(02-18-2012 02:39 PM)ccs178 Wrote:  

(02-18-2012 01:36 PM)Goldenbuc Wrote:  The additions of USM, ECU and some others from CUSA could make the SunBelt decent. It'll also allow the schools to actually drive to away games and create more regional rivalries. If the CUSA east and Tulane joined...it could be a pretty good conference. MWC can consume UTEP and Tulsa and remain a decent conference, too.

Actually...CUSA should just keep the East and Tulane and expand with the SunBelt teams they want and let UTEP and Tulsa go to the MWC. Grab WKU, FIU, FAU, La Tech, Troy, South Alabama and MTSU...along with USM, ECU, Tulane, Marshall and UAB would be regional and fairly decent. Plus...it gives not one but two Florida teams to hate.

The travel expenses in the proposed CUSA/MWC alliance will be brutal for all-sports. Think about it.

I understand why the ECU and Marshall fans hate UCF fans now. I used to believe ECU and Marshall fans were just mostly thin-skinned jerks (save for a few buddies I know) and UCF fans were relatively neutral. I was wrong and for that I apologize to the Pirates and Thundering Herd fans.

Why the hate? I'm a UCF fan, but also follow WKU. My folks, sister and bro-in-law all went to WKU. They're up and coming. I know UCF is going to the Big East, but no reason to hate. ECU, Marshall and USM would've made the same decision. Especially looking at the CUSA/MWC merger for all-sports. I'm not a big fan of the spread out geography of conferences, either...including the Big East. But it's one thing to have to travel like that for football only....another for all sports.

I'm a big college football fan and think regional rivalries are what makes college football great. I think a regional CUSA combined with some SunBelt teams can be pretty special, if given the chance. USM fans could play Troy, UAB, La Tech and Tulane in the same year and attend all of their home and away conference games.