NorthTexan95

You'd think that if they were starting a new conference they would pick the schools they wanted. There are several Sun Belt teams that would be better than UAB.

I don't think Benson it taking LT so personally. It's all business.

No one says you can't have two 100 year celebrations.

It really depends on the angles.

This is an awesome idea and would also help with the setting sun in the evening!

What's the status on fielding a baseball team?

I've heard lots of talk about AQ status going away. I've also heard rumors about at least a +1 if not more. Supposedly, the Big 10 has changed course and is now in favor of some kind of playoff. They were always one of the big blockers of having a playoff.

These are the exact questions I've been wondering about. BCS has had some meetings ... there are plenty of rumors ... but nothing definate and I don't see them making a decision quickly. Meanwhile, the Alliance has a goal to have the new league finalized by May 1st of this year. When does the move of Boise, SMU, Houston, etc become official and they are bound by the supposedly $20 million fee to leave the Big East? From rumors it appears they aren't locked in yet but who knows when that becomes binding - maybe not until 2013. (I'm assuming SMU, Houston, etc are not moving until 2013). I also think that the Big East tv deal won't be any better than the Alliance so the only difference would be BCS money, which while significant, is not guarenteed if AQ status goes away or if the Alliance gets a seat at the AQ table. So ... I think the big questions are when are these teams bound to the Big East and when will AQ status be decided. The Alliance could hold off on adding any teams until one of these questions is answered.

Supposedly the Sun Belt told La Tech they needed to join by the end of April. That matches up with the goal of having the new alliance finalized by May 1st.

With the rumors of AQ status going away, if the new TV deal for this new conference is better than thought could the defectors all return home to CUSA and MWC? Boise State, San Diego State, Memphis, SMU, Houston could all return. Combine the 12 CUSA teams with seven returning MWC teams (TCU will not return) and you have nineteen spots filled - five openings if they still want 24 teams. I suppose if East Carolina really wants to go to the Big East they would now be readily accepted. UCF may also stay with the Big East. However, you have to expect that the same issues driving Boise State and San Diego State to question being in the Big East will also apply to SMU and Houston. Having SMU back in CUSA doesn't help us ... but we could still go west to the MWC half of the Alliance.

Looks like Boise St. and San Diego may be seeing what everyone else saw.

If Boise State might be reconsidering then San Diego St definately should be reconsidering for the same reasons.

Idaho could replace New Mexico St. NMSU could then join ASU, WKU, ULL, ULM, and Troy as the new Sun Belt - and they would quickly invite UTSA, Texas State, and UTA to be quickly invited. I would be surprised if it was 24 teams at the start but you never know. I know everyone is saying TV is driving all of this ... and it appears regionalism is also a major factor for this new conference. But I wonder how much a factor is the idea of not leaving a university out to dry? For example, if the above conference were to happen then Idaho would be left all by itself and the only conference they could probably join would be the Sun Belt or the MAC ... both are far away. Or in a similar vain ... would this new conference be willing to kill the WAC by taking only a few WAC schools?

I can only think that the merger isn't official until they sign the documents and that won't happen for a few more months. I guess if the MWC gets what they want then the merger could be off.

Not if we move up to another conference ...

I'm surprised this didn't come up sooner.

But is there cake?

That looks like a solic OCC schedule for 2013.

The idea of a pod is to be more regional and reduce travel times. The Florida schools are out and UTSA isn't a first choice for me. Other than half of the teams you selected I love your pod.

I like it but I don't know if ours will have that much seating to begin with. It just depends on the cost. Personally I'd like to do something like Baylor and have a brick outside to match the football stadium ... same with the softball field.

I kinda like the idea but there's one thing I don't like. 11 game regular season ... 5 against division opponents ... that leaves 6 games. Either teams will struggle to come up with six non-conference games or you need two or three more conference games against one of the other divisions. This leads to unbalanced schedules which I hate. However, the rest of it would be exciting.

Congrats, RV! It's very much deserved.

In related news, Karl Benson today asked Rick Villreal if North Texas would be interested in joining the Sun Belt. Benson later apologized saying it was just a force of habit.

Wow. I haven't watched our girls play in a couple of weeks but that was a bad, bad loss. That final minute of OT was awful basketball. This team has made tremendous improvement this year but it still has a long ways to go.