I don't spend a lot of time on this, so I don't know minimum stadium size, number of sports offered, and other constraints to moving up, but I have a name that I haven't seen mentioned (perhaps with good reason) : St. Thomas in Minneapolis. So they were division 3 a year ago, I think, but they were kicked out of their league for being too good. Literally. Now they are 5-2 in their first year of FCS, in the Pioneer League. I've read that things have gotten to the point the Visa where geography doesn't matter anymore, and the Dakota schools are in play (which I think are excellent programs). If you added St Thomas, you'd have a northern wing. St Thomas has a lot of money, notibly from the Best Buy guy. The state of MN has traditionally had one and only one big time football team. For a decently large, wealthy state. I suspect St Thomas won't make the jump after only year, but I think they are heading to FBS eventually.

The last thing the new C-USA needs is to spend more money on travel costs.

(11-02-2021 03:45 AM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  The last thing the new C-USA needs is to spend more money on travel costs.

The benefits of having close travel are negated by the crummy low budget (and low achievement) schools that are typically close together.

CUSA already spans from El Paso to the Southern tip of Florida with only 3 schools. The geography horse is already out of the barn.

IMO, the primary way for CUSA to minimize travel is by using the old Pac 10 model of finding PAIRS (travel partners) within the broader map.

i.e. UTEP-NMSU, UMASS-UCONN, NDSU-SDSU, etc. That's the only way to lower travel costs.

UT Arlington played football until 1985. A few years back there was talk of bringing it back to UTA - I did some quick searches and could not find anything definitive. They are a school right in the middle of DFW with 24k undergrad students 43k total. If they had a team, or were serious about restarting, CUSA would be a great landing place. Plus you add back DFW, which helps on numerous levels for recruiting, and reducing travel for UTEP and La Tech.

The downside of course is it would be a restart. UTSA demonstrates what is possible with the right planning and leadership. Of course if the administration is still opposed to football, then you must look at FCS teams that are ready to jump.

CUSA has likely discussed all the possible independents - UCONN, Mass, Liberty - but what about Army? Would a rebuilt conference be of interest? They would continue to play a geographically diverse schedule including stops near major bases - Fort Bliss (UTEP)? Army would be a great cornerstone to a new conference if you could get them. The AAC has tried several times without success, so they are likely content as an Independent.

(11-02-2021 06:10 AM)Kandy Atz Wrote:  UT Arlington played football until 1985. A few years back there was talk of bringing it back to UTA - I did some quick searches and could not find anything definitive. They are a school right in the middle of DFW with 24k undergrad students 43k total. If they had a team, or were serious about restarting, CUSA would be a great landing place. Plus you add back DFW, which helps on numerous levels for recruiting, and reducing travel for UTEP and La Tech.

The downside of course is it would be a restart. UTSA demonstrates what is possible with the right planning and leadership. Of course if the administration is still opposed to football, then you must look at FCS teams that are ready to jump.

CUSA has likely discussed all the possible independents - UCONN, Mass, Liberty - but what about Army? Would a rebuilt conference be of interest? They would continue to play a geographically diverse schedule including stops near major bases - Fort Bliss (UTEP)? Army would be a great cornerstone to a new conference if you could get them. The AAC has tried several times without success, so they are likely content as an Independent.

Could you imagine the meltdown UNT and SMU would have if there were three FBS schools in one metro area? North Carolina supports three P5's in one metro but one is terrible at football, the other two aren't usually very good. I know Texas is different but UTA along with SHSU takes Texas to 11 FBS schools.

(11-02-2021 08:40 AM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(11-02-2021 06:10 AM)Kandy Atz Wrote:  UT Arlington played football until 1985. A few years back there was talk of bringing it back to UTA - I did some quick searches and could not find anything definitive. They are a school right in the middle of DFW with 24k undergrad students 43k total. If they had a team, or were serious about restarting, CUSA would be a great landing place. Plus you add back DFW, which helps on numerous levels for recruiting, and reducing travel for UTEP and La Tech.

The downside of course is it would be a restart. UTSA demonstrates what is possible with the right planning and leadership. Of course if the administration is still opposed to football, then you must look at FCS teams that are ready to jump.

CUSA has likely discussed all the possible independents - UCONN, Mass, Liberty - but what about Army? Would a rebuilt conference be of interest? They would continue to play a geographically diverse schedule including stops near major bases - Fort Bliss (UTEP)? Army would be a great cornerstone to a new conference if you could get them. The AAC has tried several times without success, so they are likely content as an Independent.

Could you imagine the meltdown UNT and SMU would have if there were three FBS schools in one metro area? North Carolina supports three P5's in one metro but one is terrible at football, the other two aren't usually very good. I know Texas is different but UTA along with SHSU takes Texas to 11 FBS schools.

It would be 4. TCU

Texas already has 12 FBS schools. Those adds would take it to 14.

University of West Florida. Great place to visit. Up and coming program.

Any mention for FGCU or UNF to ever start football ?

(11-02-2021 09:09 AM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  Any mention for FGCU or UNF to ever start football ?

FGCU admins have made it clear football is not an option and have listed the issues.
The first issue is cost. The second issue is the location of a stadium. No space on campus as much of the campus is protected wetlands.

There have been rumors of UNF moving up for years, but their leadership has not indicated any interest to move up. Some schools like to be a big fish in a small pond, versus a small fish in an ocean.

UNF's crosstown rivals Jacksonville just killed their FCS program. But low level college football is a tough sell in a market dominated by the Jags & Gators.

(11-02-2021 10:17 AM)SlyFox Wrote:  UNF's crosstown rivals Jacksonville just killed their FCS program. But low level college football is a tough sell in a market dominated by the Jags & Gators.

Jags fans know all about low-level football

New Mexico State is an obvious addition and is already FBS, putting CUSA at

NMSU
UTEP
La Tech
FIU

The only FCS call ups ol Judy should entertain, going upwards to form a footprint, should be

Missouri State
Illinois State
UNI
South Dakota State
North Dakota State
Montana
Montana State
Idaho.

More geographically inline for scheduling MWC and Big12 out of conference.