Breaking news coming in the last few hours reporting that the Sunbelt has offered both JMU and Mizzou State positions at the Sunbelt table. Interesting to see if we get both to join. This would make way for Sunbelt to be at 13 teams for football but there is a clause in place that would allow expelling Idaho after the 2015-16 season, I think.

If this is the case, and both happen to join, (long shot I know) I'm 100% on board with expelling Idaho. Why drop thousands traveling to play Western Carolina: Potato Edition every few years?

Plus if there is such a thing as a "Sun Belt" I'm pretty sure it doesn't stretch to Idaho.

Dropping Idaho would help the NCAA Payout of the Sun Belt.

MDaniels84 wrote:Breaking news coming in the last few hours reporting that the Sunbelt has offered both JMU and Mizzou State positions at the Sunbelt table. Interesting to see if we get both to join. This would make way for Sunbelt to be at 13 teams for football but there is a clause in place that would allow expelling Idaho after the 2015-16 season, I think.

I wonder if Benson & Co. are extending an offer to both JMU and Mizzou St. with the knowledge that JMU is unlikely to accept, but at least everyone will know that they officially made the play. Then, Mizzou St. accepts and we're at 12. I'd prefer both accept and we kick Idaho to the curb (though I wouldn't mind one trip out there to see the Black & Gold play the Spuds) but I'm a bit curious if JMU has really come around to the Belt.

Adding JMU and MSU and dropping Idaho in two years is an ideal scenario. That would make an east division of App, GaSo, GaSt, JMU, Troy and USA(?). That's a pretty concise geographic footprint compared to what we were faced with at the start of this venture. It would be a very strong football and baseball league and an improved basketball league.

If JMU balks and screws this dream situation up, I hope they rot in the FCS forever.

Gonzo wrote:If JMU balks and screws this dream situation up, I hope they rot in the FCS forever.

Hear! Hear!

If the rumors are to be believed that they were actually offered, I doubt they would put it out there without knowing that the answer is yes. Why set yourself up as a league for a school to say your not good enough? I think Benson is too smart for that. JMU is pulling an APP....remember last year when we were in love with CUSA? JMU has the same MAC hopes and will soon realize they need to get in while the window is still open. Especially since the CAA is being diluted with more small private schools.

ASUPATCH wrote:If the rumors are to be believed that they were actually offered, I doubt they would put it out there without knowing that the answer is yes. Why set yourself up as a league for a school to say your not good enough? I think Benson is too smart for that. JMU is pulling an APP....remember last year when we were in love with CUSA? JMU has the same MAC hopes and will soon realize they need to get in while the window is still open. Especially since the CAA is being diluted with more small private schools.

That sounds like it might be the case. There is always the chance that JMU wanted an offer on the table to motivate MAC, but I think the above is more likely.

great point, its hard to rip JMU for holding out for the MAC when we did the exact same thing. It is strange when you go on their board that academics seems to be the main reason they don't want to join, they seem to believe that JMU is far superior and that its kinda of an embarrassment to be associated with the present SBC schools.

moehler wrote:great point, its hard to rip JMU for holding out for the MAC when we did the exact same thing. It is strange when you go on their board that academics seems to be the main reason they don't want to join, they seem to believe that JMU is far superior and that its kinda of an embarrassment to be associated with the present SBC schools.

Maybe they just think they could beat up smart kids easier.

App and JMU have identical admission standards and academic renown. GaSo and GaSt aren't too much worse. It's no CAA or MAC on the whole, but it's not like the Belt is full of dim-wit safety schools.

Maddog1956 wrote:

ASUPATCH wrote:If the rumors are to be believed that they were actually offered, I doubt they would put it out there without knowing that the answer is yes. Why set yourself up as a league for a school to say your not good enough? I think Benson is too smart for that. JMU is pulling an APP....remember last year when we were in love with CUSA? JMU has the same MAC hopes and will soon realize they need to get in while the window is still open. Especially since the CAA is being diluted with more small private schools.

That sounds like it might be the case. There is always the chance that JMU wanted an offer on the table to motivate MAC, but I think the above is more likely.

I tend to agree. If an official offer is on the table, then the parties involved already know the answer. Just like a marraige proposal you don't ask if you don't know. The official offer is just a formality, simply putting a ring on their fingers.

I agree it would make sense to give Idaho the boot overall, however, I would like a chance to fly out there to see App play in that crazy little basketball arena with a football field in it.

EastHallApp wrote:I agree it would make sense to give Idaho the boot overall, however, I would like a chance to fly out there to see App play in that crazy little basketball arena with a football field in it.

The "Western Mini-Dome!"

EastHallApp wrote:I agree it would make sense to give Idaho the boot overall, however, I would like a chance to fly out there to see App play in that crazy little basketball arena with a football field in it.

Agree.....would love to take one trip to Moscow ID before they are gone.