(06-03-2020 02:55 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  Which SBC team(s) would you peg to have the brightest future, specifically five years down the road?

I'll withhold my definitive answer. I'm interested in other people's opinions.

Without saying which school will pan out the best, I do want to share my assessment, going basically from west to east.

Texas State: Has rated at or near the top of the conference for recruiting in recent years. Had a much-praised hire, at least at the time, in Jake Spavital. Has a large, traditional university supporting the program. Boasts one of the conference's most impressive stadiums. Basically, there is a ton of potential.

ULM: Warhawks fans are going to hate me for saying this, but I don't foresee a great future. They only have 5 home games seemingly every single year. It's just not a formula for winning. Matt Viator has done well to lead the team to .500 (2018) or just below at 5-7 (2019). They've had some great highs like the wins over Alabama and Arkansas in years past, but with the low budget, lack of much fan support, and history of struggling, it is just hard for me not to see 6-6, maaaaaaybe 7-5 as their high water mark. I wouldn't mind being wrong. I like a good underdog story.1

Louisiana: Five years from now, Billy Napier will be gone. And if he's not, it'll be because the team regresses. They have decent fan support. Louisiana will have to hope it can have an Arkansas State-like series of successful coaching hires... But I have a feeling they're here to stay as a force to be reckoned with in the SB no matter who coaches.

Arkansas State: Never count these guys out. They made it to bowl games just about the whole decade. They've had some nice, attractive renovations to the stadium. They were the standard bearer for, I think, six out of seven years.

South Alabama: They are so, so down right now. The new stadium may change the game for them, but I wonder if it will need to be under a new coach. Steve Campbell has not proven much year at the FBS level. Potential is there.

Troy: They have three great things going for them: a great location for recruiting, being in the state of Alabama; a great, attractive stadium; and, most of all, a tradition of winning. They were down last year, and Chip Lindsey has something to prove, but I fully expect them to contend long term.

Ga. State: Location in Atlanta doesn't hurt. The win over Tennessee will open up recruiting opportunities over the next few years that they've never had before. I just have a hard time imagining them suddenly winning much more than they are right now.

Ga. Southern: Begrudgingly, I know these guys are on the verge of greatness at any turn. To win the SB again at any point in the next five years, though, they have to beat more good SB teams besides App... Truth is that this school has a crazy good, proud winning culture, which I think outweighs facilities, TV markets, etc. Look out for Ga. Southern.

App State: To my knowledge, has never had the league's number one recruiting class. Not in a particularly great immediate recruiting area or in any kind of TV market. Good, much improving stadium with the new end zone facility in a super scenic setting, but not objectively the nicest stadium in the league. Middle of the road budget. Never had the highest paid coach in the league. Coaching turnover rapidly the past few years. But you would be hard to convince me they're going anywhere anytime soon. Winning seasons in 33 of the past 35 years. Four 10 win seasosn in 6 years of FBS ball.

Coastal Carolina: They're my TBD team they were better last year than the previous two, but still 5-7. I just think it is way too early to make a long term, or even a two to three year, projection on this school. Lots of realignmentologists count them out as a desirable school. Let's just wait and see.

Overall, I like the future of this league. Just about every school has a shot at winning the league over the course of five years. Some dormant team is going to emerge and surprise us.

Pretty good summary. We have three-four schools that could pop regionally and gain national rankings auch as App recently. I expect Ark State to be better over the next five years, Texas State has so much opportunity. They have too much to stay down. UL will maintain itself but others will improve. Troy will have some outstanding seasons just as in the past. No reason for USA not to jump. The stadium will help a lot but may be a head coach away. GSU will remain a good quality consistent team but limited national growth without a flashy passing offense. It will not happen but ULM is probably better suited for the SLC. Of all conferences, I do think we have the better oppportunity to gain stature and ranking. It will take continued emphasis, investments, and top coaching. Our recruiting areas are excellent and generally located in smaller towns meaning good local support. The biggest need we have are more wins vs higher recognized teams resulting in improved media coverage. This will happen