It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Right AAC is on deck and this will be interesting, followed by the MWC who almost admitted Rice/UTEP a few years ago but were holding out hope on BYU. Both conferences had BYU as their #1.

With CUSA and SBC it will come down to numbers. They may both end up as 10 team conferences and not have to add anyone.

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

Both the MWC and SBC released statements because they are afraid of losing schools.

MAC and CUSA didn't have to do that.

(09-10-2021 09:42 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

Both the MWC and SBC released statements because they are afraid of losing schools.

MAC and CUSA didn't have to do that.

I don't really believe that is the reason. I believe it's more like ESPN is getting what ESPN wants. Besides, this argument isn't a good one in relation to CUSA since they have 14 schools. Even if they lost 4 or 5 schools they have enough teams remaining to not be forced to add anyone.

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

I just don't see any Sun Belt teams going to the AAC. Georgia State has the location, but not the fan support or athletic success or tradition. I don't see MWC teams accepting. So the AAC will look at CUSA, MAC and UMass. Nobody stands out above the rest.

(09-10-2021 09:42 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

Both the MWC and SBC released statements because they are a[b]fraid of losing schools.

MAC and CUSA didn't have to do that.

I don't think the SBC is afraid of losing schools and neither is the MWC. I think both of them see an opportunity to potentially add assets to their conferences and shift balance of power far away from AAC.

(09-10-2021 09:46 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:42 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

Both the MWC and SBC released statements because they are afraid of losing schools.

MAC and CUSA didn't have to do that.

I don't really believe that is the reason. I believe it's more like ESPN is getting what ESPN wants. Besides, this argument isn't a good one in relation to CUSA since they have 14 schools. Even if they lost 4 or 5 schools they have enough teams remaining to not be forced to add anyone.

That is a good point that I hadn't considered in that the SBC is ESPN's pet while CUSA is not which gives them leverage.

(09-10-2021 08:19 AM)b2b Wrote:  I know everybody here considers them toxic but they'd be smart to add Liberty.

Now that Falwell Jr is gone Liberty should be considered a real option. He was a terrible person to associate with.

(09-10-2021 10:39 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:46 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:42 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

Both the MWC and SBC released statements because they are afraid of losing schools.

MAC and CUSA didn't have to do that.

I don't really believe that is the reason. I believe it's more like ESPN is getting what ESPN wants. Besides, this argument isn't a good one in relation to CUSA since they have 14 schools. Even if they lost 4 or 5 schools they have enough teams remaining to not be forced to add anyone.

That is a good point that I hadn't considered in that the SBC is ESPN's pet while CUSA is not which gives them leverage.

Exactly lol

(09-10-2021 08:06 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 11:56 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 09:18 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 09:14 PM)bullet Wrote:  This rates up there with the story about the AAC aggressively pursuing Big 12 teams.

We all know how that turned out.

I mean not really, since I think the Sun Belt might make more in TV revenue than C-USA, or at the very least the difference is so close it's not even worth distinguishing. I don't really think there's much point in schools from either league moving from one to the other, but maybe if the AAC took 2 C-USA members that would tip the balance toward the Sun-Belt.

Sun Belt has taken home more CFP money four of the past five seasons than CUSA by placing higher in the rankings used for performance money and has signed an extension with ESPN that increases appearance on linear TV both weeknight and Saturday appearances

Not that this is going to happen, but for me if there were some scenario where enough teams left the AAC to dissolve it and ECU had to join another league I'd want it to be the Sun-Belt at this point. I feel like there's at least an identity and cohesion to the Sun-Belt, and the schools for the most part make sense to be in a league together.

I don't remember way back when but didn't ECU push for ODU and CLT to be added to the C-USA? Would they not want to go back with those schools? I would love ECU in the Belt if AAC dissolved.

(09-10-2021 07:47 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 04:15 AM)OscarWildeCat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 12:35 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 12:34 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  I posted a link that Chattanooga might make a move now. SBC pursued them before. They do have good history of footbaall and men's basketball.

I would rather keep the 12 we have now. JMU might be the ONLY FCS team worth inviting up and keep perceptions up but I think the SBC is beyond that now. They got their eyes on teams like Marshall and Southern Miss I bet.

JMU’s athletic budget us bigger by far than any current or prospective member of the SBC and their facilities are definitely FBS quality. https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

The question isn’t whether the SBC would be interested in JMU. It’s whether JMU would be interested in the SBC.

During the last round of expansion JMU let it be known that while they were open to a move to FBS they wouldn’t join the SBC which at the time was the lowest ranked conference in FBS. The SBC has improved significantly since then, so JMU might entertain this option.

JMU wouldn't join at the time because the Sun Belt was at 11 members, needed to get to 12 to hold a conference title game (per NCAA rules) and included Idaho and NM State.

Alot has changed:

no requirement for 12 which led to....
Idaho and NM state getting the boot and
Coastal (a more regional school for JMU) coming in to get back to 10

and let's be clear, JMU said they WOULD go for football only. but the SB wanted an all sports member. And because of the geography at the time (with ID/NMSt) JMU didn't think it was a good fit.

if the SB comes again, especially if paired with another east cost team (Marshall, Liberty, ODU), there is no doubt JMU would say yes this time.

Can't blame JMU. I didn't want to share a conference with Idaho and to a lesser extent NMSU.

(09-10-2021 10:39 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:46 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:42 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  It's kind of pointless to speculate on what CUSA and Sunbelt will do until we know what the AAC will do. And if they take four quality programs from those two conferences, there's not going to be much left. Both will be bottom feeders in the FBS, and little more than a source of OOC W's and home games for the P5 conferences. Their football teams will be hard to find on TV and their basketball teams will be competing for the one bid a year they can expect from the NCAAT. They might as well be FCS except that would preclude them from selling most of those W's to FBS schools.

Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

Both the MWC and SBC released statements because they are afraid of losing schools.

MAC and CUSA didn't have to do that.

I don't really believe that is the reason. I believe it's more like ESPN is getting what ESPN wants. Besides, this argument isn't a good one in relation to CUSA since they have 14 schools. Even if they lost 4 or 5 schools they have enough teams remaining to not be forced to add anyone.

That is a good point that I hadn't considered in that the SBC is ESPN's pet while CUSA is not which gives them leverage.

CUSA could be in for an uncomfortable year if the MW decides to move into Texas at the same time the AAC needs 4 and the SB is actively looking to add 2.

(09-10-2021 10:51 AM)Bogg Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 10:39 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:46 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:42 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-10-2021 09:39 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  Unless, certain teams already know they're not going to move the AAC and want to appear proactive instead of reactive. That could be why the SBC is so emboldened in their recent statements, or "aggressive" as indicated by McMurphy.

Both the MWC and SBC released statements because they are afraid of losing schools.

MAC and CUSA didn't have to do that.

I don't really believe that is the reason. I believe it's more like ESPN is getting what ESPN wants. Besides, this argument isn't a good one in relation to CUSA since they have 14 schools. Even if they lost 4 or 5 schools they have enough teams remaining to not be forced to add anyone.

That is a good point that I hadn't considered in that the SBC is ESPN's pet while CUSA is not which gives them leverage.

CUSA could be in for an uncomfortable year if the MW decides to move into Texas at the same time the AAC needs 4 and the SB is actively looking to add 2.

Liberty and NMSU say “Hello!”

(09-09-2021 08:50 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 08:47 PM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  https://twitter.com/brett_mcmurphy/statu...11297?s=21

Sun Belt could add 2 new members.

I hope they don't add FCS members. And I can't see any CUSA members going to the Sun Belt, especially before the AAC makes its moves.

They shouldn't be allowed to at this point. Aside from Marshall, Boise CC, Geo Southern, App State, Liberty, maybe I missed some, others shouldn't have been eligible for promotion.

(09-09-2021 09:38 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 09:32 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  This is called the panic period of realignment.

Texas and OU are out the door.

Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF have forced the AAC to raid C-USA.

The Sun Belt know that C-USA is going to raid them next and they are trying to beat C-USA to the punch, by tempting a few key programs into jumping conferences, and shifting the balance of power.

I won't work. C-USA is still a the better overall conference. And any C-USA program the Belt would target knows it.

Maybe there are some metrics that define this, but I see the two leagues as essentially indistinguishable.

What they should really do is form a partnership and scheduling alliance. If the AAC takes a few, and I think it remains to be seen what their strategy is, then there's strength in numbers.

I know the CUSA is considered higher than SB by some but I it appears that it's an antiquated notion. CUSA never seems to do well and like McMurphy pointed out SB had 2 Top 15 teams. The latest trends are going towards SB.

(09-09-2021 09:49 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 09:38 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 09:32 PM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  This is called the panic period of realignment.

Texas and OU are out the door.

Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF have forced the AAC to raid C-USA.

The Sun Belt know that C-USA is going to raid them next and they are trying to beat C-USA to the punch, by tempting a few key programs into jumping conferences, and shifting the balance of power.

I won't work. C-USA is still a the better overall conference. And any C-USA program the Belt would target knows it.

Maybe there are some metrics that define this, but I see the two leagues as essentially indistinguishable.

What they should really do is form a partnership and scheduling alliance. If the AAC takes a few, and I think it remains to be seen what their strategy is, then there's strength in numbers.

Look at the athletic budgets, coaches salaries, and NCAA results...

C-USA's champ (UNT), beat Purdue in the opening round of March Madness. The Sun Belt champ (App State) was forced to compete in a #16 seed play-in game and lost it to Norfolk State. The Sun Belt champ didn't even merit a guaranteed slot in March Madness. In fact C-USA's champ has won something like 5 of their last 6 opening round games at the NCAA Tournament. I couldn't tell you the last time a Sun Belt team won a game in March Madness.

To emulate Allen Iverson: Basketball? Who talks about Basketball?

(09-10-2021 11:06 AM)Scoochpooch1 Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 08:50 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 08:47 PM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  https://twitter.com/brett_mcmurphy/statu...11297?s=21

Sun Belt could add 2 new members.

I hope they don't add FCS members. And I can't see any CUSA members going to the Sun Belt, especially before the AAC makes its moves.

They shouldn't be allowed to at this point. Aside from Marshall, Boise CC, Geo Southern, App State, Liberty, maybe I missed some, others shouldn't have been eligible for promotion.

You missed Troy

(09-09-2021 10:16 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  2021 AP Poll
17 Coastal Carolina

Final AP Poll
2020
14 Coastal Carolina
15 Louisiana

2019
19 Appalachian St

2015
24 Marshall

2014
23 Marshall

Sun Belt has the hot hand right now. Marshall was the last CUSA team to finish in the AP Poll in recent seasons. What does this mean? The Sun Belt would seem to be gaining in brand and performance strength over CUSA.

2015 WKU 24, not Marshall.

(09-09-2021 11:26 PM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(09-09-2021 10:51 PM)Todor Wrote:  Perhaps CUSA and Sun belt might trade a few teams that have different strengths and they'll each call it a success. More of a trade than a raid.

I can’t see trades happening. It’s expand or be raided and the SBC is in a much better place is was back in 2012/13

Makes.too much sense to actually happen.