NorthTexan95

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.

Ok, Denver does make some sense for them to look at. I always love reading your posts, Arkstfan. You always have a good take on a topic and good information.

The author lost a lot of credence with me when he mentioned Denver. There's nothing new in the article and not a lot of depth.

Accordingto the ECU chancellor, the goal is to have the paperwork completed and the league office by May 1st of this year with the league kicking off July 1st, 2013.

That interview is well worth listening to. Some highlights: * The goal is to have the bylaws, conference name, tv contract, signed off my May 1, 2012. Nothing will be official until this time. * 16-20 teams by this summer. Sounds like none will be added until the documents are signed on or around May 1st. Eventually increasing to 24-30 teams within a few years. * ECU wants may be up to four divisions within the conference to reduce travel have have more regional games. * New conference would officially start July 1, 2013.

I really have a lot of respect for what Bensen has done over the years. It has always seemed that the WAC was dealing with a short deck and I think he made the best of it. I certainly don't think you can blame him for the situation the WAC finds itself in today. He wouldn't have been my first choice for the Sun Belt but I'm hopefully it will work out. That said, I hope our time in the Sun Belt is short.

So who is he replacing? Or are we just adding to the staff?

A lot of good news in that article.

I agree. Especially when/if the automatic bids are gone. I think within eight years they are back with a more centralized conference.

I don't think it'll go that far. Instead, if it goes over well it could eventually lead to a small playoff system for all of D1

If it's 18 schools then I don't like our chances. If it's 20 then it's hard to see us not making it. Even if we don't, the idea of having semifinals and a final championship sounds exciting.

The new "national conference" will have 18 to 24 teams. If they stay at 18 then we're in trouble. If they expand to 20 it's hard to see us not getting in. We just need patience ... we should have plenty of experience with that.

Interesting ... the fact that Boise will probably be in the MWC this coming year adds another team to the conference that I had not been counting on. If this new conference comes into being then they have another reason to wait before adding more teams.

I love the conferences combining ... as long as we get in.

What a horrible website! I tried to read it but gave up. You would think guys from $MU would have enough money for a decent message board.

Awesome stuff!

Is the kid going to play football or just pole vault? Either way, welcome to the Mean Green!

Great game! MT is definately talented but I think we really wanted that game more.

Ugh! Too bad the camera man missed the final shot.