Idaho and NMSU Join Sun Belt

[Harry]

The Sun Belt Conference will grow by four members by the end of the week.

The addition of Georgia Southern and Appalachian State already being reported by multiple outlets will be announced Wednesday according to sources within the conference. Later in the week, perhaps as early Thursday, it is expected that New Mexico State and Idaho will also join the league beginning in 2014.

Idaho and New Mexico State football will be football-only members. Beginning in 2014, that will give the league 12 members, enough to stage a conference playoff that will be played on the campuses. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State have long been speculated to join the Sun Belt after the league felt the effects of conference realignment.

North Texas, Florida Atlantic and Middle Tennessee have departed for Conference USA. Both Georgia Southern and App State are emerging FBS (Division I-A) programs who are transitioning out of FCS (Division I-AA).

Read more: http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/dennis-dodd/21949121/sun-belt-will-grow-by-four-in-2014-

[MDH]

MAC model

[Harry]

Found this explanation on the Arkstfan forum:

The talk is that NMSU and Idaho are part of a compromise between ASU, ULL, and ULM, and Troy, USA, and WKU. East Schools have really been pushing for the Texas Southland Schools, and The West schools have no interest.

Both are coming to ease transition concerns. App and Southern have to play 4 FBS home games in 2014...and they cant count each other.

My guess is that James Madison or Liberty will be added if WKU leaves. I could see Missouri State, but I don't think the Bears are interested.

[Harry]

Idaho perspective: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/03/25/2507817/idaho-football-to-ask-state-board.html

[emmitt01]

Idaho perspective: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/03/25/2507817/idaho-football-to-ask-state-board.html

The Idaho perspective should be "any harbor in the storm"

Also, thought this reply in the comments section was funny.

"How about no? There is no reason to forego access to TV deals, bowl tie ins, and profits derived from the future tournament. To further add to that, BCS schools are starting to schedule money games against FBS teams exclusively. In the meantime, the administration is already planning an event center and stadium expansion. Also, it's not like the Sun Belt is going to give us a harder time than the WAC has this last decade. It's barely a step above an FCS conference anyway.

Moving to the Big Sky is asking the university to give up millions of dollars in revenue in order to play in a conference that is barely worse than the Sun Belt."

Edited March 26, 2013 by emmitt01

[wardly]

I can understand NMSU for football only, but not the SPUDS. Idaho is a 1aa program that really belongs in the Big Sky for all sports. Saying that, it would be a real pisser if they beat us at our home opener.

[UNT90]

Who cares.

Really.

[Arkstfan]

Who cares.

Really.

You ought to. Odds are pretty good that Conference Eastern USA will end up tabbing one of the Sun Belt's eastern newbies soon.

[meangreener]

You ought to. Odds are pretty good that Conference Eastern USA will end up tabbing one of the Sun Belt's eastern newbies soon.

Very doubtful. CUSA is not going to add any more for the time being

[outoftown]

Did Karl Benson just throw NMSU and IU a bone because he felt guilty for screwing them over in his WAC time

I start wondering if this is the start of the end of the sun belt, not because it is a bad move (football only actually kind of makes sense for both sides), just because it was Karl who did it)

[outoftown]

Very doubtful. CUSA is not going to add any more for the time being

This. I woul wait at least a few months before adding someone new. There is a decent chance Navy will reneg on the noname conference, seing as they make more money by themselves and as it is not hard for them to get a decent complete schedule. If that happens C-USA might loose another member. not sure we have to fill up if we are at 12.

... then again I am not yet certain that Bankowsky is any smarter than Benson

Edited March 26, 2013 by outoftown

[GrandGreen]

I am glad Idaho and NMSU found a football home. They don't fit the Belt footprint but that seems to matter less and less.

[NM Green]

Me too. You need to have a conference home these days and they will at least be able to compete for some bowl games.

GMG