http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/college/s...ams/nWcfw/

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

REALLY don't understand Idaho?

Idaho seems to me to be terminally incompetent.

(03-01-2013 10:21 AM)MSUBear42 Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

REALLY don't understand Idaho?

Article doesn't say, but it could just be they are thinking of fb only to get to 12 and hold a ccg.

(03-01-2013 11:17 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 10:21 AM)MSUBear42 Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

REALLY don't understand Idaho?

Article doesn't say, but it could just be they are thinking of fb only to get to 12 and hold a ccg.

It would make sense to add NMSU and Idaho for football only to host a chanpionship game. They both were part of the Sunbelt before.

(03-01-2013 11:41 AM)Panarican Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 11:17 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 10:21 AM)MSUBear42 Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

REALLY don't understand Idaho?

Article doesn't say, but it could just be they are thinking of fb only to get to 12 and hold a ccg.

It would make sense to add NMSU and Idaho for football only to host a chanpionship game. They both were part of the Sunbelt before.

A CCG doesn't make a whole lot of sense for the Sun Belt and really only makes sense in a tightly compact league of any stripe. If your fans have one week's (or so) notice to make travel arrangements and buy tickets, the costs skyrocket if you're having to fly across the country to play. Playing at the highest division's home field leads to a little better attendance from the host, but not too many folks from NMSU or Idaho or other distant opponent are going to be able to travel meaning that your visitor gate may be horrendous. Consider that both teams are likely to play in similar bowls and the luster of a CCG diminishes even further. I'd rather pay to see my team in a bowl game.

Remember that home schedules are put out months in advance but CCG invitations are often earned days prior. After many normal fans have other plans.

There are reasons to consider NMSU for full membership, but a CCG isn't one of them.

The only thing that would make me change my mind is if the playoff expanded to give us an auto-bid or the money from CCG game exceeds the dillution of the playoff share or change in membership would allow a renegotiation of a horrible tv contract. I think any of those scenarios is, in the short term, exceedingly unlikely.

Ideal number for the Belt seems IMO 9 football schools or 10 maximum. Non-football members to be considered based on quality and geography.

If WKU gets invite to CUSA after Tulsa gets NBE invite, SBC will be at 7 fb and 9 total....New Mexico St, Appalachian ST and Georgia Southern will be added as all sport members....10/12

When Karl Benson was WAC commissioner he always said the ideal size for a conference was 9/10 (nine football-playing members plus one non-football-playing member). Of course that was before rampant realignment made it prudent to stock up on extra members as a hedge against defections.

(03-03-2013 01:05 PM)swampbear Wrote:  If WKU gets invite to CUSA after Tulsa gets NBE invite, SBC will be at 7 fb and 9 total....New Mexico St, Appalachian ST and Georgia Southern will be added as all sport members....10/12

That's what I think too. But it sounds like it might be a while before the Big East invites Tulsa. At least until Navy is safely in the conference. 2015 is still a ways away.

(03-03-2013 02:53 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  When Karl Benson was WAC commissioner he always said the ideal size for a conference was 9/10 (nine football-playing members plus one non-football-playing member). Of course that was before rampant realignment made it prudent to stock up on extra members as a hedge against defections.

Well Benson isn't wrong. 9/10 split is the best setup. You get the round robin winner in both sports. In football, you have the true round robin and 4/4 split betwen home and away games. Basketball the same with 18 conference games.

Trying to get a CCG in the Belt doesn't make sense. If they commit to that, they will have to keep adding schools to keep it when they lose schools to CUSA. 10/12 is perfect for the SB in my opinion, and if I was them I wouldn't let the league fall below that. I'd just keep adding schools as needed to stay at 10/12.

(03-03-2013 04:26 PM)CPslograd Wrote:  Trying to get a CCG in the Belt doesn't make sense. If they commit to that, they will have to keep adding schools to keep it when they lose schools to CUSA. 10/12 is perfect for the SB in my opinion, and if I was them I wouldn't let the league fall below that. I'd just keep adding schools as needed to stay at 10/12.

I could see that, but if the league is going to let exiting members leave immediately (as with MTSU/FAU), the remaining members will constantly be scrambling to find games while awaiting the arrival of new members. Better to have 12 football members, a 9-game schedule and a cushion. Is a CCG required with 12 members? If not, I'd skip it until there's stability (which may never come).

(03-03-2013 05:07 PM)Journeyman22 Wrote:  

(03-03-2013 04:26 PM)CPslograd Wrote:  Trying to get a CCG in the Belt doesn't make sense. If they commit to that, they will have to keep adding schools to keep it when they lose schools to CUSA. 10/12 is perfect for the SB in my opinion, and if I was them I wouldn't let the league fall below that. I'd just keep adding schools as needed to stay at 10/12.

I could see that, but if the league is going to let exiting members leave immediately (as with MTSU/FAU), the remaining members will constantly be scrambling to find games while awaiting the arrival of new members. Better to have 12 football members, a 9-game schedule and a cushion. Is a CCG required with 12 members? If not, I'd skip it until there's stability (which may never come).

I think with a line at our door to get in, even though most of the line consists of FCS move up candidates which will take some time to transition, means that a "wipe out scenario" is unlikely. I also think that with the Go5 payouts being by conference, it may make more sense to maximize payments to a smaller number of mouths. I suspect that, while realignment will continue, the benefits for getting larger for some leagues (CUSA, Big East) may lessen over time.

I think the issue of when members and how much notice the conference requires for departing members can be addressed by the membership. If it isn't to the remaining members detriment to allow early withdrawal, then that could be negotiated on a case by case basis. And scheduling could be a factor in that decision process as well. In the case of FAU/MTSU's departure, there were other opponents available that appear to have worked out better than playing either MTSU or FAU. Troy got a home and home with Duke. Arkansas State got a home and home with Missouri. Even South came out better because at this point in our transition, playing a FCS program (which there weren't any on the long term schedules) probably isnt a bad idea.

Any ambiguity to when departing members can leave, penalties for doing so, etc., can be addressed by the full membership. I dont see the pool of potential applicants getting smaller going forward.

Any updates on future members?

None, looks like GSU and APP state are next followed by maybe NMSU or Liberty

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

If they cannot entice a Missouri State into joining that appears to be the best move for the SBC. I'm assuming they are looking at Idaho, and probably NMSU for football only.

Adding Ga State and App State would more than compensate for all four of the schools they lost to CUSA, as far as growing the SBC's image and brand in football. Those schools play good football year in and year out, but that is not the case with FAU, UNT, FIU and MTSU. They are hit and miss at the best, and are normally a miss.

(03-10-2013 09:31 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

If they cannot entice a Missouri State into joining that appears to be the best move for the SBC. I'm assuming they are looking at Idaho, and probably NMSU for football only.

Adding Ga State and App State would more than compensate for all four of the schools they lost to CUSA, as far as growing the SBC's image and brand in football. Those schools play good football year in and year out, but that is not the case with FAU, UNT, FIU and MTSU. They are hit and miss at the best, and are normally a miss.

I can't imagine Idaho is on anyone's short list except for maybe the Big Sky but that would require Idaho moving back to FCS which may be the best thing for their program. It certainly can't compete on the FBS level.

(03-10-2013 11:43 AM)Theodoresdaddy Wrote:  

(03-10-2013 09:31 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

If they cannot entice a Missouri State into joining that appears to be the best move for the SBC. I'm assuming they are looking at Idaho, and probably NMSU for football only.

Adding Ga State and App State would more than compensate for all four of the schools they lost to CUSA, as far as growing the SBC's image and brand in football. Those schools play good football year in and year out, but that is not the case with FAU, UNT, FIU and MTSU. They are hit and miss at the best, and are normally a miss.

I can't imagine Idaho is on anyone's short list except for maybe the Big Sky but that would require Idaho moving back to FCS which may be the best thing for their program. It certainly can't compete on the FBS level.

It appears Idaho may almost be forced to move down in New Mexico State finds a landing spot in the SBC and they are left out in the cold.

(03-10-2013 11:43 AM)Theodoresdaddy Wrote:  

(03-10-2013 09:31 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

If they cannot entice a Missouri State into joining that appears to be the best move for the SBC. I'm assuming they are looking at Idaho, and probably NMSU for football only.

Adding Ga State and App State would more than compensate for all four of the schools they lost to CUSA, as far as growing the SBC's image and brand in football. Those schools play good football year in and year out, but that is not the case with FAU, UNT, FIU and MTSU. They are hit and miss at the best, and are normally a miss.

I can't imagine Idaho is on anyone's short list except for maybe the Big Sky but that would require Idaho moving back to FCS which may be the best thing for their program. It certainly can't compete on the FBS level.

Idaho would be football only.

(03-10-2013 11:52 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(03-10-2013 11:43 AM)Theodoresdaddy Wrote:  

(03-10-2013 09:31 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  

(03-01-2013 09:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  Article in the Atlanta paper today. More speculation than facts, but says Sun Belt may soon admit Georgia Southern and Applachian St. with NMSU and Idaho possible to get to 12. Kennesaw St. may benefit by taking GSU's spot in the Southern Conference.

If they cannot entice a Missouri State into joining that appears to be the best move for the SBC. I'm assuming they are looking at Idaho, and probably NMSU for football only.

Adding Ga State and App State would more than compensate for all four of the schools they lost to CUSA, as far as growing the SBC's image and brand in football. Those schools play good football year in and year out, but that is not the case with FAU, UNT, FIU and MTSU. They are hit and miss at the best, and are normally a miss.

I can't imagine Idaho is on anyone's short list except for maybe the Big Sky but that would require Idaho moving back to FCS which may be the best thing for their program. It certainly can't compete on the FBS level.

Idaho would be football only.

And when are they going to build an appropiate place to play FBS football? I dont feel sorry for Idaho because they havent even attempted to build appropriate facilities. They've had over a decade to do so.