16 teams is too big IMO.
If UTEP leaves though, they should definitely be considered.

(05-17-2012 03:15 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  a friend heard a rumor earlier this afternoon on ESPN950 in Richmond that Delaware is next to CUSA. Seriously? Anyone give it any legs? How many is CUSA looking for?

Bye Bye CAA.

A recent article out of the local Herald Dispatch said that CUSA would stop any expansion at 14 for a while. The guy reporting it was the same guy that broke the news that ODU acceptance was about to join CUSA which he was correct on.

I'd like to see us stay at 14 for now but if CUSA does expand in the future I think it would be smart to see what Delaware has to offer.

The UAB hot-potato tossing is... flattering... Neither UAB or USM would want to go west. They'd both fight it hard and would push for a western school added to prevent that. UAB is also an old rival for Charlotte and ODU, and I think they would be on our side.

I suspect UMass would prefer to keep their basketball in the A10 and dominate the MAC. Look for CUSA to stay south of the Mason-Dixon.

Delaware is more interested in Football than Basketball. The CAA is collapsing but their football isn't falling apart and will be sponsored by either the CAA or A10 one way or another. But... This might be an opportunity for Delaware to make that next step. It's a state Flagship, but Delaware is tiny, densely populated, but tiny. I think C*USA is interested, but I don't see them making the jump.

I like Delaware and UMass. Those two along with MTSU would make excellent selections for CUSA.

(05-17-2012 08:24 PM)GreenMississippi Wrote:  The UAB hot-potato tossing is... flattering... Neither UAB or USM would want to go west. They'd both fight it hard and would push for a western school added to prevent that. UAB is also an old rival for Charlotte and ODU, and I think they would be on our side.

I suspect UMass would prefer to keep their basketball in the A10 and dominate the MAC. Look for CUSA to stay south of the Mason-Dixon.

Delaware is more interested in Football than Basketball. The CAA is collapsing but their football isn't falling apart and will be sponsored by either the CAA or A10 one way or another. But... This might be an opportunity for Delaware to make that next step. It's a state Flagship, but Delaware is tiny, densely populated, but tiny. I think C*USA is interested, but I don't see them making the jump.

Looking at the University of Delaware on a map (Newark) they are very close to Baltimore and Philadelphia.

(05-17-2012 08:29 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  I like Delaware and UMass. Those two along with MTSU would make excellent selections for CUSA.

Delaware should probably be looked at in the future but I'm not a big fan of MTSU at all. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of UMass either. Just seems to far out of the footprint.

(05-17-2012 08:36 PM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 08:24 PM)GreenMississippi Wrote:  The UAB hot-potato tossing is... flattering... Neither UAB or USM would want to go west. They'd both fight it hard and would push for a western school added to prevent that. UAB is also an old rival for Charlotte and ODU, and I think they would be on our side.

I suspect UMass would prefer to keep their basketball in the A10 and dominate the MAC. Look for CUSA to stay south of the Mason-Dixon.

Delaware is more interested in Football than Basketball. The CAA is collapsing but their football isn't falling apart and will be sponsored by either the CAA or A10 one way or another. But... This might be an opportunity for Delaware to make that next step. It's a state Flagship, but Delaware is tiny, densely populated, but tiny. I think C*USA is interested, but I don't see them making the jump.

Looking at the University of Delaware on a map (Newark) they are very close to Baltimore and Philadelphia.

And only about 100 miles from NC

Anytime UTEP gets ready they can write us a check for 6 mil plus and head off to the MWC.

(05-17-2012 06:59 PM)hens05alum Wrote:  Delaware's Athletic Director Statement

Here is the missing statement...

Quote:I would be absolutely shocked if UD determined it was in the best interest of their athletic department to join the CUSA. I just have a hard time envisioning us looking to venture that far outside the Northeast and Northern portion of the Mid Atlantic (where basically all of our students come from and alumni reside) for a sports affiliation. An Eastern Division of the MAC seems like a much more reasonable FBS berth to me. I'll admit, it's just reassuring to me, to hear that we're openly looking to 'assess all options'.

(05-17-2012 09:11 PM)Liberty22 Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 06:59 PM)hens05alum Wrote:  Delaware's Athletic Director Statement

Here is the missing statement...

Quote:I would be absolutely shocked if UD determined it was in the best interest of their athletic department to join the CUSA. I just have a hard time envisioning us looking to venture that far outside the Northeast and Northern portion of the Mid Atlantic (where basically all of our students come from and alumni reside) for a sports affiliation. An Eastern Division of the MAC seems like a much more reasonable FBS berth to me. I'll admit, it's just reassuring to me, to hear that we're openly looking to 'assess all options'.

The same Hens poster posted that in the MAC board..

(05-17-2012 07:43 PM)ultraviolet Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 03:32 PM)blunderbuss Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 03:30 PM)Liberty22 Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 03:20 PM)ultraviolet Wrote:  Delaware won't be moving up and CUSA is done for at least a couple of years unless something major changes.

Is Delaware even ready? Do they have the funds, etc. I know they are good but I doubt they could do it right now..

Well they are a flagship U and they had the best FCS attendance for a long time running. Not sure if they're still #1 or not. Last I heard they were expanding to 30K.

Delaware is actually a private school that admits in state students at a comparable fee to many large state U types. DuPont money endows it.

What the??? Wow, that's weird. Thanks, I just looked that up. Wikipedia says......

"Although UD receives public funding for being a land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant and urban-grant state-supported research institution, it is also privately chartered."

They've got nearly a $1B endowment too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Delaware

(05-17-2012 04:21 PM)Bluedawg10 Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 04:16 PM)Kyle0614 Wrote:  then it could be

ecu
southern miss
marshall
tulane
rice
tulsa
uab
utep
+
utsa
north texas
la tech
odu
fiu
charlotte
+
delaware
umass
^
stop @ 16 (perfect)

So the divisions would look like this?
West
USM
Tulsa
UTEP
RICE
Tulane
LA Tech
UNT
UTSA

East
ECU
Marshall
UAB
FIU
Charlotte
ODU
Delaware
UMass

I like that setup.

No way in hell, I want Southern Miss on the East with us and ECU

Delaware? Please let it be true!!! Please!!

(05-17-2012 03:20 PM)ultraviolet Wrote:  Delaware won't be moving up and CUSA is done for at least a couple of years unless something major changes.

I am inclined to agree.

(05-17-2012 04:21 PM)Bluedawg10 Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 04:16 PM)Kyle0614 Wrote:  then it could be

ecu
southern miss
marshall
tulane
rice
tulsa
uab
utep
+
utsa
north texas
la tech
odu
fiu
charlotte
+
delaware
umass
^
stop @ 16 (perfect)

So the divisions would look like this?
West
USM
Tulsa
UTEP
RICE
Tulane
LA Tech
UNT
UTSA

East
ECU
Marshall
UAB
FIU
Charlotte
ODU
Delaware
UMass

I like that setup.

That IS a nice setup. I would love that.

Delaware would be great. They're in the Philly market and a flagship school with good football history and great attendance. Temple and Nova would definately put the big time cockblock on them so they're not a flight risk to bolt for Big Least. CUSA has to be much more attractive than the MAC, especially now that we've got ODU.

(05-17-2012 10:35 PM)LaMan Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 04:21 PM)Bluedawg10 Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 04:16 PM)Kyle0614 Wrote:  then it could be

ecu
southern miss
marshall
tulane
rice
tulsa
uab
utep
+
utsa
north texas
la tech
odu
fiu
charlotte
+
delaware
umass
^
stop @ 16 (perfect)

So the divisions would look like this?
West
USM
Tulsa
UTEP
RICE
Tulane
LA Tech
UNT
UTSA

East
ECU
Marshall
UAB
FIU
Charlotte
ODU
Delaware
UMass

I like that setup.

That IS a nice setup. I would love that.

**** that, move Tulane and USM to the East and add two new West Schools.

my general rule of thumb is that radio sources are full of crap. besides, what does the conference gain by expanding at this point in time? give it a few years to let programs separate themselves then make a move or two.

(05-17-2012 11:27 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 10:35 PM)LaMan Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 04:21 PM)Bluedawg10 Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 04:16 PM)Kyle0614 Wrote:  then it could be

ecu
southern miss
marshall
tulane
rice
tulsa
uab
utep
+
utsa
north texas
la tech
odu
fiu
charlotte
+
delaware
umass
^
stop @ 16 (perfect)

So the divisions would look like this?
West
USM
Tulsa
UTEP
RICE
Tulane
LA Tech
UNT
UTSA

East
ECU
Marshall
UAB
FIU
Charlotte
ODU
Delaware
UMass

I like that setup.

That IS a nice setup. I would love that.

**** that, move Tulane and USM to the East and add two new West Schools.

I would not be against that either, but whom would you suggest? Texas State? Arkansas State? New Mexico State? A Mountain West team? There are not too too many to choose from that fit what CUSA is looking for. Besides, I figured you guys would be happy with more teams on the east coast being added. It makes for closer games. Not ALL Southern Miss fans agree, but I know a very large number like the idea of playing LaTech every year. The rivalry goes back much further with us than with you guys. Anyway, just a thought.

I tell you what... get Houston and SMU to come back. That would work! lol

(05-17-2012 03:42 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  So does the CUSA stop here of keep adding? that's the question.

Our idiot leadership is still pushing for 18.