(07-04-2017 09:17 AM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(07-02-2017 08:00 AM)Carolina_Low_Country Wrote:  Here are a few schools that I think could make a P5 conference if they invested a lot of money.

Underdogs that could make P5:
Buffalo: AAU school in New York. Need new football and basketball arena. All need to start hockey up. If they could build a nice 50000 person on campus stadium and get attendance up they have an outside shot at joining Big Ten.

Rice: Another AAU school. Need to improve basketball similar to what SMu did. Have a shot at Big 12 and PAC 12

UAB: The City of Birmingham is growing like crazy. If UAB could rebrand as Birmingham (similar to Charlotte). Have the city build a nice 50000 person stadium for the blazers and the Birmingham bowl they would be set. On top of that build a new basketball arena. The basketball culture is there just need to get football going. They could have an outside shot to the ACC if schools like Clemson, GA Tech, and FSU start complaining about northern growth and no new southern teams being added.

UNLV: New football stadium and a martlet that fits perfectly for the PAC-12.

Rice: Thanks for the underdog mention and I'll just add my take on your B12/P12 options.
*If* we were to go P5, I think "today" that P12 and B1G are the two most likely.

The B12 window won't crack open for us again until the league looks to replace the next round of departures (5+ year time frame). At least we know we're on the "short" list of 11(!)

AAC is not very likely right now, either. Our value differentiators are academics, and exposure to the Houston market. AAC and B12 both already have good exposure in Houston.(not to mention the SEC, that opportunity passed by about 20 years ago)

And the ACC has never been even a slim chance option (though some of our fans have suggested it as a good fit)

To be clear, I fully grasp that we are not just underdogs to go P5, but longshot underdogs. But I've seen us beat odds like that before (usually on the field of play) so I dream...


Also, to Domer1978: cool to see the South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference mentioned for the first time ever that I'm aware of on this board. Yes, Rice would welcome ND into that conference. Come on down for some great early spring road racing in gorgeous weather.

And to attackcoog:
I'm sure we've been cooking up the halftime script for the renewal of the Bayou Bucket for months. But no way will it hold a candle to the Baylor show #truth

The Baylor halftime show was epic. What makes it even better was the fact that Art Briles decided to sneak into that game.

I like this topic -- brings out a lot of interesting stuff from fans. Here's one Colorado State fan's ideas:

- Mtn West - We're a solid member of this conference, seeing as how we founded it with 3 others (AFA, Nuevo Mexico, Wyo). Since we lost Utah & TCU and added 6 WAC schools, my interest has dropped in the conference. Thankfully the schools I DO have interest in are in the Mtn division.

- PAC - On paper, CSU looks pretty good as a member. Would rank 7th/8th of 12 in academics, research, and all that stuff -- slightly behind Utah's numbers when they were invited -- and these metrics are growing quickly. I don't buy the argument that UColorado would vote against our membership. I'd love to be in the PAC, and they're the athletic conference with the least reason to expand now & in the future.

- Big XII - CSU would fit well in the BigTX. Land grant school; tons of BigTX alumni in nearby Denver; old Big8 fans really enjoy the roadie to CO (especially the KU fans taking over CU's basketball arena). I tracked research funding data a couple of years ago, and CSU would rank #2 in the BigTX upon membership. I'd welcome membership there, and I'm exceedingly wary of Texas's shenanigans in-conference after seeing how they treated the BigXII during UColorado's tenure.

- Big 10 - This would be the best outcome for CSU (the institution) and its fans. We're cranking on research as is, and the academics are damn good. Athletics are finally being taken seriously after decades of benevolent near-neglect. Many, many Big 10 alumni live in Denver. The economy is currently white-hot (2% unemployment), which sets us up well for the next couple of generations' growth. Plus, we got weed.

CState's future is looking good. The campus has been growing/improving for a decade, including cutting-edge research facilities. Enrollment is sustainably climbing.

App State

1) SBC: Stays in SBC

2) CUSA: Fits in the conference footprint, historic rivals with Marshall, potential in-state rivalry with Charlotte, strengthens conference football

3) AAC: ECU tried to get CUSA to invite App back when they were still in the conference maybe they'd do it again, idk

4) ACC: Just a dream, UNC-CHeat gets death penalty and the conference replaces them with a basketball only school and App for football and wresting (unless App makes HUGE strides in basketball and baseball)

(07-03-2017 08:22 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(07-03-2017 04:20 PM)Mav Wrote:  Omaha fan here, not many options. MVC's a longshot and Horizon's a lateral move with increased travel costs, and there's always the WAC if the Summit falls apart, though that's just because they're the NCAA's Island of Misfit Toys. Hockey's where it belongs, so there's no real need to go anywhere else.

I doubt there's any interest involving any other conferences from either side.

I'm sure the WAC would be interested in Omaha.

The WAC is interested in just about anyone west of the Mississippi, and some east, too.

(07-04-2017 08:06 PM)Mav Wrote:  

(07-03-2017 08:22 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(07-03-2017 04:20 PM)Mav Wrote:  Omaha fan here, not many options. MVC's a longshot and Horizon's a lateral move with increased travel costs, and there's always the WAC if the Summit falls apart, though that's just because they're the NCAA's Island of Misfit Toys. Hockey's where it belongs, so there's no real need to go anywhere else.

I doubt there's any interest involving any other conferences from either side.

I'm sure the WAC would be interested in Omaha.

The WAC is interested in just about anyone west of the Mississippi, and some east, too.

Yup and I think Omaha would fit fine in the WAC. Come on and join the rat pack.

GCU:

Currently in the WAC and has always had eyes elsewhere.

The options:

The Summit League, The Horizon League, Big Sky, (maybe, it has NAU)

Dream scenario: WCC

What should happen but won't: Big West (GCU has every sport they sponsor)

Are we talking realistic scenarios, or what we actually believe as fans?

Because if so, The NFC South is almost certainly our ideal conference.

(07-04-2017 01:46 PM)All Rams All The Time Wrote:  CState's future is looking good. The campus has been growing/improving for a decade, including cutting-edge research facilities. Enrollment is sustainably climbing.

I recall visiting Colorado State for an academic conference back in 1998. I was impressed with just about everything i saw there. The whole scope of the campus struck me as 'big time', particularly the academic side, and I expected that CSU would soon be in a major conference such as the PAC or Big 12.

Not sure why it hasn't happened yet.

Rice

Don't want us: ACC, B1G, B12, PAC, SEC
Might take us: MWC, AAC
Most likely: UAA, SCAC

(07-04-2017 01:46 PM)All Rams All The Time Wrote:  I like this topic -- brings out a lot of interesting stuff from fans. Here's one Colorado State fan's ideas:

- Mtn West - We're a solid member of this conference, seeing as how we founded it with 3 others (AFA, Nuevo Mexico, Wyo). Since we lost Utah & TCU and added 6 WAC schools, my interest has dropped in the conference. Thankfully the schools I DO have interest in are in the Mtn division.

- PAC - On paper, CSU looks pretty good as a member. Would rank 7th/8th of 12 in academics, research, and all that stuff -- slightly behind Utah's numbers when they were invited -- and these metrics are growing quickly. I don't buy the argument that UColorado would vote against our membership. I'd love to be in the PAC, and they're the athletic conference with the least reason to expand now & in the future.

- Big XII - CSU would fit well in the BigTX. Land grant school; tons of BigTX alumni in nearby Denver; old Big8 fans really enjoy the roadie to CO (especially the KU fans taking over CU's basketball arena). I tracked research funding data a couple of years ago, and CSU would rank #2 in the BigTX upon membership. I'd welcome membership there, and I'm exceedingly wary of Texas's shenanigans in-conference after seeing how they treated the BigXII during UColorado's tenure.

- Big 10 - This would be the best outcome for CSU (the institution) and its fans. We're cranking on research as is, and the academics are damn good. Athletics are finally being taken seriously after decades of benevolent near-neglect. Many, many Big 10 alumni live in Denver. The economy is currently white-hot (2% unemployment), which sets us up well for the next couple of generations' growth. Plus, we got weed.

CState's future is looking good. The campus has been growing/improving for a decade, including cutting-edge research facilities. Enrollment is sustainably climbing.

On the PAC membership for CSU, it could be a situation where Colorado pushes for CSU as part of an expansion package.

Colorado State
Oklahoma
Texas Tech
Texas

OSU is looking at a 20% budget reduction due to statehouse politics. The state of Colorado my guess is easier for higher education to work with.

(07-04-2017 11:42 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Are we talking realistic scenarios, or what we actually believe as fans?

Because if so, The NFC South is almost certainly our ideal conference.

I'd have a couple stretch options as well as a backup plan.

(07-04-2017 07:27 PM)CheckYosef94 Wrote:  App State

1) SBC: Stays in SBC

2) CUSA: Fits in the conference footprint, historic rivals with Marshall, potential in-state rivalry with Charlotte, strengthens conference football

3) AAC: ECU tried to get CUSA to invite App back when they were still in the conference maybe they'd do it again, idk

4) ACC: Just a dream, UNC-CHeat gets death penalty and the conference replaces them with a basketball only school and App for football and wresting (unless App makes HUGE strides in basketball and baseball)

If Boise State could get as far as a Big East invite with a strong football program why couldn't Appalachian State?

It's possible someday the B1G grabs Duke/UNC w/ NC Sate going to the SEC. That would open up ACC slots in North Carolina for someone.

(07-05-2017 11:53 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(07-04-2017 07:27 PM)CheckYosef94 Wrote:  App State

1) SBC: Stays in SBC

2) CUSA: Fits in the conference footprint, historic rivals with Marshall, potential in-state rivalry with Charlotte, strengthens conference football

3) AAC: ECU tried to get CUSA to invite App back when they were still in the conference maybe they'd do it again, idk

4) ACC: Just a dream, UNC-CHeat gets death penalty and the conference replaces them with a basketball only school and App for football and wresting (unless App makes HUGE strides in basketball and baseball)

If Boise State could get as far as a Big East invite with a strong football program why couldn't Appalachian State?

It's possible someday the B1G grabs Duke/UNC w/ NC Sate going to the SEC. That would open up ACC slots in North Carolina for someone.

Because Boise was institutionally and academically a stretch. App would have to break the CFP multiple times for that to happen. The B12 scenario we witnessed where they vetted and passed on everyone is the real world.At the P5 level your athletic brand is a lot. Your institutional brand is even more (see Syracuse, Pitt, Maryland and Rutgers)

(07-05-2017 08:41 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(07-04-2017 01:46 PM)All Rams All The Time Wrote:  CState's future is looking good. The campus has been growing/improving for a decade, including cutting-edge research facilities. Enrollment is sustainably climbing.

I recall visiting Colorado State for an academic conference back in 1998. I was impressed with just about everything i saw there. The whole scope of the campus struck me as 'big time', particularly the academic side, and I expected that CSU would soon be in a major conference such as the PAC or Big 12.

Not sure why it hasn't happened yet.

Simple: the football program is middle MW at best, and their overall sports are not that great, also. CU would never want them in PAC


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(07-05-2017 12:01 PM)panama Wrote:  

(07-05-2017 11:53 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(07-04-2017 07:27 PM)CheckYosef94 Wrote:  App State

1) SBC: Stays in SBC

2) CUSA: Fits in the conference footprint, historic rivals with Marshall, potential in-state rivalry with Charlotte, strengthens conference football

3) AAC: ECU tried to get CUSA to invite App back when they were still in the conference maybe they'd do it again, idk

4) ACC: Just a dream, UNC-CHeat gets death penalty and the conference replaces them with a basketball only school and App for football and wresting (unless App makes HUGE strides in basketball and baseball)

If Boise State could get as far as a Big East invite with a strong football program why couldn't Appalachian State?

It's possible someday the B1G grabs Duke/UNC w/ NC Sate going to the SEC. That would open up ACC slots in North Carolina for someone.

Because Boise was institutionally and academically a stretch. App would have to break the CFP multiple times for that to happen. The B12 scenario we witnessed where they vetted and passed on everyone is the real world.At the P5 level your athletic brand is a lot. Your institutional brand is even more (see Syracuse, Pitt, Maryland and Rutgers)

Right but what is the AAC GOR at the moment? Out until 2036?

A lot can happen in two decades.

If we are discussing 2036, who cares?

Ohio State: It will probably stay in the Big Ten as long as it exists. I doubt they have any aspirations to be elsewhere.

Wright State: It only got into the Horizon League because it was a Division II powerhouse in basketball in the 80's, and they were expected to still be pretty good after moving up to Division I. As the Horizon League deteriorates, I think it will have to stay since they won't be invited any place better. Given the financial situation, I could see them having to go back to Division II in the near future.

UA: We would never want to go anywhere else.

I don't really have a favorite school per se, but for the purposes of this thread, I'll go with Youngstown State because I like penguins, even though I don't live anywhere near Ohio (or the Southern Hemisphere).

Current conference:
Missouri Valley Football Conference for football
Horizon League for non-football

Realignment options:
1. Remain as is (likely)
2. Join the Mid-American Conference (unlikely because Akron and Kent State don't want them in the club)

Any other FBS conference would be a stretch, either geographically or aspirationally. Any move within the FCS, such as to the CAA, seems to be basically a lateral one at best.

For Virginia Tech, I'd say it's
1. ACC
. . .
2. B1G or SEC
. . .
3. Big XII or Independent

Really though, the ACC has more of VT's natural rivals than any other conference. After that, I wouldn't care between Big Ten or SEC - either way it would be about half as many games I really care about.