Apparently Wood would like to see JMU added if C-USA goes to 16. Article is in Harrisburg VA online paper. Sorry but it is behind a pay wall. Maybe this is why JMU keeps telling Benson no thanks.

http://www.dnronline.com/article/odu_let_s_go_dukes

Any of you ODU guys have access?

no access, but I'm against this move. mainly b/c I don't want another FBS team in VA to compete with.

Adding JMU would only further imbalance the geography of the conference

We all know that C-USA can raid the Belt, but does anyone realistically believe we could raid the MAC for just 1school (preferably Ohio)? I doubt it. So it's Ark St, Louisiana, and who?

(04-10-2013 11:02 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  We all know that C-USA can raid the Belt, but does anyone realistically believe we could raid the MAC for just 1school (preferably Ohio)? I doubt it. So it's Ark St, Louisiana, and who?

We only need 2

Article just states that ODU will push hard for JMU. Selig states JMU is ready for FBS due to our stadium. Goes on to say that JMU should reach out to CUSA and let them know if JMU has FBS aspirations.

At the moment, Conference USA does not appear to have significant interest in James Madison, a potential expansion target because of its $34.5 million athletics budget and 25,000-seat football stadium. However, part of the scant interest might be because JMU has not decided whether to move from I-AA to I-A, although a source said Madison is on Conference USA’s radar if the league does expand to 16 schools.

Selig said C-USA didn’t express interest in ODU until the Norfolk school reached out to the conference last spring. Things moved quickly after that, and ODU will join Conference USA on July 1.

“We called them first because they were not aware that we had any interest in making a move. They were not aware at all,” Selig said. “We had to notify them and express our interest in moving to Conference USA, which caught them totally off-guard, and they were looking in a totally different direction.”

“I’m not going to pretend I know what’s best for JMU,” Selig said. “Only those folks can honestly answer that question, but from the outside looking in, they appear to have everything that an institution would need to make a [I-A] move, starting with, first and foremost, their stadium. They’re a lot further along than we are with that variable alone. So I think if they analyze it, I’ll bet you you’ll see a lot of merit in that move. And part of that, too, is the ability to keep ODU and JMU in perhaps the same conference.”

ODU can push all they want. If Charlotte, Marshall, WKU, and couple others DON'T want it, it won't happen.

What a dumb***. ODU has JMU where they could crush them into irrelavance in the Sun Belt or even help keep them D1aa by not making things attractive to jump, but is giving them a helping hand and encouragement to the exact same place they are insteady. Sounds like some stupid crap Holland would do helping prop up area competiton.

(04-10-2013 11:31 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  What a dumb***. ODU has JMU where they could crush them but is giving them a helping hand. Sounds like some stupid crap Holland would do.

I think it's just a gesture to insure the two programs maintain a good relationship. ODU knows they won't be approved over other schools, so there really is no harm in pushing for them in the media.

(04-10-2013 11:16 AM)mufanatehc pid 219598 Wrote:

(04-10-2013 11:02 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  We all know that C-USA can raid the Belt, but does anyone realistically believe we could raid the MAC for just 1school (preferably Ohio)? I doubt it. So it's Ark St, Louisiana, and who?

We only need 2

I know we only need 2. I'm asking who are all the candidates?

(04-10-2013 11:43 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  

(04-10-2013 11:16 AM)mufanatehc pid 219598 Wrote:

(04-10-2013 11:02 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  We all know that C-USA can raid the Belt, but does anyone realistically believe we could raid the MAC for just 1school (preferably Ohio)? I doubt it. So it's Ark St, Louisiana, and who?

We only need 2

I know we only need 2. I'm asking who are all the candidates?

ULL, Ark. St. are the candidates being thrown around. Maybe Georgia State in fitting the media market strategy employed in the past?

Beyond that...other SBC schools and JMU. Not sure any MAC schools would move to CUSA.

(04-10-2013 11:43 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  

(04-10-2013 11:16 AM)mufanatehc pid 219598 Wrote:

(04-10-2013 11:02 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  We all know that C-USA can raid the Belt, but does anyone realistically believe we could raid the MAC for just 1school (preferably Ohio)? I doubt it. So it's Ark St, Louisiana, and who?

We only need 2

I know we only need 2. I'm asking who are all the candidates?

Other than Louisiana and Arkansas State, New Mexico State, Georgia State, and Texas State have also been thrown out there.

If we add it must be Louisiana and Ark State

(04-10-2013 11:40 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(04-10-2013 11:31 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  What a dumb***. ODU has JMU where they could crush them but is giving them a helping hand. Sounds like some stupid crap Holland would do.

I think it's just a gesture to insure the two programs maintain a good relationship. ODU knows they won't be approved over other schools, so there really is no harm in pushing for them in the media.

Lot of ECU fans said that as well when Holland started BFF-en you guys and UNCC. If he's saying it more likely he means it.

(04-10-2013 11:59 AM)goherd17 Wrote:  If we add it must be Louisiana and Ark State

Must?

No... 2 two teams MUST come from the west. That is about it at this point as far as absolutes go.

Does LT want Louisiana or for that matter Ark St? Do the Texas schools want those two or do they prefer a different add? Don't take this the wrong way but I have a feeling that the input from the teams in the west of CUSA are going to be who are making and ranking the list of candidates...

they are west and better than anyone that could be added. who more west would warrant invite if conf expands?

(04-10-2013 11:40 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(04-10-2013 11:31 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  What a dumb***. ODU has JMU where they could crush them but is giving them a helping hand. Sounds like some stupid crap Holland would do.

I think it's just a gesture to insure the two programs maintain a good relationship. ODU knows they won't be approved over other schools, so there really is no harm in pushing for them in the media.

IRT to the above:

First, I think it's petty to try to hold another school down because you're afraid of the competition. Yes, promoting JMU to CUSA would make it easier for them to compete against ODU, but so what? I'm not afraid of competition. It makes everyone better.

Second, I don't think Selig's comments were simply platitudes. I believe ODU's admin would welcome a closer rival in CUSA. Beyond the obvious travel savings, a local rival would spur interest. Our two fan bases live, work and interact throughout Virginia. That spurs interest and sells tickets.

The most glaring downside to adding JMU, would be that UAB would still have to slide to the West. I go back to the old Sunbelt days when ODU/UAB had a very heated rivalry and I would like to see that resume. However, the divisional alignment would basically only affect FB. If BB continues the round-robbin scheduling, it wouldn't matter which division UAB were in.

I think it's important that CUSA try to foster rivalries as much as possible. Let's face it, we're not the SEC or BIG. We're not going to be competing for a national title every year. The only way our FB games will be relevant to our fans is if they have a rivalry aspect to them. It just makes good business sense to tighten the conference geography and promote school interaction. For that reason, it wouldn't shock me to see a JMU and ULL addition. I'm not predicting it...but it wouldn't shock me.

Please no more FCS schools.

NO

I understand the bias against FCS schools, but I think its short-sighted. The same cry was heard when former Division II schools moved to Division I in basketball. The big schools looked at them as wannabees that would never compete or deserve to share the court. Well, Wichita State, GMU, VCU, Gonzage, Butler and others basically shoved that down their condescending throats.

Not all FCS schools (or FBS schools, for that matter) are created the same.

(04-10-2013 11:53 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(04-10-2013 11:43 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  

(04-10-2013 11:16 AM)mufanatehc pid 219598 Wrote:

(04-10-2013 11:02 AM)SATXBOSSMAN Wrote:  We all know that C-USA can raid the Belt, but does anyone realistically believe we could raid the MAC for just 1school (preferably Ohio)? I doubt it. So it's Ark St, Louisiana, and who?

We only need 2

I know we only need 2. I'm asking who are all the candidates?

ULL, Ark. St. are the candidates being thrown around. Maybe Georgia State in fitting the media market strategy employed in the past?

Beyond that...other SBC schools and JMU. Not sure any MAC schools would move to CUSA.

Georgia State is still wearing diapers. ASU and/or ULL ? Let's just stay at 14 for now.