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tigers58 Offline
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Post: #1
Sun Belt Expansion
The SBC has been playing footsie with James Madison and Liberty for over a year now and to me neither is a good fit culturally or geographically. To me there are better fits in the region. I know I'm going out on a limb, but the SBC has been taking it in the shorts from C-USA on expansion targets but not on the field where we have been winning against them.
So....it's time for SBC to get tough and poach teams from them. C-USA is no better than the SBC, actually worst after last year football record. I would go after S. Miss and UAB as they fall in our footprint and not in C-USA's. Why would they consider it...simple! Instant rivals everywhere. UAB would have Troy, S. Alabama, and the Georgia schools that would be easy travel for their fans. S. Miss would have the Louisiana twins and Ark. St. plus UAB. The only close team right now for S. Miss is UAB; this would save on travel cost and increase fan interest.
With SBC increasing to 4 bowls plus the rotating options in the coming years, there really is no difference in bowl games. With changing membership in C-USA some of their bowls will be moving to the new AAC conference anyway.
There are some difference in present day TV contracts but that will change soon also due the falling status of C-USA.
If both teams came over to the SBC, that would give us 13 teams. Maybe Idaho would chose to join the Sky conference or one of the smaller
west coast conference as they really do not fit in the SBC. Now there is a nice 12 team football conference with a lot less travel expense and more close rivals to count on.
Still wishing; if NMSU left the conference then I would target one of the Florida schools that left as they will be doing more traveling than any team in C-USA and they would have better chances at playing in bowl games near their fan base.
I'm just saying! What do you think?
06-24-2014 06:12 PM
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GoApps70 Offline
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Post: #2
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Could see UAB biting, as I recall they need a shot in attendance badly.
Eventually I think we will get SoMiss. But not until at least the CUSA
media contract runs out in a couple of years. They also like playing
LaTech it seems. Doubt one of the Florida schools would want back
without the other, and doubt even more the SBC would welcome them
back.
06-24-2014 09:55 PM
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SethManKA1 Offline
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Post: #3
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
I can tell you USM fans would never support a move to the SunBelt. Geography is not a huge factor. I hate CUSA but nothing we can do. There is more money made in it at least. 07-coffee3

SMTTT
06-25-2014 01:36 AM
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SlyFox Offline
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Post: #4
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Just curious, tigers58. What makes the two Florida schools better cultural fits than the two Virginia schools?
06-26-2014 09:17 PM
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tigers58 Offline
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Post: #5
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Culturally it's the upper South Atlantic region versus the deep South. Both are Southern but there are some differences. My main point with the Florida school/schools is that they fit in the Sunbelt footprint and have a history with the schools already. When they left the Sun Belt conference left several rivals behind for the promise of C-USA. We can see how that turned out; every name team left that could. Now only Rice and Marshall have any known recognition to them.
If you are going to be in the one of the lower 5 conferences you need lower cost and have close rivals to keep fan base support. Right now the Florida schools have to pass the Georgia schools and the Alabama schools to travel to West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. This also applies to S. Miss and UAB on their traveling and rivals.
Am I saying this will happen...No I don't think it will, but there good reasons for something like this happen. Have heard that there has been some talks/wishful thinking about UAB considering such a move.
As for the Virginia schools JMU has said that they do not want to join the SBC; they are more interested in the MAC as a fit for their program. With Liberty there does seem to be a problem with the AD of the SBC and not being able to get enough votes. As you are a Liberty supporter you may know more about that than I do. I have no problem with them. Large school with the money to apply to their programs. I see that as a win. But they have been passed over twice now, so there is some issue.
As a ULM and SBC fan I just wish the conference to keep on it's upward path and growth.
06-26-2014 11:39 PM
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SlyFox Offline
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Post: #6
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
I was curious as Baco Raton & Miami have very little in common with any of the other current Sun Belt cities. Both are nearly 500 miles away from the closest Sun Belt city of Statesboro. Both are serious outliers along the lines of Las Cruces in how far they are removed from even the closest schools. And both are around 1000 miles from Monroe.

Meanwhile both Virginia schools are not only a bit closer to Monroe but also half the distance to the nearest current Sun Belt school as the Florida schools from theirs.

I certainly recognize the shared history of the Florida schools with current league members.
06-28-2014 01:37 PM
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chiefsfan Offline
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Post: #7
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
(06-28-2014 01:37 PM)SlyFox Wrote:  I was curious as Baco Raton & Miami have very little in common with any of the other current Sun Belt cities. Both are nearly 500 miles away from the closest Sun Belt city of Statesboro. Both are serious outliers along the lines of Las Cruces in how far they are removed from even the closest schools. And both are around 1000 miles from Monroe.

Meanwhile both Virginia schools are not only a bit closer to Monroe but also half the distance to the nearest current Sun Belt school as the Florida schools from theirs.

I certainly recognize the shared history of the Florida schools with current league members.

FIU and FAU were admitted primarily because fewer FCS teams were interested in moving up during the early part of the past decade. At one point, had both not agreed to not only move up, but change their timeline for an earlier arrival, the SBC would have died off as a conference and many of our members would be back in FCS.

The F_U's for all their bottom 10 glory during that time, helped save the league's existence. As did UNT during a similar time frame when they turned down the WAC.
06-28-2014 09:12 PM
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GoApps70 Offline
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Post: #8
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Would think there would have been many of the schools forming another FBS conference if something had happened to the SBC.
Times were different back then, and different requirements. Would take major approvals today.
06-28-2014 10:30 PM
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tigers58 Offline
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Post: #9
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Sly, question for you. As you are a Liberty fan, why do you think they have been pasted over by not only SBC but other conference? I do not know or even have a good rumor. But with a school with enrollment in the 12K and a good athletic budget you would think someone would invite you...wouldn't you?

Another point that I left out about returning one of the Florida schools is the recruiting angle. Florida is one if not the top recruiting grounds for the nation. Miami, Florida, and Florida State have had national championships. USF and Central Florida have had very good programs and there are still players left over to go all over the nation. Where does Liberty's region rate compared to that? Just wondering?

Was wondering also are there any direct flights into Lynchburg? I know there are many into Miami and over parts of Florida. With the coming changes in the difference between the Big 5 conference and the small 5 "COST" will become a major concern to the smaller schools as many Big conferences are now stopping the practice of several pay games against smaller schools.
So the small schools with have to depend on getting fans into their home stands..done by a rivals bringing crowds. The coming differences in the Big 5 conferences will force a new directions for the smaller schools.

What are your thoughts?
06-30-2014 10:54 PM
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GoApps70 Offline
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Post: #10
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
You know it comes down to it doesn't matter if a school is paved with gold
and whatever else if the SBC presidents will not even consider it. I think
Liberty for example thinks that obtaining admittance to FBS and the SBC would
help their recruiting to the point of making them competitive but seems SBC
presidents do not seem to agree. Think that is what LU needs to change in their
minds next.
07-01-2014 06:00 AM
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Liberty Fan Offline
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Post: #11
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
(07-01-2014 06:00 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  You know it comes down to it doesn't matter if a school is paved with gold
and whatever else if the SBC presidents will not even consider it. I think
Liberty for example thinks that obtaining admittance to FBS and the SBC would
help their recruiting to the point of making them competitive but seems SBC
presidents do not seem to agree. Think that is what LU needs to change in their
minds next.

We can help change some minds October 11th. 03-lmfao
(This post was last modified: 07-03-2014 11:11 AM by Liberty Fan.)
07-03-2014 07:46 AM
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GoApps70 Offline
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Post: #12
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
(07-03-2014 07:46 AM)Liberty Fan Wrote:  
(07-01-2014 06:00 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  You know it comes down to it doesn't matter if a school is paved with gold
and whatever else if the SBC presidents will not even consider it. I think
Liberty for example thinks that obtaining admittance to FBS and the SBC would
help their recruiting to the point of making them competitive but seems SBC
presidents do not seem to agree. Think that is what LU needs to change in their
minds next.

We can help change some minds October 11th. 03-lmfao

No, you guys need to become the next NDSU instead.
That might change some minds. One game would not.
07-04-2014 08:04 AM
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KeyWestTROYTrojan Offline
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Post: #13
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Belt can be selective in who is prepped/asked to become 12th member if one is ever chosen. SBC is a gatekeeper between FCS and FBS.That gives[/b] Belt some power with selection. Southern and App were great adds BTW.
07-04-2014 06:42 PM
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tigers58 Offline
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Post: #14
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Just a update; with the recent announcements of some major upgrades at both ULL and ULM to their stadiums and the Sun Belt Conference adding a 4th bowl plus the rotating options the future of the SBC looks very good. Maybe some of the C-USA transfers should have second thoughts? Every team that had any recognition has left. Rumor has it that Rice has been trying to get out leaving a league without any name teams. When the new TV contracts and bowl options roll around in 2016 period it should be "very" interesting with the SBC record against C-USA.

This leaves the SBC in a good position to pick teams that bring the best options for the conference. What makes sense to me is the southern teams of the 2 conferences joining the SBC and the northern squads going to C-USA. There could be some very intense rivalry formed with the 2 conferences with inter-league play and bowl contests. A little hatred goes a very long way in increasing crowds and news interest. A win-win for both conferences....but that makes to much sense.

What are your thoghts?
07-15-2014 10:47 AM
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GoApps70 Offline
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Post: #15
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
(07-15-2014 10:47 AM)tigers58 Wrote:  Just a update; with the recent announcements of some major upgrades at both ULL and ULM to their stadiums and the Sun Belt Conference adding a 4th bowl plus the rotating options the future of the SBC looks very good. Maybe some of the C-USA transfers should have second thoughts? Every team that had any recognition has left. Rumor has it that Rice has been trying to get out leaving a league without any name teams. When the new TV contracts and bowl options roll around in 2016 period it should be "very" interesting with the SBC record against C-USA.

This leaves the SBC in a good position to pick teams that bring the best options for the conference. What makes sense to me is the southern teams of the 2 conferences joining the SBC and the northern squads going to C-USA. There could be some very intense rivalry formed with the 2 conferences with inter-league play and bowl contests. A little hatred goes a very long way in increasing crowds and news interest. A win-win for both conferences....but that makes to much sense.

What are your thoghts?

Biggest obstacle to that is all the jokes and kidding the SBC has taken over the years. Some created by SBC fans themselves. Would be very hard to get teams to switch to SBC because of it. Their administration and fans would just not agree.
07-15-2014 10:57 AM
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runamuck Offline
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Post: #16
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
(07-15-2014 10:57 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  
(07-15-2014 10:47 AM)tigers58 Wrote:  Just a update; with the recent announcements of some major upgrades at both ULL and ULM to their stadiums and the Sun Belt Conference adding a 4th bowl plus the rotating options the future of the SBC looks very good. Maybe some of the C-USA transfers should have second thoughts? Every team that had any recognition has left. Rumor has it that Rice has been trying to get out leaving a league without any name teams. When the new TV contracts and bowl options roll around in 2016 period it should be "very" interesting with the SBC record against C-USA.

This leaves the SBC in a good position to pick teams that bring the best options for the conference. What makes sense to me is the southern teams of the 2 conferences joining the SBC and the northern squads going to C-USA. There could be some very intense rivalry formed with the 2 conferences with inter-league play and bowl contests. A little hatred goes a very long way in increasing crowds and news interest. A win-win for both conferences....but that makes to much sense.

What are your thoghts?

Biggest obstacle to that is all the jokes and kidding the SBC has taken over the years. Some created by SBC fans themselves. Would be very hard to get teams to switch to SBC because of it. Their administration and fans would just not agree.

Rice and Marshall are the two most reputable teams in c-usa with Rice having long been associated with teams at the top level however they are stuck in c-usa until there is an opening somewhere else..probably the aac. I think it would be great to have somiss in the belt, but until there is some kind of shake-up in c-usa, they would consider us a step down.
12-10-2014 12:06 PM
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Olde Hate Offline
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Post: #17
RE: Sun Belt Expansion
Liberty fans, I'll give it to you straight: your school's society is not all-inclusive. Not a Christian, straight, or conservative? You're MOST likely not to have a wonderful academic life at "Liberty". I think it has wonderful academics and produces fine alumni for the most part, but, like BYU, are being blackballed.
05-20-2016 10:53 AM
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