(02-09-2012 03:15 PM)nert Wrote: I don't see ECU, Marshall et al joining the SunBelt - though they may steal teams from the SunBelt to try and form their own conference east of the Mississippi - or just use them to plug spots in what's left of C-USA.
I'm not sure too many jump from SBC to C-DOA. Maybe UNT, but the others probably realize that it's a sinking ship.
I mean you're probably right, but it doesn't mean it's a good plan. I understand that CUSA thinks it's better than the SBC...but it's not.
Each school should look at a conference as to how it can be leveraged for its own good and the greater good. SBC has already shown its top programs can compete w/ CUSA. It's shown that a regional, stable conference is good for all involved.
All three get good competition, and likely bowl opportunities, while the conference as a whole continues to improve.
Adding ECU provides a new state, w/ a large alumni and fan base. What they would get is a conf championship game to occupy their large stadium, and good competition w/ similar regional universities.
UAB has a fairly young football team, and can start a rivalry w/ Troy.
Marshall gets its southern conference, w/ much better geography: WKU and MTSU in particular, where it can extend its recruiting for bball and fball.
Both the SBC and CUSA maps get cosolidated, reducing travel costs while still adding new states. No more road trips to Tulsa or El Paso.