Assuming Marshall, Southern Miss, ODU, JMU to Sun Belt and MTSU and WKU to MAC, what do the three leftovers do?

I don't think Liberty would join them. I also don't think adding 4 FCS schools to get to 8 is viable.

I think UTEP would be fine as an independent. LaTech probably would too. What about FIU?

Which Olympic sports conferences would they join?

I would guess WAC for UTEP. What about the others?

Do think CUSA might go football only as a conference. With UTEP going all other sports WAC. FIU might go Atlantic Sun? What about La Tech? Would they return to the WAC?

LA Tech right now with SBC Presidents

I’m just laughing that some people actually thought CUSA was more attractive than the Sun Belt.

Yeah those 3 are in serious trouble. Shame because I like FIU. I just don’t know what you do if you’re them. Maybe bet the Sun Belt to expand to 16? Idk.

(10-20-2021 10:08 PM)3BNole Wrote:  I’m just laughing that some people actually thought CUSA was more attractive than the Sun Belt.

Yeah those 3 are in serious trouble. Shame because I like FIU. I just don’t know what you do if you’re them. Maybe bet the Sun Belt to expand to 16? Idk.

They don't bring anything to the table. Plus they left the Sunbelt a few years back and pissed off the old members. Notice the belt didn't reinvite anyone back.

Well if Marshall and ODU move, it sounds like they are de-emphasizing basketball. Both have pretty good fan support in basketball.

(10-20-2021 10:15 PM)bullet Wrote:  Well if Marshall and ODU move, it sounds like they are de-emphasizing basketball. Both have pretty good fan support in basketball.

the last 2 normal college basketball seasons- KP ratings
2018-19 SBC 14 CUSA 16
2019-20 CUSA 13 SBC 14

so pretty darn close.

FIU will have the easiest time with football independence. Teams want to recruit Miami. I imagine they go to the A-Sun for everything else if CUSA does dissolve.

(10-20-2021 10:04 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Do think CUSA might go football only as a conference. With UTEP going all other sports WAC. FIU might go Atlantic Sun? What about La Tech? Would they return to the WAC?

That's not allowed is it, at the FBS level? fb only.

(10-20-2021 10:30 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:04 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Do think CUSA might go football only as a conference. With UTEP going all other sports WAC. FIU might go Atlantic Sun? What about La Tech? Would they return to the WAC?

That's not allowed is it, at the FBS level? fb only.

I don't see why not. It would be an affiliate league similar to what you see for other sports like beach volleyball or something like that.

(10-20-2021 10:33 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:30 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:04 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Do think CUSA might go football only as a conference. With UTEP going all other sports WAC. FIU might go Atlantic Sun? What about La Tech? Would they return to the WAC?

That's not allowed is it, at the FBS level? fb only.

I don't see why not. It would be an affiliate league similar to what you see for other sports like beach volleyball or something like that.

I know FCS has it too but would it be allowed or is it already allowed? I mean it throws them a life raft and gets a few schools out of FCS. the FBS version of the ECAC

(10-20-2021 10:33 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:30 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:04 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Do think CUSA might go football only as a conference. With UTEP going all other sports WAC. FIU might go Atlantic Sun? What about La Tech? Would they return to the WAC?

That's not allowed is it, at the FBS level? fb only.

I don't see why not. It would be an affiliate league similar to what you see for other sports like beach volleyball or something like that.

It's not allowed in FBS under current NCAA rules. You need 8 full, FB-playing members.

(10-20-2021 10:33 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:30 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:04 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Do think CUSA might go football only as a conference. With UTEP going all other sports WAC. FIU might go Atlantic Sun? What about La Tech? Would they return to the WAC?

That's not allowed is it, at the FBS level? fb only.

I don't see why not. It would be an affiliate league similar to what you see for other sports like beach volleyball or something like that.

3 teams isn’t a conference

It would be a benefit to independents to add a couple more to the slate. Assuming Florida International, Louisiana Tech, and UTEP become football independents, I could see for home conferences:

Florida International > ASUN

New conference forms and takes CUSA bid - Gulf Coast Conference!

From ASUN: Central Arkansas
From CUSA: Louisiana Tech, UTEP
From SBC: Arkansas - Little Rock, Texas - Arlington
From WAC: Abilene Christian, Lamar, New Mexico St, Sam Houston St, Stephen F. Austin St

That’s 10. Maybe a couple from the Southland.

Actually I think some people are missing a few schools looking for the opportunity to move up.
Even though it is spread out, besides adding NMSU, I sure the Dakota schools will want to move up. It’s probably there one and only opportunity to move to FBS. The Dakotas may also lure both Montanas to move up.

Question for the group, if these 3 schools really do end up hungout to dry, do you think it's possible the MWC revisits the idea of expansion and takes UTEP and LaTech?

(10-20-2021 10:40 PM)SouthEastAlaska Wrote:  Question for the group, if these 3 schools really do end up hungout to dry, do you think it's possible the MWC revisits the idea of expansion and takes UTEP and LaTech?

Not likely.

(10-20-2021 10:38 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  Actually I think some people are missing a few schools looking for the opportunity to move up.
Even though it is spread out, besides adding NMSU, I sure the Dakota schools will want to move up. It’s probably there one and only opportunity to move to FBS. The Dakotas may also lure both Montanas to move up.

I really doubt it. I mean if the Montanas weren't willing to move up to the WAC which was a bit close- they sure wouldn't for CUSA with a team in Florida.

are any of the Texas schools even ready to move up? Someone said SHSU has no desire. I thought ACU would be the most ready to move if any of the Texas FCS were gonna come now.

(10-20-2021 10:41 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(10-20-2021 10:40 PM)SouthEastAlaska Wrote:  Question for the group, if these 3 schools really do end up hungout to dry, do you think it's possible the MWC revisits the idea of expansion and takes UTEP and LaTech?

Not likely.

If they just balked at North Texas and UTSA for more Texas exposure.

I dont see them taking UTEP and LATECH