full D1], 12 FB [11 full D1])
FB:, Bryant* (AEC), Central Arkansas, Charleston Southern* (BSoC), Eastern Illinois, Gardner-Webb* (BSoC), Lindenwood [full D1 26], Robert Morris* (HL), Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin
NFB: Little Rock, Morehead State, SIU Edwardsville, Southern Indiana [full D1 26]

Southland (12 BB [11 full D1], 10 FB [9 full D1])
FB: Abilene Christian, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, SE Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, TAMU Commerce [full D1 26]
NFB: New Orleans, TAMU Corpus Christi

WAC (9 BB, 0 FB)
NFB: Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon, Seattle, Southern Utah, Tarleton State, Texas-Arlington, Utah Tech, Utah Valley, UTRGV

Austin Peay has returned to the OVC, having departed from their old home in respectable fashion. ACU and SFA have grown tired of the travel in the WAC and have returned, hat in hand, to the Southland. UCA however opts for the OVC, becoming a travel partner of UALR.

The ASUN-WAC FCS collab clings to existence. With UNA and Lipscomb on deck for the OVC and Queens for the Big South, the ASUN will need to start promoting more D2 schools like West Florida if they want to survive as a conference. The WAC could also be in trouble soon, as both Tarleton and UTA are looking to the Southland for a better geographic fit.

Not listed here is Bellarmine, which I have leaving the ASUN for the Horizon League by 2024. Note that EKU and SUU are stuck in the ASUN and WAC, respectively, as neither the OVC nor the Big Sky, respectively, want them back.

I agree with the scenario you've put forth, but I would like to add some additional points. EKU, SFA, and Tarleton State are the most likely teams to leave the FCS for the FBS after Kennesaw State, so the ASUN and WAC will have to find replacements for them. I also see Queens leaving the ASUN for the Big South before 2024-2025, but Lipscomb will most likely remain, unless the OVC pulls the trigger and adds them to the fold.

The ASUN will need to bring up teams from the D2 Gulf South Conference if they want to keep football around. The teams I would suggest are West Alabama, West Georgia, Valdosta State, and West Florida. If EKU is still in the ASUN, then the football conference remains with six members. I can see the WAC reloading with teams from the Lonestar Conference such as West Texas A&M and Angelo State. Western Oregon and Central Washington would also be good adds for the WAC, as it would also those schools to be closer to Southern Utah and Utah Tech.

West Alabama doesn't belong anywhere near D1 right now!!! Now, I can see UWF leaving the GSC and UWG also leaving the GSC, but that's it!!

EKU is intent on moving up to FBS. I think UNA & Tarleton also want to move up to FBS, but they haven't been on D1 very long. They are more of a long range project, IMO.

I remember Andybible saying that APSU is a commuter school. Trying to convert a commuter school to a residential school is very hard work, IMO, and takes a lot of $$$'s too!!
I think that APSU is better off staying in the ASUN for a bit until they can complete their transformation into a residential college/university.

I can see Central Arkansas bolting to the OVC.

Austin Peay is a commuter school. They're also located in downtown Clarksville. I never went to Austin Peay, but I live and work close by to it. I've driven past the campus whenever I drive through downtown. It is very small.

(03-10-2023 03:09 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(10-19-2022 07:04 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(10-18-2022 09:47 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  So here's a scenario for say, 2024-25, in which most of the FCS schools that impulsively jumped to the ASUN and WAC since the pandemic began end up essentially back where they started.

ASUN (9 BB [7 full D1], 7 FB [6 full D1])
FB: , North Alabama, Southern Utah* (WAC), Tarleton State* (WAC), Utah Tech* (WAC), UTRGV* (WAC), West Florida [full D1 28], Austin Peay
NFB: FGCU, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, North Florida, Queens [full D1 26], Stetson

OVC (12 BB [10 full D1], 12 FB [11 full D1])
FB:, Bryant* (AEC), Central Arkansas, Charleston Southern* (BSoC), Eastern Illinois, Gardner-Webb* (BSoC), Lindenwood [full D1 26], Robert Morris* (HL), Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin
NFB: Little Rock, Morehead State, SIU Edwardsville, Southern Indiana [full D1 26]

Southland (12 BB [11 full D1], 10 FB [9 full D1])
FB: Abilene Christian, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, SE Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, TAMU Commerce [full D1 26]
NFB: New Orleans, TAMU Corpus Christi

WAC (9 BB, 0 FB)
NFB: Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon, Seattle, Southern Utah, Tarleton State, Texas-Arlington, Utah Tech, Utah Valley, UTRGV

Austin Peay has returned to the OVC, having departed from their old home in respectable fashion. ACU and SFA have grown tired of the travel in the WAC and have returned, hat in hand, to the Southland. UCA however opts for the OVC, becoming a travel partner of UALR.

The ASUN-WAC FCS collab clings to existence. With UNA and Lipscomb on deck for the OVC and Queens for the Big South, the ASUN will need to start promoting more D2 schools like West Florida if they want to survive as a conference. The WAC could also be in trouble soon, as both Tarleton and UTA are looking to the Southland for a better geographic fit.

Not listed here is Bellarmine, which I have leaving the ASUN for the Horizon League by 2024. Note that EKU and SUU are stuck in the ASUN and WAC, respectively, as neither the OVC nor the Big Sky, respectively, want them back.

I agree with the scenario you've put forth, but I would like to add some additional points. EKU, SFA, and Tarleton State are the most likely teams to leave the FCS for the FBS after Kennesaw State, so the ASUN and WAC will have to find replacements for them. I also see Queens leaving the ASUN for the Big South before 2024-2025, but Lipscomb will most likely remain, unless the OVC pulls the trigger and adds them to the fold.

The ASUN will need to bring up teams from the D2 Gulf South Conference if they want to keep football around. The teams I would suggest are West Alabama, West Georgia, Valdosta State, and West Florida. If EKU is still in the ASUN, then the football conference remains with six members. I can see the WAC reloading with teams from the Lonestar Conference such as West Texas A&M and Angelo State. Western Oregon and Central Washington would also be good adds for the WAC, as it would also those schools to be closer to Southern Utah and Utah Tech.

West Alabama doesn't belong anywhere near D1 right now!!! Now, I can see UWF leaving the GSC and UWG also leaving the GSC, but that's it!!

EKU is intent on moving up to FBS. I think UNA & Tarleton also want to move up to FBS, but they haven't been on D1 very long. They are more of a long range project, IMO.

I remember Andybible saying that APSU is a commuter school. Trying to convert a commuter school to a residential school is very hard work, IMO, and takes a lot of $$$'s too!!
I think that APSU is better off staying in the ASUN for a bit until they can complete their transformation into a residential college/university.

I can see Central Arkansas bolting to the OVC.

UCA wants FBS. I could see them in the SBC as a buddy for Arkansas State. I do think UCA needs an instate rival to get their football, basketball and baseball back going with them being competitive again. UCA did beat Arkansas State a couple of years ago in football.

(03-10-2023 07:51 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(03-10-2023 03:09 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(10-19-2022 07:04 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(10-18-2022 09:47 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  So here's a scenario for say, 2024-25, in which most of the FCS schools that impulsively jumped to the ASUN and WAC since the pandemic began end up essentially back where they started.

ASUN (9 BB [7 full D1], 7 FB [6 full D1])
FB: , North Alabama, Southern Utah* (WAC), Tarleton State* (WAC), Utah Tech* (WAC), UTRGV* (WAC), West Florida [full D1 28], Austin Peay
NFB: FGCU, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, North Florida, Queens [full D1 26], Stetson

OVC (12 BB [10 full D1], 12 FB [11 full D1])
FB:, Bryant* (AEC), Central Arkansas, Charleston Southern* (BSoC), Eastern Illinois, Gardner-Webb* (BSoC), Lindenwood [full D1 26], Robert Morris* (HL), Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin
NFB: Little Rock, Morehead State, SIU Edwardsville, Southern Indiana [full D1 26]

Southland (12 BB [11 full D1], 10 FB [9 full D1])
FB: Abilene Christian, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, SE Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, TAMU Commerce [full D1 26]
NFB: New Orleans, TAMU Corpus Christi

WAC (9 BB, 0 FB)
NFB: Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon, Seattle, Southern Utah, Tarleton State, Texas-Arlington, Utah Tech, Utah Valley, UTRGV

Austin Peay has returned to the OVC, having departed from their old home in respectable fashion. ACU and SFA have grown tired of the travel in the WAC and have returned, hat in hand, to the Southland. UCA however opts for the OVC, becoming a travel partner of UALR.

The ASUN-WAC FCS collab clings to existence. With UNA and Lipscomb on deck for the OVC and Queens for the Big South, the ASUN will need to start promoting more D2 schools like West Florida if they want to survive as a conference. The WAC could also be in trouble soon, as both Tarleton and UTA are looking to the Southland for a better geographic fit.

Not listed here is Bellarmine, which I have leaving the ASUN for the Horizon League by 2024. Note that EKU and SUU are stuck in the ASUN and WAC, respectively, as neither the OVC nor the Big Sky, respectively, want them back.

I agree with the scenario you've put forth, but I would like to add some additional points. EKU, SFA, and Tarleton State are the most likely teams to leave the FCS for the FBS after Kennesaw State, so the ASUN and WAC will have to find replacements for them. I also see Queens leaving the ASUN for the Big South before 2024-2025, but Lipscomb will most likely remain, unless the OVC pulls the trigger and adds them to the fold.

The ASUN will need to bring up teams from the D2 Gulf South Conference if they want to keep football around. The teams I would suggest are West Alabama, West Georgia, Valdosta State, and West Florida. If EKU is still in the ASUN, then the football conference remains with six members. I can see the WAC reloading with teams from the Lonestar Conference such as West Texas A&M and Angelo State. Western Oregon and Central Washington would also be good adds for the WAC, as it would also those schools to be closer to Southern Utah and Utah Tech.

West Alabama doesn't belong anywhere near D1 right now!!! Now, I can see UWF leaving the GSC and UWG also leaving the GSC, but that's it!!

EKU is intent on moving up to FBS. I think UNA & Tarleton also want to move up to FBS, but they haven't been on D1 very long. They are more of a long range project, IMO.

I remember Andybible saying that APSU is a commuter school. Trying to convert a commuter school to a residential school is very hard work, IMO, and takes a lot of $$$'s too!!
I think that APSU is better off staying in the ASUN for a bit until they can complete their transformation into a residential college/university.

I can see Central Arkansas bolting to the OVC.

UCA wants FBS. I could see them in the SBC as a buddy for Arkansas State. I do think UCA needs an instate rival to get their football, basketball and baseball back going with them being competitive again. UCA did beat Arkansas State a couple of years ago in football.

Isn't Arkansas a small state??? Can Arkansas really support another FBS team??

(03-10-2023 07:51 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(03-10-2023 03:09 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(10-19-2022 07:04 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(10-18-2022 09:47 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote:  So here's a scenario for say, 2024-25, in which most of the FCS schools that impulsively jumped to the ASUN and WAC since the pandemic began end up essentially back where they started.

ASUN (9 BB [7 full D1], 7 FB [6 full D1])
FB: , North Alabama, Southern Utah* (WAC), Tarleton State* (WAC), Utah Tech* (WAC), UTRGV* (WAC), West Florida [full D1 28], Austin Peay
NFB: FGCU, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, North Florida, Queens [full D1 26], Stetson

OVC (12 BB [10 full D1], 12 FB [11 full D1])
FB:, Bryant* (AEC), Central Arkansas, Charleston Southern* (BSoC), Eastern Illinois, Gardner-Webb* (BSoC), Lindenwood [full D1 26], Robert Morris* (HL), Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin
NFB: Little Rock, Morehead State, SIU Edwardsville, Southern Indiana [full D1 26]

Southland (12 BB [11 full D1], 10 FB [9 full D1])
FB: Abilene Christian, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Lamar, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, SE Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, TAMU Commerce [full D1 26]
NFB: New Orleans, TAMU Corpus Christi

WAC (9 BB, 0 FB)
NFB: Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon, Seattle, Southern Utah, Tarleton State, Texas-Arlington, Utah Tech, Utah Valley, UTRGV

Austin Peay has returned to the OVC, having departed from their old home in respectable fashion. ACU and SFA have grown tired of the travel in the WAC and have returned, hat in hand, to the Southland. UCA however opts for the OVC, becoming a travel partner of UALR.

The ASUN-WAC FCS collab clings to existence. With UNA and Lipscomb on deck for the OVC and Queens for the Big South, the ASUN will need to start promoting more D2 schools like West Florida if they want to survive as a conference. The WAC could also be in trouble soon, as both Tarleton and UTA are looking to the Southland for a better geographic fit.

Not listed here is Bellarmine, which I have leaving the ASUN for the Horizon League by 2024. Note that EKU and SUU are stuck in the ASUN and WAC, respectively, as neither the OVC nor the Big Sky, respectively, want them back.

I agree with the scenario you've put forth, but I would like to add some additional points. EKU, SFA, and Tarleton State are the most likely teams to leave the FCS for the FBS after Kennesaw State, so the ASUN and WAC will have to find replacements for them. I also see Queens leaving the ASUN for the Big South before 2024-2025, but Lipscomb will most likely remain, unless the OVC pulls the trigger and adds them to the fold.

The ASUN will need to bring up teams from the D2 Gulf South Conference if they want to keep football around. The teams I would suggest are West Alabama, West Georgia, Valdosta State, and West Florida. If EKU is still in the ASUN, then the football conference remains with six members. I can see the WAC reloading with teams from the Lonestar Conference such as West Texas A&M and Angelo State. Western Oregon and Central Washington would also be good adds for the WAC, as it would also those schools to be closer to Southern Utah and Utah Tech.

West Alabama doesn't belong anywhere near D1 right now!!! Now, I can see UWF leaving the GSC and UWG also leaving the GSC, but that's it!!

EKU is intent on moving up to FBS. I think UNA & Tarleton also want to move up to FBS, but they haven't been on D1 very long. They are more of a long range project, IMO.

I remember Andybible saying that APSU is a commuter school. Trying to convert a commuter school to a residential school is very hard work, IMO, and takes a lot of $$$'s too!!
I think that APSU is better off staying in the ASUN for a bit until they can complete their transformation into a residential college/university.

I can see Central Arkansas bolting to the OVC.

UCA wants FBS. I could see them in the SBC as a buddy for Arkansas State. I do think UCA needs an instate rival to get their football, basketball and baseball back going with them being competitive again. UCA did beat Arkansas State a couple of years ago in football.

And ULM beat Bama in 2007. Doesn't mean they belong in the SEC

(10-19-2022 06:43 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  I think the 4 football schools of the ASUN have got to be rethinking their position. EKU, APU, UNA, and UCA don’t make sense as a football league.

Both the OVC and Southland have stabilized. The OVC has 6 fb schools (10 total) and 4 affiliates while the Southland is sporting 8 for the sport (10 total).

The ASUN football plan was to build a top notch FCS league that I think was hoping to challenge the rules that prohibit leagues from moving up as a group. Kennesaw St and Jacksonville St are gone, leaving giant gaping holes on the fabrics of that dream.

At this point, I don’t think they can lure anyone into the league and it might be time to make up with the leagues they chafed several months back.


The giant irony of it all: had the WAC and ASUN not pursued these endeavors, I think this is how things would look:

Southland: UCA, McNeese St, Nicholls St, SE LA, Northwestern St, Lamar, SF Austin, Hou Bapt, UIW, ACU +non-fb UNO & A&M CC 10/12

OVC: EKU, SIU, SE MO St, Tenn-Martin, Tenn St, APU, Tenn Tech, UNA, Lindenwood +Moorhead St, USI, Bellarmine 9/12

S Utah is safe and happy in the Big Sky 11+2/11

WAC: Seattle, Utah Valley, Utah Tech*, GCU, Cal Bapt, UTRGV, Tarleton St*, UTA, UALR 9
Utah Tech and Tarleton St probably don’t have a fb home unless the Big Sky and Southland are feeling generous, but they probably are still able to put together decent schedules. (I have to think eventually Utah Tech gets into the Big Sky to even out their odd numbers)

Southern Illinois is in the MVFC. Eastern Illinois is in the OVC. However, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville plays in the OVC. I agree with your scenario, but I would change who the OVC adds. Instead of adding Lindenwood and Southern Indiana, I could see them adding just Lipscomb alongside Bellarmine.

Here's what the OVC would like with those changes:

Football: APSU, EIU, EKU, SE MO State, TN State, TN Tech, UNA, UT-Martin
Non-football: Bellarmine, Lipscomb, Moorehead State, SIU-Edwardsville

What happens to the ASUN then? They're down to five members, and Queens would likely bolt for the Big South, assuming they're still added. What happens to the remaining four schools? Would the Big South add them in addition to Queens?

Would Texas A&M Commerce still be added to the Southland, or would they stay in D2? If they are added to the Southland, then Tarleton State would be added a football only member.

UTRGV would likely abandon their football aspirations, unless the Southland would take them in as a football only member as well.

I agree that UTA and UALR should have been added to the WAC together after they got booted from the SBC.

With the ASUN about to lose KSU and Liberty, they don't have much to offer. This is why I agree with some of the other posters that Queens will likely move to the Big South. The ASUN has been known to have to take DII schools trying to move up, which is not good for optics of the conference or stability. The Big South hasn't allowed a DII to transition to the conference in 15 years. Although High Point has little history of basketball success, they just have a ton of money. I realize they've been trying to get an invitation to the A10, but that's not going to happen for years - if ever. They have nothing to offer the A10, but financial resources.

Over the next few years, I do think this will be the lineup of schools in the Big South: UNCA, Winthrop, Gardner-Webb, High Point, Radford, Longwood, Queens, USC Upstate, CSU and Presbyterian (and potentially Norfolk State & NC Central). Aside from Presbyterian and CSU that a pretty dang formidable basketball conference. Should be interesting to see.

(03-11-2023 09:55 PM)NC88 Wrote:  With the ASUN about to lose KSU and Liberty, they don't have much to offer. This is why I agree with some of the other posters that Queens will likely move to the Big South. The ASUN has been known to have to take DII schools trying to move up, which is not good for optics of the conference or stability. The Big South hasn't allowed a DII to transition to the conference in 15 years. Although High Point has little history of basketball success, they just have a ton of money. I realize they've been trying to get an invitation to the A10, but that's not going to happen for years - if ever. They have nothing to offer the A10, but financial resources.

Over the next few years, I do think this will be the lineup of schools in the Big South: UNCA, Winthrop, Gardner-Webb, High Point, Radford, Longwood, Queens, USC Upstate, CSU and Presbyterian (and potentially Norfolk State & NC Central). Aside from Presbyterian and CSU that a pretty dang formidable basketball conference. Should be interesting to see.

Not unless High Point looked at Campbell and made observations, IMO. Campbell was able to jump from the Big South to the CAA, and sine CAA teams have went to the A10 before, so I will say that I don't believe that it's impossible, just very difficult to do, IMO.

(03-10-2023 02:55 PM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(10-19-2022 06:43 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  I think the 4 football schools of the ASUN have got to be rethinking their position. EKU, APU, UNA, and UCA don’t make sense as a football league.

Both the OVC and Southland have stabilized. The OVC has 6 fb schools (10 total) and 4 affiliates while the Southland is sporting 8 for the sport (10 total).

The ASUN football plan was to build a top notch FCS league that I think was hoping to challenge the rules that prohibit leagues from moving up as a group. Kennesaw St and Jacksonville St are gone, leaving giant gaping holes on the fabrics of that dream.

At this point, I don’t think they can lure anyone into the league and it might be time to make up with the leagues they chafed several months back.


The giant irony of it all: had the WAC and ASUN not pursued these endeavors, I think this is how things would look:

Southland: UCA, McNeese St, Nicholls St, SE LA, Northwestern St, Lamar, SF Austin, Hou Bapt, UIW, ACU +non-fb UNO & A&M CC 10/12

OVC: EKU, SIU, SE MO St, Tenn-Martin, Tenn St, APU, Tenn Tech, UNA, Lindenwood +Moorhead St, USI, Bellarmine 9/12

S Utah is safe and happy in the Big Sky 11+2/11

WAC: Seattle, Utah Valley, Utah Tech*, GCU, Cal Bapt, UTRGV, Tarleton St*, UTA, UALR 9
Utah Tech and Tarleton St probably don’t have a fb home unless the Big Sky and Southland are feeling generous, but they probably are still able to put together decent schedules. (I have to think eventually Utah Tech gets into the Big Sky to even out their odd numbers)

Southern Illinois is in the MVFC. Eastern Illinois is in the OVC. However, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville plays in the OVC. I agree with your scenario, but I would change who the OVC adds. Instead of adding Lindenwood and Southern Indiana, I could see them adding just Lipscomb alongside Bellarmine.

Here's what the OVC would like with those changes:

Football: APSU, EIU, EKU, SE MO State, TN State, TN Tech, UNA, UT-Martin
Non-football: Bellarmine, Lipscomb, Moorehead State, SIU-Edwardsville

What happens to the ASUN then? They're down to five members, and Queens would likely bolt for the Big South, assuming they're still added. What happens to the remaining four schools? Would the Big South add them in addition to Queens?

Would Texas A&M Commerce still be added to the Southland, or would they stay in D2? If they are added to the Southland, then Tarleton State would be added a football only member.

UTRGV would likely abandon their football aspirations, unless the Southland would take them in as a football only member as well.

I agree that UTA and UALR should have been added to the WAC together after they got booted from the SBC.

There's something I forgot to add. What happens to Big South Football? They're still down to 4 teams in this scenario, and each team would need a place to play as an affiliate. Would the SoCon take Charleston Southern and Gardner Webb as affiliates? Would the MVFC or OVC take Robert Morris as an affiliate? Would the CAA take Bryant as an affiliate? If Wagner leaves the NEC, would the four teams reunite with them and apply for a waiver to be a conference despite being below the required number of 6 teams?

(03-11-2023 11:35 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(03-11-2023 09:55 PM)NC88 Wrote:  With the ASUN about to lose KSU and Liberty, they don't have much to offer. This is why I agree with some of the other posters that Queens will likely move to the Big South. The ASUN has been known to have to take DII schools trying to move up, which is not good for optics of the conference or stability. The Big South hasn't allowed a DII to transition to the conference in 15 years. Although High Point has little history of basketball success, they just have a ton of money. I realize they've been trying to get an invitation to the A10, but that's not going to happen for years - if ever. They have nothing to offer the A10, but financial resources.

Over the next few years, I do think this will be the lineup of schools in the Big South: UNCA, Winthrop, Gardner-Webb, High Point, Radford, Longwood, Queens, USC Upstate, CSU and Presbyterian (and potentially Norfolk State & NC Central). Aside from Presbyterian and CSU that a pretty dang formidable basketball conference. Should be interesting to see.

Not unless High Point looked at Campbell and made observations, IMO. Campbell was able to jump from the Big South to the CAA, and sine CAA teams have went to the A10 before, so I will say that I don't believe that it's impossible, just very difficult to do, IMO.

Campbell has football, High Point doesn't. They don't have much to add aside from money.

(03-11-2023 09:55 PM)NC88 Wrote:  With the ASUN about to lose KSU and Liberty, they don't have much to offer. This is why I agree with some of the other posters that Queens will likely move to the Big South. The ASUN has been known to have to take DII schools trying to move up, which is not good for optics of the conference or stability. The Big South hasn't allowed a DII to transition to the conference in 15 years. Although High Point has little history of basketball success, they just have a ton of money. I realize they've been trying to get an invitation to the A10, but that's not going to happen for years - if ever. They have nothing to offer the A10, but financial resources.

Over the next few years, I do think this will be the lineup of schools in the Big South: UNCA, Winthrop, Gardner-Webb, High Point, Radford, Longwood, Queens, USC Upstate, CSU and Presbyterian (and potentially Norfolk State & NC Central). Aside from Presbyterian and CSU that a pretty dang formidable basketball conference. Should be interesting to see.

I think the ASUN as a whole has a lot to offer... KSU and JSU left for FBS.... oh well. The ASUN still has a great conference. The OVC is now the conference that has to primarily go after D2 schools. (West Georgia)

I'm hearing the ASUN will add up to 4 schools all with Football, soon.

Are they d1 or d2 schools?

(10-15-2022 08:20 AM)EKUSteve Wrote:  

(10-15-2022 07:51 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  UCA: talk to the Southland and OVC
UNA, EKU, APU: talk to the OVC

at this point, ASUN football is a failed experiment that never quite got off the ground due to the fallout of OUT.

EKU burned the OVC bridge. I do not see us going back.

EKU has left the OVC? Have they been admitted into an FBS conference?