Comments on: Sun Belt Considers Expansion, 11th Football School

By: Peter Hunt

Peter Hunt — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:12:51 +0000

That will be crazy if LA Tech goes to the Sunbelt, then the Sunbelt will get the last laugh since all those schools left to go to the WAC.

By: Matt Peloquin

Matt Peloquin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:51:33 +0000

Re-read the article. The article covers the proposed/rumored criteria, with #1 being “an ESTABLiSHED FBS school”. That eliminates all FCS schools, even those considering upgrades. Means the candidates can only come from WAC, MAC.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:24:14 +0000

Louisiana Tech could be interested in the Sun Belt as state appropriations continue to fall, less money for trips to Las Cruces would be available. Also, the WAC is no longer a stable conference and has lost its stronger members.

Do the Tech faithful really want to buy season tickets to see an upgrade program, a start up program, and a collection of struggling programs? The games against ULM and ULL should put fans in the stands.

By: Matt Peloquin

Matt Peloquin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:11:29 +0000

Think their motive is that it ain’t gonna happen. Too much logic says it makes no sense. 11 instead of 12? You’re right. Might as well bring in LA Tech and NMSU for 12, and even if that means NMSU for football only.

By: Michael in Indy

Michael in Indy — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:32:32 +0000

What’s the Sun Belt’s motive to go to 11 in football but not to 12, especially without adding a new state or, really, even a media market?

By: David Stroud

David Stroud — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:01:56 +0000

Well. I am not so sure that either La. Tech or New mexico State wants to be in the Sun Belt. I do think there are some schools you missed from the FCS level that does fit in the footprint.

Central Arkansas (been rumored of strong desire to be at the FBS level)
Georgia State
Georgia Southern
Missouri State
Florida A&M
There are a couple of Tennessee schools that can fit.
Now, lets see D2 schools. The only one who have a very strong desire to be at FBS level and skip FCS altogether is North Alabama.

These schools do fit in the footprint if they can not get the two WAC schools.

By: Kro

Kro — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:06:03 +0000

I’ve been suggesting this for a long time now. I don’t know why Louisiana Tech has been hesitant to look to the Sun Belt to cut down on travel, maybe they think they’re too good for the Sun Belt, but with the future of the WAC in doubt, they have to make the move now.

By: Trey Kalmus

Trey Kalmus — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:01:44 +0000

Finally!!!! LA Tech is the obvious slam dunk here….but why 11? They are either content with AR-LR as the 12th members or they are waiting to see which of the 2 Central Texas schools (or NM St) is the most worthy for membership before expanding to 12. It makes no sense to go to 11 when adding 1 more school allows them to sell their CCG for a couple million to ESPN on Championship Saturday where there are very few options on TV. I think (as I’ve said on here before) that they should bite the bullet and just go to 14 (like the MAC soon will) and take UTSA, Texas St, and NM St. Not only does it add great media markets and make pretty awesome divisions but it also preemptively buffers any possible losses to CUSA/MAC if they lose a school or two the the Big East…

By: Nathan Brice

Nathan Brice — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:35:56 +0000

La Tech should at least consider this. It would mean much less travel among other things. What the WAC would do would then be anyone’s guess. They could try North Texas again, or go with another FCS upgrade. It would likely come from the Southland Conference with either Lamar, Sam Houston State, or Stephen F. Austin.