Arkstfan Opines On Future Conference Shifts

MeanGreen61 · June 1, 2007

Re: MTSU to CUSA????

« Reply #49 on: May 31, 2007, 10:29:39 am » Quote

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I've said it numerous times but it bears repeating.

With the possible exception of the Big East, the rich six leagues are set for the next 10 to 20 years until someone has just sunk beyond hope or risen so much that they can't afford to stay with their current group. Now if Notre Dame suddenly wants to join a league, things change.

The Big East might add one football playing member. There is no combination of four that can be added that won't lose them money.

The MAC is in a pretty stable situation, they might add one, I consider that unlikely. They are hoping they can force Temple to join all-sports, that isn't likely to happen. Temple would dump football before leaving the better money and local rivalries of the A10.

The WAC has no place to seek members. Except getting a school to move to FBS, maybe Cal-Davis, or Sacramento State, or Portland State.

The MWC is not going to approve ANY expansion plan that results in BYU, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado State, Air Force, and to a lesser degree New Mexico not playing each other every year. If they expand it will be to 10 and they will play a full round-robin, Pac-10 style. Boise and UTEP are 100 or lower TV markets, forget them. They would take San Jose State if they ever got their act together, Fresno would be their second choice if that didn't happen and Houston their third choice, I don't see Houston going for it unless being in the division with four privates has just driven them crazy.

CUSA and the Sun Belt. Neither is geographically ideal. Neither league in current alignment has a fully shared vision of the future though the Belt has an advantage there with more schools being in tune.

Even if CUSA were to lose a team to the Big East or MWC I don't think that guarantees expansion. It took a lot of politicking to agree to expand to 12 when TCU left. Finding a school that it is palatable to Tulane, Tulsa, SMU, Rice, means most likely a school that isn't compatible with the desire of Memphis, UAB, UTEP and Houston for strong basketball and such a team may not be compatible with the desire for strong football those four share with ECU, Marshall, USM, and UCF.

THREAD

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?S=349#S=349&a...88&T=577696

NT80 · June 1, 2007

The Big East might add one football playing member.

Although slim, this is still UNT's best hope for a ticket into CUSA. If the Big East were to add a Memphis, then the politics begin in CUSA about their next replacement candidate. NT's surge in men's basketball could be very timely for CUSA schools looking for a basketball school as well as football. A big boost in NT Basketball attendance is needed next season; and with OSU at home we could get off to a good attendance start. Another trip to the NCAAs, break ground on a new football stadium, better football with Dodge Ball, more attendance for all, and watch CUSA's eyes look our way!

GreenEddieNT · June 1, 2007

If if's and but's were candy and nuts we'd all have a merry christmas. Depressing, but, oh well, slim and none is better than no chance at all.

Edited June 1, 2007 by GreenEddieNT

Eagle Man · June 1, 2007

There is another option. The schools in the Sun Belt could quit looking for a way out, continue building the conference to a level of respect so that other schools(maybe even some from CUSA) begin looking for a way in?

Regardless we really need to be proactive.

Everything changes but the word of God. The BCS will change.

Go Mean Green!!!

greenminer · June 1, 2007

We're totally going about this the wrong way.

Invite OSU to the Belt. Nothing can stop us now.

Eagle Man · June 1, 2007

We're totally going about this the wrong way.
Invite OSU to the Belt. Nothing can stop us now.
I don't think Omaha State is a good fit because of location. But there are some other strong D1AA programs out there. But I was thinking that if some of the state schools in CUSA get fed up with the privates they might consider the SBC if we start gaining respect by winning OOC games and filling our stadiums.

Edited June 1, 2007 by Eagle Man