(08-08-2021 05:17 PM)Oldyeller Wrote:  Rumors or hearsay are pretty powerful tools. If it is true that App is getting looks from the AAC it's Katy bar the door. GS's having a meltdown. Marshall's pissed. USM sees a solid out losing some bling. The Sun Belt can replace Ga state. We'll likely be glad we did in a few years. We need a presence Florida. App's a little tougher but IF Marshall takes the jump anyway we're right back where we were. In a dam good spot. IF Southern Miss follows and we add UAB it's all good. App fans dancing in the streets but will soon find the dollars get stretched thin getting skull drug in every sport other than football. We just carry on and keep building in a blue collar slobber knockin football conference.

We don't have the budget for the AAC. That became very clear during a fact finding trip to 3 AAC schools a couple of years ago.

(08-08-2021 03:20 PM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  I've long said Marshall and Southern Miss would be the only two teams from CUSA that I'd love to see in the Sun Belt. I don't know if it will ever happen but if we were to get those two or a Marshall/UAB combo the Sun Belt would cut the heart out of CUSA.

Any mix of Marshall, USM. UAB, Rice would be fine by me

(08-08-2021 06:09 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  I'd honestly rather have La Tech than USM.

*ducks*

One other question...do Marshall fans still think they won't go to a conference with no Florida presence?

Then we’d have to boot ULM. They would never allow LaTurd in and LaTurd would never join with them in.

(08-08-2021 05:58 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:48 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:46 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  Marshall and Southern Miss…done!

If only compromise was that easy.

App is going to push for ODU as the 2nd, and there will have to be some agreements between App/stAte/UL to get USM added instead.

It makes no sense to add two schools in the East. I don’t see how anyone could spin that.

ODU ain’t on my wish list BUT they have serious potential. Basically a metro the size of Oklahoma City with no P5, and no other FBS nearby. Long hump from any major pro team and nearest FBS I believe is ECU.

Not who I’m hoping for but fully understand the potential attraction to SBC presidents.

(08-08-2021 06:33 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:17 PM)Oldyeller Wrote:  Rumors or hearsay are pretty powerful tools. If it is true that App is getting looks from the AAC it's Katy bar the door. GS's having a meltdown. Marshall's pissed. USM sees a solid out losing some bling. The Sun Belt can replace Ga state. We'll likely be glad we did in a few years. We need a presence Florida. App's a little tougher but IF Marshall takes the jump anyway we're right back where we were. In a dam good spot. IF Southern Miss follows and we add UAB it's all good. App fans dancing in the streets but will soon find the dollars get stretched thin getting skull drug in every sport other than football. We just carry on and keep building in a blue collar slobber knockin football conference.

We don't have the budget for the AAC. That became very clear during a fact finding trip to 3 AAC schools a couple of years ago.

Full disclosure the attention Apps getting is worse than covid if your a GS fan. But thankfully your there. Add Marshall to that mix and the stench from losing becomes so toxic that not even Jehasus could stand it. I'm telling you this is the medicine for this conference to continue to grow at the pace we've enjoyed the last couple of years. It'll be tough but winning will be so sweet.....

(08-08-2021 06:49 PM)geauxcajuns Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:09 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  I'd honestly rather have La Tech than USM.

*ducks*

One other question...do Marshall fans still think they won't go to a conference with no Florida presence?

Then we’d have to boot ULM. They would never allow LaTurd in and LaTurd would never join with them in.

They aren’t our first choice, but I think ULM would not try to block them. They would definitely not want to join with us in and would try to have us booted. That’s how they roll.

I would hope that we are talking to Marshall, ODU, Charlotte, UAB, UTSA and SoMiss. ESPN likes The Belt and MACtion. I imagine that Gill knows what happens to contract if x number of schools are added.

Why not add any combination of those above or all? ESPN will pay out.

I don't think that AAC is anywhere close to having the hand that they are trying to play. Unless the Big12 merges with another conference, they will be adding from AAC and there are none of us that come anywhere close to what they will be loosing just the same as the Big 12. Memphis, Cincinnati, Houston UCF don't come anywhere close to what they have lost or may still yet loose. Cincinnati could be a ACC target so they may have options.

ODU has the largest athletic budget out of all of us. Close behind are Charlotte and North Texas all in the $55 to $60mm range.

(08-08-2021 06:58 PM)Arrowhead Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:49 PM)geauxcajuns Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:09 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  I'd honestly rather have La Tech than USM.

*ducks*

One other question...do Marshall fans still think they won't go to a conference with no Florida presence?

Then we’d have to boot ULM. They would never allow LaTurd in and LaTurd would never join with them in.

They aren’t our first choice, but I think ULM would not try to block them. They would definitely not want to join with us in and would try to have us booted. That’s how they roll.

Agreed. Considering all the reedickulous ‘separation’ bragging that we’ve had to endure from that trash ‘school,’ I say USM is by far the better choice. They have a much better legacy, and a better road trip than having to trudge up to the wasteland that is Ruston.

(08-08-2021 06:51 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:58 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:48 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:46 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  Marshall and Southern Miss…done!

If only compromise was that easy.

App is going to push for ODU as the 2nd, and there will have to be some agreements between App/stAte/UL to get USM added instead.

It makes no sense to add two schools in the East. I don’t see how anyone could spin that.

ODU ain’t on my wish list BUT they have serious potential. Basically a metro the size of Oklahoma City with no P5, and no other FBS nearby. Long hump from any major pro team and nearest FBS I believe is ECU.

Not who I’m hoping for but fully understand the potential attraction to SBC presidents.

Didn’t they just build a new football stadium? Shows some intent and that’s important.

(08-08-2021 05:58 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:48 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:46 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  Marshall and Southern Miss…done!

If only compromise was that easy.

App is going to push for ODU as the 2nd, and there will have to be some agreements between App/stAte/UL to get USM added instead.

It makes no sense to add two schools in the East. I don’t see how anyone could spin that.

The only reason I could see it working is if Troy wanted to move to the western division in football. Then I could see why ODU might be considered or another eastern located school.

(08-08-2021 05:55 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 04:56 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 04:52 PM)MUsince96 Wrote:  If we were to leave I wonder who the 2nd (or 3rd and 4th) team would be?

I’m gonna assume ODU, Charlotte, UAB, or Southern Miss would be the options.

I don't think we know who the 2nd team would be.

My assumption is it won’t be any schools who left last go round. 1. Because pride is a real factor on their part and 2. I’m not sure the Sun Belt would want to throw them a life boat.

I don’t think we want to add former members but WKU would be a solid consideration.

(08-08-2021 07:17 PM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:51 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:58 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:48 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:46 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  Marshall and Southern Miss…done!

If only compromise was that easy.

App is going to push for ODU as the 2nd, and there will have to be some agreements between App/stAte/UL to get USM added instead.

It makes no sense to add two schools in the East. I don’t see how anyone could spin that.

ODU ain’t on my wish list BUT they have serious potential. Basically a metro the size of Oklahoma City with no P5, and no other FBS nearby. Long hump from any major pro team and nearest FBS I believe is ECU.

Not who I’m hoping for but fully understand the potential attraction to SBC presidents.

Didn’t they just build a new football stadium? Shows some intent and that’s important.

Tidewater VA is huge fertile recruiting ground ODU has easy time scheduling home/home with NC and VA ACC schools.

The name of this game is solidifying the conference as the #2 G5 and maybe the #1 depending on what happens with the aac. If you can still bring in status quo dollars per team by adding Marshall, UAB, USM, and Tech, it would effectively cripple CUSA and propel the Belt far above the MAC and CUSA and probably the MWC.

(08-08-2021 07:20 PM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:58 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:48 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 05:46 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  Marshall and Southern Miss…done!

If only compromise was that easy.

App is going to push for ODU as the 2nd, and there will have to be some agreements between App/stAte/UL to get USM added instead.

It makes no sense to add two schools in the East. I don’t see how anyone could spin that.

The only reason I could see it working is if Troy wanted to move to the western division in football. Then I could see why ODU might be considered or another eastern located school.

That would make some sense with football. With that said Southern Miss. would be my second choice for selfish reasons…plus they’re solid in baseball.

Please, no to ODU. Their last win was 708 days ago, they won the season opener against an FCS in 2019, Aug 31, 2019. Their last win over an FBS school was UNT, 1002 days ago....... Budgets don’t win ball games.

Stick with Marshall, USM and UAB in that order. No to ODU or UNCC, please, NO!!!!

(08-08-2021 07:31 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Please, no to ODU. Their last win was 708 days ago, they won the season opener against an FCS in 2019, Aug 31, 2019. Their last win over an FBS school was UNT, 1002 days ago....... Budgets don’t win ball games.

Stick with Marshall, USM and UAB in that order. No to ODU or UNCC, please, NO!!!!

Yep. I don’t see any advantage to ODU, but this is more of an eastern conf question, so I’ll defer to them.

(08-08-2021 07:40 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 07:31 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Please, no to ODU. Their last win was 708 days ago, they won the season opener against an FCS in 2019, Aug 31, 2019. Their last win over an FBS school was UNT, 1002 days ago....... Budgets don’t win ball games.

Stick with Marshall, USM and UAB in that order. No to ODU or UNCC, please, NO!!!!

Yep. I don’t see any advantage to ODU, but this is more of an eastern conf question, so I’ll defer to them.

I don't have an issue with ODU as a replacement for Georgia State should GSU get that call up to the American...

(08-08-2021 06:09 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  I'd honestly rather have La Tech than USM.

*ducks*

One other question...do Marshall fans still think they won't go to a conference with no Florida presence?

We can always schedule OOC games in Florida. That’s not a deal breaker. ESP considering our current Florida presence is only F_U twins. Not like we would be giving up UCF or USF.

(08-08-2021 07:11 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:58 PM)Arrowhead Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:49 PM)geauxcajuns Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:09 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  I'd honestly rather have La Tech than USM.

*ducks*

One other question...do Marshall fans still think they won't go to a conference with no Florida presence?

Then we’d have to boot ULM. They would never allow LaTurd in and LaTurd would never join with them in.

They aren’t our first choice, but I think ULM would not try to block them. They would definitely not want to join with us in and would try to have us booted. That’s how they roll.

Agreed. Considering all the reedickulous ‘separation’ bragging that we’ve had to endure from that trash ‘school,’ I say USM is by far the better choice. They have a much better legacy, and a better road trip than having to trudge up to the wasteland that is Ruston.

Oh I would way rather have USM and the tech can keep their separation.

(08-08-2021 06:20 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  

(08-08-2021 06:09 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  I'd honestly rather have La Tech than USM.

*ducks*

One other question...do Marshall fans still think they won't go to a conference with no Florida presence?

I read the Marshall board. They think they are better than the Belt . They don't know about our media deal or the fact we are a better league. Marshall would rather be in a weak regional conference than a strong growing conference. They are uneducated about the Belt.

You read the wrong board. On Herdfans, they are concerned about basketball and that's about it. Football is a no-brainer. Basketball is worth discussing but isn't going to drive a media deal in the Sunbelt or CUSA. It's a wash, imo.

As to who to add: Marshall, UAB, USM, and ODU. Kill CUSA,
drop ULM and anything in Texas. Shrinks the footprint, adds quality basketball, adds good brands, adds good football, cements the belt as #2 at worst. I have nothing against any teams in the west, but if this is a wishlist that would be mine.