If we don't find a really good FBS conference home this go-round, without question FBS indy is the answer! It would likely be better than some conference options.

Suppose the musical chairs are all filled and JMU is left with CUSA and its dysfunctional, far-flung membership. What is better, CUSA or indy? No question, indy is the better option.

(09-27-2021 10:35 PM)Purple Wrote:  If we don't find a really good FBS conference home this go-round, without question FBS indy is the answer! It would likely be better than some conference options.

Suppose the musical chairs are all filled and JMU is left with CUSA and its dysfunctional, far-flung membership. What is better, CUSA or indy? No question, indy is the better option. CUSA blows dead livestock.

Yep that's my biggest fear this time around, that the Sun Belt ends up expanding enough that they add the only schools that keep CUSA from being an absolutely terrible option but not enough that they add JMU. I really hope JMU is FBS or bust this time around and if that happens the only thing to maybe debate will be whether independent is feasible and a better option than CUSA at that point instead of debating CAA vs CUSA. And I mean, if the Sun Belt adds Marshall, ODU, maybe even WKU then would the remnants of CUSA really be better and easier to manage than independent football? Even the schedules of awful programs like UMass and UConn look better than the schedule you'd get out of a CUSA like that. Way better honestly.

Of course above hoping JMU still makes the jump if it comes to that, I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. But as far as things JMU can control, I hope staying CAA football isn't even an option this time around.

(09-27-2021 10:58 PM)KickItToScotty Wrote:  

(09-27-2021 10:35 PM)Purple Wrote:  If we don't find a really good FBS conference home this go-round, without question FBS indy is the answer! It would likely be better than some conference options.

Suppose the musical chairs are all filled and JMU is left with CUSA and its dysfunctional, far-flung membership. What is better, CUSA or indy? No question, indy is the better option. CUSA blows dead livestock.

Yep that's my biggest fear this time around, that the Sun Belt ends up expanding enough that they add the only schools that keep CUSA from being an absolutely terrible option but not enough that they add JMU. I really hope JMU is FBS or bust this time around and if that happens the only thing to maybe debate will be whether independent is feasible and a better option than CUSA at that point instead of debating CAA vs CUSA. And I mean, if the Sun Belt adds Marshall, ODU, maybe even WKU then would the remnants of CUSA really be better and easier to manage than independent football? Even the schedules of awful programs like UMass and UConn look better than the schedule you'd get out of a CUSA like that. Way better honestly.

Of course above hoping JMU still makes the jump if it comes to that, I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. But as far as things JMU can control, I hope staying CAA football isn't even an option this time around.

If JMU wants Sun Belt or CUSA and doesn't get it, then FBS Indy is our only option. Waiting for a new regional conference isn't going to do it.
There was anger last time when we didn't go FBS, but I cannot help but think that anger could turn to apathy if we don't go FBS this time.
We have outgrown FCS and the CAA. Have to move on.

(09-27-2021 02:28 PM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  

(09-27-2021 12:57 PM)94computerguy Wrote:  

(09-26-2021 12:36 PM)boozeNammo Wrote:  The CAA certainly has diminished over the years. Yesterday was pretty reflective of that. I do hope we jump, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. There really isn't a great spot for us at the moment especially when considering the full allotment of sports that JMU offers.

I think that "there isn't a great spot for us", unfortunately, includes the CAA. Being in the CAA hurts the softball team, women's hoops, and probably a bunch of other sports that I don't even know about. Didn't JMU win the CAA in something like 60% of the sports they compete in? That means we just don't fit anymore. If it's because JMU changed or the league did, that doesn't really matter.

The issue in the CAA isn't us winning so much as it is that the conference is an island of misfit toys. If the conference still had VCU, ODU, Mason and Richmond there'd be reason to stay, but that hasn't been the case for 7 years now.

Hofstra, Drexel and Northeastern make no sense as conference mates for JMU. Towson athletics is a complete joke (outside of Lacrosse), W&M should be in the Patriot League at this point and Delaware's fan base is older than former Freshman team walk-on Joe Biden. Elon doesn't move the needle for anybody. College of Charleston and UNCW are okay to align with but neither sponsor football, which is our bread and butter.

I think too much is made about travel requirements of being in the Sun Belt/CUSA. The CAA makes no sense anymore and when JMU leaves the remaining schools are going to be acquired by other conferences. Hofstra, Drexel, NE, Towson and Delaware will go to the America East, W&M will go to the Patriot and UNCW, Elon and CoC will go to the Southern....all make much more sense than keeping this zombie conference alive.

Nail on the head. JMU is just the first domino that the rest of us are waiting to fall. So naturally, most of us are hoping it falls sooner rather than later.

(09-28-2021 09:29 AM)jcohen42 Wrote:  

(09-27-2021 02:28 PM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  

(09-27-2021 12:57 PM)94computerguy Wrote:  

(09-26-2021 12:36 PM)boozeNammo Wrote:  The CAA certainly has diminished over the years. Yesterday was pretty reflective of that. I do hope we jump, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. There really isn't a great spot for us at the moment especially when considering the full allotment of sports that JMU offers.

I think that "there isn't a great spot for us", unfortunately, includes the CAA. Being in the CAA hurts the softball team, women's hoops, and probably a bunch of other sports that I don't even know about. Didn't JMU win the CAA in something like 60% of the sports they compete in? That means we just don't fit anymore. If it's because JMU changed or the league did, that doesn't really matter.

The issue in the CAA isn't us winning so much as it is that the conference is an island of misfit toys. If the conference still had VCU, ODU, Mason and Richmond there'd be reason to stay, but that hasn't been the case for 7 years now.

Hofstra, Drexel and Northeastern make no sense as conference mates for JMU. Towson athletics is a complete joke (outside of Lacrosse), W&M should be in the Patriot League at this point and Delaware's fan base is older than former Freshman team walk-on Joe Biden. Elon doesn't move the needle for anybody. College of Charleston and UNCW are okay to align with but neither sponsor football, which is our bread and butter.

I think too much is made about travel requirements of being in the Sun Belt/CUSA. The CAA makes no sense anymore and when JMU leaves the remaining schools are going to be acquired by other conferences. Hofstra, Drexel, NE, Towson and Delaware will go to the America East, W&M will go to the Patriot and UNCW, Elon and CoC will go to the Southern....all make much more sense than keeping this zombie conference alive.

Nail on the head. JMU is just the first domino that the rest of us are waiting to fall. So naturally, most of us are hoping it falls sooner rather than later.

The first domino fell years ago. JMU would just be the next phase. I still think the CAA moves on with or without JMU. It certainly hurts the media deal, but that's the CAA's fault relying on one school to make the deal beneficial for them.
Here's something to consider as well. If JMU stays, the CAA is only going to double down, not the other way around. They are going to continue to take advantage of JMU until JMU says 'enough' and leaves. Until they do, the CAA will continue to take advantage of JMU.
JMU stayed in the CAA the last time around due to Virginia being a major hub for the conference. Since then, the CAA hasn't done anything to encourage JMU to stay. They see the writing on the wall and will continue to milk JMU and the fan base.
The CAA is going to have to make a move at expanding to stay alive after JMU leaves. The CAA is going to have to make some moves to stay relevant. I think they will be around for at least the next 10 years and maybe even more. IMO, I think they may put a stronger focus on basketball schools if JMU leaves.

Since I live here in the Burg, thought I would pass this on. About 2:30 PM yesterday an unfamiliar twin engine aircraft kept circling the JMU campus at minimum altitude for 5 or 6 minutes. I say unfamiliar because I am at SHD a lot and just never seen the markings (stripes and graphics) before. I couldn't get the N numbers, so cant run a FAA ck. Just some more kindling, may be nothing or might be something.

Keep in mind... 'CAA Football' is a distinctly different organization from that of 'the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)'. It would be somewhat easy for CAA Football to morph in any regard compared to the CAA. Nuance, I know, but it plays a roll in all of this.

Brett McMurphy believes that AFA and Colorado State could be invited to the AAC as early as next week. This would put the AAC at 10 so they may not be done after these invites. Seems to be the first domino that would fall and begin the next round of realignment.

(09-28-2021 10:02 AM)bridgeforthduke Wrote:  Brett McMurphy believes that AFA and Colorado State could be invited to the AAC as early as next week. This would put the AAC at 10 so they may not be done after these invites. Seems to be the first domino that would fall and begin the next round of realignment.

If the MWC already knows of their departure, they are probably the next to make a move. I could see them taking a school or two from CUSA or Sun Belt. I think that will give a clearer picture of where things are going.

The sooner the dominos start to fall the better. Let's get this started. We know those two schools are the next in line, so let's knock them over and see what goes next. We could be a couple down the line and who knows how long it will be between each domino. However, I don't think the conferences that are losing schools will want to wait long before replacing the departing schools.

(09-28-2021 10:23 AM)jmufan2008 Wrote:  The sooner the dominos start to fall the better. Let's get this started. We know those two schools are the next in line, so let's knock them over and see what goes next. We could be a couple down the line and who knows how long it will be between each domino. However, I don't think the conferences that are losing schools will want to wait long before replacing the departing schools.

Agree. I think things will move pretty quick. We knew about the MWC departures about a week ago. Most likely the conference knew before that. It would be silly for them to wait.
However it is a bit odd that no rumors on that front have leaked. Perhaps the MWC will not expand and stay at 10. That may delay the next moves a little.
Another thing to consider: perhaps when the Sun Belt said they were making plans to expand that they already knew they were expanding and who they wanted to add.
If so, that could happen pretty quickly as well. If the Sun Belt is planning to take from CUSA, then CUSA would probably know like the MW and planning to make moves as well.
Conferences are not going to want to wait around or else they will be left behind or may lose schools they were interested in adding.
I do think we will know by the end of the year (at the latest) where we may be going.

In the meantime, it would behoove us all to be underwhelmed. The environment may seem right for a move to happen, I'm just not seeing the landscape opportunity that would 'move the needle' with our admins for making a move.

Is moving to the SoCo an option?

Texas A&M Commerce moving to the Southland and FCS.

(09-28-2021 11:04 AM)boozeNammo Wrote:  In the meantime, it would behoove us all to be underwhelmed. The environment may seem right for a move to happen, I'm just not seeing the landscape opportunity that would 'move the needle' with our admins for making a move.

Is moving to the SoCo an option?

Keep 'en all the options on the table.

https://conferenceusa.com/news/2021/9/28...sport.aspx

Cusa adds beach volleyball. Title IX assistance in conjunction with more football scholarships for JMU and checks some other boxes as well.

(09-28-2021 01:17 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  https://conferenceusa.com/news/2021/9/28...sport.aspx

Cusa adds beach volleyball. Title IX assistance in conjunction with more football scholarships for JMU and checks some other boxes as well.

I'm a bit confused by what you mean. How does this help JMU?
I could see that they are actually doing something, so good for them.
Interesting to see that several programs from the Sun Belt are joining them.
That certainly sounds more like a partnership than anything.
I've always thought CUSA teams would go to the Sun Belt than vice versa. That certainly sounds like both sides are on good terms.

(09-28-2021 02:22 PM)JMad03 Wrote:  

(09-28-2021 01:17 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  https://conferenceusa.com/news/2021/9/28...sport.aspx

Cusa adds beach volleyball. Title IX assistance in conjunction with more football scholarships for JMU and checks some other boxes as well.

I'm a bit confused by what you mean. How does this help JMU?
I could see that they are actually doing something, so good for them.
Interesting to see that several programs from the Sun Belt are joining them.
That certainly sounds more like a partnership than anything.
I've always thought CUSA teams would go to the Sun Belt than vice versa. That certainly sounds like both sides are on good terms.

I think the thinking is that JMU offering beach volleyball helps us add women's scholarships to offset the cost of additional scholarships for football. I am pretty sure ye Olde Carr Report said we shouldn't need to add any women's scholarships should we move up, but I don't know how the past few years have impacted and changed the student body percentages.

Quote from an App State fan on the Sunbelt forum:

“I've been texting a friend this morning that works at WTOP and he swears up and down that JMU is going to the AAC and I can't convince him otherwise.


He's not a sports reporter.”

(09-28-2021 02:44 PM)James Madison Wrote:  Quote from an App State fan on the Sunbelt forum:

“I've been texting a friend this morning that works at WTOP and he swears up and down that JMU is going to the AAC and I can't convince him otherwise.


He's not a sports reporter.”

link?

(09-28-2021 02:50 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(09-28-2021 02:44 PM)James Madison Wrote:  Quote from an App State fan on the Sunbelt forum:

“I've been texting a friend this morning that works at WTOP and he swears up and down that JMU is going to the AAC and I can't convince him otherwise.


He's not a sports reporter.”

link?

https://csnbbs.com/thread-930714-page-6.html
Post #110