Sun Belt in a ‘get better’ mode

[Harry]

Benson wouldn’t speculate on specific schools that would be on the Sun Belt’s wish list.

He did, however, say teams that are currently at an FBS level and lie within the league’s current geographical footprint would be given first priority.

Following that formula, Alabama-Birmingham, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, Rice and Tulane could all be logical targets for Benson.

“All you have to do is look at a map to see the current FBS schools that aren’t members of the Sun Belt that would meet that criteria,” he said on Thursday. “…The message that the Sun Belt wants to make today is the Sun Belt will be, and could be, an attractive landing spot for any current FBS member in the footprint.”

Benson has plenty of experience dealing with conference realignment and has found himself on both ends of that spectrum during his tenure with the WAC, which began in 1994.

He played a part in the league growing to 16 teams in 1996, becoming the largest conference in NCAA Division-I athletics.

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