(05-17-2012 11:52 PM)Miami (Oh) Yeah ! Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 11:45 PM)LastMinuteman Wrote:  

(05-17-2012 07:28 PM)jmufan Wrote:  http://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1366572

Quote:Two leagues have contacted JMU to gauge the university's interest. One was expected: The Mid-American Conference, a stable group of mostly 20,000-plus enrollment schools. One wasn't expected: The Western Athletic Conference, a league that makes the Big East look normal.

Yes, the MAC and the WAC.

Madison, for the record, has zero interest in the latter.

If JMU wants to be FBS, they can't dismiss the WAC so easily. If the WAC is allowed to fail, FBS will be down to 10 conferences. There are now 127 FBS + transitional teams. That's 12.7 teams per conference. That's a very dangerous number if you're waiting for an opening. Only 1 conference had more than 12 football teams last year. Put the WAC back in play, and that's at least 10 more seats on the last train out of FCS-ville. JMU can make that train, but the WAC needs commitments right now. The other trains might not be making a stop in Harrisonburg.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but per NCAA rules, doesn't a conference need 4 existing FULL members to expand off? I don't think the WAC could continue with football even if they wanted to. There is a reason Idaho and NMSU are so desperate. The WAC can continue as a basketball only conference but Im pretty sure that the WAC is done as any kind of football conference whatsoever in regards to football according to existing NCAA bylaws. Maybe they can get a waiver? Somebody clarify, but the continued pipe-dream of an eastern division of the WAC is just a myth and needs to be put to sleep now that San Jose and Utah State have left. Even Idaho and NMSU know that and that's why they don't even talk it.

These people talking about a new eastern FBS conference or WAC East are just full of it. Besides, the last thing the FBS needs is more dilution from the FCS.

It's in their best interest to understand this so that they don't keep getting their hopes up. It's not fair for them to keep getting strung along with nonsense. It's one of those sad, but true moments.

You are correct.

A transitioning school is required to play at least 60% of its home contests against established FBS competition. 60% of 12 equals 7.2 full FBS contests or rounding up 8 games against established FBS members.

Therefore a conference that falls below 4 members will not be able to provide enough established FBS schools on the schedule. You can't transition 5 FCS members for a total 8 member FBS league all at once.

Had the WAC retained 4 schools (Idaho, NMSU, TX St, La Tech) it could have pulled of the eastern seaboard rebuild touted by NoDak but they just got hit too hard at once.