I would definitely want to keep USM and LaTech. Something like:

North
Marshall
ODU
APP
WKU
MT

South
USM
UAB
LaTech
StAte
Coastal

We lose a Florida presence, but this is good for fb and bb

(09-21-2017 04:35 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  I would definitely want to keep USM and LaTech. Something like:

North
Marshall
ODU
APP
WKU
MT

South
USM
UAB
LaTech
StAte
Coastal

We lose a Florida presence, but this is good for fb and bb

Throw out CC and add GA Southern. CC isn't ready for IA at all, just the way I see it.

From a GS fan perspective,

East: GS, GAST, App, ODU, Marshall, and MT

West: USM, La Tech, Ark State, WKU, Troy, and USA/UAB

If we could go to 14 add JMU to the East and ULL to the west. Any other alignment wouldn't be much different than playing in the current Sun Belt from a GS fan point of view so I'll stick with my Belt brothers.

Don't think you're going to find a lot of enthusiasm by Middle Tennessee fans for hooking back up with Sun Belt teams. Just my opinion.

I'm down with GaSo and App. No way at all to Troy, ArkSt, USA, Charlotte, ULaLa, CCU all for different reasons.

MT
UAB
ODU
Marshall
WKU
App
GaSo
USM
LaTech

1 of these guys:
FAU
GaSt
Charlotte

Leaning towards GaSt based on Turner Field, but WKU recruits HEAVILY in FL, so that's rationale for FAU. Charlotte only to tighten up geography, but their administration seems like they could support their $$ programs better...

All 3 would put us at 12 and check all the boxes, even giving the conference a couple easy wins for a few seasons.

(09-21-2017 05:38 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 04:35 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  I would definitely want to keep USM and LaTech. Something like:

North
Marshall
ODU
APP
WKU
MT

South
USM
UAB
LaTech
StAte
Coastal

We lose a Florida presence, but this is good for fb and bb

Throw out CC and add GA Southern. CC isn't ready for IA at all, just the way I see it.

Agreed

(09-21-2017 08:53 PM)Blue Raider Dave Wrote:  Don't think you're going to find a lot of enthusiasm by Middle Tennessee fans for hooking back up with Sun Belt teams. Just my opinion.

I nor most of Marshall fans can stand the MAC. But if we were all trying to put a good competitive conference together the decent teams there I don't think would or could be over looked.

Its not like anyone outside of probably Akron or NIU would actually jump at it, if presented its self. CUSA already tried with Miami OH, Ohio and Toledo, in 2003.

Same could be said about the SB.

(09-21-2017 09:01 PM)BKTopper Wrote:  I'm down with GaSo and App. No way at all to Troy, ArkSt, USA, Charlotte, ULaLa, CCU all for different reasons.

MT
UAB
ODU
Marshall
WKU
App
GaSo
USM
LaTech

1 of these guys:
FAU
GaSt
Charlotte

Leaning towards GaSt based on Turner Field, but WKU recruits HEAVILY in FL, so that's rationale for FAU. Charlotte only to tighten up geography, but their administration seems like they could support their $$ programs better...

All 3 would put us at 12 and check all the boxes, even giving the conference a couple easy wins for a few seasons.

This is the same 9 I came up with. And if you just wanted to play a round robin schedule where the winner of the regular season is your football champion that year then RR is the way to go. If you want to have a championship game then one more would have to be added. Out of the 3 that you suggested Id go with FAU, no need for GA State if you already have GA Southern.

A lot of y'all can make these conferences and just leave USM out of them. We have no interest being with GA Southern/State, App State or Coastal. We honestly aren't interested in many of the teams in our conference, but don't feel like listing them.

(09-21-2017 08:53 PM)Blue Raider Dave Wrote:  Don't think you're going to find a lot of enthusiasm by Middle Tennessee fans for hooking back up with Sun Belt teams. Just my opinion.

Would love to be back in the same conference as the Cajuns.

My waistline does NOT miss the trips to Lafayette, however.

MT fans treated like royalty by Cajuns fans, for the most part.

(09-21-2017 09:25 PM)EagNBran Wrote:  A lot of y'all can make these conferences and just leave USM out of them. We have no interest being with GA Southern/State, App State or Coastal. We honestly aren't interested in many of the teams in our conference, but don't feel like listing them.

We will just start putting you in the Southland then. That way you can have a real regionalized conference.

Make it happen guys. North Texas will be headed to the B12.

(09-21-2017 10:58 PM)Green Menace Wrote:  Make it happen guys. North Texas will be headed to the B12.

There are a lot of barriers but it DOES need to happen.

UTEP definitely belongs in either the MWC or a Texas-predominant league. You can make the same argument that UNT, UTSA, and Rice are fit for the MWC. All of you between are better off that way. But because it is highly unlikely the MWC is ever going to come off their current numbers, a Texas type league with Ark State, ULL, etc. (i.e. probably Texas St) would make more sense. You guys certainly have a lot more history with schools like that than you do Marshall, Charlotte, ODU, etc. There is no reason for us to be stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the desert of west Texas.

But there is also no reason for MT or wkcc to go back to playing ULM or having schools like Georgia St or Coastal Carolina on the conference schedule. And it's not that we are too good. I just don't see those schools have the same commitment to competition. There are too many who are just fielding sports to field sports.

All I'm looking for with respect to my alma mater is to find a somewhat more regional arrangement with schools who are committed to making the Access Bowl in football, the NCAA Tournament in basketball and fielding competitive programs in all the other sports that can win conference championships and compete with power conferences in the non-conference in those sports. Current members of the Sun Belt and C-USA can say they are doing that, but a good portion of both (especially in the Belt) can't say it with a straight face.

(09-22-2017 06:29 AM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 10:58 PM)Green Menace Wrote:  Make it happen guys. North Texas will be headed to the B12.

There are a lot of barriers but it DOES need to happen.

UTEP definitely belongs in either the MWC or a Texas-predominant league. You can make the same argument that UNT, UTSA, and Rice are fit for the MWC. All of you between are better off that way. But because it is highly unlikely the MWC is ever going to come off their current numbers, a Texas type league with Ark State, ULL, etc. (i.e. probably Texas St) would make more sense. You guys certainly have a lot more history with schools like that than you do Marshall, Charlotte, ODU, etc. There is no reason for us to be stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the desert of west Texas.

But there is also no reason for MT or wkcc to go back to playing ULM or having schools like Georgia St or Coastal Carolina on the conference schedule. And it's not that we are too good. I just don't see those schools have the same commitment to competition. There are too many who are just fielding sports to field sports.

All I'm looking for with respect to my alma mater is to find a somewhat more regional arrangement with schools who are committed to making the Access Bowl in football, the NCAA Tournament in basketball and fielding competitive programs in all the other sports that can win conference championships and compete with power conferences in the non-conference in those sports. Current members of the Sun Belt and C-USA can say they are doing that, but a good portion of both (especially in the Belt) can't say it with a straight face.

+1 good post. I feel the same way. Though I do think Ga St is trying.

The challenge with the OP question, as seen in this thread, is there are about 30 different fictitious new conference variations, that will change the vote for each individual person. But if I have to create a new league based on what's best for Louisiana, it would be this 10.

Rice
Louisiana
Arkansas St.
USM
MT
WKY
USA
UAB
Troy
La Tech

this league would have good football, basketball, baseball, geography for fans and players, rivalries built on both hate and respect, plus all schools invest in their programs.

the question I would like to know, is if any of the 10 listed not want to be apart of this league?

(09-22-2017 07:16 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  The challenge with the OP question, as seen in this thread, is there are about 30 different fictitious new conference variations, that will change the vote for each individual person. But if I have to create a new league based on what's best for Louisiana, it would be this 10.

Rice
Louisiana
Arkansas St.
USM
MT
WKY
USA
UAB
Troy
La Tech

this league would have good football, basketball, baseball, geography for fans and players, rivalries built on both hate and respect, plus all schools invest in their programs.

the question I would like to know, is if any of the 10 listed not want to be apart of this league?

^ Seriously doubt ANYTHING is happening anytime soon, but when/if it does, I doubt it'll be the above. Marshall, MTSU, WKU, ODU, (probably USM and LaTech) would want to stay together.

(09-21-2017 05:38 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 04:35 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  I would definitely want to keep USM and LaTech. Something like:

North
Marshall
ODU
APP
WKU
MT

South
USM
UAB
LaTech
StAte
Coastal

We lose a Florida presence, but this is good for fb and bb

Throw out CC and add GA Southern. CC isn't ready for IA at all, just the way I see it.

I absolutely can deal with that.

(09-21-2017 09:20 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(09-21-2017 08:53 PM)Blue Raider Dave Wrote:  Don't think you're going to find a lot of enthusiasm by Middle Tennessee fans for hooking back up with Sun Belt teams. Just my opinion.

I nor most of Marshall fans can stand the MAC. But if we were all trying to put a good competitive conference together the decent teams there I don't think would or could be over looked.

Its not like anyone outside of probably Akron or NIU would actually jump at it, if presented its self. CUSA already tried with Miami OH, Ohio and Toledo, in 2003.

Same could be said about the SB.

(09-21-2017 09:01 PM)BKTopper Wrote:  I'm down with GaSo and App. No way at all to Troy, ArkSt, USA, Charlotte, ULaLa, CCU all for different reasons.

MT
UAB
ODU
Marshall
WKU
App
GaSo
USM
LaTech

1 of these guys:
FAU
GaSt
Charlotte

Leaning towards GaSt based on Turner Field, but WKU recruits HEAVILY in FL, so that's rationale for FAU. Charlotte only to tighten up geography, but their administration seems like they could support their $$ programs better...

All 3 would put us at 12 and check all the boxes, even giving the conference a couple easy wins for a few seasons.

This is the same 9 I came up with. And if you just wanted to play a round robin schedule where the winner of the regular season is your football champion that year then RR is the way to go. If you want to have a championship game then one more would have to be added. Out of the 3 that you suggested Id go with FAU, no need for GA State if you already have GA Southern.

Great minds...

(09-21-2017 08:53 PM)Blue Raider Dave Wrote:  Don't think you're going to find a lot of enthusiasm by Middle Tennessee fans for hooking back up with Sun Belt teams. Just my opinion.

Or Topper fans. UAB USM and Latech are far superior to ULL, USA and Troy in terms of perceived prestige/recognition and commitment to both sports, sorry guys. We all fought tooth and nail to get out of the Belt. It's no coincidence that GaSo and App are on more wishlists here than arkst.

(09-22-2017 08:52 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(09-22-2017 07:16 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  The challenge with the OP question, as seen in this thread, is there are about 30 different fictitious new conference variations, that will change the vote for each individual person. But if I have to create a new league based on what's best for Louisiana, it would be this 10.

Rice
Louisiana
Arkansas St.
USM
MT
WKY
USA
UAB
Troy
La Tech

this league would have good football, basketball, baseball, geography for fans and players, rivalries built on both hate and respect, plus all schools invest in their programs.

the question I would like to know, is if any of the 10 listed not want to be apart of this league?

^ Seriously doubt ANYTHING is happening anytime soon, but when/if it does, I doubt it'll be the above. Marshall, MTSU, WKU, ODU, (probably USM and LaTech) would want to stay together.

I'm pretty sure it wont happen either, like all of these list wont happen. it would be interesting to see how it would shake out with the group you listed. all but Marshall and Odu would stay together in my original list.

(09-21-2017 10:58 PM)Green Menace Wrote:  Make it happen guys. North Texas will be headed to the B12.

With that football dynasty of yours coupled with your baseball program, you should be a shoe-in.