(03-26-2014 04:50 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:47 PM)knucklehead Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:35 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 04:29 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote:  I was listening to local sports radio here in Richmond and the UVA beat writer was on to talk about the NCAA tournament. But because this particular beat writer had until recently been JMU's beat writer for years and still has lots of contacts in Harrisonburg, the host also asked him what he thought the impact of the UMass news would have on JMU's FBS plans. The guy basically said that the UMass move made JMU to the MAC less likely and while JMU may prefer the CUSA or MAC, the study showed there wasnt much difference between the three and over the last year, JMU has learned from App State that if you want FBS you need to take the offer on the table. Sounded to me like he expected JMU to join the SBC.

I figure the MAC told JMU they would be number 14 if UMass stayed, but a month ago when UMass said no, JMU was told the MAC was staying at 12 and the talks with the SBC started.

One thing though is that there is still a lot of talk that JMU may ultimately choose FCS after this.

If that happens...we need to start preparing ourselves for our first ever Private School in Football.

I like the sound of that. It would not surprise me that if JMU is not a big SBC fan and the MAC stays pat that JMU stays in the CAA. If Liberty comes in soon, will NMST and Missouri State also come as an all sport to appease the West teams?

Liberty does not get into the SBC Unless NMSU and Missouri State are agreed on. And even then, you need to make sure your President is visiting Troy, Jonesboro, and Lafayette to make sure their leadership is okay with it.

If I were creating my strategy....

Five people I visit in person and ask for campus tours from and ask lots of questions about their school and facilities and then invite to my school are:
-Troy president because he's former president of the league
-ULM president because president of the league.
-UL president because the Cajuns are influential
-AState chancellor because odds are pretty good UALR votes to keep AState happy (and if you don't vote with AState you either get a call from the governor or whichever appointee to the board he can get a hold of first) and AState has always been a go-to school to broker compromises, especially true after UNO left.
-Texas State president because they are the most remote school for any eastern candidate and a high probability no vote, not sure their opinion means a great deal to UTA because I don't know their dynamic.

Win over three of them then odds are pretty good any eastern candidate will get the votes.