Realignment News

TheMoody1 · Unread post by **TheMoody1** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:02 pm

Realignment really over now? C-USA, Sun Belt discuss expansion pause
June 12, 2013 12:46 pm ET

So now realignment has stopped.

The ACC's grant of rights two months ago effectively pumped the brakes on big-conference poaching, but one decision still loomed: Conference USA possibly going from 14 to 16 teams. Commissioner Britton Banowsky spoke extensively about this to me in April.

But C-USA presidents decided not to pursue a 16-team model for the foreseeable future as CBSSports.com first reported Tuesday. This closes the door on small-conference moves and probably limits the number of FCS schools transitioning into the College Football Playoff revenue pie.

The Sun Belt seems OK with this.

Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson told me today he spoke with Banowsky on Tuesday and is “pleased to see the announcement.” The Sun Belt is losing FIU, FAU, North Texas, Middle Tennessee to Western Kentucky to C-USA in the next two years. In March, the Sun Belt back-filled with Appalachian State and Georgia Southern.

“Hopefully this will allow both C-USA and the Sun Belt to go forward in a stable way and allow both conferences to focus on competition rather than membership,” Benson said.

The Sun Belt will be an 11-team league starting July 1, 2014, Benson said, and though a 12-team model is “still a possibility,” the league won't further evaluate the issue until after the first of the year.

Maybe then someone like Liberty will get the call and make the difficult, often costly move to FBS. But for now, all 10 conferences appear stable.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... sion-pause

moehler · Unread post by **moehler** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:16 pm

couple of things, looks like USA/SBC have reached a "cease fire" agreement and probably, if these guys are being serious and telling the truth will not see expansion talks for atleast a year; and two, that loud splash you just heard was Liberty and JMU fans jumping hand in hand into the river.

AppinATL · Unread post by **AppinATL** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:08 pm

Looks like we got in just in time.

fjblair · Unread post by **fjblair** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:06 pm

I hope that is the last we hear of Liberty joining SB. I didn't think JMU was seriously pushing for FBS.

luvyosef · Unread post by **luvyosef** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:08 pm

I think we've seen the end of realignment until the big 5 conferences decide to bolt and it's going to happen. After that, I believe you'll see the return of geographically friendly conferences. May get the App, Marshall, ECU, James Madison, etc league after all.

Speculation at this time though.