We're 2/3rds of the way into a monumental year for the Sun Belt: 12 of the 14 teams have won at least half of their games this season.

The Sun Belt is currently tied among all FBS conferences for the most teams ≥.500 and the largest conference percentage ≥.500:

1. Sun Belt: 86% (12/14)
1. ACC: 86% (12/14)
3. SEC: 79% (11/14)
4. Pac-12: 75% (9/12)
5. Big Ten: 71% (10/14)
6. Big 12: 64% (9/14)
7. American: 50% (7/14)
7. Mid-American: 50% (6/12)
9. Conference USA: 44% (4/9)
10. Mountain West: 42% (5/12)

To me, it's stunning to see where the Sun Belt is this year compared to the rest of the G5, whether we're looking at collective team performances (like this post) or the overall conference performance (still the #1 ranked G5 conference according to Massey).

A lot of people on these threads act like the rise of the Sun Belt isn't a big deal, but 10 years ago, the conference was in a much different place. Rock bottom, dead last in FBS conferences, with a huge gap to the top of the G5. It's an incredibly exciting and rewarding time for fans of Sun Belt schools, who have seen the quality of the conference rise by watching their team on the field every weekend.

As the commercial states: 14 universities. 10 states. Rising.

Let us know when you get a team into a NY 6 Bowl.

I was trying to figure out who will host the Sun Belt CCG if JMU’s not allowed to and I ended up figuring out I was going down an endless rabbit hole.

(10-29-2023 06:49 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  We're 2/3rds of the way into a monumental year for the Sun Belt: 12 of the 14 teams have won at least half of their games this season.

The Sun Belt is currently tied among all FBS conferences for the most teams ≥.500 and the largest conference percentage ≥.500:

1. Sun Belt: 86% (12/14)
1. ACC: 86% (12/14)
3. SEC: 79% (11/14)
4. Pac-12: 75% (9/12)
5. Big Ten: 71% (10/14)
6. Big 12: 64% (9/14)
7. American: 50% (7/14)
7. Mid-American: 50% (6/12)
9. Conference USA: 44% (4/9)
10. Mountain West: 42% (5/12)

To me, it's stunning to see where the Sun Belt is this year compared to the rest of the G5, whether we're looking at collective team performances (like this post) or the overall conference performance (still the #1 ranked G5 conference according to Massey).

A lot of people on these threads act like the rise of the Sun Belt isn't a big deal, but 10 years ago, the conference was in a much different place. Rock bottom, dead last in FBS conferences, with a huge gap to the top of the G5. It's an incredibly exciting and rewarding time for fans of Sun Belt schools, who have seen the quality of the conference rise by watching their team on the field every weekend.

As the commercial states: 14 universities. 10 states. Rising.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not trying to disagree with your argument. I personally agree. However...

Would you (or most) look at that 86% and make the argument that the ACC is the best P5 conference? The vast majority would not, and the reason is that conferences are judged, by and large, by their power at the top. And, as Bryan says, for the G5 that is NY6 berths (and wins if you really want to gain respect).

I do think that's coming for the Belt. It's the next step in what, as you say, has been a very nice progression.

I think the Sunbelt is in a better position than previous, but until the conference gains and wins a NY6 berth, the conference still has some "rising" to do.

As it stands now, the MWC and AAC are still at the top of the G5. Essentially, the SBC has switched places with C-USA, while the MAC has stayed in the same spot, ranking-wise.

It says a lot when James Madison is the best in the conference and they haven't even fully transitioned yet. Kinda reminds me of the MAC back when Marshall came in and ran through the conference each year until some of the MAC schools improved enough to be a challenge. If the same holds, JMU will do the same against already established 1-A schools until those schools rise to the level of JMU.

I think the SBC is on the rise, but I still view them as third best among G5.

(10-29-2023 11:06 AM)djsuperfly Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 06:49 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  We're 2/3rds of the way into a monumental year for the Sun Belt: 12 of the 14 teams have won at least half of their games this season.

The Sun Belt is currently tied among all FBS conferences for the most teams ≥.500 and the largest conference percentage ≥.500:

1. Sun Belt: 86% (12/14)
1. ACC: 86% (12/14)
3. SEC: 79% (11/14)
4. Pac-12: 75% (9/12)
5. Big Ten: 71% (10/14)
6. Big 12: 64% (9/14)
7. American: 50% (7/14)
7. Mid-American: 50% (6/12)
9. Conference USA: 44% (4/9)
10. Mountain West: 42% (5/12)

To me, it's stunning to see where the Sun Belt is this year compared to the rest of the G5, whether we're looking at collective team performances (like this post) or the overall conference performance (still the #1 ranked G5 conference according to Massey).

A lot of people on these threads act like the rise of the Sun Belt isn't a big deal, but 10 years ago, the conference was in a much different place. Rock bottom, dead last in FBS conferences, with a huge gap to the top of the G5. It's an incredibly exciting and rewarding time for fans of Sun Belt schools, who have seen the quality of the conference rise by watching their team on the field every weekend.

As the commercial states: 14 universities. 10 states. Rising.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not trying to disagree with your argument. I personally agree. However...

Would you (or most) look at that 86% and make the argument that the ACC is the best P5 conference? The vast majority would not, and the reason is that conferences are judged, by and large, by their power at the top. And, as Bryan says, for the G5 that is NY6 berths (and wins if you really want to gain respect).

I do think that's coming for the Belt. It's the next step in what, as you say, has been a very nice progression.

In regards to the NY6, the SBC just has had a hard time putting it all together. 2023, this is the best conference, but the undefeated team is bowl and CCG ineligible. Last year, Troy arguably should have gotten the bid over fellow 2 loss Tulane, but the Green Wave got the edge coming from the then better conference. 2020, undefeated CCU got edged out by undefeated AAC champ Cincinnati. 2019, 12-1 App State edged out by 12-1 Memphis.

(10-29-2023 12:17 PM)wleakr Wrote:  I think the Sunbelt is in a better position than previous, but until the conference gains and wins a NY6 berth, the conference still has some "rising" to do.

As it stands now, the MWC and AAC are still at the top of the G5. Essentially, the SBC has switched places with C-USA, while the MAC has stayed in the same spot, ranking-wise.

It says a lot when James Madison is the best in the conference and they haven't even fully transitioned yet. Kinda reminds me of the MAC back when Marshall came in and ran through the conference each year until some of the MAC schools improved enough to be a challenge. If the same holds, JMU will do the same against already established 1-A schools until those schools rise to the level of JMU.

I think the SBC is on the rise, but I still view them as third best among G5.

Massey Composite disagrees with you. Records against non conference FBS disagrees as well.

(10-29-2023 12:51 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 12:17 PM)wleakr Wrote:  I think the Sunbelt is in a better position than previous, but until the conference gains and wins a NY6 berth, the conference still has some "rising" to do.

As it stands now, the MWC and AAC are still at the top of the G5. Essentially, the SBC has switched places with C-USA, while the MAC has stayed in the same spot, ranking-wise.

It says a lot when James Madison is the best in the conference and they haven't even fully transitioned yet. Kinda reminds me of the MAC back when Marshall came in and ran through the conference each year until some of the MAC schools improved enough to be a challenge. If the same holds, JMU will do the same against already established 1-A schools until those schools rise to the level of JMU.

I think the SBC is on the rise, but I still view them as third best among G5.

Massey Composite disagrees with you. Records against non conference FBS disagrees as well.

True. Also true that the MAC and AAC had better post season bowl records than the SBC for 2022-23.

Regardless of what stats are used, until the SBC gets some NY6 under the belt, they have work to do.

JMU will hoprfully be the key to the next level.

(10-29-2023 12:17 PM)wleakr Wrote:  It says a lot when James Madison is the best in the conference and they haven't even fully transitioned yet. Kinda reminds me of the MAC back when Marshall came in and ran through the conference each year until some of the MAC schools improved enough to be a challenge. If the same holds, JMU will do the same against already established 1-A schools until those schools rise to the level of JMU.

James Madison is arguably the best G5 in the country, and you're somehow holding it against the SBC? If the rest of the SBC "rose to the level of JMU", the SBC would be on the same level of the ACC, and far-and-away better than any G5 conference. Some of the mental gymnastics on the board... Olympic-level, I must say.

That is outstanding and something each team and the conference should be proud of. Well done SBC.

So is the SBC office going to keep **** blocking JMU or what?

I mean if JMU didn't want to have to follow transition rules in 2023 then they should've joined the first time the SBC invited them and the process would be over already. I agree that the rules are dumb but they had a chance to get this over with sooner.

(10-29-2023 06:49 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  We're 2/3rds of the way into a monumental year for the Sun Belt: 12 of the 14 teams have won at least half of their games this season.

The Sun Belt is currently tied among all FBS conferences for the most teams ≥.500 and the largest conference percentage ≥.500:

1. Sun Belt: 86% (12/14)
1. ACC: 86% (12/14)
3. SEC: 79% (11/14)
4. Pac-12: 75% (9/12)
5. Big Ten: 71% (10/14)
6. Big 12: 64% (9/14)
7. American: 50% (7/14)
7. Mid-American: 50% (6/12)
9. Conference USA: 44% (4/9)
10. Mountain West: 42% (5/12)

To me, it's stunning to see where the Sun Belt is this year compared to the rest of the G5, whether we're looking at collective team performances (like this post) or the overall conference performance (still the #1 ranked G5 conference according to Massey).

A lot of people on these threads act like the rise of the Sun Belt isn't a big deal, but 10 years ago, the conference was in a much different place. Rock bottom, dead last in FBS conferences, with a huge gap to the top of the G5. It's an incredibly exciting and rewarding time for fans of Sun Belt schools, who have seen the quality of the conference rise by watching their team on the field every weekend.

As the commercial states: 14 universities. 10 states. Rising.

Just a note: CUSA is 3-0 vs. the MAC and if you take the average composite massey rankings, CUSA is ahead of the MAC, not terrible at all for their first year. 3 of the 4 newcomers at top of football standings.

(10-31-2023 10:32 AM)Bobcat2013 Wrote:  I mean if JMU didn't want to have to follow transition rules in 2023 then they should've joined the first time the SBC invited them and the process would be over already. I agree that the rules are dumb but they had a chance to get this over with sooner.

The SBC is doing themselves a disservice by keeping it's only top 25 team out of the championship game.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

(10-29-2023 11:06 AM)djsuperfly Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 06:49 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  We're 2/3rds of the way into a monumental year for the Sun Belt: 12 of the 14 teams have won at least half of their games this season.

The Sun Belt is currently tied among all FBS conferences for the most teams ≥.500 and the largest conference percentage ≥.500:

1. Sun Belt: 86% (12/14)
1. ACC: 86% (12/14)
3. SEC: 79% (11/14)
4. Pac-12: 75% (9/12)
5. Big Ten: 71% (10/14)
6. Big 12: 64% (9/14)
7. American: 50% (7/14)
7. Mid-American: 50% (6/12)
9. Conference USA: 44% (4/9)
10. Mountain West: 42% (5/12)

To me, it's stunning to see where the Sun Belt is this year compared to the rest of the G5, whether we're looking at collective team performances (like this post) or the overall conference performance (still the #1 ranked G5 conference according to Massey).

A lot of people on these threads act like the rise of the Sun Belt isn't a big deal, but 10 years ago, the conference was in a much different place. Rock bottom, dead last in FBS conferences, with a huge gap to the top of the G5. It's an incredibly exciting and rewarding time for fans of Sun Belt schools, who have seen the quality of the conference rise by watching their team on the field every weekend.

As the commercial states: 14 universities. 10 states. Rising.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not trying to disagree with your argument. I personally agree. However...

Would you (or most) look at that 86% and make the argument that the ACC is the best P5 conference? The vast majority would not, and the reason is that conferences are judged, by and large, by their power at the top. And, as Bryan says, for the G5 that is NY6 berths (and wins if you really want to gain respect).

I do think that's coming for the Belt. It's the next step in what, as you say, has been a very nice progression.

I agree with all of this.

(10-29-2023 12:49 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 11:06 AM)djsuperfly Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 06:49 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  We're 2/3rds of the way into a monumental year for the Sun Belt: 12 of the 14 teams have won at least half of their games this season.

The Sun Belt is currently tied among all FBS conferences for the most teams ≥.500 and the largest conference percentage ≥.500:

1. Sun Belt: 86% (12/14)
1. ACC: 86% (12/14)
3. SEC: 79% (11/14)
4. Pac-12: 75% (9/12)
5. Big Ten: 71% (10/14)
6. Big 12: 64% (9/14)
7. American: 50% (7/14)
7. Mid-American: 50% (6/12)
9. Conference USA: 44% (4/9)
10. Mountain West: 42% (5/12)

To me, it's stunning to see where the Sun Belt is this year compared to the rest of the G5, whether we're looking at collective team performances (like this post) or the overall conference performance (still the #1 ranked G5 conference according to Massey).

A lot of people on these threads act like the rise of the Sun Belt isn't a big deal, but 10 years ago, the conference was in a much different place. Rock bottom, dead last in FBS conferences, with a huge gap to the top of the G5. It's an incredibly exciting and rewarding time for fans of Sun Belt schools, who have seen the quality of the conference rise by watching their team on the field every weekend.

As the commercial states: 14 universities. 10 states. Rising.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not trying to disagree with your argument. I personally agree. However...

Would you (or most) look at that 86% and make the argument that the ACC is the best P5 conference? The vast majority would not, and the reason is that conferences are judged, by and large, by their power at the top. And, as Bryan says, for the G5 that is NY6 berths (and wins if you really want to gain respect).

I do think that's coming for the Belt. It's the next step in what, as you say, has been a very nice progression.

In regards to the NY6, the SBC just has had a hard time putting it all together. 2023, this is the best conference, but the undefeated team is bowl and CCG ineligible. Last year, Troy arguably should have gotten the bid over fellow 2 loss Tulane, but the Green Wave got the edge coming from the then better conference. 2020, undefeated CCU got edged out by undefeated AAC champ Cincinnati. 2019, 12-1 App State edged out by 12-1 Memphis.

Tulane also had a top 10 win against the Big 12 Champs last year. That might have had something to do with them being ranked ahead of Troy.

(10-29-2023 10:06 AM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  Let us know when you get a team into a NY 6 Bowl.

This, until then it’s just a silly little conference with silly little teams.

(10-31-2023 08:54 AM)jcohen42 Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 12:17 PM)wleakr Wrote:  It says a lot when James Madison is the best in the conference and they haven't even fully transitioned yet. Kinda reminds me of the MAC back when Marshall came in and ran through the conference each year until some of the MAC schools improved enough to be a challenge. If the same holds, JMU will do the same against already established 1-A schools until those schools rise to the level of JMU.

James Madison is arguably the best G5 in the country, and you're somehow holding it against the SBC? If the rest of the SBC "rose to the level of JMU", the SBC would be on the same level of the ACC, and far-and-away better than any G5 conference. Some of the mental gymnastics on the board... Olympic-level, I must say.

Do they have any p5 schools on their schedule, or anybody challenging outside of conference?

(10-31-2023 12:13 PM)bryanw1995 Wrote:  

(10-31-2023 08:54 AM)jcohen42 Wrote:  

(10-29-2023 12:17 PM)wleakr Wrote:  It says a lot when James Madison is the best in the conference and they haven't even fully transitioned yet. Kinda reminds me of the MAC back when Marshall came in and ran through the conference each year until some of the MAC schools improved enough to be a challenge. If the same holds, JMU will do the same against already established 1-A schools until those schools rise to the level of JMU.

James Madison is arguably the best G5 in the country, and you're somehow holding it against the SBC? If the rest of the SBC "rose to the level of JMU", the SBC would be on the same level of the ACC, and far-and-away better than any G5 conference. Some of the mental gymnastics on the board... Olympic-level, I must say.

Do they have any p5 schools on their schedule, or anybody challenging outside of conference?

Yes, they beat Virginia