Sun Belt Considers Adding 11th Football School

[collegesportsinfo]

Sunbelt Considering 11th Football Member:

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Keys are that they seem to be aiming at current FBS schools, not FCS schools in the area like App St, Charlotte, GA State, etc. Also hinting they aren't looking north (MAC, Temple, etc). As CUSA schools are not an option (downgrade), really only leaves LA Tech and NMSU

[dbackjon]

It is comical that the SunBelt would rule out FCS teams, since any number of FCS schools are better than the current Sunbelt members.

ASU, GSU, even Jacksonville State would be immediately contenders, and attendance champs.

[SuperHornet]

It is comical that the SunBelt would rule out FCS teams, since any number of FCS schools are better than the current Sunbelt members.

ASU, GSU, even Jacksonville State would be immediately contenders, and attendance champs.

[collegesportsinfo]

It is comical that the SunBelt would rule out FCS teams, since any number of FCS schools are better than the current Sunbelt members.

ASU, GSU, even Jacksonville State would be immediately contenders, and attendance champs.

Well, I think it's all semantics. This info wouldn't have gotten out, with those specifics, if there wasn't already a plan. I mean, there are only 2 schools that fit the bill: LA Tech and NMSU. I guess you COULD include MAC schools, but if SB and MAC are equal, and the MAC is a bus league, why would say, Ball St. or any other MAC school leave?

So if it's one spot, and two schools that want in, then it could happen quite quickly.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

It is comical that the SunBelt would rule out FCS teams, since any number of FCS schools are better than the current Sunbelt members.

ASU, GSU, even Jacksonville State would be immediately contenders, and attendance champs.

Well, I think it's all semantics. This info wouldn't have gotten out, with those specifics, if there wasn't already a plan. I mean, there are only 2 schools that fit the bill: LA Tech and NMSU. I guess you COULD include MAC schools, but if SB and MAC are equal, and the MAC is a bus league, why would say, Ball St. or any other MAC school leave?

So if it's one spot, and two schools that want in, then it could happen quite quickly.

LA Tech makes sense - but I always thought their admin REALLY didn't want to "downgrade" (though with what happened to the WAC, perhaps this argument goes away)

Any thought that this is in advance of bringing S. Alabama in as a full member soon so they get a conference championship game? (it would stand to reason)

[SuperHornet]

Anyone wanna lay odds on a LA Tech move to the SLC?

Or would that downgrade the SLC?

[catamount man]

Jax State in the Sunbelt would rule!!!

[collegesportsinfo]

Well, I think it's all semantics. This info wouldn't have gotten out, with those specifics, if there wasn't already a plan. I mean, there are only 2 schools that fit the bill: LA Tech and NMSU. I guess you COULD include MAC schools, but if SB and MAC are equal, and the MAC is a bus league, why would say, Ball St. or any other MAC school leave?

So if it's one spot, and two schools that want in, then it could happen quite quickly.

LA Tech makes sense - but I always thought their admin REALLY didn't want to "downgrade" (though with what happened to the WAC, perhaps this argument goes away)

Any thought that this is in advance of bringing S. Alabama in as a full member soon so they get a conference championship game? (it would stand to reason)

Has always made sense. But if that were the case, you'd think the number being tossed around was 2, not adding 1 school. USA would be the 10th member. New school (everyone expects it to be LA Tech) would be 11. If you're gonna add LA Tech, might as well add NMSU for that 12/13 total and a championship game. Likely would be worth 1 million in this market...would have been less years ago. Networks throwing around money that you've now got Versus/Comcast that would be willing to overpay.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

LA Tech makes sense - but I always thought their admin REALLY didn't want to "downgrade" (though with what happened to the WAC, perhaps this argument goes away)

Any thought that this is in advance of bringing S. Alabama in as a full member soon so they get a conference championship game? (it would stand to reason)

Has always made sense. But if that were the case, you'd think the number being tossed around was 2, not adding 1 school. USA would be the 10th member. New school (everyone expects it to be LA Tech) would be 11. If you're gonna add LA Tech, might as well add NMSU for that 12/13 total and a championship game. Likely would be worth 1 million in this market...would have been less years ago. Networks throwing around money that you've now got Versus/Comcast that would be willing to overpay.

NMSU is a long way from their geographic footprint though, Quinn... Las Crusces is like 12 hours from Denton (the furthest west the Belt goes now)

wouldn't looking at Georgia St. make more sense? the Atlanta market (well, okay, let's not kid ourselves nobody in atlanta cares about them...) but it is a lot closer to the rest of their membership.

[Mvemjsunpx]

wouldn't looking at Georgia St. make more sense? the Atlanta market (well, okay, let's not kid ourselves nobody in atlanta cares about them...) but it is a lot closer to the rest of their membership.

That likely means GSU would have to leave the CAA for the Sun Belt in all sports, which probably wouldn't help much for football and would be a losing proposition for basketball.

[SUUTbird]

Really when looking at this the only viable option I can see for them to be considering since they arent looking for a FCS school (also think its a dumb Idea) is La Tech. NMSU is way to far away and it would make three schools in the Sunbelt Conference that are found in Louisiana.

[collegesportsinfo]

wouldn't looking at Georgia St. make more sense? the Atlanta market (well, okay, let's not kid ourselves nobody in atlanta cares about them...) but it is a lot closer to the rest of their membership.

That likely means GSU would have to leave the CAA for the Sun Belt in all sports, which probably wouldn't help much for football and would be a losing proposition for basketball.

As the proposed/rumored criteria are "established (existing) FBS schools, you can eliminate GA St. or any FCS school. That's why the thread might as well be titled "Sunbelt Looking at La Tech".

[LeadBolt]

It is comical that the SunBelt would rule out FCS teams, since any number of FCS schools are better than the current Sunbelt members.

ASU, GSU, even Jacksonville State would be immediately contenders, and attendance champs.

I agree with you. Could it be that if a FCS team came in and immediately contended it would further lessen their already shaky standing?

[dbackjon]

It is comical that the SunBelt would rule out FCS teams, since any number of FCS schools are better than the current Sunbelt members.

ASU, GSU, even Jacksonville State would be immediately contenders, and attendance champs.

I agree with you. Could it be that if a FCS team came in and immediately contended it would further lessen their already shaky standing?

[Sly Fox]

Let me see, if La Tech were to decide the Sunbelt is more attractive than what is left in the WAC, would Benson begin to consider the concept of an Eastern Division made up of FCS move-ups in order to assure his league's survival?