ok, I fixed it. I took the Sun Belt and C-USA schools and added a few (JMU, Richmond, Delaware, and Liberty, though mostly I was grabbing at straws to get the numbers to work. People have mentioned Villanova or Towson as other possibilities, which make sense too.)

https://www.mapcustomizer.com/map/G5Realign

This makes 30 teams and I put them in 3 conferences of 10 teams each. YMMV, of course, and looking at this geographically, UTEP should really be in the Mountain West conference. Sending the Olympic teams that far just looks silly.

Anyway, these are geographically compact, and provides great media coverage - the blue conf gets Charlotte, Tidewater, and Richmond markets; the red gets Miami, Atlanta, and Nashville; green gets Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, and San Antonio. Plus at ten teams, you could play your entire conference and have room to schedule good OOC stuff. (In fact, you could create a rotation out of OOC games to either get rivalries or establish the conferences' relative strength)

Haha, nice.

Now let us know when you get all 30 schools to agree to this. I'm not even sure if you could get JMU to quickly agree.

It's the politics and money (conference payouts/TV) that is tough here, not the geography equation.

Oh, of course, nobody will agree to it. The institutional inertia is off the charts, and I'm sure someone would have a burr up their ass about losing out on a great lacrosse matchup or something, or losing the Myrtle Beach TV market.

The other issue with this plan is it would require creating a new conference, that would have to negotiate its way into everything from TV deals to Bowl games, CFP payout, and NCAA tourney bids. Thats not easy to pull off, and maybe impossible.

Much more likely to get CUSA and Sunbelt to "swap" some teams and go to 14 or 16 teams each with divisions. There has previously been a ton of discussion among media and fans on that approach.

The other approach discussed on the conference rumor thread was to get a few schools to split off from CUSA/Sunbelt, and pair up with Liberty/UMass/JMU/Delaware ... sounds great but faces some of the same hurdles. Starting a new conference is hard, and has some significant barriers.

Yeah, I started with the swap idea, but I really don't like having huge conferences with divisions - this situation with Maine winning the conference because of byzantine tiebreakers is nuts. I would rather just have a 20-team "conference" where the Eastern and Western halves never play each other and the championship is just a game for a trophy. I guess that's what they do now anyway.

How about the CAA becoming a 1A league? Schools that want to move up stay and those that do not wish to do so move to the A10 to be paired with Duquesne, Dayton, Davidson & Fordham. I imagine UR and URI would stay FCS and go to the A10. Maine and UNH probably remain FCS too.

All sports CAA could swap out UMass for NU, Stony Brook for Hofstra, Drexel back to the AE, W & M to the Patriot and Wilmington & Charleston to the Big South.

(12-03-2018 07:52 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  How about the CAA becoming a 1A league? Schools that want to move up stay and those that do not wish to do so move to the A10 to be paired with Duquesne, Dayton, Davidson & Fordham. I imagine UR and URI would stay FCS and go to the A10. Maine and UNH probably remain FCS too.

All sports CAA could swap out UMass for NU, Stony Brook for Hofstra, Drexel back to the AE, W & M to the Patriot and Wilmington & Charleston to the Big South.

I think this is theoretically possible, but requires 8 “FBS qualified” schools where I believe the primary qualification is 15,000 average attendance. Many (most?) CAA schools would struggle to meet that. Based on 2017 numbers it looks like only JMU and Delaware would be “FBS qualified”

Believe a UMass poster said this was something considered in the past for the CAA under previous leadership (maybe the same guy who wanted us to go Indy and pair up with UMass and other Indies to form a conference). Didn’t sound as likely with the current CAA.

Couple links on the topic:
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/7519...the-answer

Since this article was written, 5 of the mentioned schools have moved to FBS: ODU, Liberty, App State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State

https://247sports.com/college/new-mexico...-71958040/

Ya never know how things will shake out one day. It was not that long ago that Conference USA were planning an insane merger with the Mountain West to form an 18-24 team conference. Things might come to a head one day and these conferences may need some better regionalization as the $$$ will only flow steadily to the P5.

Not interested in being in a league with Liberty.

(12-04-2018 04:50 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Not interested in being in a league with Liberty.

I'm guessing LU is more happy with it's FBS membership and future schedules, than JMU and it's FCS memberships and future schedules. And the CAA has served you well in the past and will in the future. I'm also guessing, as LU incrementally advances in the FBS, your desire not to play LU will dim and the shift will be towards wishing you were FBS.

(12-04-2018 05:11 PM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(12-04-2018 04:50 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Not interested in being in a league with Liberty.

I'm guessing LU is more happy with it's FBS membership and future schedules, than JMU and it's FCS memberships and future schedules. And the CAA has served you well in the past and will in the future. I'm also guessing, as LU incrementally advances in the FBS, your desire not to play LU will dim and the shift will be towards wishing you were FBS.

I'm guessing your W-L columns, now or in the future, have less to do with not wanting to be in a conference with Liberty and more about the sham of a university.

glad you're happy with your FBS 'membership' but playing NM State twice in a season is more embarrassing than playing Norfolk State, oh wait, you also did that!

(12-04-2018 05:11 PM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(12-04-2018 04:50 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Not interested in being in a league with Liberty.

I'm guessing LU is more happy with it's FBS membership and future schedules, than JMU and it's FCS memberships and future schedules. And the CAA has served you well in the past and will in the future. I'm also guessing, as LU incrementally advances in the FBS, your desire not to play LU will dim and the shift will be towards wishing you were FBS.

What's it like not being wanted by any conference except the big south?

You can buy yourself a schedule, and into FBS, but not into a conference.

Do you guys have Liberty radar of just live on our boards in envy?

(12-04-2018 05:17 PM)JMUrcc06 Wrote:  

(12-04-2018 05:11 PM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(12-04-2018 04:50 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Not interested in being in a league with Liberty.

I'm guessing LU is more happy with it's FBS membership and future schedules, than JMU and it's FCS memberships and future schedules. And the CAA has served you well in the past and will in the future. I'm also guessing, as LU incrementally advances in the FBS, your desire not to play LU will dim and the shift will be towards wishing you were FBS.

I'm guessing your W-L columns, now or in the future, have less to do with not wanting to be in a conference with Liberty and more about the sham of a university.

glad you're happy with your FBS 'membership' but playing NM State twice in a season is more embarrassing than playing Norfolk State, oh wait, you also did that!

First, LU is not my university. I'm not a Falwellite, attended LU or have anything to do with the school or church. I'm just a fan who grew up in Lynchburg. I intensely dislike many of their idiotic stances and positions. And, I've enjoyed attending football, basketball, baseball and hockey games since the LU athletic games began.

And do a little research and you will find that playing a home-home in FBS transition years is not uncommon. It's other than a sham. I get your stick in the eye anger. I'd be pissed too if I was a JMU fan. Not at LU, but being stuck in FCS while ODU, App St, GaSo, GaSt, Charlotte, Coastal, and lastly LU have passed JMU by.

I get LU beating JMU to FBS is a claw in many JMU fans. When I read statements about not wanting to play LU, or wanting to be in a conference with LU it tickles me. It's going on the assumption that LU wants to play and be in a conference with JMU. Was that valid before LU became FBS? Absolutely. But things have changed. As hard as it may be for JMU fans to hear, LU actually wants to play beyond teams of the SB, CUSA, MAC. Is that a long term goal, sure? Is it on LU's roadmap, yep. Conferences one can believe JMU would jump at the chance to join if ever it could stop stumbling over itself.

LU, with all their warts, dumb stances, idiotic statements, Trump at-all-cost support, drives me and others crazy. And, LU applied for and became FBS. Was JMU the better and more logical choice to achieve FBS before LU? For sure.

So as LU begins to play ACC and SEC schools, with a few f those being home games for LU, the momentum has shifted to LU being the more desirable athletic program. True Auburn thrashed LU, but LU played UVA respectfully. And the more LU plays Auburn, UVA, Syracuse, Wake and other Power5s, and when LU steals a win, the more LU creates distance in desirability from JMU and FCS schools.

So a quick kick in the nuts comment can be expected to be refuted.

(12-04-2018 06:03 PM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(12-04-2018 05:17 PM)JMUrcc06 Wrote:  

(12-04-2018 05:11 PM)NewTimes Wrote:  

(12-04-2018 04:50 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Not interested in being in a league with Liberty.

I'm guessing LU is more happy with it's FBS membership and future schedules, than JMU and it's FCS memberships and future schedules. And the CAA has served you well in the past and will in the future. I'm also guessing, as LU incrementally advances in the FBS, your desire not to play LU will dim and the shift will be towards wishing you were FBS.

I'm guessing your W-L columns, now or in the future, have less to do with not wanting to be in a conference with Liberty and more about the sham of a university.

glad you're happy with your FBS 'membership' but playing NM State twice in a season is more embarrassing than playing Norfolk State, oh wait, you also did that!

First, LU is not my university. I'm not a Falwellite, attended LU or have anything to do with the school or church. I'm just a fan who grew up in Lynchburg. I intensely dislike many of their idiotic stances and positions. And, I've enjoyed attending football, basketball, baseball and hockey games since the LU athletic games began.

And do a little research and you will find that playing a home-home in FBS transition years is not uncommon. It's other than a sham. I get your stick in the eye anger. I'd be pissed too if I was a JMU fan. Not at LU, but being stuck in FCS while ODU, App St, GaSo, GaSt, Charlotte, Coastal, and lastly LU have passed JMU by.

I get LU beating JMU to FBS is a claw in many JMU fans. When I read statements about not wanting to play LU, or wanting to be in a conference with LU it tickles me. It's going on the assumption that LU wants to play and be in a conference with JMU. Was that valid before LU became FBS? Absolutely. But things have changed. As hard as it may be for JMU fans to hear, LU actually wants to play beyond teams of the SB, CUSA, MAC. Is that a long term goal, sure? Is it on LU's roadmap, yep. Conferences one can believe JMU would jump at the chance to join if ever it could stop stumbling over itself.

LU, with all their warts, dumb stances, idiotic statements, Trump at-all-cost support, drives me and others crazy. And, LU applied for and became FBS. Was JMU the better and more logical choice to achieve FBS before LU? For sure.

So as LU begins to play ACC and SEC schools, with a few f those being home games for LU, the momentum has shifted to LU being the more desirable athletic program. True Auburn thrashed LU, but LU played UVA respectfully. And the more LU plays Auburn, UVA, Syracuse, Wake and other Power5s, and when LU steals a win, the more LU creates distance in desirability from JMU and FCS schools.

So a quick kick in the nuts comment can be expected to be refuted.

I detest everything LU is about. But aside from that, NewTimes makes some good points.

I love the playoff system in FCS, and I've said that many times. BUT if we can expect to lose our coach mid-playoffs every few years, it kinda takes the fun away. I still think the future involves a big change to the G5 and maybe JMU will be a part of that. I don't savor the prospect of fighting to go 10-1 and still wind up in the ShamWow-HomeShoppingClub Dried Prune Bowl. I don't know.

But a geographically smaller conference that gets a bit more recognition might be worth considering.

I think we need to look north instead of south. How about MAC trims some fat and adds some beef.

----- MAC East -----
App St
Buffalo
Delaware
JMU
Marshall
ODU
Stony Brook
UMass


----- MAC East -----
Some mix of 8 remaining MAC teams
Miami
NIU
Ohio
WMU
etc

(12-05-2018 12:00 PM)2Buck Wrote:  I think we need to look north instead of south. How about MAC trims some fat and adds some beef.

----- MAC East -----
App St
Buffalo
Delaware
JMU
Marshall
ODU
Stony Brook
UMass


----- MAC East -----
Some mix of 8 remaining MAC teams
Miami
NIU
Ohio
WMU
etc

The other MAC division should be all directionals. Would require some move-ups and the conference logo would be a compass
Eastern Michigan
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Eastern Illinois
Southern Illinois
Western Illinois
Northern Illinois
Northern Iowa

No to the MAC

(12-05-2018 12:33 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(12-05-2018 12:00 PM)2Buck Wrote:  I think we need to look north instead of south. How about MAC trims some fat and adds some beef.

----- MAC East -----
App St
Buffalo
Delaware
JMU
Marshall
ODU
Stony Brook
UMass


----- MAC East -----
Some mix of 8 remaining MAC teams
Miami
NIU
Ohio
WMU
etc

The other MAC division should be all directionals. Would require some move-ups and the conference logo would be a compass
Eastern Michigan
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Eastern Illinois
Southern Illinois
Western Illinois
Northern Illinois
Northern Iowa

How many times have we posted these dream scenarios? Why not add a TV deal that will pay each school $5,000,000 a year.

(12-05-2018 02:07 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(12-05-2018 12:33 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(12-05-2018 12:00 PM)2Buck Wrote:  I think we need to look north instead of south. How about MAC trims some fat and adds some beef.

----- MAC East -----
App St
Buffalo
Delaware
JMU
Marshall
ODU
Stony Brook
UMass


----- MAC East -----
Some mix of 8 remaining MAC teams
Miami
NIU
Ohio
WMU
etc

The other MAC division should be all directionals. Would require some move-ups and the conference logo would be a compass
Eastern Michigan
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Eastern Illinois
Southern Illinois
Western Illinois
Northern Illinois
Northern Iowa

How many times have we posted these dream scenarios? Why not add a TV deal that will pay each school $5,000,000 a year.

ok, now you're just being ridiculous. you know they're not going to cough up more than $4 mil.