WAC and ASUN football schools understand that FCS is glorified D2 and is a losing money proposition when it comes to football. I have zero issues with these schools trying to figure out a way to make it work in a football only idea.

I think Tarleton, ACU, SFA, Cen Ark, Austin Peay, and EKU will end up in FBS. The other 3 probably went along hoping for an alternative to being independent. U Tech, and SUU can probably go/back to the BSC, but I have no clue what UNA would do. The Dakota (States) along with Missouri State, the Montana's and possibly Idaho, Weber and Chattanooga would probably be interested in joining as well. I can see a 16 team dual division conference here. It may be trimmed to 12-14 but these are the 16 possible candidates that I see. UTRGV can go play in the Southland.

South

Tarleton
ACU
SFA
Cen Ark
Austin Peay
EKU
Miz St
Chattanooga

North

N Dakoka
N Dakota St
S Dakota
S Dakota St
Montana
Montana St
Idaho
Weber St

(12-09-2022 04:17 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 03:52 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 02:01 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  I love this idea but I have concerns.

Realistically, how many of the nine schools will be ready for FBS in two years? I think Tarleton is the closest to being FBS with facilities for the WAC, but we are not there yet. ACU and SFA have to expand their stadiums quickly. North Alabama plays in a high school stadium and I know this because I went to the football game this fall.

What I don’t want to do is become the Southland of FBS. If everybody pumps money into football to move up to FBS, what does it do to the other sports? The WAC has worked really hard to move up in the NET rankings and are currently setting 11th in MBB.

I know there is no magic enrollment number for FBS, but does any of the nine have high enough numbers to sustain FBS?

I am not trying to trash this idea as I want Tarleton to be FBS, but I am not sure this plan right now is the best option. It might be in five to ten years.

Edit. I do think this might encourage UTA to add football.

ACU's stadium was already built to put a 2nd level on the visitor's side and a South endzone complex, so that wouldn't be a problem.

My point about ACU is minimum attendance is 15,000 for FBS, as I understand it. I didn’t think your stadium currently holds that many. I get you can add additional seating.

As for My UTA discussion, they have a new president and new AD so thoughts can change from their time in the SBC.

My understanding of the attendance rule is averaging 15k over two years. It really has not been enforced.

When Coastal Carolina joined thhe Sun Belt their stadium only seated 9k. It took them several years to get to the current capacity of 21k.

(12-10-2022 08:53 AM)EKUSteve Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 04:17 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 03:52 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 02:01 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  I love this idea but I have concerns.

Realistically, how many of the nine schools will be ready for FBS in two years? I think Tarleton is the closest to being FBS with facilities for the WAC, but we are not there yet. ACU and SFA have to expand their stadiums quickly. North Alabama plays in a high school stadium and I know this because I went to the football game this fall.

What I don’t want to do is become the Southland of FBS. If everybody pumps money into football to move up to FBS, what does it do to the other sports? The WAC has worked really hard to move up in the NET rankings and are currently setting 11th in MBB.

I know there is no magic enrollment number for FBS, but does any of the nine have high enough numbers to sustain FBS?

I am not trying to trash this idea as I want Tarleton to be FBS, but I am not sure this plan right now is the best option. It might be in five to ten years.

Edit. I do think this might encourage UTA to add football.

ACU's stadium was already built to put a 2nd level on the visitor's side and a South endzone complex, so that wouldn't be a problem.

My point about ACU is minimum attendance is 15,000 for FBS, as I understand it. I didn’t think your stadium currently holds that many. I get you can add additional seating.

As for My UTA discussion, they have a new president and new AD so thoughts can change from their time in the SBC.

My understanding of the attendance rule is averaging 15k over two years. It really has not been enforced.

When Coastal Carolina joined th
he Sun Belt their stadium only seated 9k. It took them several years to get to the current capacity of 21k.

funny that small regional schools that only dream of 15,000 fans at football games think they should belong with the schools that draw 70-80,000 fans, have nationwide following and hundred million dollar athletic budgets. maybe should become one of the best at this lower level first.

(12-10-2022 09:06 AM)runamuck Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 08:53 AM)EKUSteve Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 04:17 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 03:52 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 02:01 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  I love this idea but I have concerns.

Realistically, how many of the nine schools will be ready for FBS in two years? I think Tarleton is the closest to being FBS with facilities for the WAC, but we are not there yet. ACU and SFA have to expand their stadiums quickly. North Alabama plays in a high school stadium and I know this because I went to the football game this fall.

What I don’t want to do is become the Southland of FBS. If everybody pumps money into football to move up to FBS, what does it do to the other sports? The WAC has worked really hard to move up in the NET rankings and are currently setting 11th in MBB.

I know there is no magic enrollment number for FBS, but does any of the nine have high enough numbers to sustain FBS?

I am not trying to trash this idea as I want Tarleton to be FBS, but I am not sure this plan right now is the best option. It might be in five to ten years.

Edit. I do think this might encourage UTA to add football.

ACU's stadium was already built to put a 2nd level on the visitor's side and a South endzone complex, so that wouldn't be a problem.

My point about ACU is minimum attendance is 15,000 for FBS, as I understand it. I didn’t think your stadium currently holds that many. I get you can add additional seating.

As for My UTA discussion, they have a new president and new AD so thoughts can change from their time in the SBC.

My understanding of the attendance rule is averaging 15k over two years. It really has not been enforced.

When Coastal Carolina joined th
he Sun Belt their stadium only seated 9k. It took them several years to get to the current capacity of 21k.

funny that small regional schools that only dream of 15,000 fans at football games think they should belong with the schools that draw 70-80,000 fans, have nationwide following and hundred million dollar athletic budgets. maybe should become one of the best at this lower level first.

I don't think they view the entire situation the way you do and base their decisions on other factors, so when I read these comments I roll my eyes because they are pretty much irrelevant.

(12-10-2022 01:46 AM)Spolovilo4EVER Wrote:  I think Tarleton, ACU, SFA, Cen Ark, Austin Peay, and EKU will end up in FBS. The other 3 probably went along hoping for an alternative to being independent. U Tech, and SUU can probably go/back to the BSC, but I have no clue what UNA would do. The Dakota (States) along with Missouri State, the Montana's and possibly Idaho, Weber and Chattanooga would probably be interested in joining as well. I can see a 16 team dual division conference here. It may be trimmed to 12-14 but these are the 16 possible candidates that I see. UTRGV can go play in the Southland.

South

Tarleton
ACU
SFA
Cen Ark
Austin Peay
EKU
Miz St
Chattanooga

North

N Dakoka
N Dakota St
S Dakota
S Dakota St
Montana
Montana St
Idaho
Weber St

I can guarantee that most of these schools would scoff at the notion of joining Tarleton’s ****** FBS experiment.

(12-10-2022 01:30 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  WAC and ASUN football schools understand that FCS is glorified D2 and is a losing money proposition when it comes to football. I have zero issues with these schools trying to figure out a way to make it work in a football only idea.

So if playing and losing money in FCS is just glorified D2, is playing and losing even more money in G5 just glorified FCS?

I love this as an FCS conference but have major doubts with this as an FBS conference.

But all great events begin with a dream, so might as well dream big.

(12-09-2022 02:01 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  I love this idea but I have concerns.

Realistically, how many of the nine schools will be ready for FBS in two years? I think Tarleton is the closest to being FBS with facilities for the WAC, but we are not there yet. ACU and SFA have to expand their stadiums quickly. North Alabama plays in a high school stadium and I know this because I went to the football game this fall.

What I don’t want to do is become the Southland of FBS. If everybody pumps money into football to move up to FBS, what does it do to the other sports? The WAC has worked really hard to move up in the NET rankings and are currently setting 11th in MBB.

I know there is no magic enrollment number for FBS, but does any of the nine have high enough numbers to sustain FBS?

I am not trying to trash this idea as I want Tarleton to be FBS, but I am not sure this plan right now is the best option. It might be in five to ten years.

Edit. I do think this might encourage UTA to add football.

If Sam can do it with what they have, SFA and ACU are ready.

Hard to tell with UTA. Many of us pondered if going FCS for a stretch would be better. I'm hopeful they understand how small of a window they have in terms of conference affiliation. If the WAC moves on, then the only conference geographically compatible is the SLC, and that is such a downgrade for all the current sports.

(12-09-2022 02:20 PM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  

(12-09-2022 02:01 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  I love this idea but I have concerns.

Realistically, how many of the nine schools will be ready for FBS in two years? I think Tarleton is the closest to being FBS with facilities for the WAC, but we are not there yet. ACU and SFA have to expand their stadiums quickly. North Alabama plays in a high school stadium and I know this because I went to the football game this fall.

What I don’t want to do is become the Southland of FBS. If everybody pumps money into football to move up to FBS, what does it do to the other sports? The WAC has worked really hard to move up in the NET rankings and are currently setting 11th in MBB.

I know there is no magic enrollment number for FBS, but does any of the nine have high enough numbers to sustain FBS?

I am not trying to trash this idea as I want Tarleton to be FBS, but I am not sure this plan right now is the best option. It might be in five to ten years.

Edit. I do think this might encourage UTA to add football.

If UTA wanted FBS then they would've taken it when they had the chance as members of the SBC.

Not entirely true. There was a movement half a decade ago to bring Les Miles to campus and an internal feasibility study. Miles going to Kansas, COVID, an interim president after the permanent had to resign in a minor scandal and a change in AD were pretty big obstacles. All that is back to stable and who knows.

Meanwhile, the first half of the SBC tenure saw improvements in baseball, softball, men's golf, minor renovations to football/track and field stadium and the addition of women's golf. That set the stage for the other parts.

Add in the fact that UTRGV is moving forward and obliterating the negative Nancy's arguments on why it can't be done, and this may be our biggest opportunity.

(12-10-2022 12:33 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  I love this as an FCS conference but have major doubts with this as an FBS conference.

But all great events begin with a dream, so might as well dream big.

Yeah, but.....FCS and FBS as you know it today will not exist in 2025. Its FBS or bust by 2025. I cannot say it enough.

Now is the time to punch your FBS ticket before the whole thing gets set on its ear. There is a reason behind the nervousness and sense of urgency (ie nmsu and scam houston bailout).

FCS moveups and FBS independents need to find an FBS conference home for protection of guaranteed FBS monies, and pronto.

The changes that are coming won't change again for another 25-30 years.

Read up here: https://www.knightcommission.org/

(12-10-2022 12:25 PM)SammyH Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 01:30 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  WAC and ASUN football schools understand that FCS is glorified D2 and is a losing money proposition when it comes to football. I have zero issues with these schools trying to figure out a way to make it work in a football only idea.

So if playing and losing money in FCS is just glorified D2, is playing and losing even more money in G5 just glorified FCS?

Yes with a bowl game in Boise during the dead of winter.

(12-10-2022 12:56 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 12:25 PM)SammyH Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 01:30 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  WAC and ASUN football schools understand that FCS is glorified D2 and is a losing money proposition when it comes to football. I have zero issues with these schools trying to figure out a way to make it work in a football only idea.

So if playing and losing money in FCS is just glorified D2, is playing and losing even more money in G5 just glorified FCS?

Yes with a bowl game in Boise during the dead of winter.

Nothing says FBS like Eccles Coliseum!

https://youtu.be/LHH_8xd4X70

(12-10-2022 01:13 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 12:56 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 12:25 PM)SammyH Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 01:30 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  WAC and ASUN football schools understand that FCS is glorified D2 and is a losing money proposition when it comes to football. I have zero issues with these schools trying to figure out a way to make it work in a football only idea.

So if playing and losing money in FCS is just glorified D2, is playing and losing even more money in G5 just glorified FCS?

Yes with a bowl game in Boise during the dead of winter.

Nothing says FBS like Eccles Coliseum!

https://youtu.be/LHH_8xd4X70

No, but that place has a lot of potential, WAY more beautiful backdrop than us.

(12-10-2022 01:35 PM)Outsider Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 01:13 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 12:56 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 12:25 PM)SammyH Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 01:30 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  WAC and ASUN football schools understand that FCS is glorified D2 and is a losing money proposition when it comes to football. I have zero issues with these schools trying to figure out a way to make it work in a football only idea.

So if playing and losing money in FCS is just glorified D2, is playing and losing even more money in G5 just glorified FCS?

Yes with a bowl game in Boise during the dead of winter.

Nothing says FBS like Eccles Coliseum!

https://youtu.be/LHH_8xd4X70

No, but that place has a lot of potential, WAY more beautiful backdrop than us.

Absolutely gorgeous setting.

Whether the FBS ambition come to fruition or not this is a good move for both conferences. It gives enough schools that even if a few make the jump to FBS on their own it will probably still survive.

Any decision that ACU makes within this context would involve #4 and #5 in the 6 pillars of its larger strategic plan. The plan calls for nationally recognized athletics. The words of our leaders have always been to compete at the "highest level". If this move doesn't come to fruition, we would still do what we needed to keep growing our brand. FBS is nice, but our vision is more than just that. I am sure we see FBS and CFP media money as advantageous, besides expanding our brand. This move involves a lot of moving pieces though. I am sure the other schools are likewise looking at it from both an FBS and beyond point of view.

https://acu.edu/2022/11/01/acu-launches-...-strategic plan/#:~:text=This%20fall%20Abilene%20Christian%20University%20launched%20a%20new

(12-10-2022 01:13 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 12:56 PM)Lopes87 Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 12:25 PM)SammyH Wrote:  

(12-10-2022 01:30 AM)Lopes87 Wrote:  WAC and ASUN football schools understand that FCS is glorified D2 and is a losing money proposition when it comes to football. I have zero issues with these schools trying to figure out a way to make it work in a football only idea.

So if playing and losing money in FCS is just glorified D2, is playing and losing even more money in G5 just glorified FCS?

Yes with a bowl game in Boise during the dead of winter.

Nothing says FBS like Eccles Coliseum!

https://youtu.be/LHH_8xd4X70

1,000 times better looking than that sh*thole down in the "Armpit of Texas" (Huntsville), and 10x as many butts in the seats.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bowers+s...qHBAbt7Aao

Bowers Stadium Huntsville, Texas

Looks dated with the track still being part of the stadium.

(12-11-2022 12:11 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  https://www.google.com/search?q=bowers+s...qHBAbt7Aao

Bowers Stadium Huntsville, Texas

Looks dated with the track still being part of the stadium.

Yep. It’s a High School Stadium. Literally. And yet, CUSA officials still looked at it and thought “yeah, we’d rather have THIS than Tarleton State!”

sad