Future of East Coast Conferences

[TBirdz]

Not very familiar with it, and maybe I have missed some of the recent posts on this subject, but with GA State and ODU playing 1aa football, what are the possibilities being disucssed about conference realignments? It seems the SOCON is very stable with 12 bball schools and 9 ftbl members, however, the Big South, CAA, and NEC seem to raise questions. The Big South is would seem can potentially lose Stony Brook anytime. The CAA is getting way too big. The NEC seems like the logical conference for schools in the CAA north to potentially invade/join. Any thoughts?

[Col Hogan]

You haven't been following the conference talk lately, have you...

The CAA is going to absorb the SOCON...and the BCS...

Then we'll have the CAA North, Central (formerly South), CAA South (formerly SOCON) and CAA West...

Then there won't be a need for the NC game...because the CAA champ will be the National Champs...







Seriously...who says the CAA is getting too big??? Seriously...

[SUUTbird]

Humor noted but for the sake of my fellow tbird fan maybe we should go with an honest answer? lol

[DukeJack]

Humor noted but for the sake of my fellow tbird fan maybe we should go with an honest answer? lol

What, a 14 team CAA plus UNI and Montana aren't good enough to choose the National Champ?

Nah, I think a lot of things are going to change once the NCAA lifts the ban on jumping. Putting this aside for a minute, I personally would trade GaSt to the SoCon for App, tender an offer to UNCC once they add football, and maybe one more with an eye to the future. If the America East, which is the current home of Maine, UNH, Albany, and Stony Brook decides to sponsor football again the northern schools may decide to go in that direction depending on who is moving up.

JMU, ODU, UDel, UMass, App State, and GaSo have all been suggested as schools to move up. GaSt has already announced they intend to jump as soon as possible. Schools like Villanova, Richmond, and W&M will not, they are small, (mostly) private, and at a cost-effective level in which they can compete. If the former group do all jump, then any breakup of the CAA is likely a moot point. 9 teams left which would allow all you "play everyone" purists to decide who is the "true" CAA champ. This ignores the fact JMU's administration is dead-set against jumping purely for the sake of it, but would do so immediately for the ACC.

This then brings into the problem of conference affiliation at the IA level. The BCS conferences out here will not offer to any of our group of possible movers, the only school with any metro pull is GaSt, but they have said they would go to the SunBelt, if only to try and compete with GaTech and UGA. It is more likely in the rumored Big East shakeup that if the basketball schools leave the BE will seek to replace them with schools already in IA, such as Memphis to reach the 12-team conference final level. The ACC is full, and unless the BE can convince someone like VA Tech away, they are not an option.

This leaves two real options in my mind: the BE expansion pulls in schools from a conference like CUSA, they recruit schools from other lesser conferences and so on until the Sun Belt needs some new members with several IAA schools willing to jump and in the geographic footprint. I would absolutely hate this for my Dukes. The other is the also rumored "FCS Powers" conference, with a good core of CAA, App, ODU, GaSo, and maybe an existing IA. This is the more likely option in my mind, several schools ready to go but which do not have the space available for them in other conferences.

This is mostly speculation on my part, I'll admit, but based on everything I know about this situation it seems the most likely.

[COBBLESTONE]

I've been saying for years that we belong in the NEC. Unfortunately our AD thinks otherwise.

[∞∞∞]

That was a great analysis DukeJack. I also think that most probable scenario is that a bunch of east coast FCS teams move up together.

One other thing too...VT and UVA admins/fans/alum will have one hell of a hissy-fit if two large Virginia state schools (JMU & ODU) move to FBS. They OWN the market around here. Will not be a pretty site on message boards everywhere lol. I feel like the powers that be at those schools will be VERY dirty/secretive to make sure we're not invited into an FBS/BCS conference. Moving up as one east coast conference might make the transition for our two universities much smoother (assuming this ever happens).

[UAalum72]

America East has never sponsored football, and the non-football members (Vermont, Boston U, Hartford) seem to have blocked the conference frmo adding football; unless you're thinking of the Atlantic-10, and the A-10 didn't seem to care much for football when they had it, so why would they try a second time?; most of the core members of the NEC are getting dragged to higher scholly numbers almost against their will, and won't be even up to 40 until 2012.

[DukeJack]

That was a great analysis DukeJack. I also think that most probable scenario is that a bunch of east coast FCS teams move up together.

One other thing too...VT and UVA admins/fans/alum will have one hell of a hissy-fit if two large Virginia state schools (JMU & ODU) move to FBS. They OWN the market around here. Will not be a pretty site on message boards everywhere lol. I feel like the powers that be at those schools will be VERY dirty/secretive to make sure we're not invited into an FBS/BCS conference. Moving up as one east coast conference might make the transition for our two universities much smoother (assuming this ever happens).

Thanks, but I'm not too sure about this. I think UVA may be a little more welcoming - they and Warner fought for Tech's inclusion in the ACC. I could give a shit less what their dumbass fans think and spout off on blogs, it would be if Tech and UVa's leadership thought they could gain something tangential from, they would support us. Currently JMU is competing with UVA for recruits, and winning several, and the Monarchs will in all probability be doing the same in a few years. If increased competition for athletes could mean a higher bottom line, I don't see why especially the Cavs wouldn't be behind this. Also, the Big East wouldn't take us, and the ACC's full - the BCS schools tend to look down on the Sun Belt and FCS with the same level of contempt, which is the level our conference would be at. I see Tech taking this latter approach and UVA looking at the books - football and basketball are tanking for them.

Also, we may not be the only two - Liberty is supposedly looking at jumping, as well.

America East has never sponsored football, and the non-football members (Vermont, Boston U, Hartford) seem to have blocked the conference frmo adding football; unless you're thinking of the Atlantic-10, and the A-10 didn't seem to care much for football when they had it, so why would they try a second time?; most of the core members of the NEC are getting dragged to higher scholly numbers almost against their will, and won't be even up to 40 until 2012.

Ok, I just picked one from up there. I thought they had at one time, but I guess I'm mistaken. But my point was if a large group of schools jump from the CAA, what happens the NE schools? Does the CAA raid the NEC and get Stony Brook or do the northern schools break away and form a new conference? If that is the case, who sponsors it? The NEC, a new A10, or a new AmEast?

[dbackjon]

Only northern scenario is if forced out, the non-CAA members (URI, UMass, UNH, Richmond, Villanova, Maine, or at least some of them, join up with Stony Brook and any NEC members that wanted to go to 63 schollies - CCSU, Albany, maybe Fordham.

[TBirdz]

It seems to me that a bunch of the 1aa schools are in a race against each other. JMU, Liberty, have both announced stadium expansions, and ODU seems to portray that they could eventually be interested in moving up. Same with Georgia State, and GA Southern. Both seem to be in a race against the other. I just don't think Virginia will support that many 1A schools. Like mentioned prior, UVA and VT are going to fight like dogs to be the only show in town. I just don't think VA can hold 4 or potentially 5 1A schools. Same with GA State. I just don't see Atlanta showing that much love to them. I know GT draws good crowds but outside of Atlanta I never see Yellow Jacket fans. If these schools don't try to move up, and I hope none of them do because the Sun Belt is a FCS conference that gives its winner one bowl bid, all of this will be good for FCS as a whole.

[JMU DJ]

Same with GA State. I just don't see Atlanta showing that much love to them. I know GT draws good crowds but outside of Atlanta I never see Yellow Jacket fans. If these schools don't try to move up, and I hope none of them do because the Sun Belt is a FCS conference that gives its winner one bowl bid, all of this will be good for FCS as a whole.

Yup, Georgia is a Red & Black state... and besides, have any of you actually seen GSU's campus? Yeeeeash! I thought I was going to get shot driving through it let alone actually walking through it.... though their games will be played at the Georgia Dome, sooo that may draw a little interest.


I think VA would be fine with another couple FBS schools, most states have more than two FBS schools and the region that VA is in isn't lacking in talent either. It would just enhance the recruiting battles.


... but I agree with Col, 16 team CAA, North/South/East/West champions play each other in a playoff. Conference winner is deemed National Champ. Easy peesy.

[UAalum72]

Ok, I just picked one from up there. I thought they had at one time, but I guess I'm mistaken. But my point was if a large group of schools jump from the CAA, what happens the NE schools? Does the CAA raid the NEC and get Stony Brook or do the northern schools break away and form a new conference? If that is the case, who sponsors it? The NEC, a new A10, or a new AmEast?

That's the big question. An AEast, new A10, or new football-only (the new Yankee Conference?) league would have an extra wait to establish eligibility for an autobid. Could the NEC absorb new teams, split into full- and limited-scholarship divisions, designating the full-division winner for the autobid? That way there's no wait.

[danefan]

Its possible to have a new NE conference without having to wait for an AQ, but only if you can get Hofstra and Northeastern on board, which would mean the CAA would have to allow all-sports members to play football in a different league, or NU and Hofstra would move all-sports leagues.

Then you could have the following league:

Hofstra
Northeastern
Maine
Rhode Island
UMass
New Hampshire
Albany
Stony Brook

That league would qualify for an AQ immediately. And even without one, the winner would undoubtedly get an at-large every year.

This league was closer to happening than most think and then we've speculated before. As we've said before the big impedement, besides the Hofstra and Northeastern issue, is UMass. I completely agree with the UMass fans that ask why in the world they would ever want to leave Delaware and Villanova to be associated with Albany and Stony Brook. However, I have it on good authority that UMass had agreed to this setup in 2006. However, UMass withdrew their agreement when UAlbany's president (Kermit Hall) died in the summer of 06. The UMass admins were afraid the SUNY system would drag its feet replacing the Albany leadership and Albany wouldn't be able to upgrade facilities or scholarships in time. Well, they were exactly right. But we have a new President now who has committed to upgrading our facilities now. Maybe that will help. Costs are the big driver here and no doubt it makes sense from a cost perspective to have more regional conferences.

Our contract in the NEC is up after next season. Whether we re-up and for how long will be real evidence of what is happening.

[JayJ79]

You haven't been following the conference talk lately, have you...

The CAA is going to absorb the SOCON...and the BCS...

Then we'll have the CAA North, Central (formerly South), CAA South (formerly SOCON) and CAA West...

Then there won't be a need for the NC game...because the CAA champ will be the National Champs...

BCS??????
does that mean the champion will be determined by some crazy computer algorithm instead of being played out on the field?

[Col Hogan]

You haven't been following the conference talk lately, have you...

The CAA is going to absorb the SOCON...and the BCS...

Then we'll have the CAA North, Central (formerly South), CAA South (formerly SOCON) and CAA West...

Then there won't be a need for the NC game...because the CAA champ will be the National Champs...

BCS??????
does that mean the champion will be determined by some crazy computer algorithm instead of being played out on the field?

No, it means when I made my joke I mistyped BCS instead of BSC...

[bandl]

You haven't been following the conference talk lately, have you...

The CAA is going to absorb the SOCON...and the BCS...

Then we'll have the CAA North, Central (formerly South), CAA South (formerly SOCON) and CAA West...

Then there won't be a need for the NC game...because the CAA champ will be the National Champs...

BCS??????
does that mean the champion will be determined by some crazy computer algorithm instead of being played out on the field?

What he means is that Montana will not only get to beat up on the patsies currently in the BSC, but also those losers in the CAA, especially the CAA South. Richmond & JMU will no longer beating up on Montana in the national championship game. No no. Now they will get the opportunity to lose to them every year in conference play.

[JayJ79]

[BCS??????
does that mean the champion will be determined by some crazy computer algorithm instead of being played out on the field?

No, it means when I made my joke I mistyped BCS instead of BSC...

I knew what you meant, but I still had to make fun of the typo.

[JMUpurplehazed]

I love this thread everytime I see it and I say this everytime I see it --- JMU will never be a member in the Scumbelt Conference! I can't speak for ODU but I will anyway--- ODU will never be a member in the Scumbelt Conference, their admin is proving to smart for that...

[mass fan]

I've been saying for years that we belong in the NEC. Unfortunately our AD thinks otherwise.

You are absolutily right, URI just does not have what it takes to hang in the CAA, what ever that may be.

[mass fan]

I heard a rumar that the America east conf. was going to start a football Conf. ?

[AZGrizFan]

I've been saying for years that we belong in the NEC. Unfortunately our AD thinks otherwise.

You are absolutily right, URI just does not have what it takes to hang in the CAA, what ever that may be.

Yep. That's exactly what the three good CAA teams need...another OOC patsie to play every year.

[T-Dog]

App won't go to FBS for the Sun Belt. If Georgia Southern are smart, neither will they (or anyone else).

Conference USA might split off as East Carolina isn't happy and I imagine Marshall isn't either as half the conference is in Texas/Louisiana. I could see a block of FCS teams making the jump into a new conference with East Carolina, Marshall and UCF.

If the Big East and CAA spliter, then all hell will break loose. It'll be a scramble for open spots.

The ACC and SEC aren't changing anytime soon unless something unexpected happens.

Out west, the only big thing I see happening is the Pac 10 becoming the Pac 12, probably adding on Boise St and Hawaii.

[dbackjon]

Boise and Hawaii will never get into the Pac 10.

Only schools they will look at are schools like BYU/Utah, Colorado, etc.

[danefan]

I heard a rumar that the America east conf. was going to start a football Conf. ?

Its been proposed to the America East by Albany's AD a few times for sure, but it appears the non-football schools (BU, Vermont, Bing) don't really want football.

[Col Hogan]

I heard a rumar that the America east conf. was going to start a football Conf. ?

Its been proposed to the America East by Albany's AD a few times for sure, but it appears the non-football schools (BU, Vermont, Bing) don't really want football.

I think in the end, if the CAA football-only schools do leave (or are asked to leave), they will go in different directions...

UMass might move up...but I for one hope they don't, yet...

UNH and Maine will look for a new conference together...I hope UMass is with them initially...

URI might look in a different direction since they really have not been competitive in a while and IMHO, haven't tried realy hard to be competitive in the A-10/CAA...

A new conference might emerge with the four schools plus Albany, and a few others...

But in the end, I'm not convinced the current CAA won't just continue...

Just because others don't like our arrangement, it works for us...