7 Athletic Programs Ready to Become C-USA Members

[GreenTexan13]

I've seen mention of Northern Illinois in some articles, because they aren't happy with the MAC. Don't think geography wise for the west though? But TX State would be a sweet addition. Maybe we could somehow cleanse the conference of FIU and pick up Louisiana Lafayette and Texas State.

[bstnsportsfan3]

I would be cool with Tx State or ULL ..thats really about it.

[Mean Green 93-98]

I've seen mention of Northern Illinois in some articles, because they aren't happy with the MAC. Don't think geography wise for the west though? But TX State would be a sweet addition. Maybe we could somehow cleanse the conference of FIU and pick up Louisiana Lafayette and Texas State.

If Northern Illinois were actually interested, they would trump all other possibilities, and it wouldn't be close.

• The Chicago TV market

• Consistent winner

• Giant killer

• Played in BCS bowl just 2 years ago

Who else would bring any of those to nearly same degree? I know the geography isn't the greatest with NIU in C-USA, but that would fall far more on them than on anyone else...if they're willing to deal with it, I'd say let 'em.

[GreenTexan13]

If Northern Illinois were actually interested, they would trump all other possibilities, and it wouldn't be close.

• The Chicago TV market

• Consistent winner

• Giant killer

• Played in BCS bowl just 2 years ago

Who else would bring any of those to nearly same degree? I know the geography isn't the greatest with NIU in C-USA, but that would fall far more on them than on anyone else...if they're willing to deal with it, I'd say let 'em.

Thanks for pointing those out. Sounds like a no brainer for sure.

[Mean Green 93-98]

I'll say this, though, with regard to NIU. . . . The American Conference would be sure to invite them, as it would be a huge coup for them. And the American would have more to offer NIU than C-USA.

[Marty]

Texas State, easy road trip. Would love having Fran on the opposing sideline at Apogee.

[Green Otaku]

NIU would be my top choice. CUSA should at least see if they are interested.

[Ryan Munthe]

That Atlanta tv market thoe...

I have family in Atlanta. That program and school is a black hole with no respect in its market. Georgia Southern probably brings more of the Atlanta market and it's not even in Atlanta. If Georgia State gets added, we need to get out of this conference ASAP.

[Ben Gooding]

ULL or Astate, not even a debate really. I'd prefer to take both and boot one (FIU) out tbh.

[GreenTexan13]

I'll say this, though, with regard to NIU. . . . The American Conference would be sure to invite them, as it would be a huge coup for them. And the American would have more to offer NIU than C-USA.

I can see that, see I'm sure a majority of us UNT fans would rather be in the AAC. But like someone said earlier, I think CUSA should reach out to NIU and see what the response would be. There could be that chance they are interested.

Edited December 5, 2014 by GreenTexan13

[Got5onIt]

stAte or LaLa and that is it.

[Mean Green 93-98]

I can see that, see I'm sure a majority of us UNT fans would rather be in the AAC. But like someone said earlier, I think CUSA should reach out to NIU and see what the response would be. There could be that chance they are interested.

Fully agreed. It can't hurt to ask.

[NT80]

"Conference USA is no stranger to adding new members; the league has seen the addition of eight new member universities over the last two years. Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky were added from the Sun Belt, with Louisiana Tech and UTSA coming from the now defunct WAC."

Humm....I guess UNT really isn't relevant to CUSA.......

ULL should be the next invite; best overall sports programs and fan support, semi-New Orleans market to replace Tulane.

[DeepGreen]

I don't see NIU even interested. With all the recent defections from CUSA, I think the MAC has more respect.

[FirefightnRick]

I love ULL, which is possibly the best road trip around. But you can't beat 4 hours to San Marcus, plus they travel well, or they have before.

We can't go wrong with either.

Rick

[DeepGreen]

Why do you people want to re-live the Southland Conference days? No to San Marcus!

[NT91]

SW Texas St. they have a nice stadium.

Edited December 5, 2014 by NT91

[GreenTexan13]

I love ULL, which is possibly the best road trip around. But you can't beat 4 hours to San Marcus, plus they travel well, or they have before.

We can't go wrong with either.

Rick

ULaLa screams the best overall and logical choice, but I am like you and would have to agree with you on that TX State drive, 4 hours vs. 7. I bet the tailgating at both schools are great as well.

[Mean Green Matt]

Texas State is new enough to where they don't have the Sun Belt stench. Also, we have a lot of history with them. Would be awesome to be in a division with all Texas schools and La Tech which is really close. I've never understood the crush that some of our fan base has on ULL and ASU.

[GreenTexan13]

Texas State is new enough to where they don't have the Sun Belt stench. Also, we have a lot of history with them. Would be awesome to be in a division with all Texas schools and La Tech which is really close. I've never understood the crush that some of our fan base has on ULL and ASU.

It's because of the competitiveness and fan base ULL has, ULL packs their stadium and I would guess they travel well. When we beat them in 2012 at apogee our attendance was a little over 17,000 though. Kind of half stadium... It didn't help that we had a losing season though.

A lot of y'all don't agree with TX State. I'm curious as to why you wouldn't want them to join CUSA?

Edited December 5, 2014 by GreenTexan13

[NT93]

A lot of y'all don't agree with TX State. I'm curious as to why you wouldn't want them to join CUSA?

I think someone mentioned it earlier: Most think we are superior to them and that they haven't earned the right to join "our" conference since they just moved up to FBS a couple of years ago.

I'd love to have a mostly Texas conference with UNT, UTEP. Rice, UTSA, La. Tech, Tulsa, Tulane, SMU, Texas St. and Houston. Not gonna happen, but I'd like it nonetheless.

[GreenTexan13]

I think someone mentioned it earlier: Most think we are superior to them and that they haven't earned the right to join "our" conference since they just moved up to FBS a couple of years ago.

I'd love to have a mostly Texas conference with UNT, UTEP. Rice, UTSA, La. Tech, Tulsa, Tulane, SMU, Texas St. and Houston. Not gonna happen, but I'd like it nonetheless.

Yet a program (UTSA) only had a football team for two years and they deserved to be in a conference with these many decades old teams? I don't buy that excuse that TX State hasn't earned the right to be in CUSA for being FBS for 2 years, when we got a 4 year old team like UTSA and a wart of the conference FIU.

I agree with you though, that Texas conference would be cool, but it won't happen like you said. The very least TX State could come in and build up the CUSA west Texas dominated conference.

Edited December 5, 2014 by GreenTexan13

[GrandGreen]

If choosing from that group, easy answer: ULL. Arkansas ST. would be a distance second.

[Arkstfan]

Texas State is new enough to where they don't have the Sun Belt stench. Also, we have a lot of history with them. Would be awesome to be in a division with all Texas schools and La Tech which is really close. I've never understood the crush that some of our fan base has on ULL and ASU.

Did you get all the stink off you this year?

AState and ULL get mentioned because we do something really odd.

Win games.

Sell tickets.

Spend millions on facility upgrades.

Not a clue why any quality conference would lower itself to affiliate with such flawed and inferior programs.

[Cr1028]

I think a poll should be added to this topic to see what the majority prefer. I'm interested to see if SWTSU-SM, ULL, or ASU would be in the lead.