Possible Sun Belt Expansion

[GoldenBobcat]

The following schools have been said to be targets for Sun Belt expansion:

Appalachian State
Delaware
Georgia Southern
Idaho
Illinois State
Jacksonville State
James Madison
Lamar
Liberty
Missouri State
New Mexico State
Richmond
Sam Houston State
Towson
UT Chattanooga

According to appstatenation.com, several e-mails were sent between Karl Benson, Georgia State, and New Mexico State regarding expansion and this is a list of possible expansion candidates.

True or not, what do you all think of the FCS being raided and what ripple effects may that bring to the conferences?

[CatBlitz22]

[89Hen]

The following schools have been said to be targets for Sun Belt expansion:

Appalachian State
Delaware
Georgia Southern
Idaho
Illinois State
Jacksonville State
James Madison
Lamar
Liberty
Missouri State
New Mexico State
Richmond
Sam Houston State
Towson
UT Chattanooga

[ASUG8]

The following schools have been said to be targets for Sun Belt expansion:

Appalachian State
Delaware
Georgia Southern
Idaho
Illinois State
Jacksonville State
James Madison
Lamar
Liberty
Missouri State
New Mexico State
Richmond
Sam Houston State
Towson
UT Chattanooga

According to appstatenation.com, several e-mails were sent between Karl Benson, Georgia State, and New Mexico State regarding expansion and this is a list of possible expansion candidates.

True or not, what do you all think of the FCS being raided and what ripple effects may that bring to the conferences?

Of those on your list I know GSU and App have been very vocal about going FBS ASAP and make reasonably good geographic sense. Liberty has invested a fortune in facilities to make the jump and JMU has upgraded Bridgeforth significantly to make a move. I haven't heard enough about where some of these programs are with how soon they could actually do it.....a lot of ASU posters on other sites are really excited about the prospect of moving up and really don't care which conference, but I'd rather see the administration make a responsible well reasoned decision should an invitation come.

[danefan]

I can't ever imagine Richmond in FBS.

Where in teh world would they play?

[93henfan]

I think Delaware would be a great fit for the Sunbelt.

It's been very sunny in Delaware today. Sunny and 20 degrees, but sunny nonetheless.

[JohnStOnge]

Why anybody would want to be in the Sun Belt is totally beyond me.

[SuperHornet]

Define "target."

I think the Sun Belt (really, ANY conference) would be a "target" for Idalol. But as far as the Sun Belt "targeting" the Vandals? I doubt it. They've already rejected Idalol.

Additionally, I can't believe that Delaware, App, JMU, GSU, Towson State, SW MO, or Sam would be that dumb. FCS is MUCH better than the netherworld of the Sun Belt....

[ASUMountaineer]

Why anybody would want to be in the Sun Belt is totally beyond me.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

[ASUMountaineer]

Define "target."

I think the Sun Belt (really, ANY conference) would be a "target" for Idalol. But as far as the Sun Belt "targeting" the Vandals? I doubt it. They've already rejected Idalol.

Additionally, I can't believe that Delaware, App, JMU, GSU, Towson State, SW MO, or Sam would be that dumb. FCS is MUCH better than the netherworld of the Sun Belt....

The fact that you would disagree with ASU moving to the Sun Belt makes me that much more confident that it's the right move for ASU.

[dbackjon]

Define "target."

I think the Sun Belt (really, ANY conference) would be a "target" for Idalol. But as far as the Sun Belt "targeting" the Vandals? I doubt it. They've already rejected Idalol.

Additionally, I can't believe that Delaware, App, JMU, GSU, Towson State, SW MO, or Sam would be that dumb. FCS is MUCH better than the netherworld of the Sun Belt....

The fact that you would disagree with ASU moving to the Sun Belt makes me that much more confident that it's the right move for ASU.

The SunBelt is a FCS conference that plays for the right to go to Detroit for a Bowl game instead of completing in playoffs. Kind of like the SWAC.

[ASUMountaineer]

The fact that you would disagree with ASU moving to the Sun Belt makes me that much more confident that it's the right move for ASU.

The SunBelt is a FCS conference that plays for the right to go to Detroit for a Bowl game instead of completing in playoffs. Kind of like the SWAC.

Cool. You can align yourself with the kind of thinking that SH and JSO share, or you can go against it. I'll go against it.

The choice to go FBS and FCS isn't "one size fits all." Each institution is different, and they have to chart their own course. Someone in California or Arizona having a differing opinion is of no concern. The decision to stay or move is much bigger and complex than a bowl game in Detroit or the FCS playoffs. Quit trying to dumb down the decision and realize it is much more complex than you, SH, or JSO want to admit.

[SDHornet]

Yup, each school is different. There are trade-offs at the FBS level that isn’t at the FCS level and visa-versa. For App the added increase in exposure might be worth it. The biggest question I have is how will anyone be relevant (at any level) once the 4 team big boy conference playoff starts? Honestly who will care about anyone else when the B10, SEC, P12, and B12/ACC send their top 4 into a playoff (who also will retain their berths into the lucrative (currently BCS) bowls)? As far as I see it, everyone else will be left fighting over the table scraps that are the mid-tier and bottom tier bowls (often big money losers for the participating programs). Yeah there is exposure for the programs in those bowls but if those participating programs can’t turn that into success (or more importantly money) then is it worth it?

[dbackjon]

The SunBelt is a FCS conference that plays for the right to go to Detroit for a Bowl game instead of completing in playoffs. Kind of like the SWAC.

Cool. You can align yourself with the kind of thinking that SH and JSO share, or you can go against it. I'll go against it.

The choice to go FBS and FCS isn't "one size fits all." Each institution is different, and they have to chart their own course. Someone in California or Arizona having a differing opinion is of no concern. The decision to stay or move is much bigger and complex than a bowl game in Detroit or the FCS playoffs. Quit trying to dumb down the decision and realize it is much more complex than you, SH, or JSO want to admit.

I agree, it is very complex, and not just related to Football. I just like giving the Sunbelt grief, since most of the members think they are all that since they are FBS now, when in reality, they are closer to FCS level than BCS.

It is funny about the Sunbelt - most of them look down on ASU and GSU, dismissing you guys as podunk schools in out of the way locations that won't add anything to the Sunbelt. I tell them they are nuts, they should be giving their left nuts to beg ASU and GSU to add quality athletic programs and good fanbases to the pathetic lineup of schools.

I just hope both schools have higher asperations than the Sunbelt.

[ASUMountaineer]

Yup, each school is different. There are trade-offs at the FBS level that isn’t at the FCS level and visa-versa. For App the added increase in exposure might be worth it. The biggest question I have is how will anyone be relevant (at any level) once the 4 team big boy conference playoff starts? Honestly who will care about anyone else when the B10, SEC, P12, and B12/ACC send their top 4 into a playoff (who also will retain their berths into the lucrative (currently BCS) bowls)? As far as I see it, everyone else will be left fighting over the table scraps that are the mid-tier and bottom tier bowls (often big money losers for the participating programs). Yeah there is exposure for the programs in those bowls but if those participating programs can’t turn that into success (or more importantly money) then is it worth it?

If it lifts your univeristy's profile in other sports, and most importantly, academics then yes.

[ASUMountaineer]

Cool. You can align yourself with the kind of thinking that SH and JSO share, or you can go against it. I'll go against it.

The choice to go FBS and FCS isn't "one size fits all." Each institution is different, and they have to chart their own course. Someone in California or Arizona having a differing opinion is of no concern. The decision to stay or move is much bigger and complex than a bowl game in Detroit or the FCS playoffs. Quit trying to dumb down the decision and realize it is much more complex than you, SH, or JSO want to admit.

I agree, it is very complex, and not just related to Football. I just like giving the Sunbelt grief, since most of the members think they are all that since they are FBS now, when in reality, they are closer to FCS level than BCS.

It is funny about the Sunbelt - most of them look down on ASU and GSU, dismissing you guys as podunk schools in out of the way locations that won't add anything to the Sunbelt. I tell them they are nuts, they should be giving their left nuts to beg ASU and GSU to add quality athletic programs and good fanbases to the pathetic lineup of schools.

I just hope both schools have higher asperations than the Sunbelt.

This, I am not worried about.

[SuperHornet]

Here's the deal. There's a VERY good chance that by going to the Sun Belt, App will become Idalol East. There hasn't been a move-up succeed since USF, and before that, Marshall. That's about it. The odds are not good, and going to the Sun Belt makes it worse. They would be much better if you could swing C-USA.

[Skjellyfetti]

The SunBelt is a FCS conference that plays for the right to go to Detroit for a Bowl game instead of completing in playoffs. Kind of like the SWAC.

Their Bowl tie-ins are in New Orleans and Mobile.

I'd much prefer a trip to New Orleans or Mobile than Frisco. But, that's just my opinion and easily debatable.

But, the attendance for those bowls is a whole hell of a lot better than the Frisco Bowl.

2012 New Orleans Bowl: 48,828
2011 New Orleans Bowl: 42,841
2012 GMAC Bowl: 37,913
2011 GMAC Bowl: 38,734

2012 FCS Frisco Bowl: 21,411
2011 FCS Frisco Bowl: 20,586

Why are fans so much more excited about the New Orleans Bowl and the GMAC Bowl?

[ASUMountaineer]

Here's the deal. There's a VERY good chance that by going to the Sun Belt, App will become Idalol East. There hasn't been a move-up succeed since USF, and before that, Marshall. That's about it. The odds are not good, and going to the Sun Belt makes it worse. They would be much better if you could swing C-USA.

Oh gee, is that the deal? You have me convinced!

There's more that goes into it than W/L records. The are other sports than football. We are not USF and Marshall, and we're not whatever the hell Idalol is. Stick to things you actually know something about, like women's sports and Alex Smith's jock.

[SuperHornet]

Like I'm gonna put stock in the dubious musings of a guy who came out of the school that produced "Hot! Hot! Hot!"

[ASUMountaineer]

Like I'm gonna put stock in the dubious musings of a guy who came out of the school that produced "Hot! Hot! Hot!"

Cool story, bro.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_mBnfEeN_E[/youtube]

Keep trying.

[Fresno St. Alum]

The fact that you would disagree with ASU moving to the Sun Belt makes me that much more confident that it's the right move for ASU.

The SunBelt is a FCS conference that plays for the right to go to Detroit for a Bowl game instead of completing in playoffs. Kind of like the SWAC.

What's wrong w/ that? It's the SLC/SoCon all stars. Most of the SBC you've come to hate is now called CUSA

[SDHornet]

Like I'm gonna put stock in the dubious musings of a guy who came out of the school that produced "Hot! Hot! Hot!"

Cool story, bro.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_mBnfEeN_E[/youtube]

Keep trying.

At least our video has somewhat attractive chics in it...and attractive guys too (according to Jon).

[ASUMountaineer]

The SunBelt is a FCS conference that plays for the right to go to Detroit for a Bowl game instead of completing in playoffs. Kind of like the SWAC.

What's wrong w/ that? It's the SLC/SoCon all stars. Most of the SBC you've come to hate is now called CUSA

[ASUMountaineer]

Cool story, bro.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_mBnfEeN_E[/youtube]

Keep trying.

At least our video has somewhat attractive chics in it...and attractive guys too (according to Jon).

Yeah, but Miley Cyrus. Case closed.