Strongly rumored that we're joining the Sun Belt with Marshall. Honestly that's a good thing for us at this point. We'll at least have some drivable trips and play schools/programs similar to us --- public universities in the South in smaller markets with some semblance of a fan base. Instead of mega commuter schools like FIU. Plus, Sun Belt football has been better in recent years and baseball is a wash compared to C-USA (I know it's not nationally a big deal but it is here). The question is does the Sun Belt go to 14? LaTech makes sense geographically but there's bad blood between them ULM and ULL. I'd like to see them in personally but politics could make it difficult. WKU is an option. James Madison has been an FCS power and is looking to move up. They already have FBS level facilities and fan base and fit the Sun Belt model. If just USM and Marshall leave, then you'd have 6 left in C-USA and have somewhat of a core to expand and maybe add some desperate FCS programs like Eastern Kentucky looking to move up. Any more than that and you're looking at the disbanding of the league potentially. Would be tough for FIU, UTEP, MTSU, etc.
That 14-team AAC would have sensible regional travel within divisions and hit a lot of major metro areas. West -- SMU, North Texas, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa, Memphis, Tulane East -- USF, FAU, UAB, Charlotte, ECU, Navy, Temple
Lots of good seats available!! Let me know the next time you’re at one of the games. And one of my buddies pointed out tonight that Navy could be in the West Division, which wouldn’t make much sense
Never thought I would think to myself “hope these rumors of Southenr Miss joining the Sun Belt are true”, but here we are. It’s really the only option we have at this point and it’s better than where we are currently.
If USM and Marshall also go then damn what an absolute death sentence for FIU. Just completely alone with no good options. Maybe UTEP can go MWC?
Yeah, if all of the AAC and Sun Belt stuff happens, it seems like a death sentence for those remaining CUSA teams. Not sure what they could do
I mean I kind of already feel like the Sun Belt is a stronger conference than CUSA anyways? That feels like a win for Southern Miss imo.
McMurphy awhile back reported that UTEP wasn't getting in the MWC. They could be NMSU bound. Also, Sun Belt will boot LR and UTA as non-football members.
UTEP and NMSU probably need to hope to get an invite to the new WAC if/when they come up. Another independent team would probably be good news for the non-Army/ND independents for scheduling purposes.
Is that something you want to see for the Dukes? I get the prestige of FBS, but seems like it'd be more fun to challenge for NCs than crappy bowls. And you beat VT once in a while anyway
I just want to know where the official Sun Belt Conference thread is. Ready to celebrate with my new brothers
We’re a much better fit for a Southern Miss tier conference if it makes you feel any better. I guess our 80k stadium helped us get a P5 bid
Yea, definitely. This year our out of conference schedule includes teams like Morehead State and Campbell. Sure it’s cool playing North Dakota State in the championship but everything else has gotten dull. Most of who we’d consider our peers have left FCS. We draw 23k+ to our home games and then go on the road and play in front of maybe 5k fans.