Sun Belt Possibile Of Usm ?

[MeanGreen61]

Experts from article

Sun Belt, anyone?

The fact is, USM and its fans had better do everything in their power to make Conference USA strong and viable. Otherwise, the next thing you know, USM will be in the Sun Belt Conference.

The hard fact that a lot of those sipping the black-and-gold Kool-Aid willfully overlook is that demographically, USM has nothing to offer the Big East, or any other of the Big Six, the leagues that make up the BCS bowls.

Even if you include the Gulf Coast, the USM market lags way, way behind that of any other school that is often mentioned in any talk of Big East expansion.

And it is market share - the population of a school's given area - that has driven conference alignment in the past, and it will continue to drive it in the future.

As far as market share goes, not to mention several other criteria, Southern Miss has far more in common with Arkansas State and Troy of the Sun Belt than it does with C-USA brethren Memphis, UCF and Houston.

The truth, whether the Golden Eagle faithful want to admit it or not, is that if C-USA dissolves in the next realignment, USM is going to find itself on the outside looking in, and hoping for an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference.

USM NEEDS CUSA TO BE SUCCESSFUL

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pb.../807030321/1050

[emmitt01]

In a way USM is already having an effect on the Sun Belt conference...or at least North Texas

[filmerj]

In a way USM is already having an effect on the Sun Belt conference...or at least North Texas

That's true.. Maybe if USM comes to the Belt they will take back some of their Alumns to work the donors.

Edited July 5, 2008 by filmerj

[NT80]

The hard fact that a lot of those sipping the black-and-gold Kool-Aid willfully overlook is that demographically, USM has nothing to offer the Big East, or any other of the Big Six, the leagues that make up the BCS bowls.

The truth, whether the Golden Eagle faithful want to admit it or not, is that if C-USA dissolves in the next realignment, USM is going to find itself on the outside looking in

The article is correct that USM is way down the list for the Big East, and it won't happen for them. Sorta like us being next into the Big 12 (please apply again in 20 years). The article is incorrect that USM would have to come begging to the SBC. In fact, if CUSA imploded it might actually be the SBC that falls apart in the restructure of a new southern/sw conference. USM is already at that next level we want to get to with a football-only stadium, respectable attendance and plentiful season ticketholders and donors. Many predictions have CUSA and the SBC re-dividing teams by geography during the next big bang. I hope it's soon!

[Arkstfan]

With the cost of travel rising if there isn't realignment up above it may happen at our level to save money.

[DirtySavage]

I would love to have them join the belt

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

Experts from article

Sun Belt, anyone?

The fact is, USM and its fans had better do everything in their power to make Conference USA strong and viable. Otherwise, the next thing you know, USM will be in the Sun Belt Conference.

The hard fact that a lot of those sipping the black-and-gold Kool-Aid willfully overlook is that demographically, USM has nothing to offer the Big East, or any other of the Big Six, the leagues that make up the BCS bowls.

Even if you include the Gulf Coast, the USM market lags way, way behind that of any other school that is often mentioned in any talk of Big East expansion.

And it is market share - the population of a school's given area - that has driven conference alignment in the past, and it will continue to drive it in the future.

As far as market share goes, not to mention several other criteria, Southern Miss has far more in common with Arkansas State and Troy of the Sun Belt than it does with C-USA brethren Memphis, UCF and Houston.

The truth, whether the Golden Eagle faithful want to admit it or not, is that if C-USA dissolves in the next realignment, USM is going to find itself on the outside looking in, and hoping for an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference.

USM NEEDS CUSA TO BE SUCCESSFUL

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pb.../807030321/1050

I don't understand where this writer is coming from. It's true, that USM will likely never be considered for the Big East but they would also never be a part of the Sun Belt as we know it.

I look for the Sun Belt and CUSA to divide along geographical lines to save a ton of money. To that end, USM is in the cat bird's seat. They would have their choice of whether to align with either the East or the West. It could be that the two conference names are maintained or either could adopt a new name.