(05-04-2012 08:58 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  GO I think App will release a statement that we are looking into to our options, nothing more. I hope I'm wrong.
I'm not sure the Belt is convinced GSU is ready to move (maybe 2014) and App is likely to want one additional eastern program to help with travel costs before joining the Belt. I hope the Belt would agree to taking App and GSU in 2014 vs. pulling in NMSU for 2013. Is one year that important?

Remember there is a two year transition period. So even if you announced today, you would not qualify for a bowl game or SBC championship until 2015 (2012 is set and 2013/2014 would be transitional). Not sure what the Sun Belt's time frame might be, however, if there are multiple schools bidding for one or two slots, hesitation might lead to dismissal.

Please do add Appy St and Go So ASAP so that JMU will baddly want to join the MAC. It would be a good move for both of us.

Though if Midd Tenn leaves for CUSA then I can't promice that we wont try to take WKY again...But that is only IF we are unbalanced in FB at that point because of either losing UMASS or adding Delaware.

I would expect App State to want to send in their form by May 25th and get it on.
Should not be any problems funding, facilities, etc.
Just concerned with Benson being on board with it. Sounds like he is trying to find all the WAC members new homes.
You can always find something for a commissioner to grip about, I imagine. Not sure how much direction the Sun Belt presidents are giving him or if he is pretty much free ranging.
Would think GaSo would file by May 25th if they feel they need to to get it done. Truthfully imagine they would like to have the additional year, but feel that the pressure will be on them to go ahead and file.

Still seems odd that he has added two schools and not taken a trip to App State or GaSo. Cannot understand that. Looks as if you would want to have all the information before doing anything, but maybe Waters did.

Im not really sure why a physcial visit would be 100% necessary.

Its not like he doesnt have a presntation or information on both schools facilites IMHO. Showing up in person only starts rumors which leads to other knee jerk reactions.

A possible reason to drag out expansion is logistical.

If App and GaSouth are the teams and all follow the GaSt timeline the likely East division is those three, FAU, Troy and USA.

The three transitioning schools would count as FBS opponents for the other Sun Belt members but transition teams I don't believe can count other transition team as FBS opponents. Without going to the Manual, I'm not sure if that is specifically in the Manual or whether it came from a policy determination letter by the NCAA.

Each of them would need five home games. Four have to be countable home games vs FBS and one can be an FCS game. In 2013 division mates Troy USA and FAU could count them toward their four FBS but GaSt, GaSouth, App would have to count home games against each other as FCS.

In an 8 game schedule you'd normally play 5 division games and three crossover. So everyone gets four home games. The problem is of those four home games each transition team would get either one or two games they'd have to count as an FCS. They would then have to find either one or two FBS non-conference home games for 2013.

To make it work, unless one or more of the three were to find a willing home non-conference opponent, you would have to scrap divisions in 2013 and hand build a schedule that either did not have Ga.St, GaSouth, App playing each other or only featured a team that had secured a home game against a non-conference FBS hosting one of the other two.

That would also preclude playing a championship game in 2013.

(05-05-2012 08:17 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  A possible reason to drag out expansion is logistical.

If App and GaSouth are the teams and all follow the GaSt timeline the likely East division is those three, FAU, Troy and USA.

The three transitioning schools would count as FBS opponents for the other Sun Belt members but transition teams I don't believe can count other transition team as FBS opponents. Without going to the Manual, I'm not sure if that is specifically in the Manual or whether it came from a policy determination letter by the NCAA.

Each of them would need five home games. Four have to be countable home games vs FBS and one can be an FCS game. In 2013 division mates Troy USA and FAU could count them toward their four FBS but GaSt, GaSouth, App would have to count home games against each other as FCS.

In an 8 game schedule you'd normally play 5 division games and three crossover. So everyone gets four home games. The problem is of those four home games each transition team would get either one or two games they'd have to count as an FCS. They would then have to find either one or two FBS non-conference home games for 2013.

To make it work, unless one or more of the three were to find a willing home non-conference opponent, you would have to scrap divisions in 2013 and hand build a schedule that either did not have Ga.St, GaSouth, App playing each other or only featured a team that had secured a home game against a non-conference FBS hosting one of the other two.

That would also preclude playing a championship game in 2013.

as usual, good stuff...