Middle Tennessee has recently been considered to be one of the best teams in the Sun Belt Conference as evidenced by our many Bubas Cup wins (6 years out of last 8 have been to MTSU), athletic success, and increased academic standing (in top 30 of country football APR). With MTSU's facilities and sports program, should the athletic department of MTSU seek an invitation to the CUSA? What other Sun Belt teams should also seek this out? If moves happen, what'll happen to the remaining teams in the SBC? Any additions from FCS? I am interested in hearing your thoughts. It'd be great to move up to the CUSA for Middle. Any Sun Belt team would benefit, but is it feasible?

(10-06-2011 12:56 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote:  Middle Tennessee has recently been the best team in the Sun Belt Conference as evidenced by our many Bubas Cup wins (6 years out of last 8 have been to MTSU). With MTSU's facilities and sports program, should the athletic department of MTSU seek an invitation to the CUSA? What other Sun Belt teams should also seek this out? If moves happen, what'll happen to the remaining teams in the SBC? Any additions from FCS? I am interested in hearing your thoughts. It'd be great to move up to the CUSA for Middle. Any Sun Belt team would benefit, but is it feasible?

Middle has done a great job. However, conference realignment is about football. Very little else matters. Throw in academics.

Dont take this the wrong way, but I highly doubt that MTSU has enahnced its position with the Bubas cup. Other things yes, but I really doubt anyone considering a school would use that as its agrument to include them.

CUSA would be a step up right now for any 'Belt program. The thing is, its not a GIANT step up either. It could get raided and its best programs gone on to the AQ. It does have more bowl games and always seems to get a team into the top 25.

Im firmly of the opinion that if FAU cant get into a AQ (Which we will not) then I would rather stay with the 'Belt. It is getting better every year while others are topping out.

Everyone is assuming that CUSA is getting raided.

With TCU out, Big East down to six needing two full members. If Big 12 steps back in and takes Louisville, Cincinnati and WVU they are down to three needing five with no realistic prospect of remaining an AQ.

More likely that CUSA adds Rutgers, UConn, USF and Temple football only and tells MWC to take a hike.

Honestly I don't think a conference USA minus ECU, UCF, SMU, and Houston would be an improvement from the Belt. In Baseball and Basketball it would be but not drastically Memphis, UTEP, and UAB have been average at best lately in hoops. And most of conference USA was extremely overrated in Baseball come time for the tournament.

As of late the Sun Belt has really improved in baseball with Troy and FIU being ranked while sending three teams to the playoffs. Heck UALR almost beat Oregon St at their house. And basketball in the belt should really improve in the next three years Troy was dragging the league down but were stepping up.

(10-06-2011 12:58 PM)Lafitte the Pirate Wrote:  

(10-06-2011 12:56 PM)mtsufan561 Wrote:  Middle Tennessee has recently been the best team in the Sun Belt Conference as evidenced by our many Bubas Cup wins (6 years out of last 8 have been to MTSU). With MTSU's facilities and sports program, should the athletic department of MTSU seek an invitation to the CUSA? What other Sun Belt teams should also seek this out? If moves happen, what'll happen to the remaining teams in the SBC? Any additions from FCS? I am interested in hearing your thoughts. It'd be great to move up to the CUSA for Middle. Any Sun Belt team would benefit, but is it feasible?

Middle has done a great job. However, conference realignment is about football. Very little else matters. Throw in academics.

Market size matters. Conference realignment is all about money.