(08-25-2015 08:45 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: The schools I would have doubts about supporting Coastal would be UTA Texas St UALR and maybe ULM. I believe Ark St and Louisiana would support Coastal along with the 5 eastern schools
(08-25-2015 08:17 PM)Saint3333 Wrote: What are the voting blocks?
- App, GS, GA St.
- Troy, USA
- ULL, ULM
- Ark St, UALR,
- Texas St., UTA
I think CCU can get the nine, they likely have App and I believe Ark St and ULL would vote yes. If Troy or USA are on board they pass.
I think you are talking more about travel partners than voting blocks.
It's been mentioned before that the Cajuns, stAte, & Texas State are all kind of in step with each other (I take that to mean either Cajuns or stAte say something, and we say "yes sir/ma'am" because that's the way I see our admin).
If Texas St votes with those two I believe CCU will be the add as you'll have the "power players" in the west on board along with the eastern members voting for them.
(08-25-2015 09:25 PM)4thDown Wrote: It will be all 3. NMSU, EKU and Coastal. And that's exactly the right move for the Sun Belt to make.
Which is probably why it won't happen . . . . It's not like The Belt to be Proactive.
You might be right, but i'm pretty optimistic that this will be the way it goes. It's such an incredibly logical move. There are benefits for both halves of the league. The Sun Belt really needs a shot in the arm in BB and NMSU provides that. EKU has put in the work and are eager to be a part of the league, unlike JMU, and they don't have the issues that makes Liberty a non-starter. CCU has great potential in their location. South Carolina can certainly support 3 FBS teams.
The only other feasible candidates that could come down the road are from the Southland, or Jacksonville State -- none overly appealing. If they don't act now on these three, there aren't going to be better options they are passing up. It's clear that JMU and Missouri State aren't coming. JMU is too proud because of ODU getting a CUSA bid and Missouri State is probably waiting for some FBS version of the MVC in the next 7 to 10 or even 15 years.
(08-25-2015 09:25 PM)4thDown Wrote: It will be all 3. NMSU, EKU and Coastal. And that's exactly the right move for the Sun Belt to make.
Which is probably why it won't happen . . . . It's not like The Belt to be Proactive.
You might be right, but i'm pretty optimistic that this will be the way it goes. It's such an incredibly logical move. There are benefits for both halves of the league. The Sun Belt really needs a shot in the arm in BB and NMSU provides that. EKU has put in the work and are eager to be a part of the league, unlike JMU, and they don't have the issues that makes Liberty a non-starter. CCU has great potential in their location. South Carolina can certainly support 3 FBS teams.
The only other feasible candidates that could come down the road are from the Southland, or Jacksonville State -- none overly appealing. If they don't act now on these three, there aren't going to be better options they are passing up. It's clear that JMU and Missouri State aren't coming. JMU is too proud because of ODU getting a CUSA bid and Missouri State is probably waiting for some FBS version of the MVC in the next 7 to 10 or even 15 years.
Logic and The Belt:
(This post was last modified: 08-25-2015 10:00 PM by Bobcat87.)
(08-25-2015 09:25 PM)4thDown Wrote: It will be all 3. NMSU, EKU and Coastal. And that's exactly the right move for the Sun Belt to make.
Which is probably why it won't happen . . . . It's not like The Belt to be Proactive.
You might be right, but i'm pretty optimistic that this will be the way it goes. It's such an incredibly logical move. There are benefits for both halves of the league. The Sun Belt really needs a shot in the arm in BB and NMSU provides that. EKU has put in the work and are eager to be a part of the league, unlike JMU, and they don't have the issues that makes Liberty a non-starter. CCU has great potential in their location. South Carolina can certainly support 3 FBS teams.
The only other feasible candidates that could come down the road are from the Southland, or Jacksonville State -- none overly appealing. If they don't act now on these three, there aren't going to be better options they are passing up. It's clear that JMU and Missouri State aren't coming. JMU is too proud because of ODU getting a CUSA bid and Missouri State is probably waiting for some FBS version of the MVC in the next 7 to 10 or even 15 years.
Logic and The Belt:
Haha! You might be right. To me it seems pretty cut and dry, but when it comes down to a roomful of college presidents, anything is possible.
I would go one step further though. I think there would be a real benefit to the Belt to bringing in 2 non-FB schools in the East to offset UALR and UTA. They've lost their presence in Florida completely, and there are 2 up and coming programs ripe for the picking: North Florida and FGCU. A nice 12/16 set-up.
I'd be willing to wager that under no circumstances would it be EKU, Coastal, and NMSU (all three). Mainly because adding those three and only dropping Idaho would be a VERY BAD move for the Sun Belt.
Neither CCU nor EKU are slam dunks. Adding all three does not get us a new bowl. Neither are going anywhere.
(08-25-2015 06:39 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: I think many of us are expecting some kind of announcement b4 football season but with each passing day I am beginning to wonder if we add anyone.
Wouldn't a conference meeting (or meeting of the Presidents) have to be on the schedule? Is there something scheduled?
(08-25-2015 06:39 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: I think many of us are expecting some kind of announcement b4 football season but with each passing day I am beginning to wonder if we add anyone.
I think most of us have thought if we are taking an FCS the announcement would be later.
(08-25-2015 09:14 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: I could be wrong but I think UTA and UALR get a vote but NMSU and Idaho don t. If that is wrong I will stand corrected.
(08-25-2015 06:39 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: I think many of us are expecting some kind of announcement b4 football season but with each passing day I am beginning to wonder if we add anyone.
Wouldn't a conference meeting (or meeting of the Presidents) have to be on the schedule? Is there something scheduled?
They can hold a teleconference at any time if they know what they want to do.
(08-25-2015 08:17 PM)Saint3333 Wrote: What are the voting blocks?
- App, GS, GA St.
- Troy, USA
- ULL, ULM
- Ark St, UALR,
- Texas St., UTA
I think CCU can get the nine, they likely have App and I believe Ark St and ULL would vote yes. If Troy or USA are on board they pass.
(08-25-2015 08:45 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: The schools I would have doubts about supporting Coastal would be UTA Texas St UALR and maybe ULM. I believe Ark St and Louisiana would support Coastal along with the 5 eastern schools
I haven't talked about the latest round of expansion with anyone at the U, but I can tell you from the past, they will be in favor of anyone that brings value to the conference.
I suspect, though haven't confirmed because CCU wasn't on the board last time, that some would see value in the Chants.
(08-25-2015 09:07 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote: I don't believe UTA or UALR have a vote. Correct?
(08-25-2015 06:39 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: I think many of us are expecting some kind of announcement b4 football season but with each passing day I am beginning to wonder if we add anyone.
Relax...it will happen. There is no real need to be in any hurry with this.
(08-25-2015 09:14 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote: I could be wrong but I think UTA and UALR get a vote but NMSU and Idaho don t. If that is wrong I will stand corrected.
That makes more sense. UTA and UALR sit out on football matters. Thanks.
I think the most unlikely scenario of all is adding more than one team. I've heard nothing that would indicate this is even remotely close to being an option.
The question, I believe, has become not who has the votes, but rather, what schools are going to be blocked?
It takes three no's to block a school and right now I hear more about "Not voting for ______, no matter what."
And every candidate has at least one school, perhaps more, that feels that way.
(08-26-2015 09:49 AM)BirdofParadise Wrote: I think the most unlikely scenario of all is adding more than one team. I've heard nothing that would indicate this is even remotely close to being an option.
The question, I believe, has become not who has the votes, but rather, what schools are going to be blocked?
It takes three no's to block a school and right now I hear more about "Not voting for ______, no matter what."
And every candidate has at least one school, perhaps more, that feels that way.
I know there is no perfect candidate and each school has their pros and cons. Do you think it is still an east / west thing or have they moved on from that?
To hear Benson talk, divisions and travel partners are the priority. Is that really what the membership is thinking? And how serious are they to try to get a 12th member for 2016-17?
