If the rumor of FAU to CUSA becomes reality, the Sun Belt will have 8 remaining teams for football. Benson needs a plan to keep the core of the conference together. The geographic footprint is tight and does not need to be expanded dramatically.

One announcement of adding the following teams would solidify the conference and give it 12 football members.

Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
James Madison
Liberty

Positives
Membership stability – The FCS teams are looking for an FBS home. Even though JMU has not announced publicly, the new president appears to be more willing than the prior one to consider it. They did not expand their football stadium for FCS.
Championship game – 12 teams gives the league the ability to hold a conference championship game and add value for a TV deal.
Good football – Each of the four schools is committed to football and has had varying levels of success at the FCS level. In a realignment world that continues to pursue Markets, the Sun Belt needs to continue to build its football product. Good football will fill seats and tight geography will build rivals. Good football will create opportunities for a solid TV package.

Negatives
Entry level conference for FCS – As much as the on the field product has improved in the Sun Belt Conference, the pecking order appears to remain in place. The Sun Belt can only control that perception by continuing to improve the on the field product.
Transition – The transition can be difficult for FCS to FBS teams, but this will not be as difficult with Georgia State having a new program and Texas State recently transitioning from FCS to FBS.

(11-28-2012 01:54 PM)SumItUp Wrote:  If the rumor of FAU to CUSA becomes reality, the Sun Belt will have 8 remaining teams for football. Benson needs a plan to keep the core of the conference together. The geographic footprint is tight and does not need to be expanded dramatically.

One announcement of adding the following teams would solidify the conference and give it 12 football members.

Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
James Madison
Liberty

Positives
Membership stability – The FCS teams are looking for an FBS home. Even though JMU has not announced publicly, the new president appears to be more willing than the prior one to consider it. They did not expand their football stadium for FCS.
Championship game – 12 teams gives the league the ability to hold a conference championship game and add value for a TV deal.
Good football – Each of the four schools is committed to football and has had varying levels of success at the FCS level. In a realignment world that continues to pursue Markets, the Sun Belt needs to continue to build its football product. Good football will fill seats and tight geography will build rivals. Good football will create opportunities for a solid TV package.

Negatives
Entry level conference for FCS – As much as the on the field product has improved in the Sun Belt Conference, the pecking order appears to remain in place. The Sun Belt can only control that perception by continuing to improve the on the field product.
Transition – The transition can be difficult for FCS to FBS teams, but this will not be as difficult with Georgia State having a new program and Texas State recently transitioning from FCS to FBS.

No.

I'm gonna throw up!!!!!

(11-28-2012 01:54 PM)SumItUp Wrote:  If the rumor of FAU to CUSA becomes reality, the Sun Belt will have 8 remaining teams for football. Benson needs a plan to keep the core of the conference together. The geographic footprint is tight and does not need to be expanded dramatically.

One announcement of adding the following teams would solidify the conference and give it 12 football members.

Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
James Madison
Liberty

Positives
Membership stability – The FCS teams are looking for an FBS home. Even though JMU has not announced publicly, the new president appears to be more willing than the prior one to consider it. They did not expand their football stadium for FCS.
Championship game – 12 teams gives the league the ability to hold a conference championship game and add value for a TV deal.
Good football – Each of the four schools is committed to football and has had varying levels of success at the FCS level. In a realignment world that continues to pursue Markets, the Sun Belt needs to continue to build its football product. Good football will fill seats and tight geography will build rivals. Good football will create opportunities for a solid TV package.

Negatives
Entry level conference for FCS – As much as the on the field product has improved in the Sun Belt Conference, the pecking order appears to remain in place. The Sun Belt can only control that perception by continuing to improve the on the field product.
Transition – The transition can be difficult for FCS to FBS teams, but this will not be as difficult with Georgia State having a new program and Texas State recently transitioning from FCS to FBS.

Replace Liberty with NMSU. But really it all isn't ideal.

Perfect! +1

Liberty is in full force today. You forgot a positive for Liberty, summer Alpine ski team. That stuff you got is actually a lot of fun.

This is actually happening again...

(11-28-2012 02:10 PM)Tuscon Wrote:  This is actually happening again...

Um, didn't your team JUST do this?

Uh-oh.....he said the "L" word.

Prepare for massive amounts of irrationality of the highest order.

(11-28-2012 02:10 PM)Tuscon Wrote:  This is actually happening again...

Did you think everthing was over after last year?

Well, 3 of those schools do average over 20k/game.

I can tell you this though......JMU will never be in a conference with Liberty. Our new Prez is a human rights and diversity champion.

(11-28-2012 02:11 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  Um, didn't your team JUST do this?

(11-28-2012 02:13 PM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  Did you think everthing was over after last year?

Referring to the Liberty argument. They just don't seem to get folks don't want them here.

Valley, I didn't think it was over, but this has gotten a bit more insane than last year ever was in just a couple of days. Looks like y'all get your wish and we get trips to Savannah every other year.

Cannot wait! Just threw up again...

(11-28-2012 02:21 PM)Tuscon Wrote:  

(11-28-2012 02:11 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  Um, didn't your team JUST do this?

(11-28-2012 02:13 PM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  Did you think everthing was over after last year?

Referring to the Liberty argument. They just don't seem to get folks don't want them here.

Valley, I didn't think it was over, but this has gotten a bit more insane than last year ever was in just a couple of days. Looks like y'all get your wish and we get trips to Savannah every other year.

I wish folks would realize this is about Athletics and Finances and not about things that irritate fans.

Liberty wont be in the SBC. Im not even worried about it.

(11-28-2012 02:26 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  I wish folks would realize this is about Athletics and Finances and not about things that irritate fans.

And I wish you guys would realize it's not just about Athletics and Finances and is about like minded institutions as well. Some people just don't want to be a part of whatever's going on in your part of the world.

(11-28-2012 02:22 PM)WKUFan518 Wrote:  Cannot wait! Just threw up again...

Great, now we have Liberty pimping themselves along with the application state and georgia southern whores. Plus we get the don't ask don't tell fans from jmu. Christ!!!!

When does the world end again? haha...

Just heard that WKU will be next. I am pretty sure that I have already reached the stage of dry heaving.

(11-28-2012 02:27 PM)Tuscon Wrote:  

(11-28-2012 02:26 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  I wish folks would realize this is about Athletics and Finances and not about things that irritate fans.

And I wish you guys would realize it's not just about Athletics and Finances and is about like minded institutions as well. Some people just don't want to be a part of whatever's going on in your part of the world.

That's tolerant of you..

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