(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

My crystal ball is no better than yours, but I think the the Maryland lawsuit is a straw man, and doesn't prevent CUSA from going to 16 in the least. While I think the Cajuns and stAte are the most likely choices for CUSA-16... I still don't think it happens this round... there is no absolute value to adding these teams or any others out there that justify spreading 12 million 16 ways... and that's just the start... I have no doubt that the success of this playoff will result in more $$$ both in base distribution and incentives. I look at the potential CUSA-16 (stAte/Cajuns) situation the same way as the question earlier on the ACC adding UC and UConn: they will always be there. There is no need to rush.

(04-23-2013 06:52 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

I agree with most of that.
Do you think that CUSA made those comments to the media to put out false hope and make programs like JMU hold off from joining the Sun Belt? Adding them doesnt give CUSA a new market, but it would give the Sun Belt a Virgina presence. In effect what they have done is keep us out of that market/state and might cause our conference to have to delay a Conf Championship game.

As for the AAC. I think the biggest concern right now is that the ACC might decide to take Cincy and UConn thus creating two more slots for them to fill.

JMU passing on the possibly of joining Southern and Appy in the same FBS conference, derailed by a simple "we may go to 16" comment? Southern c@#k blocked by a conference that didn't put up 300 yards on 'Bama? I can't believe any program would pass up the opportunity to play against THE OPTION every year so I'll go with the "they aren't ready for FBS line".

GATA!

(04-23-2013 07:45 PM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:52 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

I agree with most of that.
Do you think that CUSA made those comments to the media to put out false hope and make programs like JMU hold off from joining the Sun Belt? Adding them doesnt give CUSA a new market, but it would give the Sun Belt a Virgina presence. In effect what they have done is keep us out of that market/state and might cause our conference to have to delay a Conf Championship game.

As for the AAC. I think the biggest concern right now is that the ACC might decide to take Cincy and UConn thus creating two more slots for them to fill.

JMU passing on the possibly of joining Southern and Appy in the same FBS conference, derailed by a simple "we may go to 16" comment? Southern c@#k blocked by a conference that didn't put up 300 yards on 'Bama? I can't believe any program would pass up the opportunity to play against THE OPTION every year so I'll go with the "they aren't ready for FBS line".

GATA!

Nice! lol

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

No. It is finished. It is finished for quite a while. Sorry.

Yeah I believe any further movement will be small ripples. Marylands lawsuit has nothing to do with it. That lawsuit is about should they be responsible to pay the 50 million exit fee in full. I'm sorry but it would be foolish for a team to pay 50 million exit fee and give up tv rights for an x amount of years. Two spots available Mac and sunbelt.

(04-23-2013 08:22 PM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

No. It is finished. It is finished for quite a while. Sorry.

HAHA!! We believe you are wrong, and it wouldnt be the first time. Even if we bide our time in the Sun Belt for a while.. we are still surpassing you guys at a rapid rate.

Z

(04-23-2013 07:45 PM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:52 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

I agree with most of that.
Do you think that CUSA made those comments to the media to put out false hope and make programs like JMU hold off from joining the Sun Belt? Adding them doesnt give CUSA a new market, but it would give the Sun Belt a Virgina presence. In effect what they have done is keep us out of that market/state and might cause our conference to have to delay a Conf Championship game.

As for the AAC. I think the biggest concern right now is that the ACC might decide to take Cincy and UConn thus creating two more slots for them to fill.

JMU passing on the possibly of joining Southern and Appy in the same FBS conference, derailed by a simple "we may go to 16" comment? Southern c@#k blocked by a conference that didn't put up 300 yards on 'Bama? I can't believe any program would pass up the opportunity to play against THE OPTION every year so I'll go with the "they aren't ready for FBS line".

GATA!

I really dont understand what kind of joke you are trying to make. I do know that FIU got spanked HARD the last time they stepped onto the field against The GSU Option! And you aren't worthy of using "GATA".

My point is that given the current developments, opportunities to move to the FBS may already have become fewer and further between than they were a month ago. It seemed as if JMU might have been on the verge (maybe that was only wishfull thinking) of accepting a bid to the SBC. About that time, all this came out about CUSA thinking of going to 16. My question had nothing to do with any implied fear that JMU would have had about entering into a conference and facing GSU or App State. JMU is fearless, and I respect them for that. My question was, might this have been a tactical move by CUSA to keep the Sun Belt out of a market that they were entering with the addition of ODU. It was well played if it was a bluff. I believe that if JMU knew or thought that there was no room for them in CUSA, that they would take the op that the SBC has offered them. I wouldnt think that they would rather be in the MAC either.

I apologize if I misunderstood your post, but it seemed snarky and assI9ned.

(04-23-2013 09:36 PM)zeebart21 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 08:22 PM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

No. It is finished. It is finished for quite a while. Sorry.

HAHA!! We believe you are wrong, and it wouldnt be the first time. Even if we bide our time in the Sun Belt for a while.. we are still surpassing you guys at a rapid rate.

Z

We'll see. If YOU are wrong, it certainly won't be the first time for that either. Apparently, the presidents of CUSA member universities failed to notice this rapid rise you speak of (see MT, FAU, and WKU). At some point, even I have to wonder, just what is it that ULL has in its closet? What has someone at ULL done to totally turn off all the CUSA presidents? What has kept you guys out of realignment discussions up to this point? Ive heard all the "administration was asleep at the wheel" talk. I just think that there must be something else. I've even wondered if LSU might be behind ULL's problem with realignment. They wouldn't be above it.

How I feel as a Southern fan.

(04-23-2013 04:35 PM)Usajags Wrote:  Ultimately, that opens the doors for Texas A&M and Mizzou to go back to the Big 12. Then you got the ACC and Big 10 stuck at 14. Then there are no ripples left to be felt in the Gof5. And this could happen, it'll just take a couple of years for it to unfold.

I think U of Texas may have been brought back to earth with the idea that UT needs them more then they need UT.

A&M will never go back to the Big 12. Mizzou could possibly be lured away by the Big 10, but I doubt that as well.

(04-24-2013 08:12 AM)The Black Flag Wrote:  How I feel as a Southern fan.

Ditto, just glad to be on the other side of the gate for once!

(04-23-2013 07:45 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

My crystal ball is no better than yours, but I think the the Maryland lawsuit is a straw man, and doesn't prevent CUSA from going to 16 in the least. While I think the Cajuns and stAte are the most likely choices for CUSA-16... I still don't think it happens this round... there is no absolute value to adding these teams or any others out there that justify spreading 12 million 16 ways... and that's just the start... I have no doubt that the success of this playoff will result in more $$$ both in base distribution and incentives. I look at the potential CUSA-16 (stAte/Cajuns) situation the same way as the question earlier on the ACC adding UC and UConn: they will always be there. There is no need to rush.

Correct it doesn't prevent CUSA to go to 16 teams, it actually aids it. The Maryland Lawsuit is keeping the BCS conferences in a holding pattern. That's why I think Banowksy is going to go to 16 now, since everyone is in a stand still...gives CUSA a bit of stability until the chaos wheel starts turning again.

Banowsky and the CUSA presidents have wanted 16 and beyond since the merger talk started. I think 16 is as far as they will go and it will happen before July 1st. Besides...with everything slowing down, adding to two teams now gets you to 16 and solidifies 2014 and possibly beyond. For a conference that has seen incredible turnover...a little bit of stability may help.

I think this new iteration of the Sun Belt just doesn't fit the Cajuns and Arkansas State well at all. From a perception standpoint at the moment it is a massive step down. Regardless of where it could be...we cannot afford to lose the momentum we have accumulated from the past two seasons. Same goes for Arkansas State. The ship has sailed and we just don't belong here anymore. All our peers have left and gone...we need to join them or we will be stuck here forever.

CUSA is already going to be spending $12 million 14 ways. Any added bonuses from having two more teams that have the capability to affect the standings of the conference compared to the other Gang of 5 conferences would more than make up for any loss of revenue from going to 16 teams. Banowsky wouldn't have mentioned 16 teams if he really felt that spreading the 12 million around over 2 more teams would be that much of a burden.

(04-23-2013 08:22 PM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

No. It is finished. It is finished for quite a while. Sorry.

It's gonna sting so bad when they announce it...you are going to be in a shame spiral for months. Separation my ass!!!

(04-24-2013 06:38 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 09:36 PM)zeebart21 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 08:22 PM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

No. It is finished. It is finished for quite a while. Sorry.

HAHA!! We believe you are wrong, and it wouldnt be the first time. Even if we bide our time in the Sun Belt for a while.. we are still surpassing you guys at a rapid rate.

Z

We'll see. If YOU are wrong, it certainly won't be the first time for that either. Apparently, the presidents of CUSA member universities failed to notice this rapid rise you speak of (see MT, FAU, and WKU). At some point, even I have to wonder, just what is it that ULL has in its closet? What has someone at ULL done to totally turn off all the CUSA presidents? What has kept you guys out of realignment discussions up to this point? Ive heard all the "administration was asleep at the wheel" talk. I just think that there must be something else. I've even wondered if LSU might be behind ULL's problem with realignment. They wouldn't be above it.

They just took pity on that poor Polytechnical school that got stranded out west trying to be a big boy. They haven't taken us because they are scared, and until now have had no reason to add quality teams. They added markets thinking it was gonna be a big tv contract jackpot...and then the AAC got a terrible contract and they went...uh oh. Now the playoff revenues will be based on how strong a conference is...and they need us and Arkansas State to offset all the terrible teams CUSA picked up. If LSU was behind it...Tech wouldn't have gotten in either...they don't see CUSA as a problem. Name change...yes. Merging LSUS with Tech...yes. They have their priorities.

(04-23-2013 10:16 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:45 PM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:52 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

I agree with most of that.
Do you think that CUSA made those comments to the media to put out false hope and make programs like JMU hold off from joining the Sun Belt? Adding them doesnt give CUSA a new market, but it would give the Sun Belt a Virgina presence. In effect what they have done is keep us out of that market/state and might cause our conference to have to delay a Conf Championship game.

As for the AAC. I think the biggest concern right now is that the ACC might decide to take Cincy and UConn thus creating two more slots for them to fill.

JMU passing on the possibly of joining Southern and Appy in the same FBS conference, derailed by a simple "we may go to 16" comment? Southern c@#k blocked by a conference that didn't put up 300 yards on 'Bama? I can't believe any program would pass up the opportunity to play against THE OPTION every year so I'll go with the "they aren't ready for FBS line".

GATA!

I really dont understand what kind of joke you are trying to make. I do know that FIU got spanked HARD the last time they stepped onto the field against The GSU Option! And you aren't worthy of using "GATA".

My point is that given the current developments, opportunities to move to the FBS may already have become fewer and further between than they were a month ago. It seemed as if JMU might have been on the verge (maybe that was only wishfull thinking) of accepting a bid to the SBC. About that time, all this came out about CUSA thinking of going to 16. My question had nothing to do with any implied fear that JMU would have had about entering into a conference and facing GSU or App State. JMU is fearless, and I respect them for that. My question was, might this have been a tactical move by CUSA to keep the Sun Belt out of a market that they were entering with the addition of ODU. It was well played if it was a bluff. I believe that if JMU knew or thought that there was no room for them in CUSA, that they would take the op that the SBC has offered them. I wouldnt think that they would rather be in the MAC either.

I apologize if I misunderstood your post, but it seemed snarky and assI9ned.

Clearly you misunderstood. So let me try this again.

You are saying the only way JMU accepts a Belt invite is if there is no hope of a CUSA invite. EVER.

If a conference that includes Appy and Southern is more appealing than a conference with 3 of the Belt's former bottom feeders, why would they be swayed by a bluff of a "possibly " invite?

The two concepts are mutually exclusive. Your conference is either better, and JMU is not ready to go FBS (JMU should not waiver or drag their feet if they are serious about FBS). Or JMU believes the other conference is better and would prefer to be associated with those teams that comprise that conference.

Pick one.

GATA!

(04-23-2013 10:16 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  And you aren't worthy of using "GATA".

(04-24-2013 09:28 AM)cajunbane Wrote:  They just took pity on that poor Polytechnical school that got stranded out west trying to be a big boy. They haven't taken us because they are scared, and until now have had no reason to add quality teams. They added markets thinking it was gonna be a big tv contract jackpot...and then the AAC got a terrible contract and they went...uh oh. Now the playoff revenues will be based on how strong a conference is...and they need us and Arkansas State to offset all the terrible teams CUSA picked up. If LSU was behind it...Tech wouldn't have gotten in either...they don't see CUSA as a problem. Name change...yes. Merging LSUS with Tech...yes. They have their priorities.

(04-24-2013 09:22 AM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:45 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:07 PM)The4thOption Wrote:  This stops the giant potential shift that could have happend if they had lost UNC/Virgina to the Big 10, NC State and VT to the SEC and maybe FSU/Clemson to the Big 12.

If all that had happend, I was leaning towards believing that at that point we were going to see The AAC grab some top tier CUSA/Mac teams and go all the way to 16. IF Sixteen were becoming the pattern at that point we might have seen a Sun Belt/CUSA melting put into one conference. The Mac would perhaps pulled up Delaware,Youngstown State, and maybe a few others. This has certainly put a chain reaction on big hold for several FCS programs who might be developing a hope to move up.

However, The AAC only has 12 teams and isnt the Mac at 13? They could go to 14 or 16? I know the new money distribution plan makes going beyond 12 non-profitable for the Go5 if it is finalized and approved the way we have seen it proposed. But we could still see some movenment if that doesnt come down the way we think it will especially. If CUSA really has plans to goto 16, and they were to lose 2 current members to the AAC then we could see 4 teams leave the SBC! Also - nothing in the ACC agreement that keeps them from taking Cincy and UConn and if they do go to that 16 team model those two ads could mean more TV Revenue.

It isn't over. The atom bomb may be off the table but there could still be significant shifting to come in the near future. The Big12 is going to be the only AQConference without a Conf.Champ game if the NCAA denies their request to hold one with less than 12. And i dont see Miss or TXA&M going back to the Big12. The money would be deluted and might still not be as much as the future holds in the SEC. Will the big 12 go after BYU and Boise State? If that happens, what does the MWC do? I aint heard no fat lady singing yet.

As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

My crystal ball is no better than yours, but I think the the Maryland lawsuit is a straw man, and doesn't prevent CUSA from going to 16 in the least. While I think the Cajuns and stAte are the most likely choices for CUSA-16... I still don't think it happens this round... there is no absolute value to adding these teams or any others out there that justify spreading 12 million 16 ways... and that's just the start... I have no doubt that the success of this playoff will result in more $$$ both in base distribution and incentives. I look at the potential CUSA-16 (stAte/Cajuns) situation the same way as the question earlier on the ACC adding UC and UConn: they will always be there. There is no need to rush.

Correct it doesn't prevent CUSA to go to 16 teams, it actually aids it. The Maryland Lawsuit is keeping the BCS conferences in a holding pattern. That's why I think Banowksy is going to go to 16 now, since everyone is in a stand still...gives CUSA a bit of stability until the chaos wheel starts turning again.

Banowsky and the CUSA presidents have wanted 16 and beyond since the merger talk started. I think 16 is as far as they will go and it will happen before July 1st. Besides...with everything slowing down, adding to two teams now gets you to 16 and solidifies 2014 and possibly beyond. For a conference that has seen incredible turnover...a little bit of stability may help.

I think this new iteration of the Sun Belt just doesn't fit the Cajuns and Arkansas State well at all. From a perception standpoint at the moment it is a massive step down. Regardless of where it could be...we cannot afford to lose the momentum we have accumulated from the past two seasons. Same goes for Arkansas State. The ship has sailed and we just don't belong here anymore. All our peers have left and gone...we need to join them or we will be stuck here forever.

CUSA is already going to be spending $12 million 14 ways. Any added bonuses from having two more teams that have the capability to affect the standings of the conference compared to the other Gang of 5 conferences would more than make up for any loss of revenue from going to 16 teams. Banowsky wouldn't have mentioned 16 teams if he really felt that spreading the 12 million around over 2 more teams would be that much of a burden.

I keep seeing this from disgruntled cajun fans, but I just don't see it. From a football perspective the Sunbelt really didn't lose very much. Both Florida schools have 4 winning seasons combined since 2005 when they joined the Sunbelt, Middle Tennessee has 3 winning seasons in the last 10 years, North Texas had several good years in the early years of the Sunbelt but has won only 22 games since 2005. Western Kentucky is finally getting good, but they were the worst FBS team only a few years ago.

I won't say much about the newcomer except to say that l I think they are an improvement over most of the schools leaving for CUSA.

(04-24-2013 10:40 AM)txstatebobcat Wrote:  

(04-24-2013 09:22 AM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:45 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 07:31 PM)cajunbane Wrote:  

(04-23-2013 06:36 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  As fun as all this speculation is for us... and I don't have a crystal ball either, but I'd say we are about done for a while. Been saying that since the article came about CUSA thinking about 16... I really think that was a "jump the shark" moment... that flew in the face of what was happening in the market. The diminishing payoffs for adding over 12, and I believe the tendency to want to evaluate and consolidate will take hold and CUSA stays at 14 and there are no clear choices that would add value versus revenue loss to conference members.

Yes, MAC is at 13, but they have been there a while and have been at no real hurry to even out the divisions. At best, there are two more spots to fill this round... our 12th, and MAC's 14th. Those slots have been increasing in value and were just made even more valuable now that the ACC has protected itself.

Even the Big 12 could have made a move... and they are frozen out of any big fish now... have to look at the AAC, and while it could happen, I just don't see anything attractive enough for them to justify creating another round of changes.
As fun as the drama has been, I'd say we will just see small aftershocks at this point.

Wait until the Maryland lawsuit is over...then you will see more movement...regardless of what is going on with the ACC.

My crystal ball is no better than yours, but I think the the Maryland lawsuit is a straw man, and doesn't prevent CUSA from going to 16 in the least. While I think the Cajuns and stAte are the most likely choices for CUSA-16... I still don't think it happens this round... there is no absolute value to adding these teams or any others out there that justify spreading 12 million 16 ways... and that's just the start... I have no doubt that the success of this playoff will result in more $$$ both in base distribution and incentives. I look at the potential CUSA-16 (stAte/Cajuns) situation the same way as the question earlier on the ACC adding UC and UConn: they will always be there. There is no need to rush.

Correct it doesn't prevent CUSA to go to 16 teams, it actually aids it. The Maryland Lawsuit is keeping the BCS conferences in a holding pattern. That's why I think Banowksy is going to go to 16 now, since everyone is in a stand still...gives CUSA a bit of stability until the chaos wheel starts turning again.

Banowsky and the CUSA presidents have wanted 16 and beyond since the merger talk started. I think 16 is as far as they will go and it will happen before July 1st. Besides...with everything slowing down, adding to two teams now gets you to 16 and solidifies 2014 and possibly beyond. For a conference that has seen incredible turnover...a little bit of stability may help.

I think this new iteration of the Sun Belt just doesn't fit the Cajuns and Arkansas State well at all. From a perception standpoint at the moment it is a massive step down. Regardless of where it could be...we cannot afford to lose the momentum we have accumulated from the past two seasons. Same goes for Arkansas State. The ship has sailed and we just don't belong here anymore. All our peers have left and gone...we need to join them or we will be stuck here forever.

CUSA is already going to be spending $12 million 14 ways. Any added bonuses from having two more teams that have the capability to affect the standings of the conference compared to the other Gang of 5 conferences would more than make up for any loss of revenue from going to 16 teams. Banowsky wouldn't have mentioned 16 teams if he really felt that spreading the 12 million around over 2 more teams would be that much of a burden.

I keep seeing this from disgruntled cajun fans, but I just don't see it. From a football perspective the Sunbelt really didn't lose very much. Both Florida schools have 4 winning seasons combined since 2005 when they joined the Sunbelt, Middle Tennessee has 3 winning seasons in the last 10 years, North Texas had several good years in the early years of the Sunbelt but has won only 22 games since 2005. Western Kentucky is finally getting good, but they were the worst FBS team only a few years ago.

I won't say much about the newcomer except to say that l I think they are an improvement over most of the schools leaving for CUSA.

. . . remains to be seen (and I include us in that statement), But . . . The potential is certainly there.