What you guys think of this set up?

I Can see the Sun Belt looking something like this..

West

UNT
UTSA
Texas St.
La. Tech
La. Monroe
ULL
NMSU
UTA*

East

Ark-LR*
Ark St.
Troy
USA
MTS
WKU
FIU
FAU

Obviously in this scenerio, FAU has accepted an invitation to the SEC.

(02-16-2012 09:24 PM)fauowls561 Wrote:  Obviously in this scenerio, FAU has accepted an invitation to the SEC.

13 football teams? probably not

(02-16-2012 09:25 PM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(02-16-2012 09:24 PM)fauowls561 Wrote:  Obviously in this scenerio, FAU has accepted an invitation to the SEC.

13 football teams? probably not

Take a look at the clues Benson gave. It is clear he wants the conference to mirror the SEC geographically which is a very smart move. Atlanta is the hub of the SEC, the largest city in the south and the college football mecca with the kickoff every year and the college football hall of fame. The conference will shift east adding Ga State, Ga Southern and App State and very possibly go to 14 teams with La Tech and another within the SB southeast footprint. Benson knows he needs to make the conference large enough so that if he loses 2 schools, he is solid at 12. He also knows it is important to have a good mix of large market schools and those that have potential to win but are less likely to jump ship at the first chance. La Tech is the only WAC school that will be considered.

"But the Sun Belt footprint also provides a pool of possible members that are already in that footprint – current FBS members as well as FCS members who have indicated perhaps an interest in moving to FBS"

"As far as going outside the footprint or going outside the Central time zone or into the Eastern time zone – obviously Florida International and Florida Atlantic are already in the Eastern time zone – would provide a geographic area that would allow the Sun Belt to creep closer so to speak to the two Florida schools and provide some additional membership that it even brings the overall boundaries of the conference closet together"

"There’s an advantage of being located in the Southeast and to capitalize on what the Southeastern Conference has down in terms of capturing the fans and creating a culture of intercollegiate athletics – not just football but overall. I think the Southeastern Conference would provide a great model for the Sun Belt to aspire to be like the SEC in terms of being able to coexist in that footprint. There are some advantages of being in the same neighborhood of the SEC. "

"I spent an afternoon in Atlanta back, actually, three weeks ago today when I had my in-person meeting with presidents and chancellors and it was that meeting that was the catalyst."

(02-16-2012 11:26 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(02-16-2012 09:25 PM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(02-16-2012 09:24 PM)fauowls561 Wrote:  Obviously in this scenerio, FAU has accepted an invitation to the SEC.

13 football teams? probably not

Take a look at the clues Benson gave. It is clear he wants the conference to mirror the SEC geographically which is a very smart move. Atlanta is the hub of the SEC, the largest city in the south and the college football mecca with the kickoff every year and the college football hall of fame. The conference will shift east adding Ga State, Ga Southern and App State and very possibly go to 14 teams with La Tech and another within the SB southeast footprint. Benson knows he needs to make the conference large enough so that if he loses 2 schools, he is solid at 12. He also knows it is important to have a good mix of large market schools and those that have potential to win but are less likely to jump ship at the first chance. La Tech is the only WAC school that will be considered.

"But the Sun Belt footprint also provides a pool of possible members that are already in that footprint – current FBS members as well as FCS members who have indicated perhaps an interest in moving to FBS"

"As far as going outside the footprint or going outside the Central time zone or into the Eastern time zone – obviously Florida International and Florida Atlantic are already in the Eastern time zone – would provide a geographic area that would allow the Sun Belt to creep closer so to speak to the two Florida schools and provide some additional membership that it even brings the overall boundaries of the conference closet together"

"There’s an advantage of being located in the Southeast and to capitalize on what the Southeastern Conference has down in terms of capturing the fans and creating a culture of intercollegiate athletics – not just football but overall. I think the Southeastern Conference would provide a great model for the Sun Belt to aspire to be like the SEC in terms of being able to coexist in that footprint. There are some advantages of being in the same neighborhood of the SEC. "

"I spent an afternoon in Atlanta back, actually, three weeks ago today when I had my in-person meeting with presidents and chancellors and it was that meeting that was the catalyst."

I'm not against any Georgia schools but Georgia Southern being added would probably only happen if we lost six schools. Geography is great but there is no point in additions that don't make sense like Jax State. It would make sense to add non FCS teams first like La Tech then teams already moving up like UTSA.

(02-16-2012 09:24 PM)fauowls561 Wrote:  Obviously in this scenerio, FAU has accepted an invitation to the SEC.

My bad.. Fixed

You due have good chance at the Alliance...

To be clear, Benson was in Atlanta, not Statesboro.

Just saying...

(02-16-2012 11:26 PM)GSU Eagles Wrote:  

(02-16-2012 09:25 PM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(02-16-2012 09:24 PM)fauowls561 Wrote:  Obviously in this scenerio, FAU has accepted an invitation to the SEC.

13 football teams? probably not

Take a look at the clues Benson gave. It is clear he wants the conference to mirror the SEC geographically which is a very smart move. Atlanta is the hub of the SEC, the largest city in the south and the college football mecca with the kickoff every year and the college football hall of fame. The conference will shift east adding Ga State, Ga Southern and App State and very possibly go to 14 teams with La Tech and another within the SB southeast footprint. Benson knows he needs to make the conference large enough so that if he loses 2 schools, he is solid at 12. He also knows it is important to have a good mix of large market schools and those that have potential to win but are less likely to jump ship at the first chance. La Tech is the only WAC school that will be considered.

"But the Sun Belt footprint also provides a pool of possible members that are already in that footprint – current FBS members as well as FCS members who have indicated perhaps an interest in moving to FBS"

"As far as going outside the footprint or going outside the Central time zone or into the Eastern time zone – obviously Florida International and Florida Atlantic are already in the Eastern time zone – would provide a geographic area that would allow the Sun Belt to creep closer so to speak to the two Florida schools and provide some additional membership that it even brings the overall boundaries of the conference closet together"

"There’s an advantage of being located in the Southeast and to capitalize on what the Southeastern Conference has down in terms of capturing the fans and creating a culture of intercollegiate athletics – not just football but overall. I think the Southeastern Conference would provide a great model for the Sun Belt to aspire to be like the SEC in terms of being able to coexist in that footprint. There are some advantages of being in the same neighborhood of the SEC. "

"I spent an afternoon in Atlanta back, actually, three weeks ago today when I had my in-person meeting with presidents and chancellors and it was that meeting that was the catalyst."

I would say that the two teams that Karl Benson will attempt to get added to the SunBelt are Texas State and UTSA. Between listening to the telecast, as well as reading the Q&A that Benson posted on Gang Green website. Karl Benson seems to feel that it is important to always have a team in Texas.

To me, Georgia State will probably be one to get a bid. Heck, they were a founding member of the conference, they play at an NFL stadium, and they're right in the heart of a major metro area. That would give us the Atlanta market and give us rep in Georgia. Here's what I do if I'm commissioner - get several teams (Georgia State is an obvious one, and UTSA/TSU would be good as well) to balance divisions and create a championship game which would be held on a campus site of whoever is that year's champion (we all know how neutral field attendance is for conference championships if you aren't the SEC, Big 10, or Big 12...). I like his plan to pursue another bowl bid... We don't need to stop at three, get it to four or five, add more schools, and keep the conference moving up.

This is more likely:

I think that the Alliance is going to move slowly over the next 18 months (barring unforeseen movement) and take two schools in the east to get to 18 (current front-runners Temple FBO and a Sun Belt school, FIU for example). That leaves the Belt at 9 (remember S. Alabama becomes full-time football this year). So to get to Benson's quote of 12, for the near future, I would assume that La Tech is their number 1 priority to get to 10 followed by 2 of these 3, UTSA, Tx St. and NMSU.

Now's where the patience starts. The Alliance has already said that a 20-24 school conference is on the drawing board so if that where to happen, the next two in line would probably be any two of these four, La Tech, North Tx, USU or FAU. If they are Sun Belt schools, that then leaves two schools needing to be replaced; first would be the one left from the above 2 of 3 (UTSA, TSU or NMSU) and then the Belt probably looks East to App St. or perhaps Ga. St or UNCC or something.

In the end the WAC only survives as a basketball league with an assoc. of football playing members unless they can convince FCS'ers to join, which might be difficult given their tenuous situtation.

Looks like everyone's going to have a home (except for maybe Idaho) in the new FBS landscape. It's a long way from over; the Big XII is still making noises, the Big East may lose and regain schools and on and on.

(02-17-2012 12:03 PM)FIUFan Wrote:  This is more likely:

I think that the Alliance is going to move slowly over the next 18 months (barring unforeseen movement) and take two schools in the east to get to 18 (current front-runners Temple FBO and a Sun Belt school, FIU for example). That leaves the Belt at 9 (remember S. Alabama becomes full-time football this year). So to get to Benson's quote of 12, for the near future, I would assume that La Tech is their number 1 priority to get to 10 followed by 2 of these 3, UTSA, Tx St. and NMSU.

Now's where the patience starts. The Alliance has already said that a 20-24 school conference is on the drawing board so if that where to happen, the next two in line would probably be any two of these four, La Tech, North Tx, USU or FAU. If they are Sun Belt schools, that then leaves two schools needing to be replaced; first would be the one left from the above 2 of 3 (UTSA, TSU or NMSU) and then the Belt probably looks East to App St. or perhaps Ga. St or UNCC or something.

In the end the WAC only survives as a basketball league with an assoc. of football playing members unless they can convince FCS'ers to join, which might be difficult given their tenuous situtation.

Looks like everyone's going to have a home (except for maybe Idaho) in the new FBS landscape. It's a long way from over; the Big XII is still making noises, the Big East may lose and regain schools and on and on.

Benson is looking to move quickly to 12 football members. 60-90 days

(02-17-2012 12:31 PM)panama Wrote:  Benson is looking to move quickly to 12 football members. 60-90 days

Isn't there an announcement deadline of like June 30th 2012 to be eligible for the following fiscal year of Sept. 1st, 2013?

I've been wanting the Belt to move to a 12 member roster for a while now so I'm excited about Benson moving to make that happen.

(02-17-2012 12:43 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  I've been wanting the Belt to move to a 12 member roster for a while now so I'm excited about Benson moving to make that happen.

Me too.

Question is who will it be?

You have to think he's had conversations with Tech and you know he has realtionships with the texas twins.

He has to be prepareing for both scenarios's of 2-3 'Belt schools leaveing and convincing them to stay.

No matter what I think the confrence will survive, there are numerous programs in the footpring to make it happen. The question is will it reset to its inception level, or build from its historic high of last year.

Heard a rumor last night (by FAU basketball announcer)
that FAU & FIU are in discussions with BIG EAST about
joining their conference.

(02-17-2012 12:47 PM)HILTOPWKU Wrote:  Heard a rumor last night (by FAU basketball announcer)
that FAU & FIU are in discussions with BIG EAST about
joining their conference.

(02-17-2012 12:47 PM)HILTOPWKU Wrote:  Heard a rumor last night (by FAU basketball announcer)
that FAU & FIU are in discussions with BIG EAST about
joining their conference.

Didnt listen to the game last night, but I think that ship sailed AGES ago.

Neither school is ready at this point for that.

(02-17-2012 12:46 PM)OwlFamily Wrote:  Question is who will it be?
You have to think he's had conversations with Tech and you know he has realtionships with the texas twins.
He has to be prepareing for both scenarios's of 2-3 'Belt schools leaveing and convincing them to stay.
No matter what I think the confrence will survive, there are numerous programs in the footpring to make it happen. The question is will it reset to its inception level, or build from its historic high of last year.

The Belt is stronger than ever. It just needs another Bowl or two; which will become available once more schools begin to qualify (some sort 3-5 year rolling average or something) in a 12 team league.

I believe La Tech gets in as soon as they say Yes. Thing is, their waiting on the Alliance to make their decision. If it's a No, Tech will be in the Belt the next day. Forcing Benson to finish the job of getting to 12 and bringing on the Twins (unless NMSU wedges their way in between them).

Point is, the Sun Belt is now a go to conference. The WAC is gone and if you have dreams of playing FBS football in the SE and SW, we're it.