What Would The Answer Be Today ?

[MeanGreen61]

Yep, it's an off-season realignment question during a slow time....so ?

A couple of years ago UNT said no to a WAC invite but did suggest we may be interested if additional teams were invited to create a 12 team WAC with an EWAC.

With the chance for an invite to CUSA very slim and the Belt seemingly running in neutral, what would our answer be if the WAC came callin' and said we want to reform the conference with additional teams for an EWAC ? Would we opt to remain in the Belt or join a 12 team WAC ?

Edited May 3, 2008 by MeanGreen61

[MeanMag]

I might be in the minority when I say that unless a BCS conf. comes calling the SunBelt might be the best fit and has just as much talent as other non-bcs conferences. For us it makes sense, the footprint is pretty decent. It's a poor man's SEC. The kind of talent the SunBelt can pull from home states is far beyond that of other non-bcs conferences save perhaps C-USA.

[NT80]

SBC football, in general, has been improving. What basically was a beefed up 1-AA league a few years ago has turned some heads with quality wins recently, still it lacks something....image. Other than the Big 12 asking us, I favor CUSA as first choice in a move up. Until then, a EWAC would be next best on my list if it included us with a minimum of NMSU, Ark St, La Tech, and ULL.

[akriesman]

(1) Big 12 (dream....not going to happen of course)

(2) New Southwest Conference with SMU, Rice, Houston, Baylor, UTEP, Texas State, and TCU (another pipe dream).

(3) CUSA

(4) Stay in the Belt unless it becomes deluted by defections from Troy, MTSU or Florida Schools.

(5) Move to the WAC only with a strong WAC East with a regional flavor.

[KingDL1]

(1) Big 12 (dream....not going to happen of course)

(2) New Southwest Conference with SMU, Rice, Houston, Baylor, UTEP, Texas State, and TCU (another pipe dream).

(3) CUSA

(4) Stay in the Belt unless it becomes deluted by defections from Troy, MTSU or Florida Schools.

(5) Move to the WAC only with a strong WAC East with a regional flavor.

I like idea of the big 12

[the real grad88]

(1) Big 12 (dream....not going to happen of course)

(2) New Southwest Conference with SMU, Rice, Houston, Baylor, UTEP, Texas State, and TCU (another pipe dream).

(3) CUSA

(4) Stay in the Belt unless it becomes deluted by defections from Troy, MTSU or Florida Schools.

(5) Move to the WAC only with a strong WAC East with a regional flavor.

Don't be so quick to count out a "new southwest conference". There is one factor today that many ego-ridden schools were not counting on when they made some of these far-flung conferences years ago...energy prices and a sluggish economy. How long will it be before state governments (with ever-shrinking budgets) decide to intervene? How long will it be before legislation requires conservation practices that put limits on travel at state institutions. I tell you that it is not in the long distant future, but possibly around the corner. Not only are state governments forced with making tough decisions, alums are going to cry out with their non-attendance for games matching programs too far away to travel. How many on this board would not attend away games out of state (or 2 states over) if gas goes to $4.00 a gallon or higher?! It has got to have an impact on the future shape of college athletics. Now, the major power houses with private funding out the wazoo, it may not effect them. But, how can you justify mid-major schools in texas playing schools in florida, when there are closer options? Even the federal govt (loans and grants) can get involved in such decisions if they finally put two and two together and realize that a major factor in the ever increasing cost of higher education is increasing student fees as an underhanded way of keeping up with increasing costs in the athletic arms race.

[Mean Green 93-98]

I like idea of the big 12

Yes, put me in the Big XII camp as well.

Then it's settled.

[UNTflyer]

CUSA should be first choice.

Mtn West should be 2nd.

Just say "NO" to the WAC.

Edited May 4, 2008 by UNTflyer

[BleedGreen64]

I agree with MeanMag above. Unless thr SEC would drop Vanderbilt or Arkansas bolt toe the Big 12 when someone ther left allowing a large state school in a viable metrropolitan are (UNT) to fill the void, I would stay with the SBC unless it implodes. Going west would always be my last option.

PS $4 gas? Proosicators are predicting $10 in 4 years.

[NT91]

The SBC all the way.

[the real grad88]

I agree with MeanMag above. Unless thr SEC would drop Vanderbilt or Arkansas bolt toe the Big 12 when someone ther left allowing a large state school in a viable metrropolitan are (UNT) to fill the void, I would stay with the SBC unless it implodes. Going west would always be my last option.

PS $4 gas? Proosicators are predicting $10 in 4 years.

Exactly my point...change is going to happen. Economics will force change to happen...across all facets of society

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

Right now there are no openings in Conference USA and it doesn't appear that there will be. CUSA is a far-flung conference and it can be proven that mucho dollars can be saved by more regionalized conferences. The Big XII would be a nice dream but it won't happen in our lifetime unless it becomes the Big 14 or 16'

So, my preferences would be

1) The "New Southwest Conference". If the western CUSA teams get tired of going to Huntington and Greenville and start adding up some costs, it's possible that perennial hot topic might become a reality. Baylor won't be a part of it but UTEP, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Rice and Tulane might well be along with North Texas, Louisiana Tech and possibly ULL.

2) CUSA. Only to play the western region (the six named above) plus Memphis and Southern Miss. That should add 5-10,000 to our average home attendance each year and should sell the reason to start the new stadium.

3) The WAC. I know, I know. Hawaii is across the International Date Line, Fresno and San Jose will soon be on an island in the Pacific when the big quake comes and Idaho and Boise are just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. But, we'd get to keep two of our closer current conference members, ULL and Arkansas State, pick up relatively nearby Louisiana Tech and renew our long-standing rivalry with New Medico State. The WAC has furnished two of the three non-automatic qualifiers to appear in a BCS bowl. They have better teams and better attendance. I've seen the Rangers, Stars, and Mavericks play on the West Coast and still been to bed by midnight; even got pretty full accounts in the DMN and likely the FWST. The WAC would definitely be a step up and with regions the cost wouldn't be that bad; without, however, it would be unreasonable.

4) SBC. The Belt may very well be a very competitive conference in years to come. Troy, WKU, Middle and Florida Atlantic are building reputations as tough opponents but all are relatively new to 1-A; all have less than ten years in FBS/1-A. Attendance is still a problem at several conference schools I'd still rather be in the Sun Belt than the MAC.

So, since CUSA is much more improbable, I guess that I just voted for the WAC, since I have them rated ahead of the SBC.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

Right now there are no openings in Conference USA and it doesn't appear that there will be. CUSA is a far-flung conference and it can be proven that mucho dollars can be saved by more regionalized conferences. The Big XII would be a nice dream but it won't happen in our lifetime unless it becomes the Big 14 or 16'

So, my preferences would be

1) The "New Southwest Conference". If the western CUSA teams get tired of going to Huntington and Greenville and start adding up some costs, it's possible that perennial hot topic might become a reality. Baylor won't be a part of it but UTEP, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Rice and Tulane might well be along with North Texas, Louisiana Tech and possibly ULL.

2) CUSA. Only to play the western region (the six named above) plus Memphis and Southern Miss. That should add 5-10,000 to our average home attendance each year and should sell the reason to start the new stadium.

3) The WAC. I know, I know. Hawaii is across the International Date Line, Fresno and San Jose will soon be on an island in the Pacific when the big quake comes and Idaho and Boise are just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. But, we'd get to keep two of our closer current conference members, ULL and Arkansas State, pick up relatively nearby Louisiana Tech and renew our long-standing rivalry with New Medico State. The WAC has furnished two of the three non-automatic qualifiers to appear in a BCS bowl. They have better teams and better attendance. I've seen the Rangers, Stars, and Mavericks play on the West Coast and still been to bed by midnight; even got pretty full accounts in the DMN and likely the FWST. The WAC would definitely be a step up and with regions the cost wouldn't be that bad; without, however, it would be unreasonable.

4) SBC. The Belt may very well be a very competitive conference in years to come. Troy, WKU, Middle and Florida Atlantic are building reputations as tough opponents but all are relatively new to 1-A; all have less than ten years in FBS/1-A. Attendance is still a problem at several conference schools I'd still rather be in the Sun Belt than the MAC.

So, since CUSA is much more improbable, I guess that I just voted for the WAC, since I have them rated ahead of the SBC.

After reading that one about the WAC especially...I might get away with claiming this: It could be said that a lot of schools may become islands after the the global warming raises the oceans a few feet and Florida Atlantic becomes part of the Atlantic as well as many more universities. . I might be a bit extreme but you never know.

[Charlie NT 73]

Here are my thoughts.

1. For now, the SBC is the best conference for North Texas to be in.

As far as the SBC just being a beefed up Div 1 FCS (1-AA) conference, I do not

agree. The SBC is getting better in all sports. I can see more "upsets" coming in

key games. A few more key wins over Big 6 conference teams will give creditability

to the whole image of the SBC. Add in a second bowl game, and NCAA basketball

tournament advances, will boost the imagae of the SBC dramaticly.

2. The next alinements will come from the next conference raiding taking place.

CDOA will not take NT in unless there are drastic changes taking place. I can see

this conference being more at risk of coming apart than any other conference.

If CDOA comes apart, the SBC should invite key members to the SBC, not CDOA

trying to fill holes and save their own hides, by inviting SBC teams to CDOA.

3. WAC-- no, too much expense to be in this conference for NT and the fans.

4. New SWC would be dream come true! Perfit fit for NT, regional games, all

in state rivals = more media coverage and fan support. A reborn SWC would

give instant crediability, bowl games, media coverage, and huge fan support.

wil a new SWC come about. Well, Exxon supported the old SWC, so with Exxons

multi billion dollar quartly profits, Exxon certainly has the money to do it!

5. Big 12, could be a pssiblity, only if there are major drastic changes in the

big 6 conferences, and if NT can be a option to the Big 12.

For now, just stay in the SBC, get better at everything, and see how things develop. Maybe the

SBC will become the 7th big conference on our own. That is the direction the SBC should take,

and the direction North Texas should take.

[Arkstfan]

Sun Belt running in neutral?

Passed the MAC and just missed passing CUSA in the BCS standings.

Had a very productive basketball tournament with two appearances.

A new SWC isn't out of the realm (unless you think anyone in the Big XII would be a part). It would only happen if CUSA revenues stay relatively flat while Sun Belt revenue continues to grow. Then it could be done with little economic impact but produce financial savings.

If it it were to happen it would be basically CUSA West plus some mix of the Sun Belt and WAC schools in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. I'd guess UNT, La.Tech and/or ASU and ULL.

[Guest 97and03]

I definately say stay in the SBC unless CUSA comes courting or a new conference is created.

The new regional conference really makes the most sense.

UNT, SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, Rice, Houston, Ark St, La Tech, ULL, ULM.

People keep including UTEP, but I will pass on them, as it is not much closer than Florida (if any). I seem to remember UTEP being 12 or so hours away.

I would rather see Southern Miss or Memphis than UTEP. In fact, a road trip for some Memphis bbq and good music sounds good to me.

[Eagle1855]

I love conference realignment talk.

Gonna be hard to ever be attractive to a conference like the Big 12 without a baseball team... But that's ok, I was told at the BBQ in 06 that we'd have a team in time for the 08 season. Oh wait...

What makes UNT a more attractive addition to the Big 12 than UH? Teams in the Big12 already play games in the DFW area. Wouldn't it be to their advantage to spend other time in Houston?

Either way, regarding changing conferences, basketball is our ticket. No reason why we can't build a winning program here. And by winning I mean, going deep into the tournament. And by tournament I mean the NCAA Tourney- the one that matters. It costs less to win in basketball.

Edited May 5, 2008 by Eagle1855

[ShopMeanGreen]

With the latest bowl addition and realignment the SBC did not get even a mention, publically at least. It really doesn't make any difference how good the teams have gotten if the bowl tie ins TV time etc. aren't increasing. Are there better teams in the SBC than some teams in every other conference...probably, still doesn't provide the $$$. So I also would say the SBC is in neutral. Not a bad place to hang out until we are ready for the jump.

[Shof]

With the latest bowl addition and realignment the SBC did not get even a mention, publically at least. It really doesn't make any difference how good the teams have gotten if the bowl tie ins TV time etc. aren't increasing. Are there better teams in the SBC than some teams in every other conference...probably, still doesn't provide the $$$. So I also would say the SBC is in neutral. Not a bad place to hang out until we are ready for the jump.

I was also disappointed there was no SBC tie-in; but do you honestly expect the 9th place ACC team to even qualify for a post season bowl annually? Hopefully this does free up a spot for our 2nd place team.

[ShopMeanGreen]

I was also disappointed there was no SBC tie-in; but do you honestly expect the 9th place ACC team to even qualify for a post season bowl annually? Hopefully this does free up a spot for our 2nd place team.

The way I understand it, with the relaxation of the bowl eligibility rule and having 12 reg season games, during most seasons conferences will produce about as many bowl eligible teams as bowls. That tells me that the other conferences are doing what they can to get all of their teams in bowl games and increase their financial gain by playing a 1-AA and weaker teams from other conferences. As the quality of SBC teams improves it will do 2 things: 1 may create more bowl spots for the SBC to use and 2. make it harder for SBC teams to schedule the lower to middle teams from other conferences leaving only the LSU, Texas and

OUs. Either way looks to me the conference administrators should be doing more get bowl games for the SBC cause having better teams along won't cut it. I have no idea what I am talking about just makes common sense.

[Arkstfan]

The way I understand it, with the relaxation of the bowl eligibility rule and having 12 reg season games, during most seasons conferences will produce about as many bowl eligible teams as bowls. That tells me that the other conferences are doing what they can to get all of their teams in bowl games and increase their financial gain by playing a 1-AA and weaker teams from other conferences. As the quality of SBC teams improves it will do 2 things: 1 may create more bowl spots for the SBC to use and 2. make it harder for SBC teams to schedule the lower to middle teams from other conferences leaving only the LSU, Texas and

OUs. Either way looks to me the conference administrators should be doing more get bowl games for the SBC cause having better teams along won't cut it. I have no idea what I am talking about just makes common sense.

ACC

Georgia Tech had to kick a field goal with 15 seconds left against North Carolina to get 8 eligible for the ACC. Miss that FG and the Humanitarian is vacant handing the game to Troy. Now the ACC has one more tie.

Big East

Louisville got left out at 6-6. The Big East has added one game. Louisville won three of their six by a TD or less.

Big 10.

The Big 10 has 7 bowl ties. Bowl #7 is the Motor City. The Big 10 has actually sent a team to the Motor City two times in the five years they've been tied to the game. Last year though they had 10 teams available.

Big 12.

Eight games. They shorted Texas last year due to two BCS teams.

CUSA.

Has apparently given up full ties to Hawaii and all ties with Birmingham for the new St. Pete bowl and the Texas Bowl. Last year six ties, six available. Same situation this year apparently leaves Hawaii empty.

MAC

Had three ties, had three eligible and one left out 6-6.

MWC

Had four ties and the good fortune that Texas was short with TCU available.

Pac-10

Just made their ties last year. Basically, if the Orange had taken West Virginia as expected instead of Kansas, Fiesta would have taken Arizona State which would have left Fort Worth short and Texas full. Troy would have gone to Fort Worth to face Air Force and TCU would have sat at home.

SEC.

Had a 6-6 available, would have been South Carolina in Birmingham under new alignment.

WAC.

Hawaii's run opened the door to Nevada at 6-6 to make a bowl. Three of those wins by 6 or less. Nevada loses one and Troy or TCU goes to New Mexico Bowl

The margin was razor thin last year and the room for error is smaller this year.

[UNTLifer]

Please, take my life now!