I've seen the options but nobody really suggesting how or why? ESPN is highly unllikely to give the league more money. I'm just not seeing where the money makes any sense.

What happens if the the exit fee increases in CUSA and the MAC are voted on and approved? How exactly would the money make sense and why? Seems like this would influence the SBCs timeline as well to have to move faster. There are more schools that are stuck in these leagues as well that will vote to increase fees, same as the SBC

(10-28-2026 01:57 PM)High Country Student Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:41 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Going to 16 with Ohio, Delaware, and Missouri State adds 19.3 million more people to our footprint.

Yea but what about LIU, Chicago State & East Texas A&M?

Theres a difference between small time programs we never heard of buried in a market compared to the likes of Delaware or Ohio.
Delaware is the state flagship and only fbs program. Missouri State is 1 of 2 fbs programs in the state of Missouri. Ohio carries the state name in the 6th largest state. They have fans, resources, branding, and sell alot of sweatshirts.

The current SBC is pretty much what I wanted CUSA to be when the first AAC split happened. We wasted a decade because people thought FIU, MTSU, Charlotte, ect... would be better than Louisiana, Arkansas State, App State, ect...

Those are the best 3 public schools left to poach.

Am I the only one that found the whole “8 person” committee report rather odd? Maybe that’s how it’s been done before but never heard of us doing that before in our previous realignment situations

(10-28-2026 02:31 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:57 PM)High Country Student Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:41 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Going to 16 with Ohio, Delaware, and Missouri State adds 19.3 million more people to our footprint.

Yea but what about LIU, Chicago State & East Texas A&M?

Theres a difference between small time programs we never heard of buried in a market compared to the likes of Delaware or Ohio.
Delaware is the state flagship and only fbs program. Missouri State is 1 of 2 fbs programs in the state of Missouri. Ohio carries the state name in the 6th largest state. They have fans, resources, branding, and sell alot of sweatshirts.

The current SBC is pretty much what I wanted CUSA to be when the first AAC split happened. We wasted a decade because people thought FIU, MTSU, Charlotte, ect... would be better than Louisiana, Arkansas State, App State, ect...

Those are the best 3 public schools left to poach.

I was joking but my point is adding the largest number of people to our footprint doesn’t exactly feel like something that should be very high up the food chain. It feels very “markets” type of relevance.

(10-28-2026 01:52 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:41 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Going to 16 with Ohio, Delaware, and Missouri State adds 19.3 million more people to our footprint.

But probably subtracts net dollars from each of our budgets.

Unless you think our media deal goes up per school and we earn extra tournament credits (as a result of these additions) and that each division saves enough on travel.

Which I'm skeptical of. I mean, it's possible. Any of that is possible. But it's not very likely.

Yeah, the only way I see adding 3 schools working is if the SBC is willing to follow the MAC and play 9 conference games (would remain divisional with 7 division opponents and 2 cross-division opponents). I think Ohio and MIssouri St. would be solid additions with the 16th spot going to WKU or Delaware (I think WKU would have more interest in my opinion). All 3 add new states with only Delaware really expanding the footprint significantly if added.

In regards to another post I seen here about the loss of CCGs, I would be open to an idea for FB scheduling as a replacement for CCGs to have everyone play their 7 divisional opponents (or 6 if remaining at 14 teams and/or 8 conference games) and pairing off the top 2 teams in each division against each other as well as 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 (or 5-7) for the crossover games (1 division hosts 1 week, the other division hosts the other week). That guarantees the top teams play each other and provides a fair way to crown a conference champion on the field as the top 4 teams (top 2 in each division) will have played each other in the event of a tie. This may also help with SOS metrics to boost the champion try to get into the CFP.

(10-28-2026 02:44 PM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:52 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:41 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Going to 16 with Ohio, Delaware, and Missouri State adds 19.3 million more people to our footprint.

But probably subtracts net dollars from each of our budgets.

Unless you think our media deal goes up per school and we earn extra tournament credits (as a result of these additions) and that each division saves enough on travel.

Which I'm skeptical of. I mean, it's possible. Any of that is possible. But it's not very likely.

Yeah, the only way I see adding 3 schools working is if the SBC is willing to follow the MAC and play 9 conference games (would remain divisional with 7 division opponents and 2 cross-division opponents). I think Ohio and MIssouri St. would be solid additions with the 16th spot going to WKU or Delaware (I think WKU would have more interest in my opinion). All 3 add new states with only Delaware really expanding the footprint significantly if added.

In regards to another post I seen here about the loss of CCGs, I would be open to an idea for FB scheduling as a replacement for CCGs to have everyone play their 7 divisional opponents (or 6 if remaining at 14 teams and/or 8 conference games) and pairing off the top 2 teams in each division against each other as well as 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 (or 5-7) for the crossover games (1 division hosts 1 week, the other division hosts the other week). That guarantees the top teams play each other and provides a fair way to crown a conference champion on the field as the top 4 teams (top 2 in each division) will have played each other in the event of a tie. This may also help with SOS metrics to boost the champion try to get into the CFP.

I'm on record as saying 12 is the perfect number for a FBS conference. 14 is fine but 16 is kind of like two conferences playing for a single bid in most sports. Why hand the P4 a better position in the other (non-revenue) sports?

If we must go to 16 then I agree with your choices of schools but I hope we only do that if ESPN is willing to keep everyone at the same or higher pay rate until the next contract.

(10-28-2026 02:44 PM)GoBuckeyes1047 Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:52 PM)inutech Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 01:41 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  Going to 16 with Ohio, Delaware, and Missouri State adds 19.3 million more people to our footprint.

But probably subtracts net dollars from each of our budgets.

Unless you think our media deal goes up per school and we earn extra tournament credits (as a result of these additions) and that each division saves enough on travel.

Which I'm skeptical of. I mean, it's possible. Any of that is possible. But it's not very likely.

Yeah, the only way I see adding 3 schools working is if the SBC is willing to follow the MAC and play 9 conference games (would remain divisional with 7 division opponents and 2 cross-division opponents). I think Ohio and MIssouri St. would be solid additions with the 16th spot going to WKU or Delaware (I think WKU would have more interest in my opinion). All 3 add new states with only Delaware really expanding the footprint significantly if added.

In regards to another post I seen here about the loss of CCGs, I would be open to an idea for FB scheduling as a replacement for CCGs to have everyone play their 7 divisional opponents (or 6 if remaining at 14 teams and/or 8 conference games) and pairing off the top 2 teams in each division against each other as well as 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 (or 5-7) for the crossover games (1 division hosts 1 week, the other division hosts the other week). That guarantees the top teams play each other and provides a fair way to crown a conference champion on the field as the top 4 teams (top 2 in each division) will have played each other in the event of a tie. This may also help with SOS metrics to boost the champion try to get into the CFP.

UD enrollment: 24,564
WKU enrollment: 15,920

UD athletic budget: $37.5m
WKU athletic budget: $30m

UD endowment: $1.965b
WKU endowment: $305m

Delaware pop: 1,059,952
Bowling green, KY pop: 79,505

One is the state flagship the other is a very distant 3rd fiddle. I watched WKU get belted at home by Delaware in an empty stadium with only the marching band to witness last night.

(10-28-2026 04:19 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  UD enrollment: 24,564
WKU enrollment: 15,920

UD athletic budget: $37.5m
WKU athletic budget: $30m

UD endowment: $1.965b
WKU endowment: $305m

Delaware pop: 1,059,952
Bowling green, KY pop: 79,505

One is the state flagship the other is a very distant 3rd fiddle. I watched WKU get belted at home by Delaware in an empty stadium with only the marching band to witness last night.

Now do the metrics that Delaware doesn’t show as favorably, like average number of football wins over the last 10 seasons, average Sagarin rating in football over the last 10 seasons, average basketball NET/RPI over the last 10 seasons, average baseball RPI over the last 10 seasons, basketball attendance, and baseball attendance.

Sun Belt better jump on it and make a decision. It really isn't going to make a lot of sense for a cusa or mac school to pay a $15mm exit feenin order to join the Sun Belt......

(10-28-2026 05:09 PM)HighlandsApp Wrote:  Sun Belt better jump on it and make a decision. It really isn't going to make a lot of sense for a cusa or mac school to pay a $15mm exit feenin order to join the Sun Belt......

This^

(10-28-2026 05:16 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 05:09 PM)HighlandsApp Wrote:  Sun Belt better jump on it and make a decision. It really isn't going to make a lot of sense for a cusa or mac school to pay a $15mm exit feenin order to join the Sun Belt......

This^

That's what I've been saying lol

The league shouldve been ready to move. They had to know JMU was out of the door for a while. If not, there are 100% 2 maybe 3 other schools farther out the door than we assume. People obviously couldn't read the early tell tell signs with JMU.

(10-28-2026 04:55 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 04:19 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  UD enrollment: 24,564
WKU enrollment: 15,920

UD athletic budget: $37.5m
WKU athletic budget: $30m

UD endowment: $1.965b
WKU endowment: $305m

Delaware pop: 1,059,952
Bowling green, KY pop: 79,505

One is the state flagship the other is a very distant 3rd fiddle. I watched WKU get belted at home by Delaware in an empty stadium with only the marching band to witness last night.

Now do the metrics that Delaware doesn’t show as favorably, like average number of football wins over the last 10 seasons, average Sagarin rating in football over the last 10 seasons, average basketball NET/RPI over the last 10 seasons, average baseball RPI over the last 10 seasons, basketball attendance, and baseball attendance.

Last 10 years they both have 1 NCAA appearance and Delaware has 1 less FB win as of this week. Last year WKU's largest home basketball game was 2,500 more than Delaware's largest.

This shouldn’t be hard. It’s the same list of teams that we had to go through before. Just choose 1 and invite them…

(10-27-2026 08:05 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  https://youtu.be/2_-ZsSWsGjg?is=IYx0Fj9yqn3VxANN

Schultz read from the College AD report which stated SBC is currently considering remaining at 13, or adding 1 to 3 more schools.

Most curiously, the conference is forming a committee of 8 individuals-4 ADs and 4 University officials to vex the options

There is no reason to be curious about the forming of a committee. This is 100% totally normal and expected. It's a good thing. This basically just means the committee will be appointed to do most of the fact finding and due diligence (vetting) work in addition to visiting campuses.

Everybody has to understand that there are a lot of dynamics in play for a situation like this. Ideally you would just add one school with value and upside to replace JMU. That's not always easy and to get that one school the Sunbelt really wants, it might mean taking on an additional school as a pair to get a commitment. Academics, budgets, facilities, location, endowments, TV markets and financial "what ifs".....all play a role in making a decision. That's exactly what this committee will be doing in gathering this information and taking it back to discuss with all the member schools of the Sunbelt.

(10-28-2026 05:22 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 05:16 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 05:09 PM)HighlandsApp Wrote:  Sun Belt better jump on it and make a decision. It really isn't going to make a lot of sense for a cusa or mac school to pay a $15mm exit feenin order to join the Sun Belt......

This^

That's what I've been saying lol

The league SHOULD'VE BEEN READY to move. They had to know JMU was out of the door for a while. If not, there are 100% 2 maybe 3 other schools farther out the door than we assume. People obviously couldn't read the early tell tell signs with JMU.

(10-28-2026 08:18 AM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(10-27-2026 08:05 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  https://youtu.be/2_-ZsSWsGjg?is=IYx0Fj9yqn3VxANN

Schultz read from the College AD report which stated SBC is currently considering remaining at 13, or adding 1 to 3 more schools.

Most curiously, the conference is forming a committee of 8 individuals-4 ADs and 4 University officials to vex the options

Nothing Burger. MUHERD76 already stated the option of adding 1 or adding 3 last week. Staying at 13 is a common sense option that will always be on the table when a school leaves. This isn’t reporting it’s just stating the obvious.

For real.

I have it on good authority that the SBC has had discussions at the highest level with Missouri State. All indications are that MoSt would accept if the invitation comes. My guess is that the SBC would be taking 3 teams if this were to occur.

(10-29-2026 08:55 AM)Ed Harley Wrote:  I have it on good authority that the SBC has had discussions at the highest level with Missouri State. All indications are that MoSt would accept if the invitation comes. My guess is that the SBC would be taking 3 teams if this were to occur.

Everyone wouldn’t get to play their primary rival that week necessarily but I will say if we did something like add Missouri State, Ohio & Liberty, we could finally have a legitimate rivalry week where everyone has a rival to play:

Ohio vs Marshall
Liberty vs ODU
App vs Coastal
Georgia Southern vs Georgia State
Troy vs South Alabama
Southern Miss vs Louisiana
ULM vs LA Tech
Arkansas State vs Missouri State

For what it’s worth, Missouri State’s AD was a deputy AD at App for 3 years before taking the AD job at Missouri State in 2024 so he does have a good relationship with our department and possibly others in the conference.

(10-29-2026 09:24 AM)High Country Student Wrote:  

(10-29-2026 08:55 AM)Ed Harley Wrote:  I have it on good authority that the SBC has had discussions at the highest level with Missouri State. All indications are that MoSt would accept if the invitation comes. My guess is that the SBC would be taking 3 teams if this were to occur.

Everyone wouldn’t get to play their primary rival that week necessarily but I will say if we did something like add Missouri State, Ohio & Liberty, we could finally have a legitimate rivalry week where everyone has a rival to play:

Ohio vs Marshall
Liberty vs ODU
App vs Coastal
Georgia Southern vs Georgia State
Troy vs South Alabama
Southern Miss vs Louisiana
ULM vs LA Tech
Arkansas State vs Missouri State

Tech and SoMiss would be primary rival, that would leave ULm and ULl to face off.

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