(05-10-2012 09:14 AM)Tuscon Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 08:45 AM)RaiderDoug Wrote:  This is where it will pay to be proactive and get to 12 with a CG.

If we shift the conference east by inviting App (and possibly GASouthern), give WKU/MT two more bus trips, a regionalized east division (which will benefit everyone by making the east and west tighter, bus-able conferences), it makes the Sunbelt a much more attractive place to be.

Instead we sit, waiting to be reactive, instead of proactive. Instead we're wondering what the next move would be ("Surprise! - you're going to Idaho!" or "How do you guys feel about Lamar!"), at this point, it's a better thing for MT to jump at a CUSA offer (if it comes along).

I think MT would be receptive to staying in the Belt, but the present Belt doesn't offer much incentive to do that. Get to 12, tighten up the geography, add a couple of strong programs.

How do you know these discussions aren't happening? Benson has said his primary goal is to keep schools from leaving. There's no way he's not on the phone with MT seeing what they need to be happy. This is just a message board. No one here knows anything but rumors.

Absolutely true, i've no idea that they're not happening.

I don't know that they are either.

But we do usually have a way of finding things out here. And as it appears things are on hold, then CUSA appears to be a better landing spot for MT at this point.

Panthersville ' Wrote:  Nobody is talking about Wyoming, ECW, Delaware, etc. as FBS possibilities, because they simply don't bring what an FBS conference needs.

Delaware is not committed to going FBS but would certainly have a shot at the MAC. Wyoming is already FBS in the Mountain West. Who is ECW?

(05-10-2012 09:10 AM)OwlFamily Wrote:  We'll I was always luke warm on CUSA. Yes its percieved as a better league and has more bowl tie in. I do think the SBC narrowed the gap tremendously and has a shot to catch them.

However, now that FIU is in CUSA I am MUCH more interested in joining them simply because we would no longer be out on an island and we have our rival back.

Just as it made sense for UNT to go to CUSA to be with other Texas teams, it now makes sense for FAU to go to CUSA to be with a Florida team.

Indeed. I am one of those FIU fans that wants FAU onboard. I have never had anything against FAU. I didn't like some of the rascist comments over on your board a few days ago, but overall want FAU to be with us in C-USA. It makes sense.....as long as you keep losing to FIU. Let's hope your new AD is half-competent. Or just reach out to Pete Garcia (FIU AD), he can probably do more for you guys than your own AD.

(05-10-2012 09:46 AM)RaiderDoug Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 09:14 AM)Tuscon Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 08:45 AM)RaiderDoug Wrote:  This is where it will pay to be proactive and get to 12 with a CG.

If we shift the conference east by inviting App (and possibly GASouthern), give WKU/MT two more bus trips, a regionalized east division (which will benefit everyone by making the east and west tighter, bus-able conferences), it makes the Sunbelt a much more attractive place to be.

Instead we sit, waiting to be reactive, instead of proactive. Instead we're wondering what the next move would be ("Surprise! - you're going to Idaho!" or "How do you guys feel about Lamar!"), at this point, it's a better thing for MT to jump at a CUSA offer (if it comes along).

I think MT would be receptive to staying in the Belt, but the present Belt doesn't offer much incentive to do that. Get to 12, tighten up the geography, add a couple of strong programs.

How do you know these discussions aren't happening? Benson has said his primary goal is to keep schools from leaving. There's no way he's not on the phone with MT seeing what they need to be happy. This is just a message board. No one here knows anything but rumors.

Absolutely true, i've no idea that they're not happening.

I don't know that they are either.

But we do usually have a way of finding things out here. And as it appears things are on hold, then CUSA appears to be a better landing spot for MT at this point.

It does appear that we are on hold. If Benson came to MT and said, "If we invite some more eastern teams, would you stay?" and MT responded with a negative, then what's the point of expanding?

I think that we as fans need to not freak out too much when everything we hear is rumor at this point.

If you are in denial of the Big East big market strategy failure being the cause of the BE commissioner being asked to resign just read some of those NE newspaper reports.

(05-10-2012 09:58 AM)asumike83 Wrote:  

Panthersville ' Wrote:  Nobody is talking about Wyoming, ECW, Delaware, etc. as FBS possibilities, because they simply don't bring what an FBS conference needs.

Delaware is not committed to going FBS but would certainly have a shot at the MAC. Wyoming is already FBS in the Mountain West. Who is ECW?

You are right - I was talking about Montana. I meant Eastern Washington (the "C" was a typo - I am not a wraslin' fan).

(05-10-2012 10:09 AM)Panthersville Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 09:58 AM)asumike83 Wrote:  

Panthersville ' Wrote:  Nobody is talking about Wyoming, ECW, Delaware, etc. as FBS possibilities, because they simply don't bring what an FBS conference needs.

Delaware is not committed to going FBS but would certainly have a shot at the MAC. Wyoming is already FBS in the Mountain West. Who is ECW?

You are right - I was talking about Montana. I meant Eastern Washington (the "C" was a typo - I am not a wraslin' fan).

Ha, that makes more sense! For what it's worth, Montana was offered by the WAC a few years ago and turned them down. I think they'd have to add a lot of sports to move up and aren't interested.

(05-10-2012 10:02 AM)Tuscon Wrote:  It does appear that we are on hold. If Benson came to MT and said, "If we invite some more eastern teams, would you stay?" and MT responded with a negative, then what's the point of expanding?

I think that we as fans need to not freak out too much when everything we hear is rumor at this point.

But what if they responded with a positive?

Expansion to 12 is coming, it's inevitable. I don't believe that adding APP/GASou is just good for MT, it would be good for the league. In fact, I think most of the teams that would be in the eastern bloc would rather expand East than add NMSU/Idaho/More Texas teams. What's good for MT is also good for WKU. I know FAU wouldn't have a problem with it. I doubt GSU would either. I have a feeling that Troy would be good with it also (they recruit heavily in GA/FL).

Again, since we're not privy to the meetings, it's all speculation. But speculating one way is no more valid than speculating the other.

And if not for speculation, what's the point of a message board - the alternative is to just have a listing of the box scores.

(05-10-2012 09:45 AM)Panthersville Wrote:  The only reason the BE is still viable is because of their market strategy. Had they not gone after the markets they did, CUSA would have passed them.

Bull, if the Big East had stayed east of the Mississippi River, they would have been fine.
UCF, USF, Memphis, ECU, Memphis, Ole Miss, Louisville, Cincinatti , Gtown, UConn., Villanova, Rutgers, Navy, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Temple, WVU,
and possibly a start up or two.

Any combination of the above, and The Big East would be a monster on the field or court.

This is such drama, just blow up the CUSA. They smell fear from us that is why they are taking our teams.

Oddly enough, Montana doesn't have the cash to move up, though they're an incredible draw within the state. I'm suprised that North Dakota hasn't atleast considered a move up. (The Sioux, not the ones that beat Ga. Southern like a government mule in football last year) They have the facilities, and thanks to a daddy warbucks donor should have the cash to make the jump, if for nothing else to get their hockey into a better conference.
As for the Sun Belt, if they go with an eastern expansion, unless the money can ultimately be that much better along with a cut in travel cost, would it be that beneficial to move over to C-USA? It's just a thought...

(05-10-2012 10:27 AM)Glassonion Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 09:45 AM)Panthersville Wrote:  The only reason the BE is still viable is because of their market strategy. Had they not gone after the markets they did, CUSA would have passed them.

Bull, if the Big East had stayed east of the Mississippi River, they would have been fine.
UCF, USF, Memphis, ECU, Memphis, Ole Miss, Louisville, Cincinatti , Gtown, UConn., Villanova, Rutgers, Navy, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Temple, WVU,
and possibly a start up or two.

Any combination of the above, and The Big East would be a monster on the field or court.

Ole Miss? Did you mean Southern Mississippi?

All the rumors are just that. However, this re-re-re alingment while based on potential of market share etc really reminds me of the good looking girl everyone wants to date but is really a user and she is fickle. Well good luck.....If other Belters are waiting around to be asked to the sadie hawkins dance by the good looking chick.......well beauty may not be there once you get to know them.......good luck to all and no if Troy were asked I am not sure I would even want to go out with the supposed gorgeous chick all the while knowing a stable nice one was already with you. By the way my wife who is now in her mid 40's is still smokin hot. One of the gorgeous and really nice folks.....Every now and then a SBC might be just as good or better than a flash in the pan SHINY C-USA.

(05-10-2012 10:06 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  If you are in denial of the Big East big market strategy failure being the cause of the BE commissioner being asked to resign just read some of those NE newspaper reports.

Ignore the link? The commissioner is a scapegoat for lots of things that have gone wrong while he was there. The previous commissioner even admits that he thought the BE was going under before Marinatto took over. The presidents in the conference didn't listen to him and are paying the price.

(05-10-2012 10:14 AM)RaiderDoug Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 10:02 AM)Tuscon Wrote:  It does appear that we are on hold. If Benson came to MT and said, "If we invite some more eastern teams, would you stay?" and MT responded with a negative, then what's the point of expanding?

I think that we as fans need to not freak out too much when everything we hear is rumor at this point.

But what if they responded with a positive?

Expansion to 12 is coming, it's inevitable. I don't believe that adding APP/GASou is just good for MT, it would be good for the league. In fact, I think most of the teams that would be in the eastern bloc would rather expand East than add NMSU/Idaho/More Texas teams. What's good for MT is also good for WKU. I know FAU wouldn't have a problem with it. I doubt GSU would either. I have a feeling that Troy would be good with it also (they recruit heavily in GA/FL).

Again, since we're not privy to the meetings, it's all speculation. But speculating one way is no more valid than speculating the other.

And if not for speculation, what's the point of a message board - the alternative is to just have a listing of the box scores.

I agree about speculation being all we can do, but a sky is falling attitude is unwarranted when we don't know. I have to believe that if MT says, "Look, we'll stick around if you take more eastern schools that we can bus to" that Benson is looking at eastern schools. That doesn't mean we have to rush into anything.

That being said, I think we should grab Appy before someone else does.

(05-10-2012 11:20 AM)Buzz Lightyear Lite Wrote:  All the rumors are just that. However, this re-re-re alingment while based on potential of market share etc really reminds me of the good looking girl everyone wants to date but is really a user and she is fickle. Well good luck.....If other Belters are waiting around to be asked to the sadie hawkins dance by the good looking chick.......well beauty may not be there once you get to know them.......good luck to all and no if Troy were asked I am not sure I would even want to go out with the supposed gorgeous chick all the while knowing a stable nice one was already with you. By the way my wife who is now in her mid 40's is still smokin hot. One of the gorgeous and really nice folks.....Every now and then a SBC might be just as good or better than a flash in the pan SHINY C-USA...and (phone rings)...looks I am getting a call.. hold on...hello..yeah this is Troy...CUSA?...How are you?...no...(looking at SBC members)...I'm not doing anything important right now...June 30th?...um I think I can be there...(picking up papers ans shoving them in briefcase and walking out without saying goodbye to SBC members)...no, no that's fine I dont have any other obligations...sure, sure...that timeline works for me...

fixed it for you

(05-10-2012 10:32 AM)trojanblood Wrote:  This is such drama, just blow up the CUSA. They smell fear from us that is why they are taking our teams.

You're exactly right. As long as any of the SBC teams are acting froggy, coosa is waiting with baited breath to give them a chance to leap. I was excited back when USA's BOT voted to add football and WW came to welcome us in. Some of our fans+ me were hoping to go higher than the Belt, but everyone soon realized that was not to be. No one knew that the current football-playing members were hoping and praying for a "call-up to the 'bigs' " Now, even the start-ups and the wannabees are lining up to be noticed and "audition" for coosa. In a couple of years there's no telling who'll be where without a program. JMT

(05-10-2012 08:46 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  We talking about the same MTSU that rumors say that its president told CUSA they werent really interested in moving?

I said it when the rumors broke that I didn't believe it and have recently heard on good authority that this is not the case.

No matter how many of us say we're happy in the Belt (which I am, thank you very much), it's hard to imagine ANY of our school presidents not crossing over if CUSA calls. So y'all are right...we're gonna have this uncertainty until CUSA makes it clear they're no longer expanding, or Belt members who want that shot at moving "up" can resign themselves to the fact that it's not happening.

As a GSU fan, I'd be torn on the decision if we did have a CUSA invite at this point (just being honest...and not that it's my decision, anyway), and the way things have happened, it looks a lot like we would have already been invited if they wanted us now. So from my perspective, and I would assume the perspective of just about everybody else in the conference, we'll all be better off when we can get back to focusing on our own conference again.

Speculation is fun, though.

I have no "inside information" or anything like that. But from what I've been able to piece together we will be moving to 16. Assuming ODU accepts the bid I expect numbers 15 & 16 will be MTSU and W. Kentucky.

If we go to 18 then I think number 17 will be FAU.

I think #18 is where it gets tricky. I think we will need to add at least someone to the West. With that being said, my choice for #18 is Arkansas St.