C-USA 2013 and Beyond Projected Divisions

[Harry]

If you look at what we know - based on this map from the Orlando Sentinel (Link) it's pretty clear how the conference divisions will shake out. Please note that they mistakenly left ECU and Tulane out on this map.

If you assume Tulsa leaves in 2014 -- then here's how it could play out and it also highlights the need for a WESTERN replacement to even out the divisions...if your Western Kentucky that has to concern you a bit -- because the new C-USA east has become very East heavy on teams.. if you are Ark State it could mean good news for your future C-USA prospects.

C-USA 2013 (12 Teams)

C-USA EAST (6)

East Carolina

Marshall

FIU

UAB

USM

La. Tech (could be east or west switch with Tulane)

C-USA West (6)

UTEP

North Texas

UTSA

Rice

Tulsa

Tulane (could be east or west switch with (La. Tech)

C-USA 2014 (12 Teams)

C-USA EAST (6)

Old Dominion

Marshall

FIU

FAU

UAB

Middle Tennessee

C-USA West (6)

UTEP

North Texas

UTSA

Rice

La. Tech

USM

C-USA 2015 (13-Teams)

C-USA EAST (7)

Old Dominion

Marshall

FIU

FAU

UAB

Middle Tennessee

Charlotte

C-USA West (6)

UTEP

North Texas

UTSA

Rice

La. Tech

USM

[10Eagle10]

2013 looks good. My bet is that Tulane goes East for 2013 since they'll begoing bigEast for good starting in 2014.

C-USA West (6)

UTEP

North Texas

UTSA

Rice

Tulsa

LA Tech

[Harry]

My bet is that Tulane goes East for 2013 since they'll begoing bigEast for good starting in 2014.

That's a good point!

[wardly]

You guys are correct. A- State would fill in the gap nicely.Regarding W.K., the MAC has 13 members,7 in East and 6 in West.One of the East members is U.Mass,who could be Big East Bound. Regardless,the Mac had 7 bowl teams last year,and could be a soft landing for the Hilltoppers.I'm afraid the Belt is going the way of the WAC.

[10Eagle10]

that 2013 CUSA doesn't look too bad. Too bad it can't stay that way...

None of those are bad home games or roadtrips. Here's to hoping CUSA makes ECU come play us at Apogee and maybe Southern Miss and Tulane as our other two crossover games. A guy can hope, right?

[Mean Green 93-98]

it also highlights the need for a WESTERN replacement to even out the divisions..

An EASTERN subtraction would be even better . . . (think F_U).

[forevereagle]

I'm afraid the Belt is going the way of the WAC.

That explains the Benson hire, they wanted someone with that kind of experience to take them through that process.

[mgfan]

Can cusa west leave and start our own conference?

[oldguystudent]

.I'm afraid the Belt is going the way of the WAC.

So one way to look at it is that while the CUSA we're getting is nowhere near as good as the CUSA we thought we were joining, we did jump the sinking ship before we became New Mexico St.

[shaft]

My bet is that Tulane goes East for 2013 since they'll begoing bigEast for good starting in 2014.

They could send Tulane East to drive up their travel costs as a parting gift.

[Mean Green 93-98]

So one way to look at it is that while the CUSA we're getting is nowhere near as good as the CUSA we thought we were joining, we did jump the sinking ship before we became New Mexico St.

I really don't think the Belt is going anywhere. The WAC was in a region where there simply were no more teams to choose from. The Big Sky teams are all happy in the Big Sky, and there's just not much else to choose from in the west. There will continue to be teams in the Belt's footprint looking to move up--Appy State, UTA, Georgia Southern, and SHSU all look like possibilities within the next 5 years or so, and there will be more possibilities springing up in the following 5 years.

[RETSO]

Can cusa west leave and start our own conference?

I like the idea! Lets take New Mexico St , Arkansas St and Texas St and form the Great Southwest 9

Tulsa

UNT

UTSA

Tx St

UTEP

NM St

Rice

La Tech

Ark st.

[H-towngreen]

I like the idea! Lets take New Mexico St , Arkansas St and Texas St and form the Great Southwest 9

Tulsa

UNT

UTSA

Tx St

UTEP

NM St

Rice

La Tech

Ark st.

I'm sure Rice and Tulsa would love that

[cdizzle86]

I like the idea! Lets take New Mexico St , Arkansas St and Texas St and form the Great Southwest 9

Tulsa

UNT

UTSA

Tx St

UTEP

NM St

Rice

La Tech

Ark st.

Ugh.

[RETSO]

Ugh.

Nevermind...I would rather play Old Dominion, FIU and FAU.

[cdizzle86]

Nevermind...I would rather play Old Dominion, FIU and FAU.

Touche. For some reason I just can't get excited about playing NMST and TXST.

[shaft]

I like the idea! Lets take New Mexico St , Arkansas St and Texas St and form the Great Southwest 9

There is nothing great about NMSU & TXST

[Arkstfan]

Harry, the map really illustrates our conversation the other day.

If Tulsa leaves, WKU really makes a mess because it makes no sense to split WKU and MTSU since they are 100 miles apart.

Leaves you with:

OPTION 1.

EAST: Marshall, ODU, Charlotte, FIU, FAU, WKU, MTSU

WEST: UTEP, UNT, Rice, UTSA, Tech, USM, UAB

OPTION 2.

EAST: Marshall, ODU, Charlotte, FIU, FAU, UAB, USM

WEST: UTEP, UNT, Rice, UTSA, Tech, MTSU, WKU

[BeliefBlazer]

That's why I am warming on A-State and NMSU. I would rather have WKU but not if it puts UAB in the West.

We'll now have 14 teams in 2013 (16 for all sports other than football)

13 teams in 2014 (14 teams overall)

Back to 14 for everything in 2015.

[wardly]

Ugh.

I don't know. Replace Tulsa with ULL and it looks like it would work,but it also looks like the Belt with less travel.