Pete Thamel
@PeteThamel
Source: Both McNeese State University and the University of Incarnate Word are departing the Southland Conference with the intention to join the WAC.
|
|
|
|
|
Pete Thamel
@PeteThamel
Source: Both McNeese State University and the University of Incarnate Word are departing the Southland Conference with the intention to join the WAC.
Yes, but wouldn't you say they are much better now. Plus the other 2 are in conference and are usually pretty competitive.Originally Posted by Champ967
At least Sam Houston & Jacksonville St are a semi-reasonable drive.
I think the WAC has been planning a long term collective jump back to FBS. CUSA taking some of the better/more ready schools from them (or that might have been options for them) will hurt these plans, I guess. So funny how Texas and OU can potentially affect UT-RGV or Seattle University isn't it?
I think Army is choosing not to be in a conference. I kind of think they could have had one of the seats in the AAC if they had wanted it (or returned to CUSA in 2013/14). They're unique in a lot of ways, and I think they like things better as an Independent. I'm sure there are some trade-offs there, but they're one of the very few schools for whom it makes some sense.
I think there has been enough of a pause on FCS schools moving to FBS that a number have been moving that direction for some time now (I think the Southland break-up is about long term commitment levels to athletics - as mentioned above, I really think there was a plan for the WAC to develop some FCS schools to maybe bump up all at once + NMSU). They'll have to meet the requirements eventually, but when the Sunbelt added football they had a number of schools that had to transition to FBS, CUSA did this with Charlotte and ODU when we joined.
If you can get the fees, it's a no brainer. Worth doing in the short term (for the remaining schools) for that reason alone. But you've also got the auto-bids to protect (which is why my conspiracy theory is that it's in the interest of the other G5 teams to just put CUSA all the way out of business even if they have to take on conference members they're not crazy about - with 14-16 teams per conference in some ways the stakes are lower anyway).
If CUSA is going to survive, the fact that it's spread out from New Mexico to Miami just means you have to either keep it really small or (try to) go pretty big (at least 12). It seems like the play would be to keep it small, and just accept the risk that when/if there is another shuffle (however small) there is a chance you lose a team (probably a "better" one in terms of on-field or market) and have to scramble to survive again with no cushion. But I'd still be shooting for the bare minimum to keep auto-bids and a share of the FBS playoff money. That way you can counter the travel with more regional OOC games (or extra money games).
If that's true, it makes you wonder what MTSU, WKU, USM, Marshall, and ODU see that we, apparently, do not.
Time is your friend. Impulse is your enemy. -John Bogle
Oh - I only meant no-brainer vs. going independent or something. I think what they see is an email in the inbox that says "wanna join?" That's what they're seeing that we're not.
If the SB or AAC offers, that becomes the no-brainer decision (increased ULL interactions online notwithstanding). Heck, you'd have to listen (as Tech) to the MAC or MWC. And probably take it. MAC more automatic for MTSU and WKY, especially as a package.
I've seen that Marshall did not have to pay entry fees ($2 million) to get into SBC, so only net $1 million loss.
That was something else I was wondering about. I suppose we don't have enough leverage (because while I think the schools we might target have likely been eyeing a move to FBS, I don't know that any were just champing at the bit to do it over the next couple of years) but it'd be pretty sweet to get buy-out fees from a gazillion teams plus entry fees from another handful (as few as possible).
But, we are operating from a position of weakness, everyone know we need bodies, and everyone knows it's a marriage of convenience and anyone would (and should) leave as soon as they have a better option (and that while this is always true for almost all conferences, it's at least somewhat likely here and there isn't a lot of commonality to connect the schools overall). So I can't imagine we can get anything in terms of entry fees. They're doing us the favor here (in their own interest as well, obviously).
I wonder if that's a deal we could've gotten had we tried. I've seen no indication that we were proactive with the belt.
Time is your friend. Impulse is your enemy. -John Bogle
Tech cannot survive on Louisiana students alone.
Conference USA adding four teams but seeking one more after being gutted during realignment - CBSSports.com
No clue what schools have called Judy, but she should add'em all. Then give all the rights to CBS using CBSSN & Paramount+. That'll show ESPNSources tell CBS Sports that Conference USA commissioner Judy MacLeod has received calls from up to 30 prospective members
We need to hang around long enough to get exit fees, however we do it. Most of these schools that are leaving were sold the idea that CUSA would fold, and they wouldn't owe anything.
Also you can't fill a stadium with "Money come lately" fans
But you can't keep the school open on the academic side. If you try that with Louisiana student alone you would have to close the doors now days. Limited academic base in low population state, topped off by 36 four year schools. Granted some are tiny but they are there.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
