(11-05-2011 02:15 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(11-05-2011 02:01 PM)YouCanUseaMint Wrote:  

(11-05-2011 12:15 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  If C-USA and the MWC lose the named schools, then the gap between the Sun Belt and those conferences will shrink somewhat no matter who they add. I think minimizing the hit is one reason why they will expand. That and because they need to try and appease the T.V. money men. Expansion seems to always boil down to maximizing power and money.

As for the Sun Belt, if we don't lose any programs, the gap between our conference and C-USA will shrink dramatically. And, within a few years we could be at a point where the Sun Belt contends for the top non AQ spot.

Having said that, any Sun Belt team invited would accept an offer from C-USA.

As for expanding the Sun Belt, I think it's still too early to speculate. We are just now at a point where we can speculate about possible C-USA candidates. I'm no fan of UTSA, but I can see the value in the San Antonio market. Texas State should not even be in the discussion. I'm thinking when it's all over the Belt may only need 1 team to get to 8. 8 is not so bad. It would mean less teams to spit the money with. If the Belt sticks to its policy of not adding from the FCS, there would really be only two candidates for the spot, LA Tech and NMSU. LA Tech's administration has marginalized the Sun Belt in past statements, so I say NMSU would be the better of the two. If the new commissioner changes policy and considers FCS programs, UTSA would keep the Belt in Texas and provide a large market, but I think Appy State would be the best FCS candidate.

I can understand not being a fan of Texas State, but to say we don't even belong in the discussion is ignorant in my opinion. In fact, I think we have a similar profile to a lot of Belt schools.

34000+ enrollment
$20 million budget
Good baseball and softball
Good facilities (30K expansion to on-campus FB stadium, new BSB/SB stadiums, new T&F complex)
Endowment very similar to North Texas
Two major airports nearby
Hot co-eds
FB attendance averaging over 15k this year in a 16k stadium

Good softball and baseball ? Basketball is horrible and would affect the conference RPI. 15,000 attendance is well below startup member USA's nearly 19,500 and less than every current member. Texas State probably would not be one of the top candidates on the Sun belt wish list.

If you're going to talk smack saying our attendance is low, wait until we are capable of seating more than 16000.

Because right now:

Texas State - 94% full
USA - 48% full