Vandal football finds 'great stability' in Sun Belt

Harry · March 29, 2013

The Vandals, who will play in the West division with New Mexico State, Texas State, Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe, aren't concerned about travel, with the team traveling by charter.

"Traveling four times a year to the south is not an issue. … We went to Ohio, North Carolina and Louisiana twice last year,'' Spear said.

Idaho will not have to pay any fees to join the Sun Belt, which has a TV agreement with ESPN that will be renegotiated with the increase in membership. Possible exposure on TV, along with related revenue and payouts from the BCS to conferences, will help negate the loss of approximately $1 million the school projects without as many "money" games.

"They've invested a lot into their program, and have made a commitment to being an FBS member," Benson said. "The renovations of the Kibbie Dome the last two years … they're creating a much better football environment."

While there have been rumblings that Western Kentucky is considering a move to Conference USA, Idaho coach Paul Petrino is excited by the idea of joining the conference - and the fact his brother, Bobby, is Western Kentucky's coach.

"I think the Sun Belt has built itself into a real good football conference," Paul Petrino said Tuesday. "We'll probably be in different divisions, so I hope (a matchup with Bobby) is in a championship game."

Benson said the league has begun vetting prospective members in case Western Kentucky moves on. Benson also said the league hopes to add at least one, and possibly two more bowl tie-ins in addition to the New Orleans and GoDaddy.com bowls.

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