(01-29-2016 07:13 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(01-29-2016 07:01 PM)NoDak Wrote:  If the following CUSA schools wanted to break and form their own conference, 2021 would be the earliest date that they could do it:

UTEP
UTSA - 2013 joined
Rice
North Texas - 2013
La Tech - 2013
S Miss
UAB
MTSU - 2013

The eight schools (seven would be acceptable) would have created continuity in 2021 for a new conference. The remaining schools of CUSA could invite a couple more members and would still be whole because it doesn't need to reestablish continuity.

Congratulations on not reading the thread. X-schools-for-Y-years doesn't matter. According to the current NCAA bylaws, if CUSA East Plus JMU wants to break away from CUSA, they can do it today, or they can do it ten years from now and it makes no difference. The new group either convinces the NCAA Division I power structure to let them in, or the new group is S.O.L. There are no rules, there is no procedure to "earn" automatic bid status.

Under the current rules, a conference getting an automatic bid is much like a school getting membership to a conference. It cannot be earned, it can only be freely granted.

The same rules existed when the New Big East split off from the old Big East (American). Exactly the same situation except CUSA does not meet the criteria until 2021. In CUSA, an existing continuity core does not exist as it did for the C7.

The old PAC8 could break off today, leaving the PAC12 at four along with four Texas FBS schools added, and both haves would have an autobid.

Continuity matters within the conference for a split off of seven members for a new conference. Continuity doesn't matter for an old conference to retain it's bid.