Per Brent Thibodeaux twitter
https://twitter.com/BrentThibodeaux

#SunBelt is evaluating two options on the table for conference expansion. Karl Benson and his staff will meet on May 20 to discuss.

Outside of the favorite #JMU, other potential candidates to replace #WKU are #JaxState & #AlabamaState. Both have the means & board approval

Regarding Liberty


@SunBeltInsider Discussions happened, just wasn't the fit #SunBelt and its current members were looking for. On to the next one...

@WACspartypants Liberty is no longer. Lamar would only be a future invite. They still have a ways to go before receiving an invite.

Thank Christ.

(04-16-2013 03:12 PM)slycat Wrote:  Regarding Liberty


@SunBeltInsider Discussions happened, just wasn't the fit #SunBelt and its current members were looking for. On to the next one...

@WACspartypants Liberty is no longer. Lamar would only be a future invite. They still have a ways to go before receiving an invite.

It is really hard to imagine Alabama State as FBS. I know they are actually pretty close to being ready, but its still hard to even imagine. You just so rarely see an HBCU move up to FBS.

Besides, we have already hit our ASU limit for one league.

This is playing out very similar to the WAC.

App St and GaSo are like TXST and USTA. Both ready and shoe ins.

JMU is the Montana. Keep knocking on that door all day hoping for a yes.

Liberty is like Lamar. Seems like it would happen and all rumors behind them but turned away by current members.

Alabama State?

(04-16-2013 03:16 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(04-16-2013 03:12 PM)slycat Wrote:  Regarding Liberty


@SunBeltInsider Discussions happened, just wasn't the fit #SunBelt and its current members were looking for. On to the next one...

@WACspartypants Liberty is no longer. Lamar would only be a future invite. They still have a ways to go before receiving an invite.

It is really hard to imagine Alabama State as FBS. I know they are actually pretty close to being ready, but its still hard to even imagine. You just so rarely see an HBCU move up to FBS.

Besides, we have already hit our ASU limit for one league.

I don't know a lot about Alabama St aside from HBCU and they fill up their stadium (like HBCUs tend to do). HOw they would fair outside the SWAC is anyones guess. Who would Troy and USA fans rather have from the state if thats the way it goes?

Alabama State has a new 24Kish football stadium and their basketball arena was built in the 90's.

I could definitely live with Jacksonville State. I know the Alabama schools may disagree but I think they could transition well to FBS.

Is JMU worth waiting for?

(04-16-2013 03:22 PM)slycat Wrote:  Is JMU worth waiting for?

Apparently.

(04-16-2013 03:22 PM)slycat Wrote:  Is JMU worth waiting for?

I think so.

Let's just merge with the SWAC. Hell, the SWAC had their own college football game a few years ago.

(04-16-2013 03:24 PM)Complacent Cajun Wrote:  Let's just merge with the SWAC. Hell, the SWAC had their own college football game a few years ago.

So Liberty, Alabama St, or JSU? I mean at some point a 12th has to be added. Which would satisfy most UL fans. And leaving the conference or nothing is not an answer.

No to JSU and Alabama State. Our population can't sustain another FBS team. We can't keep adding any programs willy-nilly just to get a frigging championship game in football. If we have 12 teams in football we get 1 million per school. If we have 10 or 11 teams we get 1 million per school. We will have to do creative scheduling with 11 but why rush that last spot if it's a long term plan? If the conference championship game is only intended to re-open TV negotiations then I don't care that much about the TV deal. It isn't like it will be a huge increase. JSU and ASU offer very little outside of a football team to get us to 12 for a conference championship game.

IF one is added it better be football only and NSMU comes aboard for all sports. Alabama State is terrible in basketball and baseball. JSU is better but not like they help us. I hate realignment.

(04-16-2013 03:28 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  No to JSU and Alabama State. Our population can't sustain another FBS team. We can't keep adding any programs willy-nilly just to get a frigging championship game in football. If we have 12 teams in football we get 1 million per school. If we have 10 teams we get 1 million per school. If the conference championship game is only intended to re-open TV negotiations then I don't care that much about the TV deal. It isn't like it will be a huge increase. JSU and ASU offer very little outside of a football team to get us to 12 for a conference championship game.

IF one is added it better be football only and NSMU comes aboar for all sports. Alabama State is terrible in basketball and baseball. JSU is better but not like they help us. I hate realignment.

If JMU passes then SOMEONE will be added. I know you hated Liberty. And MSU isn't ready either.

I really agree that NMSU better be all in and football only to one of these.

(04-16-2013 03:22 PM)slycat Wrote:  Is JMU worth waiting for?

Jax State, Lamar, Bama State, or wait for JMU.

I'd vote wait...

Seems to be JMU or bust.

(04-16-2013 03:30 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  

(04-16-2013 03:22 PM)slycat Wrote:  Is JMU worth waiting for?

Jax State, Lamar, Bama State, or wait for JMU.

I'd vote wait...

Me too. No point in have to settle. The benefits are greater down the road.

(04-16-2013 03:31 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  Seems to be JMU or bust.

Hope y'all are feelin the love.