(11-25-2020 07:28 PM)FBS Dave Wrote: (11-24-2020 12:02 AM)JMUNation Wrote: You strongly feel JMU should move to Indy is football and not wait for the right conference affiliation.
Just to be clear, what is the right affiliation that the administration seems to be waiting for? The AAC? The ACC?
It is pretty simple Dave. AAC for sure because the money is there. This is JMUs stretch conference. AAC representatives have visited campus in the past. JMU recognizes their chances for membership are a long shot. If not AAC, they want a regional conference to control the travel costs because there will be little to no TV revenue. The rivalry potential is greater so more fans will be at games meaning more revenue for football and basketball. App, Marshall, ODU all jump off the page as desirable conference mates.
The Administration isn’t monitoring. They don’t have any partnerships to move forward with but the ADs talk regularly.
CUSA schools are bleeding financially which is the main reason ODU didn’t play this year. Conference realignment is inevitable because none of the CUSA member schools are happy with their league affiliation and the lack of league generated revenue to offset the high costs of travel. The league was destined to fail once they aligned via TV markets instead of quality programs. The ODU President has announced his retirement so it is unlikely ODU moves anywhere until his successor takes office.
I feel like the Sunbelt is a well constructed league and I believe their membership is happy now that Idaho and NMSU are gone. I don’t see schools leaving the Sunbelt unless a great opportunity presents itself.
The MAC remains well aligned too. I don’t see a change in their membership because none of their schools seem to be sought after.
IMO, the FBS opportunity will come via realignment among CUSA members or a new conference like the ASUN that brings FCS programs together that have the common goal of FBS. The WAC has the only open FBS charter at this time so they could start an FBS league for those schools in Texas and west of there that want FBS as well. Would some CUSA west schools join NMSU? This would create openings in the conference.
We can talk independent FBS all day long but I don’t see it happening. The only remote possibility it happens would be if a new basketball affiliation occurred that was so financially rewarding it could not be ignored. JMU has an amazing new basketball arena but is still considered a football school by almost everyone. If that flips and basketball goes on a run to become a regular NCAA tournament participant, things could change. Maybe JMU ends up in the A10 for all sports not football with ODU and the rest of their old CAA rivals.
I always say follow the money and there will be your answer. I don’t believe the administration sees independent football as a long term money maker. If more schools become independent, that could change but as it is now, it isn’t a viable alternative.
Our administration will never change guys. They are not risk takers nor trailblazers. No amount of complaining on a message board will change that. JMU does a very good job with athletics and has created a nice niche for themselves. It isn’t perfect but many other schools admire what we have. BSKB, Duke Dawg, PG JMU and I all see things pretty much the same way which is why we don’t complain. Like Purple, I hope I see FBS football in my lifetime. Until then, I am going to enjoy the successes of JMU athletics and not constantly complain about what we don’t have.