(07-17-2011 10:10 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote: (06-23-2011 07:20 AM)Golden Jedi Knight Wrote: (06-20-2011 10:35 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote: (05-22-2011 10:56 PM)Golden Jedi Knight Wrote: (05-20-2011 03:27 PM)pilot172000 Wrote: My hope is on Lamar because Montana isn't going anywhere and CA can afford another FBS school right now. I think that we at some point in Ruston are gonna have to make a move.
Where do you guys move to, though? The Sun Belt? No offense, but the only way I see C-USA picking you up is if any current C-USA members leave for the Big East or wherever.
The Sun Belt? I know the prestige is a bit below the WAC but at some point you have to look at the geography and the conference stability.
The WAC has lost all of its annual power teams..
I am not opposed to La Tech moving to the Sun Belt. I wonder if the Sun Belt would be receptive to adding a third school from Louisiana, though.
If a spot opens up in C-USA, I am convinced that La Tech will be a candidate to fill it. I don't think they would be the favorite, though; probably a large, big market school like FIU or North Texas (yes, I realize C-USA has four Texas schools already, but North Texas has one of the top 25 enrollments in the country and is making a big commitment toward improving) would be chosen ahead of them.
Its a bit more complicated than that as Louisiana Tech has already left the Sun Belt and makes no secret about their disdain for the Belt and ULM and ULL. I think that we go ahead and offer La Tech a deal where they can come in but have to agree to a huge separation payment if they leave again. But I'm not sure that ULM wouldn't still block an invite. I think ULM smells blood in the water over at La Tech. But I suspect that ULM's 'program on the cheap' would not be the primary beneficiary of LTU's issues (I think it will be CUSA and other SBC schools)
La Tech is currently in a very bad position. And its' largely not their fault (although their issues with ULM or ULL might be self assisted and may block a SBC bid). Their conference just switched from Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada, and Hawai'i for the Southland Conference plus Utah State. Their bowl tie ins are going to suck. There's no positive spin to be had on this. The Belt has now jumped at least 1 conference (WAC) and is closing in on another (MAC). And I think its unreasonable to expect the new D1 programs to be competitive anytime soon.
I think the possibility of a WAC to CUSA jump is there, but its a really risky move for La Tech to bet on it as it's not even a 50-50 even if there are 2 openings in CUSA.
And if La Tech doesn't win the new WAC every year for the next couple of years, it could get really ugly.
Tom. Good Post. Sorry, I didn't join here earlier. Some clarification: there was not a Sunbelt football conference when LA Tech joined the WAC. ULM and Tech did and will always have bad blood - simply b/c of location and the history. I feel Tech felt it arrived when it won the WAC in its first year, the same year Boise joined...most people forget Tech did win it that year...however, this sudden success, did force their hand on loyalty to New Conference and Regional Support. Tech fans would love, love to play ULM, the Cajuns, and Tulane every year. It is clearly understood why ULM won't. Tech and the Cajuns are back on the schedule...for 14 and 15...so I think that time will heal that piece.
I know the Sun Belt did 'feel' about Tech after Rice, SMU, and Tulsa departed; and, Tech abruptly said 'no'...which I feel was in haste, not as disrespect, but they tossed their cards on the table for their intent for CUSA. Tech felt they were the 4th team from CUSA selection. It was a bit of a shock when UTEP was announced. So Tech missed that boat, and the deflating balloon actually carried over to the sports world, as programs suffered a bit.
I am proud of the Sun Belt programs. It appears solid, more so than even some established other programs. Time builds a conference, not politics. Not travel - but support. Fans want local/regional competition...along with the prestige of the big conference. That is a delicate tight wire for all mid-major programs, regardless of how many seats are filled or are empty.
I think it would behoove alliances more than conference jumping. Sun Belt has done well with this - other conferences need to do the same.
The WAC will survive, if anything it will be a starting pool from which others grow from. As long as each school can be competitive and the conference winner wins the bowl game (against whomever)...this all goes away.
