(03-07-2023 11:17 AM)JTApps1 Wrote:  The SBC isn't going to make any moves with all the possible fallout from the PAC 12 on the horizon. Who knows what happens to the MWC and AAC if the PAC loses 2 to the B1G and 4 to the Big XII?

Does the PAC take several AAC schools from the West which leads to a reduction of the AAC TV deal?
Does the AAC bring in MWC leftovers to make a huge conference from the Atlantic to the Pacific? That doesn't seem like a good model for a non-A5 though.
Do Western AAC schools join the remaining MWC to have a tighter footprint?

Way too many things can happen in the near future to make any sound decisions right now, and the SBC is already in a very strong position so no need to rush into a bad decision.

Agreed.. It's better to wait and see what develops above..I also disagree with the original posters premise..Sure, CUSA isn't thrilled with a mid-week October, but they are happy to be back with ESPN and the money is about the same as the MAC..Not terrible for a conference left for dead a year ago..To add, 4 of the 5 CUSA newcomers have pretty good football potential. Liberty, because they have more money than God(pun intended), and SHSU, Jax State, and Kennesaw State because they all sit in the middle of prime football recruiting..Give them 3 or 4 years and they will be ok..

I don't think they're looking to expand barring a major shift (which granted could very well happen soon). But I do think they are being somewhat proactive about it in the event that a couple of their more vulnerable members are poached by other conferences (most likely IMO are ODU and/or Georgia State to AAC, or Texas State to MWC).

If one or three members are poached, I think they could add Missouri State from FCS (primarily for Basketball and Olympic sports strength) to get back to an even number.

If they want to go back to 14 or even more, I think they would at least seriously consider taking MTSU and WKU back. Supposedly there isn't as much bad blood between ULM/ULL and LA Tech as fans think either. But I think they have their eye on potentially positioning themselves to act as a compelling alternative to AAC schools like UAB, Memphis, and/or ECU on their own merits in the near future as well.

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

I would look just more than football if they have a history of good in three of the money sports.

North Alabama does have history, and it seems they are finally winning at least.

UCA have been very good in all three of the sports. They even got a sclap of Tulsa. Adding them could help SBC in a way.

Delaware could follow JMU into SBC.

Florida a&M a second time around?

Mercer is good at football and men's basketball.

EKU you alrady mentioned.

Murray State football is blah, but men's basketball would be a boast.

McNeese State is better than Sam Houston State playing against P5 schools without losing big.

SE Louisiana

Southern U.

SE Missouri State made the FCS playoffs the past couple of seasons.

Elon

North Carolina A&T could be paired with App State.

Chattanooga good football and men's basketball programs.

East Tennessee State goot football and men's basketball programs.

Tennessee State

ACU Was the best WAC football team last season.

Lamar very good baseball team.

SFAU good football and men's basketball last year.

Richmond

Will and Mary

Tarleton State

Lindenwood good men's basketball.

UTRGV


D1
Liberty
FIU
La. Tech
Kennesaw State
Mid. Tenn. State
WKU
Jacksonville State
Sam Houston State

I could say one of the FCS schools could be the next Liberty or Coastal Carolina. Both were not that good in FCS football, but both of them made threats of going to a NY 6 bowl.

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

(03-07-2023 11:38 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

I would look just more than football if they have a history of good in three of the money sports.

North Alabama does have history, and it seems they are finally winning at least.

UCA have been very good in all three of the sports. They even got a sclap of Tulsa. Adding them could help SBC in a way.

Delaware could follow JMU into SBC.

Florida a&M a second time around?

Mercer is good at football and men's basketball.

EKU you alrady mentioned.

Murray State football is blah, but men's basketball would be a boast.

McNeese State is better than Sam Houston State playing against P5 schools without losing big.

SE Louisiana

Southern U.

SE Missouri State made the FCS playoffs the past couple of seasons.

Elon

North Carolina A&T could be paired with App State.

Chattanooga good football and men's basketball programs.

East Tennessee State goot football and men's basketball programs.

Tennessee State

ACU Was the best WAC football team last season.

Lamar very good baseball team.

SFAU good football and men's basketball last year.

Richmond

Will and Mary

Tarleton State

Lindenwood good men's basketball.

UTRGV


D1
Liberty
FIU
La. Tech
Kennesaw State
Mid. Tenn. State
WKU
Jacksonville State
Sam Houston State

I could say one of the FCS schools could be the next Liberty or Coastal Carolina. Both were not that good in FCS football, but both of them made threats of going to a NY 6 bowl.

Man how are you gonna write a little tidbit about each of those FCS schools but then leave us hanging with UTRGV, Elon, W&M, Tarleton, etc? You can't leave us hanging like that David! We need to know what they bring too!

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Sure. The SBC and CUSA sure went after some big markets this last go around didn't they? Huntsville, Las Cruces, Hattiesburg, Huntington, and Harrisonburg are pretty big from what my atlas tells me. I also hear KSU really dominates that Atlanta market.

(03-07-2023 11:35 AM)Tmac13 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:17 AM)JTApps1 Wrote:  The SBC isn't going to make any moves with all the possible fallout from the PAC 12 on the horizon. Who knows what happens to the MWC and AAC if the PAC loses 2 to the B1G and 4 to the Big XII?

Does the PAC take several AAC schools from the West which leads to a reduction of the AAC TV deal?
Does the AAC bring in MWC leftovers to make a huge conference from the Atlantic to the Pacific? That doesn't seem like a good model for a non-A5 though.
Do Western AAC schools join the remaining MWC to have a tighter footprint?

Way too many things can happen in the near future to make any sound decisions right now, and the SBC is already in a very strong position so no need to rush into a bad decision.

Agreed.. It's better to wait and see what develops above..I also disagree with the original posters premise..Sure, CUSA isn't thrilled with a mid-week October, but they are happy to be back with ESPN and the money is about the same as the MAC..Not terrible for a conference left for dead a year ago..To add, 4 of the 5 CUSA newcomers have pretty good football potential. Liberty, because they have more money than God(pun intended), and SHSU, Jax State, and Kennesaw State because they all sit in the middle of prime football recruiting..Give them 3 or 4 years and they will be ok..

If the PAC expands with both AAC and MWC schools, I predict the AAC and the MWC will follow the Sun Belt model and become more geographical conferences.

SBC media deal runs through 2031.

No reason to add FCS teams till then.

(03-06-2023 10:29 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 06:12 PM)Yosef181 Wrote:  The SBC's current setup is perfect. In the unlikely event that someone leaves, I could see WKU becoming a candidate.

This right here. SunBelt has zero interest in FIU (it's strange that the American doesn't want them either, IMO. FIU is the model AAC school IMO. ) and really doesn't have much interest in MTSU, plus they know that they would be a flight risk to the AAC., IMHO.

WKU is the one that really checks the boxes for the SunBelt, but they're more interested in the MAC, so nothing happens.

I think that WKU would probably prefer the Sun Belt to the MAC if given the choice. I believe that they were just looking for a way out of C-USA and the MAC was the only one that seemed interested at the time.

Ugh.

I hate having to talk about the 'belt halfway seriously. But, fine, holding my nose. . .

(03-07-2023 11:36 AM)Cruhawk Wrote:  If one or three members are poached, I think they could add Missouri State from FCS (primarily for Basketball and Olympic sports strength) to get back to an even number.

They're not looking to replace Georgia State with Missouri State. The divisional line is important to who this conference wants to be. If they lost Texas State? Meh - maybe. If they lost both? I think they'd really consider just sticking with 12 (as has been said by SB fans). The divisions matter here. That's the part that they all love (especially in the east).

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

I think you have confused the SB with the AAC/previous CUSA (which was just the AAC teams).

You are over-looking their stated and demonstrated priorities.

(03-07-2023 12:03 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Sure. The SBC and CUSA sure went after some big markets this last go around didn't they? Huntsville, Las Cruces, Hattiesburg, Huntington, and Harrisonburg are pretty big from what my atlas tells me. I also hear KSU really dominates that Atlanta market.

Yes, those are some pretty terrible selections as far as media markets. Not impressed.

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-06-2023 05:41 PM)Adler Wrote:  The CUSA schools are not pleased with the future media distributions, conference leadership, and now the expensive scheduling alliance with the WAC. This seems to have pushed three, MTSU, WKU, and FIU to want to look elsewhere,

All three would fit well into the Sun Belt map, would solidify the SBC footprint in needed states and would deliver valuable new market exposure.


Like BBLB, the Sun Belt footprint looks like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone.

Fix it. Now is the opportunity. If not these three, who else?

The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Media markets don't mean squat if you arn't P5. Look at the old CUSA, nothing but markets and look where all of that "potential" got them.

(03-07-2023 12:15 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Media markets don't mean squat if you arn't P5. Look at the old CUSA, nothing but markets and look where all of that "potential" got them.

uTSA's name came as possible PAC 12 expansion candidate. Not North Texas who had football longer.

(03-07-2023 12:18 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 12:15 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Media markets don't mean squat if you arn't P5. Look at the old CUSA, nothing but markets and look where all of that "potential" got them.

uTSA's name came as possible PAC 12 expansion candidate. Not North Texas who had football longer.

(03-07-2023 12:26 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 12:18 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 12:15 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Media markets don't mean squat if you arn't P5. Look at the old CUSA, nothing but markets and look where all of that "potential" got them.

uTSA's name came as possible PAC 12 expansion candidate. Not North Texas who had football longer.

Well, UTSA is an R1, and have potential to become AAU school. UTSA is the little brother like UCLA was the little brother to UCal.

(03-07-2023 12:15 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 02:57 AM)unalions Wrote:  The ASUN 4 would fill out this map nicely. Arkansas (UCA), Alabama (UNA), Tennessee (APSU), and Kentucky (EKU). UCA is in the Little Rock market, UNA is in the Huntsville market (now Alabama’s largest city), APSU is in the Nashville market, while EKU is in the Lexington market.

MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Media markets don't mean squat if you arn't P5. Look at the old CUSA, nothing but markets and look where all of that "potential" got them.

This is an over simplification, G-Bison. Having schools located in large cities is an important part of the unity and cultural fit for the AAC members much like having schools located in college towns is for the Belt. Both league will benefit from their respective models moving forward.

And let's be blunt (related to your comment). In a general sense, nothing means squat if you are not a member of a P5 league.

(03-07-2023 12:36 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 12:15 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Media markets don't mean squat if you arn't P5. Look at the old CUSA, nothing but markets and look where all of that "potential" got them.

This is an over simplification, G-Bison. Having schools located in large cities is an important part of the unity and cultural fit for the AAC members much like having schools located in college towns is for the Belt. Both league will benefit from their respective models moving forward.

And let's be blunt (related to your comment). In a general sense, nothing means squat if you are not a member of a P5 league.

Bingo!

If markets are meaningful to the university presidents making the decisions, then they're meaningful. The decision-makers are the ones who determine what's meaningful.

(03-07-2023 12:36 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 12:15 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 11:54 AM)unalions Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 10:42 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(03-07-2023 09:07 AM)andybible1995 Wrote:  MTSU and FIU are better off joining the AAC while WKU is better of joining the MAC. Also, the ASUN 4 wouldn't add anything of value to the conference, except EKU.

There are no valuable FCS schools left in our foot print.

All four of the ASUN football schools are in better media markets than several of the existing SBC members. That’s the immediate value. Media market is a big consideration when exploring conference expansion, much more so than folks acknowledge.

Media markets don't mean squat if you arn't P5. Look at the old CUSA, nothing but markets and look where all of that "potential" got them.

This is an over simplification, G-Bison. Having schools located in large cities is an important part of the unity and cultural fit for the AAC members much like having schools located in college towns is for the Belt. Both league will benefit from their respective models moving forward.

And let's be blunt (related to your comment). In a general sense, nothing means squat if you are not a member of a P5 league.

I agree, but my response was to a statement that adding mediocre FCS schools just because they are in a market has value. Those schools barely get any support from their own markets which shows fans don't care. Look at Charlotte... 879709 people in Charlotte but they struggle to get 10k in their stands. Their market is meaningless to them and the schools that play them. With streaming as big as it is for G5 conferences, markets are irrelevant because fans can watch from any city and on any device. You don't need geography from eyeballs on streaming devices, you just need eyeballs from anywhere.

(03-07-2023 12:43 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  If markets are meaningful to the university presidents making the decisions, then they're meaningful. The decision-makers are the ones who determine what's meaningful.

Correct, good sir.