Reading and watching online articles and YouTube, there is often times conflicting positions about CUSA conference teams. Vote your thoughts on one or more choices. This is a 30 day poll.

My vote is based on the current information.
Would accept an AC invite
Current happy with this group. Wouldnt be sad if NMSU got a MWC invite. Good for them and us.
Do believe we can go to higher level. Is it with a growing CUSA or elsewhere?

If things change would be open to most anything but it the end will be a JaX State fan wherever we land.

This MT fan feels like we're just observers at this point without a lot options. Outgoing president is to be be replaced at end of year and then maybe well see how that impacts the university athletic leadership and direction. Hopefully then MT community will start to see some positive changes, but how long will that take? Praying that significant changes in leadership will be forthcoming, but will it be too late to make a difference?

Where is the option of it who cares/doesn't matter? Any movement between the MAC, MWC, AAC, CUSA, SBC and probably the PAC 12 at this point is just rearranging the chairs on the Titanic.

(10-20-2026 08:11 AM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  My vote is based on the current information.
Would accept an AC invite
Current happy with this group. Wouldnt be sad if NMSU got a MWC invite. Good for them and us.
Do believe we can go to higher level. Is it with a growing CUSA or elsewhere?

If things change would be open to most anything but it the end will be a JaX State fan wherever we land.

This is almost exactly how I feel.

Given the difference in conference revenue, the greater likelihood of multiple teams in the NCAA basketball tourney, and (now) the much stronger path to a CFP bid, any of us -- not just JSU -- would be foolish to turn down the opportunity to move to the American, or even the SEC, if they can meet our incredibly high demands.

I mean, it's not even close.

That said, I'm extremely happy with the current incarnation of CUSA. Yes, it can be improved. If I ruled the world with an iron fist (trust me, I'm working on it) the PAC would take NMSU immediately. (Yes, the PAC, not the MWC. Because I'd rule the world.) I'd also send FIU to the American, for no other reason than that doing so would remove a crazy long island from our footprint while providing the Panthers with regional rivals and travel partners. It's another win-win.

But even if NMSU and FIU stayed, I'd be OK with it. I don't hate either team, at least, off the field, and feel there's some untapped potential with both.

As for the SBC... if we were the ONLY team to be invited, there'd be a near 50/50 split in our fan base whether to accept or not. The ones in favor mainly just want to be with troy state and (to a much lesser degree) USA, USM, and the Georgia schools. I feel that; I just don't see it as a reason to make a lateral move.

But if multiple teams were involved, things could change quickly.

Realistically, Kenny probably wouldn't get invited unless Ga State left the SBC. (Duplicated market, multiple teams in a single state, yadda yadda.)

But if they DID get an invite, the SBC would become a huge draw for Jax State, not because of the Owls themselves (gross...), but because it would mean our two biggest FBS rivals (Kenny and troy state) would now be in the Belt. Suddenly, even an otherwise lateral move would become a near-no-brainer.

Elsewhere in CUSA, we really enjoy our young "competitive" rivalries with WKU and Liberty. If either of them left, it would not only put a "rival" in the Belt, but losing either would be a huge competitive loss for CUSA in general, swinging the SBC from a lateral move to a step up.

If both were to leave CUSA, whether for the Belt or the AAC, accepting an SBC invite could once again become a no-brainer for Jax State.

We haven't developed a competitive rivalry with MTSU as much yet (thanks to their struggles) but if they can right their ship, that one has a LOT of potential as well. It may not become a heated rivalry like Uncompromised Hate, but it would probably be even stronger than anything we have with WKU and Liberty, if only because of proximity. Both bands already travel between the schools at least semi-regularly, and that's a huge deal for rivalry building.

So if MTSU alone left, it might not move the needle much *right now*. But if they left in combination with WKU or Liberty, once again, the Belt would become FAR more attractive to Jax State.

I don't know that too many others would move the needle at all for us. We like Delaware and their fans a lot, and having another gamecock in the conference is awesome, but the distance is too much for a true rivalry. The same is true for Sammy. Their fans are great, and we share some history, but SHSU alone wouldn't move the needle.

FIU and NMSU leaving would do nothing but make CUSA *more* attractive for us. (Only due to geography and lack of history. Nothing personal beyond that.)

And it's the lack of history more than anything else which puts Mo State in that "doesn't move the needle" group.

So... tl;dr:

JSU alone - JSU probably wouldn't accept an SBC invite
JSU + one (KSU or WKU) - JSU likely WOULD accept the invite
JSU + Liberty - JSU probably would accept, but with some reservations
JSU + MTSU - JSU would strongly consider, but may not accept
JSU + any other single CUSA team - JSU probably wouldn't accept
JSU + two (KSU, WKU, Liberty, or MTSU) - JSU almost certainly WOULD accept
JSU + three (KSU, WKU, Liberty, or MTSU) - Bye, you guys. It's been real.

None of this should be interpreted as an indictment of CUSA. It's just that what's currently a lateral move would change radically if the right combination of teams came along with us.

Likewise, changes in the Sun Belt could change its standing relative to CUSA. It's all connected.

Would love to see the Hens in a conference with Navy and Temple. That being said, they are nowhere near ready. Delaware probably does less with more than anybody in the G5. Absolutely terrible ROI on their athletics budget. The administrators that finally brought them to FBS football have been run off. They are no longer in a spending mood.

The $ between these leagues is incremental. The cost of leaving and joining would be difficult to recoup in the short term. Maybe better rivals, or better travel, but don't claim it's for more money.

It’s really hard to say what I want to do. It would depend on who all else is leaving and where they are going.

I'm okay with the CUSA as it is. I am happy and satisfied with CUSA as it is now.
I would accept a SBC invite. I’d be okay with it I guess, maybe, just to be with ODU and CCU. But a move is uneccesary.
I would pay to accept a AC membership. If it was effective immediatley, yes. If it’s after Memphis, Tulane, and USF move on, no way. But I imagine we all would given the opportunity and resources.
My school has reached it's highest conference level. Not on your life. Nope. The sky’s the limit!
My school can achieve a higher conference affiliation. Yes we can!

For me regarding Delaware...

"I'm okay with the CUSA as it is" ---- Yes, I am. I think the league is better than people give them credit for.

"I would accept a SBC invite" ---- I don't think it's necessary. Would I be mad at it.... not really, but I would be furious if it somehow prevented Delaware from making it into the American one day.

"I would pay to accept a AAC membership" ---- Yes, 100%. The only way that changes is if the Delaware's current conference pays out more and/or has stronger strength of schedule. But I think the American's commish knows how to keep the American at the top of the G6. So as long has he's their commish, I would move to the American without blinking.

"My school has reached it's highest conference level" ---- Nope.

"My school can achieve a higher conference affiliation" ---- Yes. Delaware is almost 100% destined for the American one day and stands a good chance of eventually making it into the ACC if the ACC loses 10 teams, esp if the ACC decides that Top 100 academic schools is most important to them.

(10-20-2026 09:49 PM)sigke Wrote:  For me regarding Delaware...

"I'm okay with the CUSA as it is" ---- Yes, I am. I think the league is better than people give them credit for.

"I would accept a SBC invite" ---- I don't think it's necessary. Would I be mad at it.... not really, but I would be furious if it somehow prevented Delaware from making it into the American one day.

"I would pay to accept a AAC membership" ---- Yes, 100%. The only way that changes is if the Delaware's current conference pays out more and/or has stronger strength of schedule. But I think the American's commish knows how to keep the American at the top of the G6. So as long has he's their commish, I would move to the American without blinking.

"My school has reached it's highest conference level" ---- Nope.

"My school can achieve a higher conference affiliation" ---- Yes. Delaware is almost 100% destined for the American one day and stands a good chance of eventually making it into the ACC if the ACC loses 10 teams, esp if the ACC decides that Top 100 academic schools is most important to them.

C-USA has always been a stepping stone for schools that have higher aspirations. Look at the number of schools that were part of this conference that now play in the P4 and Big East. I believe Delaware is one of those schools.

My question is, would Temple try to keep you out of the American or in a possible ACC scenario where Temple gets invited first? Or would it be more of a NMSU situation where there’s a tv market overlap even if Temple supports you but the tv networks see it as a redundant addition?

(10-20-2026 10:37 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  C-USA has always been a stepping stone for schools that have higher aspirations. Look at the number of schools that were part of this conference that now play in the P4 and Big East. I believe Delaware is one of those schools.

My question is, would Temple try to keep you out of the American or in a possible ACC scenario where Temple gets invited first? Or would it be more of a NMSU situation where there’s a tv market overlap even if Temple supports you but the tv networks see it as a redundant addition?

I don't think Temple would actively try to keep Delaware out of the American (at least as long as KC Keeler is their head FB coach). Keeler has stated that he wants to see Temple playing Delaware on a regular basis. From a basketball/olympic sports point of view, Delaware was invited into the A10 back when Temple was a member in early 1990s, but Delaware's AD stupidly turned down the invite. Historically, Delaware and Temple were rivals too. So I don't think Temple would fight against Delaware - esp since Temple knows what it's like to be attacked by Villanova.

Regarding TV Market overlap. For the American, this doesn't matter anymore because in this new streaming era, national viewership is more important. From what I understand, ESPN has changed the way they are calculating the value of conferences without their own TV network to an overall viewership model. If the school has good viewership, it has value.

However, where TV market overlap would play a major factor is with the ACC. The ACC Network would only need one team in the Philadelphia TV market in order to collect in market subscription/ rates from the cable providers. So the likelihood of more than one Philly TV market team in the ACC is zero. Like Pitt, Temple isn't likely to qualify to give the ACC Network the entire state, so they don't have an edge there.

If a depleted ACC chooses to be an FBS version of the Ivy League, then I think they would pick Delaware over Temple (that's IF they pick a Philly TV market school at all). Delaware is currently #85 in US News ranking and ranks #38 in the Wall Street Journal's ranking. Temple ranks #109 in US News and #231 in Wall Street Journal's ranking.

Also Delaware is considered a "Public Ivy" along with UVA, William & Mary, etc.

So I don't see Temple beating out Delaware for a spot in the ACC.

However, it is very possible that the ACC could ask Villanova to join instead if they really want the Philly market badly for ACC Network. With their basketball and great academics, I could see Villanova sneaking in there and taking the ACC spot away from both Temple and Delaware - that's IF Villanova could secure a stadium for ACC football.

As a Liberty fan, we want the AAC but an invite is unlikely for now. As far as the Sun Belt, I think interest in that from Liberty has waned. I don't think we will get an invite but I also don't think we would move there. I'm perfectly fine being in CUSA.

Liberty enjoys being in CUSA and wants to help make it a premier G6 conference. Interestingly, IMHO, some recent schools that no longer share that desire to pay the money to achieve that goal have thankfully move to other conferences.

That being said, long term their goal is to move up, not sideways. Paying millions to move sideways into Sun Belt or MAC is just wasting money that could later be put toward our stated goal.

A new PAC12-Eastern division or somewhat depleted AAC are the only conferences I see Liberty seriously considering.

(10-21-2026 06:56 AM)Baldspot Wrote:  Liberty enjoys being in CUSA and wants to help make it a premier G6 conference. Interestingly, IMHO, some recent schools that no longer share that desire to pay the money to achieve that goal have thankfully move to other conferences.

That being said, long term their goal is to move up, not sideways. Paying millions to move sideways into Sun Belt or MAC is just wasting money that could later be put toward our stated goal.

A new PAC12-Eastern division or somewhat depleted AAC are the only conferences I see Liberty seriously considering.

Your point if a PAC 12 East interest me. The possibility exist that after the P4 has poached it's desired teams, and the AAC has collected MAC, SB, CUSA teams, if you're team is disgruntled, what are the options. One is to sit tight and accept the reality. The other is to consider being a member of the Pac or some other Estern division. With only 8 existing teams and rebuffs from several AAC and MW schools, it may be the Pac's best option rather than FCS call ups. The obvious Eastern appeal would be teams nearby geographically and with enough teams, say 6 or more, to be feasible. With the 24 team playoff, schedules may go to 11 games. Then 5 East division games, 2 Western conference games, 2 OOC games and one fcs. Not ideal but likely better than most other options. There is one absolute needed here. To stand back, think outside the box, and put everything in the table for consideration.

PAC East could be inviting if the right group of schools are included. But how many would it involve and would the AC start adding schools to defend?

I don't believe any current CUSA schools would be invited to join a PAC East. The only schools with the budget to do so would be Liberty and (maybe?) Delaware.

Delaware may not have the motive to do so with their current admin. And the PAC and Liberty's "reputation" don't seem to jibe politically. (I could be wrong.)

So that leaves the domino effect: several schools move to the PAC-E, opening vacancies elsewhere.

The problem, as CUSA schools are concerned, is that the right combination of exiting schools can potentially make those schools' former conference(s) undesirable.

As I said earlier, it's all connected. Move too quickly (or not at all) and you could find yourself orphaned in a dying conference, while all your friends move to greener pastures.

Stressful time to be an AD or university president. That's for sure.

I'm happy with CUSA. I was raised to be grateful to those who asked us to the dance, not longing for another date. CUSA asked. The Sun Belt decided to create abysmal football programs at Georgia State and South Alabama instead of inviting us. I'm not harboring resentment or a grudge, but I'm loyal to CUSA for elevating us.

If we were invited to the sun belt, I'd want to see some financials that prove it is a better place for us. Having troy state on the schedule for a hefty price is not enough of a reason for me. We have no history with South Alabama, save for a pretty good DC they gave us in 2013, so having them on the schedule isn't enough to justify paying all that money to join the Sun Belt.

Leaving Kenny, we've done it before, but it's easy to get behind leaving the Owls for a place in the FBS. Leaving Kenny for a lateral move to the Sun Belt, not so easy to get behind.

Sun Belt membership also means being exposed to the cultists who are impervious to reason or easily-observable facts, so there's that, for whatever that is worth to you.

(10-21-2026 11:12 AM)smith79jordan Wrote:  I'm happy with CUSA. I was raised to be grateful to those who asked us to the dance, not longing for another date. CUSA asked. The Sun Belt decided to create abysmal football programs at Georgia State and South Alabama instead of inviting us. I'm not harboring resentment or a grudge, but I'm loyal to CUSA for elevating us.

If we were invited to the sun belt, I'd want to see some financials that prove it is a better place for us. Having troy state on the schedule for a hefty price is not enough of a reason for me. We have no history with South Alabama, save for a pretty good DC they gave us in 2013, so having them on the schedule isn't enough to justify paying all that money to join the Sun Belt.

Leaving Kenny, we've done it before, but it's easy to get behind leaving the Owls for a place in the FBS. Leaving Kenny for a lateral move to the Sun Belt, not so easy to get behind.

Sun Belt membership also means being exposed to the cultists who are impervious to reason or easily-observable facts, so there's that, for whatever that is worth to you.

Agree on all counts.

One quibble, though. That DC was ours (as a student, at least) before he was USA's. So they really just gave him back. LOL.

(10-21-2026 11:26 AM)whupemall Wrote:  

(10-21-2026 11:12 AM)smith79jordan Wrote:  I'm happy with CUSA. I was raised to be grateful to those who asked us to the dance, not longing for another date. CUSA asked. The Sun Belt decided to create abysmal football programs at Georgia State and South Alabama instead of inviting us. I'm not harboring resentment or a grudge, but I'm loyal to CUSA for elevating us.

If we were invited to the sun belt, I'd want to see some financials that prove it is a better place for us. Having troy state on the schedule for a hefty price is not enough of a reason for me. We have no history with South Alabama, save for a pretty good DC they gave us in 2013, so having them on the schedule isn't enough to justify paying all that money to join the Sun Belt.

Leaving Kenny, we've done it before, but it's easy to get behind leaving the Owls for a place in the FBS. Leaving Kenny for a lateral move to the Sun Belt, not so easy to get behind.

Sun Belt membership also means being exposed to the cultists who are impervious to reason or easily-observable facts, so there's that, for whatever that is worth to you.

Agree on all counts.

One quibble, though. That DC was ours (as a student, at least) before he was USA's. So they really just gave him back. LOL.

That school in Birmingham thinks he's theirs, but we all know where home is.

I must also give South credit for giving us Rick Pietri. He lost his fastball toward the end, but he gave our WBB team its best DI memories.