before i clicked on this thread i thought it read SEC not SBC. i was like WTF?

(10-20-2021 04:11 PM)gosports1 Wrote:  before i clicked on this thread i thought it read SEC not SBC. i was like WTF?

David St thread, Missouri St to the SEC....

But seriously, one day, it will be ND, OSU, UM, and USC to the SEC!

(10-20-2021 04:03 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:00 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:52 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Why would UTEP take that? A "guarantee" doesn't give you more security than being a bona-fide equity member of a conference does.

I'm sure something could be worked out to where UTEP is not an affiliate but a member with full rights in the sport of football.

What are you offering UTEP that they haven't already got?

The WAC #14 slot and non revenue sports travel to TX and neighboring western states. No more travel to the east coast for non football

LOL, you want them to volunteer for the perilous status that NMSU has and join Southland v. 2.0.

If they get an acceptable arrangement to remain in CUSA for football why not?

(10-20-2021 03:45 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:43 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Chattanooga hinted FBS, and I remembered their rivalry games with App State and Georgia Southern.

NC A&T, UCA, North Alabama, EKU, Jacksonville State, North Florida adding football, Youngstown State, Stony Brook, Northern Iowa, SHSU, SFAU, Lamar and North Dakota State are options for C-USA. North Dakota State is another.

Throwing pooh against the wall and hoping it sticks I see?

If you get the right schools that have a good football and men's basketball instead of markets? CBS might up their media rights. CBS loves men's basketball.

(10-20-2021 05:29 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:03 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:00 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)solohawks Wrote:  I'm sure something could be worked out to where UTEP is not an affiliate but a member with full rights in the sport of football.

What are you offering UTEP that they haven't already got?

The WAC #14 slot and non revenue sports travel to TX and neighboring western states. No more travel to the east coast for non football

LOL, you want them to volunteer for the perilous status that NMSU has and join Southland v. 2.0.

If they get an acceptable arrangement to remain in CUSA for football why not?

I was initially Harley skeptical, because travel in the whack would not be fun for UTEP.

But travel in the next edition of conference USA, adding James Madison and Liberty, it's pretty much a nightmare.
The CUSA lineup we had a couple weeks ago,. You had nine schools within an hour of the reasonably sized airport there nearest to. And then you had Louisiana tech Marshall Southern Miss and Western Kentucky.

The CUSA lineup we're talking about everyone except Florida international, MTSU and Old Dominion is a long flight plus a significant bus ride. Huntington,, Harrisonburg Lynchburg, Ruston are not within an hour of their local major airports. Flying to Vegas and getting on a bus to St George Utah is not an ideal weekend getaway. What it is probably better than trying to figure out a flight to Richmond Virginia so you can take it two or three hour bus ride to a place general Sheridan burned down.

(10-20-2021 02:51 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:37 PM)CenterSquarEd Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:25 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 01:21 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  https://twitter.com/chrisvannini/status/...81195?s=21

Finally something other than anonymous twitter.

Of course they told McMurphy no additions.

Maybe nobody in the CUSA was interested. But after 6 left they are suddenly listening.

Still think the Sun Belt is the weakest link because they have the weakest links at the bottom. Makes more sense to add the top 6 Sun Belt to the CUSA.

I’m not sure this story is inconsistent with McMurphy’s reporting, basically the Sun Belt is considering its options:”stay at 10 football members, add two or add four. Growing to 14 is on the table, and staying within the footprint is important, as much of the league currently buses its sports team to many SBC competitions.”

“People in the Sun Belt were largely surprised by the AAC’s decision to go big and feel it’s a sign of desperation. The Mountain West stayed pat and the Sun Belt could too if it doesn’t see enough value in the other options.”

And then the review of the options seems more speculative than sourced.

Whether any of the C-USA members want to apply for SBC membership is another matter.

ODU has constantly talked about reducing travel. Joining a conference with Arkansas St., ULM, ULL, Texas St., UTA and UALR doesn't really accomplish that. They have a nice 4 with WKU, MTSU, Marshall and ODU.

One Texas team vs the four they had in CUSA
Swap AState 984 miles for UNT 1384
ULM 1094 for UTSA 1555
UL 1172 for Rice 1388
TXST 1522 for UTEP 2000

Then swap Georgia State 597 for FIU 963

(10-20-2021 05:43 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:51 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:37 PM)CenterSquarEd Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:25 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 01:21 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  https://twitter.com/chrisvannini/status/...81195?s=21

Finally something other than anonymous twitter.

Of course they told McMurphy no additions.

Maybe nobody in the CUSA was interested. But after 6 left they are suddenly listening.

Still think the Sun Belt is the weakest link because they have the weakest links at the bottom. Makes more sense to add the top 6 Sun Belt to the CUSA.

I’m not sure this story is inconsistent with McMurphy’s reporting, basically the Sun Belt is considering its options:”stay at 10 football members, add two or add four. Growing to 14 is on the table, and staying within the footprint is important, as much of the league currently buses its sports team to many SBC competitions.”

“People in the Sun Belt were largely surprised by the AAC’s decision to go big and feel it’s a sign of desperation. The Mountain West stayed pat and the Sun Belt could too if it doesn’t see enough value in the other options.”

And then the review of the options seems more speculative than sourced.

Whether any of the C-USA members want to apply for SBC membership is another matter.

ODU has constantly talked about reducing travel. Joining a conference with Arkansas St., ULM, ULL, Texas St., UTA and UALR doesn't really accomplish that. They have a nice 4 with WKU, MTSU, Marshall and ODU.

One Texas team vs the four they had in CUSA
Swap AState 984 miles for UNT 1384
ULM 1094 for UTSA 1555
UL 1172 for Rice 1388
TXST 1522 for UTEP 2000

Then swap Georgia State 597 for FIU 963

3 of those Texas schools and 1 of the South Florida schools are gone.

(10-20-2021 03:04 PM)RUScarlets Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:59 PM)bullet Wrote:  If it means killing off one of the G5, it could be profitable.

It isn't profitable until you can get the same Conf USA carrying networks in a bidding war with ESPN. It's tough when you hurt those rival TV entities only to expect them to come back and scratch your back on the next TV cycle. But yeah, CBS Sports can and will void their existing deals, and if they want property down the line, there will be less, more concentrated supply.

If one of the G5 go away it:
1) means CFP G playoff money only gets split 4 ways;
2) consolidation of college football TV suppliers lends to better contracts.

(10-20-2021 03:43 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Chattanooga hinted FBS, and I remembered their rivalry games with App State and Georgia Southern.

NC A&T, UCA, North Alabama, EKU, Jacksonville State, North Florida adding football, Youngstown State, Stony Brook, Northern Iowa, SHSU, SFAU, Lamar and North Dakota State are options for C-USA. North Dakota State is another.

The only way UNF adds football is if the Jags left town.

(10-20-2021 05:29 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:03 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:00 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)solohawks Wrote:  I'm sure something could be worked out to where UTEP is not an affiliate but a member with full rights in the sport of football.

What are you offering UTEP that they haven't already got?

The WAC #14 slot and non revenue sports travel to TX and neighboring western states. No more travel to the east coast for non football

LOL, you want them to volunteer for the perilous status that NMSU has and join Southland v. 2.0.

If they get an acceptable arrangement to remain in CUSA for football why not?

There is no such acceptable arrangement. Solely for the convenience of schools who joined CUSA after UTEP was already there, you want them to join a hopeless and overly large mishmash of a conference that goes 1400 miles from El Paso in one direction and 800 miles from El Paso in the other and includes several schools that have only been in Division I for a few months. That is not a benefit to UTEP over remaining as a full member of CUSA.

They are hooting and howling in the SBC board. I don’t think Marshall ODU can anchor a conference that also has to accommodate Texas St and UTEP…. It’s comical to think they’d commit to that.

Odds are, they disband and lure some MAC teams for a NE conference (<1% chance).

Most likely they go with the Sun Belt. The Herd vs Mountaineers game did very well. They are going to the SBC.

WKU and MTSU are screwed most likely (if JMU is also in). Have to petition the MAC to throw them a bone. LA Tech is screwed. Time for a WAC rebirth.

I can’t see this playing out any other way.

(10-20-2021 08:13 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 05:29 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:03 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:00 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  What are you offering UTEP that they haven't already got?

The WAC #14 slot and non revenue sports travel to TX and neighboring western states. No more travel to the east coast for non football

LOL, you want them to volunteer for the perilous status that NMSU has and join Southland v. 2.0.

If they get an acceptable arrangement to remain in CUSA for football why not?

There is no such acceptable arrangement. Solely for the convenience of schools who joined CUSA after UTEP was already there, you want them to join a hopeless and overly large mishmash of a conference that goes 1400 miles from El Paso in one direction and 800 miles from El Paso in the other and includes several schools that have only been in Division I for a few months. That is not a benefit to UTEP over remaining as a full member of CUSA.

Why would staying in CUSA and sending non revenue sports to FIU, LA Tech, MTSU, Wku and whomever else they can round up be better than being in a Southwestern based conference? As long as CUSA will let UTEP be football member and not a contract affiliate, it's a win win.

Unless the MWC comes calling there is not a better solution

It'll be interesting to see. If all four go to the SBC, the survival of CUSA hinges on WKU and MTSU. If they leave for the MAC, then the conference is dead and I think that ultimately LT and UTEP end up joining NMSU, Sam Houston State, SFA, and a couple of other FCS call ups in a new FBS zombie WAC. Meanwhile, FIU would likely end up in an FBS ASun along with Liberty, Jacksonville State, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Missouri State, and whoever else they can nab.

If MTSU and WKU remain, then I think the focus shifts to adding some combination of NMSU, SFA, Sam Houston, Jacksonville State, Missouri State, UMASS, and UCONN. My guess is that they'd aim to get to 8 full members and at least 10 football members (so they can split into divisions for travel).

How the hell is a conference with teams from NMSU to MTSU and FIU with FCS call ups in between viable? Hell, they are even talking Liberty and UMass just to stay above the minimum… The travel is a death knell. MTSU has to basically buy itself into the MAC and operate at a significant loss if it has to. No way I’m flying football to Miami and El Paso on an even more diluted streaming deal. Take whatever exit money you get, sue, litigate, and buy yourself into the MAC or MWC at a loss. Or use the savings to stay afloat as an Indy for a while, but not too long.

(10-20-2021 08:13 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 05:29 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:03 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:00 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 03:55 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  What are you offering UTEP that they haven't already got?

The WAC #14 slot and non revenue sports travel to TX and neighboring western states. No more travel to the east coast for non football

LOL, you want them to volunteer for the perilous status that NMSU has and join Southland v. 2.0.

If they get an acceptable arrangement to remain in CUSA for football why not?

There is no such acceptable arrangement. Solely for the convenience of schools who joined CUSA after UTEP was already there, you want them to join a hopeless and overly large mishmash of a conference that goes 1400 miles from El Paso in one direction and 800 miles from El Paso in the other and includes several schools that have only been in Division I for a few months. That is not a benefit to UTEP over remaining as a full member of CUSA.

Except that the new CUSA is pretty rough from a UTEP travel standpoint. If you're flying commercial, you're probably talking about 2 planes and a long bus ride or a puddle-jumping commuter flight to get from El Paso to Dallas to Richmond to Lynchburg or Harrisonburg, or Dallas to Nashville to Bowling Green KY, or Dallas to ??? to Huntington WV.

Not that flying to Houston or DFW and riding a bus for an hour or two to Davy Crockett State U is a picnic either, but the WAC has 4 schools in big cities, 4 schools within 100 miles of Houston or Dallas, and 4 schools that are just rough to get to (Abilene, UT-RGV, Southern UTah, Dixie State) plus NMSU.

If ODU and MArshall get James Madison and Liberty to join their eastern bus league, CUSA has FIU in Miami, Middle Tennessee by Nashville, Old Dominion in Norfolk, vs Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, Marshall, Liberty and James Madison.

(10-20-2021 08:46 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 08:13 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 05:29 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:03 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:00 PM)solohawks Wrote:  The WAC #14 slot and non revenue sports travel to TX and neighboring western states. No more travel to the east coast for non football

LOL, you want them to volunteer for the perilous status that NMSU has and join Southland v. 2.0.

If they get an acceptable arrangement to remain in CUSA for football why not?

There is no such acceptable arrangement. Solely for the convenience of schools who joined CUSA after UTEP was already there, you want them to join a hopeless and overly large mishmash of a conference that goes 1400 miles from El Paso in one direction and 800 miles from El Paso in the other and includes several schools that have only been in Division I for a few months. That is not a benefit to UTEP over remaining as a full member of CUSA.

Except that the new CUSA is pretty rough from a UTEP travel standpoint. If you're flying commercial, you're probably talking about 2 planes and a long bus ride or a puddle-jumping commuter flight to get from El Paso to Dallas to Richmond to Lynchburg or Harrisonburg, or Dallas to Nashville to Bowling Green KY, or Dallas to ??? to Huntington WV.

Not that flying to Houston or DFW and riding a bus for an hour or two to Davy Crockett State U is a picnic either, but the WAC has 4 schools in big cities, 4 schools within 100 miles of Houston or Dallas, and 4 schools that are just rough to get to (Abilene, UT-RGV, Southern UTah, Dixie State) plus NMSU.

If ODU and MArshall get James Madison and Liberty to join their eastern bus league, CUSA has FIU in Miami, Middle Tennessee by Nashville, Old Dominion in Norfolk, vs Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, Marshall, Liberty and James Madison.

Nashville to WKU is a pretty quick and painless bus ride (around an hour on i-65).

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

CUSA 4.0? W)UTEP, NMSU, Missouri St., La. Tech, Jacksonville St. E)MTSU, WKU, FIU, EKU, Liberty. Also add UTA, UALR for their sports. If they could talk ACU and another Texas school to moving fbs they could throw JSU in the East.

(10-20-2021 08:46 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 08:13 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 05:29 PM)solohawks Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:03 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 04:00 PM)solohawks Wrote:  The WAC #14 slot and non revenue sports travel to TX and neighboring western states. No more travel to the east coast for non football

LOL, you want them to volunteer for the perilous status that NMSU has and join Southland v. 2.0.

If they get an acceptable arrangement to remain in CUSA for football why not?

There is no such acceptable arrangement. Solely for the convenience of schools who joined CUSA after UTEP was already there, you want them to join a hopeless and overly large mishmash of a conference that goes 1400 miles from El Paso in one direction and 800 miles from El Paso in the other and includes several schools that have only been in Division I for a few months. That is not a benefit to UTEP over remaining as a full member of CUSA.

Except that the new CUSA is pretty rough from a UTEP travel standpoint. If you're flying commercial, you're probably talking about 2 planes and a long bus ride or a puddle-jumping commuter flight to get from El Paso to Dallas to Richmond to Lynchburg or Harrisonburg, or Dallas to Nashville to Bowling Green KY, or Dallas to ??? to Huntington WV.

Not that flying to Houston or DFW and riding a bus for an hour or two to Davy Crockett State U is a picnic either, but the WAC has 4 schools in big cities, 4 schools within 100 miles of Houston or Dallas, and 4 schools that are just rough to get to (Abilene, UT-RGV, Southern UTah, Dixie State) plus NMSU.

If ODU and MArshall get James Madison and Liberty to join their eastern bus league, CUSA has FIU in Miami, Middle Tennessee by Nashville, Old Dominion in Norfolk, vs Louisiana Tech, Western Kentucky, Marshall, Liberty and James Madison.

The WAC has only three teams within one hour of an airport that gets nonstop flights from El Paso. The travel would not be better for UTEP. Flying to Seattle from El Paso would be a long trip requiring a change of planes just like flying to Miami.

Also: Are CUSA supporters really arguing that WAC schools like Lamar, Tarleton, California Baptist, Dixie State, etc. are equal in status to ODU, Marshall, WKU, etc., and thus this hypothetical change would be no worse than a wash for UTEP? I would be surprised if they are asserting that.

Wrong. Alaska Air has direct flights from El Paso to Seattle. Change of planes? Lol

https://m.alaskaair.com/shopping/flights

(10-20-2021 06:43 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 05:43 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:51 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:37 PM)CenterSquarEd Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 02:25 PM)bullet Wrote:  Finally something other than anonymous twitter.

Of course they told McMurphy no additions.

Maybe nobody in the CUSA was interested. But after 6 left they are suddenly listening.

Still think the Sun Belt is the weakest link because they have the weakest links at the bottom. Makes more sense to add the top 6 Sun Belt to the CUSA.

I’m not sure this story is inconsistent with McMurphy’s reporting, basically the Sun Belt is considering its options:”stay at 10 football members, add two or add four. Growing to 14 is on the table, and staying within the footprint is important, as much of the league currently buses its sports team to many SBC competitions.”

“People in the Sun Belt were largely surprised by the AAC’s decision to go big and feel it’s a sign of desperation. The Mountain West stayed pat and the Sun Belt could too if it doesn’t see enough value in the other options.”

And then the review of the options seems more speculative than sourced.

Whether any of the C-USA members want to apply for SBC membership is another matter.

ODU has constantly talked about reducing travel. Joining a conference with Arkansas St., ULM, ULL, Texas St., UTA and UALR doesn't really accomplish that. They have a nice 4 with WKU, MTSU, Marshall and ODU.

One Texas team vs the four they had in CUSA
Swap AState 984 miles for UNT 1384
ULM 1094 for UTSA 1555
UL 1172 for Rice 1388
TXST 1522 for UTEP 2000

Then swap Georgia State 597 for FIU 963

3 of those Texas schools and 1 of the South Florida schools are gone.

But could end up adding NMSU and who knows who else.