(04-18-2012 06:38 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  Maybe they are not ripe yet for the picking.

Let them upgrade thier facilities over the next 5 years and show a commitment to having a larger budget.

I like that they are a close drive for several teams.

Even though they are not a big market they do have several towns there close together (Gadsden / Attalla to the northwest, Anniston to the south, and Piedmont to the northeast, all within 15-20 miles). There also looks like there is a military base close by. I think that does give them some potential to build a nice fan base there.

Jax State is in between two urban centers with no growth in the last 32 years. I'm not seeing much growth in the next couple of years either. They have no primary or even secondary television stations. They are 2 hours from Alabama AND Auburn and 1 hour from UAB. There are 5 other FBS schools in the state of Alabama. None of this is Jacksonville State's fault. But no market, no population growth and bordering other programs. Sure, they could be a mid range Sun Belt team as far as the Sun Belt is today. But I don't see them having the oxygen to help the Sun Belt grow into a conference with a better national or even regional profile. That's my issue there.

Western Kentucky, Troy, and Arkansas State are in rural areas, but they are the only program in their regions. They've got oxygen to grow. Jacksonville State....I just don't see it.