(11-30-2012 02:27 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 02:24 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 02:21 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 02:17 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 02:08 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  This is going to be a HUGE mess for CUSA and SBC if this happens.

And if this does happen, look for a CUSA/SBC merge

I wouldn't count on that merger. I think if this continues to play out, it's more likely the death knell for the Sun Belt than the catalyst to a merger.

I'm sorry, this may come off as harsh, but I honestly believe that ULM and possibly Troy, would be dealbreakers in any proposed merger. I think C-USA would continue to pick the SBC off one by one or in pairs.

If things start spinning that way, you probably need to be rooting hard for Rice, Tulsa, and La Tech to all be gone. I don't think either ULM or Troy would get a yes vote from any of the three.

If you want to talk about markets ASU has a smaller market than TROY does. TROY while not in montgomery does officially bring the Montgomery market

Wasn't talking about markets.

my bad...what were you talking about then?

Troy and ULM both consistently bring up the rear in the conference in budget and in the Bubas cup standings. You may not give one damn about the Bubas cup, but there is a larger emphasis on Olympic sports in the C-USA than there is in the Sun Belt. I think that will hurt both ULM and Troy in the eyes of C-USA.

Second, and I'll tread even more lightly here, there is at least a perception of less than stellar academics at both ULM and Troy. I don't want to turn this into a pissing match and I don't want you to think I'm looking down on you, but I'm not who you need to convince anyhow. I honestly believe that we were probably not the easiest sell to some of the more academically focused members of C-USA, I think ULM and Troy will have an even tougher time. I don't think the private schools or Tech would want to be viewed as an academic peer to Troy and ULM. Is that fair? Maybe not, but that's the world we live in. The road to Troy getting into C-USA(or at very least a merger of the two conferences) became a bit easier with Tulane(also private, so probably no ally to Troy, certainly no ally to ULM) on their way out, but I think you still need a few more defections to have enough support to get in.

I could be wrong(but I don't think I am) and again, I'm not challenging your academics, but I think they would.

(11-30-2012 02:17 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 02:08 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  This is going to be a HUGE mess for CUSA and SBC if this happens.

And if this does happen, look for a CUSA/SBC merge

I wouldn't count on that merger. I think if this continues to play out, it's more likely the death knell for the Sun Belt than the catalyst to a merger.

I'm sorry, this may come off as harsh, but I honestly believe that ULM and possibly Troy, would be dealbreakers in any proposed merger. I think C-USA would continue to pick the SBC off one by one or in pairs.

If things start spinning that way, you probably need to be rooting hard for Rice, Tulsa, and La Tech to all be gone. I don't think either ULM or Troy would get a yes vote from any of the three.

I don't see a "merger" but before it is said and done I expect that CUSA will have about 8 teams that were in the Sun Belt this year.

I suspect that the ACC or Big East will be gone eventually or the Big East will add even more from CUSA. The Texas schools and Tulsa seem like they will move west to the MWC.

ASU doesn't have a huge market in its backyard but they are closer to Memphis than anyone left in CUSA and there are only 2 FBS programs in Arkansas and neither is near LR so that market has some room for us. If CUSA had MTSU, WKU and ASU and kept their ties to Liberty that gives you 3 more schools that are attractive to that bowl.

Of course I am looking at it from my own angle but ASU doesn't have any natural enemies that would keep us out if it comes to that with Memphis gone.

I would be more than happy if the eight we have would stay and add the two we all seem to want but if it doesn't work out that way I can see a path developing.

(11-30-2012 02:36 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  I think this is just a Twitter rumor started by a troll WVU blogger. Would it really make sense for them to pay $50 million buyout to play Maryland, Rutgers, and Penn State?

Could be a situation like we had going to CUSA, not a tremendous gain, but the fear of being left behind plays a big role.

If GT balks at the opportunity to go Big Ten and two others take the offer instead and then the Big XII comes in and scoops up Florida State and Clemson, Georgia Tech is left behind in the league that is currently viewed as the weakest of the "haves" and only getting weaker.

If Rice and Tulsa head to MWC there would be no private schools in CUSA, correct?

I imagine that some ACC schools were not too happy with adding Louisville recently, so that may spur some to do things faster than they might have.

(11-30-2012 02:42 PM)Crump1 Wrote:  If Rice and Tulsa head to MWC there would be no private schools in CUSA, correct?

Without double checking, I'm 99% sure that is correct.

That said, I'm not sure I see MWC going after Rice.

(11-30-2012 02:34 PM)Crump1 Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 02:19 PM)TheEagleWay Wrote:  Roller coaster is not over yet.

THat is the best rollercoaster I have ever seen.

The more I watch, and still nothing pops out!!

I'm more convinced than ever that some of you guys are coming with us to CUSA.

It will all trickle down soon enough.

Big 10 takes two from ACC. ACC takes Cincy and UConn, maybe even USF and UCF too if Big 12 or SEC takes two. Big East basketball schools break off from remaining football schools, taking the name with them. Boise, SDSU, Houston, SMU, UTEP, and maybe another school or two go to MWC to get to 16. ECU, Tulane, Temple, Memphis, and maybe USF and UCF are left to form a new conference, joining back up with USM, Marshall, UAB, Tulsa, Rice, or whoever didn't go to MWC. LA Tech, UNT, FIU, ODU, Charlotte, MT, FAU all fight for slots in that new conference, and the rest backfill with Sun Belt schools in CUSA. ULM, Troy, GA State and any potential FCS moveups are at the back of the line.

That's probably pretty close to how this goes, especially if the ACC takes UCF/USF too.

Might as well merge and be done

(11-30-2012 04:34 PM)panama Wrote:  Might as well merge and be done

Merging means destroying conferences and starting a new one, meaning lost CUSA TV dollars. Ain't gonna happen. No incentive for CUSA to merge when they can cherry pick who they want.

Some think that they more they say the word "merge," the more likely it is to happen. It's not.

At some point the CUSA deal will have to be re negotiated, then the current members may not feel so great about what they get in return for playing in a conference with heinous travel.

(11-30-2012 04:42 PM)Glassonion Wrote:  At some point the CUSA deal will have to be re negotiated, then the current members may not feel so great about what they get in return for playing in a conference with heinous travel.

Winner winner, chicken dinner.......not sure how long deal is but that is as long as the BIGGER money will last........might as well figure that any scheduling is only good for ONE year. Maybe...

GT is probably not going to the B1G, they'd go after BC and / or Kansas first.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more minor-ish moves this year, but still, I'm not holding my breath for anything huge.

(11-30-2012 04:47 PM)Buzz Lightyear Lite Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 04:42 PM)Glassonion Wrote:  At some point the CUSA deal will have to be re negotiated, then the current members may not feel so great about what they get in return for playing in a conference with heinous travel.

Winner winner, chicken dinner.......not sure how long deal is but that is as long as the BIGGER money will last........might as well figure that any scheduling is only good for ONE year. Maybe...

Georgie Tech AD is denying rumors
http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2012/11...in/3429823

(11-30-2012 04:47 PM)Buzz Lightyear Lite Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 04:42 PM)Glassonion Wrote:  At some point the CUSA deal will have to be re negotiated, then the current members may not feel so great about what they get in return for playing in a conference with heinous travel.

Winner winner, chicken dinner.......not sure how long deal is but that is as long as the BIGGER money will last........might as well figure that any scheduling is only good for ONE year. Maybe...

I think it lasts until the 2015-2016 year is over.

(11-30-2012 04:55 PM)MTowho Wrote:  I think it lasts until the 2015-2016 year is over.

I call 2016 then, as the year the Cusa implodes, and the non BCS football world completely collapses and reforms into regional conferences.

(11-30-2012 04:58 PM)Glassonion Wrote:  

(11-30-2012 04:55 PM)MTowho Wrote:  I think it lasts until the 2015-2016 year is over.

I call 2016 then, as the year the Cusa implodes, and the non BCS football world completely collapses and reforms into regional conferences.

Maybe so. We'll take the millions, the perception, and the recruiting advantage while we can then.

(11-30-2012 05:00 PM)MTowho Wrote:  Maybe so. We'll take the millions, the perception, and the recruiting advantage while we can then.

Good. See you as conference mates in 2017.

(11-30-2012 02:36 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  I think this is just a Twitter rumor started by a troll WVU blogger. Would it really make sense for them to pay $50 million buyout to play Maryland, Rutgers, and Penn State?

Big Ten payout per school, per year (last year) - 24.7 million
SEC - 19.5 million
ACC - 17 million

The Big Ten can help with the exit fee, and the money influx long term from joining the Big Ten far outweighs staying in the ACC.

Also...not sure where the Penn State comment came from....2nd largest stadium in the country, passionate fans, 3rd most valuable program in the country, and clearly the scandal didn't hurt the on field product as much as the naysayers thought it would. 8-4 and Bill O'Brien Big Ten coach of the year. 13th ranked QB for 2013 class stuck (Hackenberg) with his decision, as did the top ranked tight end in the country (Brennamen).