Conference USA General Realignment Thread

seanbo · **Posted:** Wed May 02, 2012 1:53 am

In case anyone is interested, 2011 home attendance figures.

1. Appalachian St. 183,479 (26,211)
2. James Madison 125,010 (25,002)
3. Montana 199,023 (24,878)
4. Yale 118,648 (23,730)
5. Jackson St. 138,996 (23,166)
6. Old Dominion 138,726 (19,818)
7. Delaware 114,111 (19,019)
8. Florida A&M 74,985 (18,746)
9. South Alabama 110,654 (18,442)
10. North Dakota St. 163,284 (18,143)
11. Ga. Southern 141,605 (17,701)
12. Jacksonville 86,128 (17,226)
13. Montana St. 119,499 (17,071)
14. South Carolina St. 82,302 (16,460)
15. Liberty 98,515 (16,419)

ODU is outdrawn in their own state by James Madison.

Also Sun Belt attendance (per game)

UL Lafayette 29,171
Arkansas State 21,257
*South Alabama 18,442
Middle Tenn 18,402
Troy 17,898
FAU 17,565
WKU 16,637
UL-Monroe 15,512
*Texas State 15,106
*Georgia State 14,286

(Louisiana Tech draws 21,518)

Fresno St. Alum · **Posted:** Wed May 02, 2012 1:54 am

seanbo wrote:

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

seanbo wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

ODU and Charlotte to CUSA too. 14 for them? I guess they saved Texas St. for us.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... y/18923863

Wow, must admit, I didn't see ODU coming. I saw ODU as a Sun Belt member.

I think this makes truth of the rumors that the CAA's football days are soon numbered. And I suspect ODU did this so they could get ahead of the much more attractive JMU and UDel programs, who are moving slowly in their upgrade discussions. Personally, I saw ODU as a MAC school.

I'm still stunned over the ODU choice. It still seems to me that Middle Tennessee would have been a better choice. ODU does get CUSA into Virginia but MTSU get them back into Tennessee. I think Georgia State has more growth potential than ODU and even think Arkansas State is an up and coming program. To me, having the best programs is more important. I would think having a program who may be capable of upsetting a team from a higher rated conference once every 5 to 10 years is better for a conference than having a team in Virginia or Charlotte who probably would have problems competing in the Sun Belt.

Obviously, it's all about markets and not about the stronger football program. Look at the choices, Charlotte, San Antonio and a team in Virginia. That's one school who has never played a game, one school who has played only 2 years and an FCS upgrade who has never won a championship over 3 Sun Belt schools who are capable of 7-5 seasons and going to bowls.

What I don't get is, if that's the criteria, then why Louisiana Tech over Georgia State (Atlanta) and Middle Tenn or Arkansas State (2 new states).

It's like they threw La Tech in just say we're not all about markets.

My CUSA
WEST
Tulsa
UTEP
UNT
Rice
Tulane
La Tech
Arkansas St.
EAST
S.Miss
ECU
Marshall
UAB
MTSU
FIU
WKU

Let the SBC be the FCS move up home
WEST
Texas St.
UTSA
ULM
ULL
S.Alabama
UALR*
UTA*
EAST
FAU
Troy
ODU
Charlotte
Georgia St.
App. St.
Georgia Southern

JPSchmack · **Joined:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:21 pm **Posts:** 851

It's more than just market. It's potential for growth.

MTSU (25,000 enrollment) is 40 minutes from Nashville. They don't bring a big market, they can make headway, with success into a market that already has Vandy. And there's UT.

Georgia State (30K) is in a big market, but they're also school #3 in that market (Ga Tech, UGA).

Charlotte (25K) is in a bigger market (#33 market), not 40 minutes away like MTSU.
Duke (12K), UNC (30K) and NC State (33K) are 2:45 away, Wake (8K) is 1:40 away. It's Clemson that is the closest school.

ODU (24K) is in Norfolk, the #36 market. Other side of the state from UVA and Va Tech. That's big time potential for those two.

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

seanbo wrote:

The Bishin Cutter wrote:

seanbo wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

ODU and Charlotte to CUSA too. 14 for them? I guess they saved Texas St. for us.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... y/18923863

Wow, must admit, I didn't see ODU coming. I saw ODU as a Sun Belt member.

I think this makes truth of the rumors that the CAA's football days are soon numbered. And I suspect ODU did this so they could get ahead of the much more attractive JMU and UDel programs, who are moving slowly in their upgrade discussions. Personally, I saw ODU as a MAC school.

I'm still stunned over the ODU choice. It still seems to me that Middle Tennessee would have been a better choice. ODU does get CUSA into Virginia but MTSU get them back into Tennessee. I think Georgia State has more growth potential than ODU and even think Arkansas State is an up and coming program. To me, having the best programs is more important. I would think having a program who may be capable of upsetting a team from a higher rated conference once every 5 to 10 years is better for a conference than having a team in Virginia or Charlotte who probably would have problems competing in the Sun Belt.

Obviously, it's all about markets and not about the stronger football program. Look at the choices, Charlotte, San Antonio and a team in Virginia. That's one school who has never played a game, one school who has played only 2 years and an FCS upgrade who has never won a championship over 3 Sun Belt schools who are capable of 7-5 seasons and going to bowls.

What I don't get is, if that's the criteria, then why Louisiana Tech over Georgia State (Atlanta) and Middle Tenn or Arkansas State (2 new states).

My theories on ODU to CUSA:
* shore up the east coast region, support for Marshall and ECU, along with Charlotte.
* northeast exposure: not much, but some, since Temple is out of the mix (originally a near lock for CUSA before Big East called)
* basketball: CUSA basketball with this lineup is awful. ODU comes in as likely the best basketball program, which isn't saying much. Hopes are Charlotte will bounce back being in CUSA as well.

The Bishin Cutter · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:41 am **Posts:** 543

Charlotte's a former member. They left because they didn't have football, and C-USA didn't want a hybrid league. Again, the same for St. Louis.

I remember the talk about the formation of C-USA. Even back then, Old Dominion wanted to be a part of it. Then the A-10. I don't think their fans were all that pleased when ECU got in, simply because ODU was so much better a hoops program than East Carolina. Still to this day. HOWEVER, even if some fans were miffed, ECU and ODU worked reasonably well together, and still scheduled each other in their hoops' OOC schedules. ECU and ODU are working together. This should work out well for both of them.

If you have any doubts about what ODU can bring to the table for a market, I suggest driving down I-64 sometime, or looking what the region is near. It's eastern VA where the population is, but not where UVA or VT are. And, again, ODU getting this in before JMU is huge. Knowing this, take a look on a map and compare where Harrisonburg is compared to Charlottesville and Blacksburg. ODU = genius.

I think the MAC is getting the better programs: UMass is ideal, App State will probably go there, Delaware and JMU are already proven programs (remember, ODU football is only three years old), and in the fringes, WKU and MTSU aren't too bad, either. Oh well, let C-USA figure it out.

dbackjon · **Joined:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:50 pm **Posts:** 267

diabsoule wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

JPSchmack wrote:

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

If they do move, I can't figure why 10/14 or why we don't hear the reasoning for 10/14 if a merger. Could it be that the MWC is merging into CUSA so that's why these are all CUSA adds? MWC added SJSU and USU, w/ the thinking just in case it doesn't pan out as a merger they have 10.

It would make sense for C-USA to protect their future interests if the MWC thing doesn't pan out.

Like I said earlier, if Charlotte is going to eventually be a better candidate than a current Sun Belt school, screw the Sun Belt school and take Charlotte NOW before they rise up to the Big East's wish list.

Fresno St. Alum wrote:

I don't know what to think. I was just sold on us staying separate until that article. It could be the writer doesn't know sh*t, they did leave out La Tech.

Or the writer knows more than everyone else, since La Tech is still a bad play.

I think this gives C-USA options.

No merger, like we said above (although, I'd take FAU over La Tech 100 times out of 100)

In a "Football Confederation" with seperate conferences, UTEP joins to MWC; One of Tulsa, North Texas or UTSA plays in the MWC as a member of C-USA, and Hawaii is football only in the MWC.

Full Merger, doesn't matter which conference brings 14 and which brings 10.

MTSU gets you in nashville and they are better than FAU. I'd take either over tech.
Full merger 12/12 makes the most sense. why have f'd up schedules where 1 side would have a conf title(semi-final) while the other wouldn't and would play round robin.

MTSU gets you no where near Nashville and they have an extremely small following. MTSU is in Murfreesboro, which is a tiny city for all intents and purposes.

Murfreesboro is a suburb of Nashville - continual surburbia between Nashville and Murfreesboro. The outer loop (840) goes through Murfreesboro.

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7063

Article out of Shreveport reporting that La Tech has called presser for Noon CT this friday apparently to announce a move to C-USA,probably in conjunction with any/all other schools that will also be announcing that they will be joining that league.Link at http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/ ... nav%7Chead

Also,link to La Tech site showing notice of Friday's Presser/Party at http://www.latechsports.com

monarchfans · **Joined:** Wed May 02, 2012 9:45 pm **Posts:** 1

Everyone thinks that ODU was added for its basketball program when they know nothing about it's football program. Just to let you guys know that out of the 19,000 seats, 15,000 are taken season ticket holders. The rest seats are allocated for students(3,500 seats) and the opposing team(500 seats). But it does not stop there, currently ODU has around 10,000 to 12,000 waiting list in season tickets. That is why ODU was chosen because we are going to pack the stadium after expanding it. Another factor is that ODU is located on a hot recruiting bed i.e Hampton Roads and the Tv market is pretty good. Considering all these factors ODU is being invited by CUSA.

JPSchmack · **Joined:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:21 pm **Posts:** 851

freaked4collegefb wrote:

Article out of Shreveport reporting that La Tech has called presser for Noon CT this friday apparently to announce a move to C-USA,probably in conjunction with any/all other schools that will also be announcing that they will be joining that league.Link at http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/ ... nav%7Chead

Also,link to La Tech site showing notice of Friday's Presser/Party at http://www.latechsports.com

Man, I still think that's dumb.

freaked4collegefb · **Joined:** Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:37 pm **Posts:** 7063

Article out of Hampton Roads reporting that ODU is still deciding on whether or not to join C-USA and "may" have to delay any announcement until after tomorrow.Link at http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/odu-wei ... rence-move

JPSchmack · **Joined:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:21 pm **Posts:** 851

Charlotte has a press conference

http://www.charlotte49ers.com/ViewArtic ... =205423156

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

freaked4collegefb wrote:

Article out of Hampton Roads reporting that ODU is still deciding on whether or not to join C-USA and "may" have to delay any announcement until after tomorrow.Link at http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/odu-wei ... rence-move

At this point, ODU has to say yes, even if they are not ready. If they pass, that could be it for many years. What happens if GMU and VCU leave the CAA after 2013? Then ODU is stuck in an America East caliber basketball conference. And if they pass on CUSA and FBS (will have years to prepare), then CUSA takes another school (say MTSU) and then Sun Belt settles in with App St. and GA Southern. At that point ODU has to hope that UD and JMU don't leave for say, the MAC.

Risky? yes. But a bigger risk to pas son the move.

JPSchmack · **Joined:** Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:21 pm **Posts:** 851

Quinn wrote:

freaked4collegefb wrote:

Article out of Hampton Roads reporting that ODU is still deciding on whether or not to join C-USA and "may" have to delay any announcement until after tomorrow.Link at http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/odu-wei ... rence-move

At this point, ODU has to say yes, even if they are not ready. If they pass, that could be it for many years. What happens if GMU and VCU leave the CAA after 2013? Then ODU is stuck in an America East caliber basketball conference. And if they pass on CUSA and FBS (will have years to prepare), then CUSA takes another school (say MTSU) and then Sun Belt settles in with App St. and GA Southern. At that point ODU has to hope that UD and JMU don't leave for say, the MAC.

Risky? yes. But a bigger risk to pas son the move.

Has anyone upgraded their conference affiliation and had it come back to bite them in the behind? With the possible exception of Idaho and New Mexico State?

What is the WORST that can happen to ODU? They upgrade to FBS as members of C-USA, aren't successful and have to downgrade back to FCS? They'd have built infrastructure that would be extremely good for FCS and be wanted by more conferences than if they remain stagnant?

Ultimately, the end game is FBS football leaving everyone else behind (In some ways, that's already the situation).
Is there really any difference in going for it and failing and not going for it?

dbackjon · **Joined:** Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:50 pm **Posts:** 267

JPSchmack wrote:

Quinn wrote:

freaked4collegefb wrote:

Article out of Hampton Roads reporting that ODU is still deciding on whether or not to join C-USA and "may" have to delay any announcement until after tomorrow.Link at http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/odu-wei ... rence-move

At this point, ODU has to say yes, even if they are not ready. If they pass, that could be it for many years. What happens if GMU and VCU leave the CAA after 2013? Then ODU is stuck in an America East caliber basketball conference. And if they pass on CUSA and FBS (will have years to prepare), then CUSA takes another school (say MTSU) and then Sun Belt settles in with App St. and GA Southern. At that point ODU has to hope that UD and JMU don't leave for say, the MAC.

Risky? yes. But a bigger risk to pas son the move.

Has anyone upgraded their conference affiliation and had it come back to bite them in the behind? With the possible exception of Idaho and New Mexico State?

What is the WORST that can happen to ODU? They upgrade to FBS as members of C-USA, aren't successful and have to downgrade back to FCS? They'd have built infrastructure that would be extremely good for FCS and be wanted by more conferences than if they remain stagnant?

Ultimately, the end game is FBS football leaving everyone else behind (In some ways, that's already the situation).
Is there really any difference in going for it and failing and not going for it?

WKU, UL-M
Too early still to tell about the FxU schools - they spent so little time in FCS it was like they weren't there.

A school moving on to FBS before they are financially ready can be worse in the long run.

Quinn · **Joined:** Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:05 am **Posts:** 3757

dbackjon wrote:

JPSchmack wrote:

Quinn wrote:

freaked4collegefb wrote:

Article out of Hampton Roads reporting that ODU is still deciding on whether or not to join C-USA and "may" have to delay any announcement until after tomorrow.Link at http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/odu-wei ... rence-move

At this point, ODU has to say yes, even if they are not ready. If they pass, that could be it for many years. What happens if GMU and VCU leave the CAA after 2013? Then ODU is stuck in an America East caliber basketball conference. And if they pass on CUSA and FBS (will have years to prepare), then CUSA takes another school (say MTSU) and then Sun Belt settles in with App St. and GA Southern. At that point ODU has to hope that UD and JMU don't leave for say, the MAC.

Risky? yes. But a bigger risk to pas son the move.

Has anyone upgraded their conference affiliation and had it come back to bite them in the behind? With the possible exception of Idaho and New Mexico State?

What is the WORST that can happen to ODU? They upgrade to FBS as members of C-USA, aren't successful and have to downgrade back to FCS? They'd have built infrastructure that would be extremely good for FCS and be wanted by more conferences than if they remain stagnant?

Ultimately, the end game is FBS football leaving everyone else behind (In some ways, that's already the situation).
Is there really any difference in going for it and failing and not going for it?

WKU, UL-M
Too early still to tell about the FxU schools - they spent so little time in FCS it was like they weren't there.

A school moving on to FBS before they are financially ready can be worse in the long run.

true. I don't put ODU in that category since they've sold what, 15k season tickets at the fcs level.

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