UL-L to Replace UAB in CUSA?

[HeffnerIV]

This is just an opinion piece so take it how you will. I honestly can't see the appeal of CUSA any longer. They won't have the larger TV payout past 2016 (I believe). They've so diluted themselves with programs whose base don't care about football in the name of large markets. If I'm in their (ULL) position, I like the Sunbelt right now and how it provides me with like-minded schools. There's a solid core of about six schools in our conference now who are football schools and are investing in the growth of their programs. I think we could've done worse.

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[Saint3333]

A real option for CUSA is to not add anyone and wait until the Big 12 raids the AAC and in turn one or more members of CUSA go to the AAC.

The payout doesn't reward G5 conferences larger than 12 members, they will be at 13 after UAB.

If CUSA does add they could go ULL for the program with the most momentum or the other extreme in GA St. for market. I think they'll likely go for somewhere in between with either USA or Texas St. (good programs near larger markets and slotted in the Western division) or a dark horse in NMSU to serve as a travel partner for UTEP and the best basketball program (with an FBS football team) available in their footprint.

JMU fans are hoping for their big break on this one, they are likely to be disappointed no matter how hard ODU pushes. I will tip my hat to ODU for trying though hint hint.

Of course the best solution for all parties would be to take this opportunity and split CUSA and SBC into eastern and western teams, but logic will not prevail.

[moehler]

I don't understand UL-L desire to move to USA, their travel expense has to be one of the lowest in SBC, with Ark St, Troy, USA, ULM all within a bus ride, or short plane ride, plus all these teams are regional rivals for them, just seems the SBC is a better regional fit than USA. I do see why conference USA would be interested in them, new tv contract coming up, they need an established program to counter all the startups ie: Charlotte, Old Dominion which are a real roadblock in convincing the network to give them a good tv contract.

[appgrad]

A real option for CUSA is to not add anyone and wait until the Big 12 raids the AAC and in turn one or more members of CUSA go to the AAC.

The payout doesn't reward G5 conferences larger than 12 members, they will be at 13 after UAB.

If CUSA does add they could go ULL for the program with the most momentum or the other extreme in GA St. for market. I think they'll likely go for somewhere in between with either USA or Texas St. (good programs near larger markets and slotted in the Western division) or a dark horse in NMSU to serve as a travel partner for UTEP and the best basketball program (with an FBS football team) available in their footprint.

JMU fans are hoping for their big break on this one, they are likely to be disappointed no matter how hard ODU pushes. I will tip my hat to ODU for trying though hint hint.

Of course the best solution for all parties would be to take this opportunity and split CUSA and SBC into eastern and western teams, but logic will not prevail.

Agree on AAC - though I think Big XII might only find Cincy geographically, as well as athletically appealing. Then, they may look west...always thought they should go after Colorado State. Not the fanbase that Colorado has, but still has the Denver TV Market appeal and fits better geographically.

[EastHallApp]

A real option for CUSA is to not add anyone and wait until the Big 12 raids the AAC and in turn one or more members of CUSA go to the AAC.

The payout doesn't reward G5 conferences larger than 12 members, they will be at 13 after UAB.

If CUSA does add they could go ULL for the program with the most momentum or the other extreme in GA St. for market. I think they'll likely go for somewhere in between with either USA or Texas St. (good programs near larger markets and slotted in the Western division) or a dark horse in NMSU to serve as a travel partner for UTEP and the best basketball program (with an FBS football team) available in their footprint.

JMU fans are hoping for their big break on this one, they are likely to be disappointed no matter how hard ODU pushes. I will tip my hat to ODU for trying though hint hint.

Of course the best solution for all parties would be to take this opportunity and split CUSA and SBC into eastern and western teams, but logic will not prevail.

Agree on AAC - though I think Big XII might only find Cincy geographically, as well as athletically appealing. Then, they may look west...always thought they should go after Colorado State. Not the fanbase that Colorado has, but still has the Denver TV Market appeal and fits better geographically.

Big XII's first move likely BYU.

[JTApps1]

I feel like Texas State could be a real dark horse IF CUSA decides to add anyone. The conference has roots in Texas, like big markets (San Marcos is right between Austin and San Antonio), and they need a western school more than an eastern school. ULL has probably already called the league office, and they would fill the need of a western school plus they have been on a roll in all of the major sports. South Alabama isn't in a big market nor have they won much on the field so I don't think CUSA will look at them.

I still think Benson should try to unite the league in a push for Southern Miss. La Tech is the only school within driving distance for them now while the Sun Belt would give them 4 schools that fans could drive to. All of their old rivals have left for the AAC and they need to boost attendance. It may seem crazy but it is worth a shot.

[Saint3333]

If only they had waited two more seasons (when CUSA TV deal is up) a real shake up that could benefit both conferences could occur.

I like the idea of the Big 12 taking BYU and one AAC member, that would be a good thing for us.

[Goapps15]

If only they had waited two more seasons (when CUSA TV deal is up) a real shake up that could benefit both conferences could occur.

I like the idea of the Big 12 taking BYU and one AAC member, that would be a good thing for us.

Agreed with you completely Saint. The problem is luring BYU away from the land of the independents. It has allowed them to play plenty of TV games and keep the schedule winnable.

I guarantee you that the one AAC team will be Cincinnati and I think the AAC would replace them with Marshall. It gets dicey if BYU does not want to join. Cincinnati needs to get into a P5 and fast or they will be left behind.

[JTApps1]

If only they had waited two more seasons (when CUSA TV deal is up) a real shake up that could benefit both conferences could occur.

I like the idea of the Big 12 taking BYU and one AAC member, that would be a good thing for us.

Agreed with you completely Saint. The problem is luring BYU away from the land of the independents. It has allowed them to play plenty of TV games and keep the schedule winnable.

I guarantee you that the one AAC team will be Cincinnati and I think the AAC would replace them with Marshall. It gets dicey if BYU does not want to join. Cincinnati needs to get into a P5 and fast or they will be left behind.

The AAC may go after Army if the lose Cincy. They already have Navy joining in 2015 so it may not be too hard to lure Army in as well. They were in CUSA for a few years until the conference tried to claim the TV money for the Army/Navy game.

[TheMoody1]

If only they had waited two more seasons (when CUSA TV deal is up) a real shake up that could benefit both conferences could occur.

Would it be feasible for CUSA and Sun Belt to negotiate their next TV deals as a package? Seems it could offer the leagues more clout if they could get past the politics.

[bcoach]

A real option for CUSA is to not add anyone and wait until the Big 12 raids the AAC and in turn one or more members of CUSA go to the AAC.

The payout doesn't reward G5 conferences larger than 12 members, they will be at 13 after UAB.

If CUSA does add they could go ULL for the program with the most momentum or the other extreme in GA St. for market. I think they'll likely go for somewhere in between with either USA or Texas St. (good programs near larger markets and slotted in the Western division) or a dark horse in NMSU to serve as a travel partner for UTEP and the best basketball program (with an FBS football team) available in their footprint.

JMU fans are hoping for their big break on this one, they are likely to be disappointed no matter how hard ODU pushes. I will tip my hat to ODU for trying though hint hint.

Of course the best solution for all parties would be to take this opportunity and split CUSA and SBC into eastern and western teams, but logic will not prevail.

Do you mean merge the two and have two divisions? or do you mean trade amongst the two to more regionalize because I like the latter.

[Yosef10]

I've been wondering now for a while so I have to ask, what's the big deal with CUSA? Do they get more money in shared revenue that the SBC? This isn't meant to be snarky, I really am looking for answers from anyone who can help.

[appst89]

I've been wondering now for a while so I have to ask, what's the big deal with CUSA? Do they get more money in shared revenue that the SBC? This isn't meant to be snarky, I really am looking for answers from anyone who can help.

It's all perception. Before being raided by the AAC, CUSA was a desirable conference. Now, there really is no difference between it and the SBC except the perception remaining from a conference that doesn't really exist any longer. The CUSA TV contract is better right now, but that contract runs out in two years and the current configuration of CUSA will get nothing close to the current deal.

[newtoasu]

I feel like Texas State could be a real dark horse IF CUSA decides to add anyone. The conference has roots in Texas, like big markets (San Marcos is right between Austin and San Antonio), and they need a western school more than an eastern school. ULL has probably already called the league office, and they would fill the need of a western school plus they have been on a roll in all of the major sports. South Alabama isn't in a big market nor have they won much on the field so I don't think CUSA will look at them.

I still think Benson should try to unite the league in a push for Southern Miss. La Tech is the only school within driving distance for them now while the Sun Belt would give them 4 schools that fans could drive to. All of their old rivals have left for the AAC and they need to boost attendance. It may seem crazy but it is worth a shot.

The problem with Texas State is that it odes not bring any NEW market to CUSA. They already have the San Antonio market with UTSA and Texas State has next to no pull with the Austin market due to UT.

[Yosef10]

I've been wondering now for a while so I have to ask, what's the big deal with CUSA? Do they get more money in shared revenue that the SBC? This isn't meant to be snarky, I really am looking for answers from anyone who can help.

It's all perception. Before being raided by the AAC, CUSA was a desirable conference. Now, there really is no difference between it and the SBC except the perception remaining from a conference that doesn't really exist any longer. The CUSA TV contract is better right now, but that contract runs out in two years and the current configuration of CUSA will get nothing close to the current deal.

Alright thanks just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Not sure why anyone from SBC would make a lateral move to CUSA

[newtoasu]

Big XII's first move likely BYU.

I could be very wrong but I just don't see BYU going to the Big 12. When the big moves were occurring two or three years ago (aTm and Mizzu to the SEC and Colorado to the PAC-12) there was a lot of speculation about BYU to the BIg 12. However, at that time it was pointed out that BYU will not schedule games on Sunday and that hurts many of the non-revenue sports in the Big-12 plus men's and women's basketball. There is alos the conservative religous component to all of this as well. While I think it is silly, many people, both left and right, have a problem with BYU's religion.

[moonshine]

Watch for Hawaii to be the next program to close up shop. That will leave the MWC looking for a new member, possibly UTEP??? CUSA could then just stay at 12.

[ComebackShack]

Watch for Hawaii to be the next program to close up shop. That will leave the MWC looking for a new member, possibly UTEP??? CUSA could then just stay at 12.

Where is the source on this? And how long would it be? This things aren't overnight things.

[Saint3333]

A real option for CUSA is to not add anyone and wait until the Big 12 raids the AAC and in turn one or more members of CUSA go to the AAC.

The payout doesn't reward G5 conferences larger than 12 members, they will be at 13 after UAB.

If CUSA does add they could go ULL for the program with the most momentum or the other extreme in GA St. for market. I think they'll likely go for somewhere in between with either USA or Texas St. (good programs near larger markets and slotted in the Western division) or a dark horse in NMSU to serve as a travel partner for UTEP and the best basketball program (with an FBS football team) available in their footprint.

JMU fans are hoping for their big break on this one, they are likely to be disappointed no matter how hard ODU pushes. I will tip my hat to ODU for trying though hint hint.

Of course the best solution for all parties would be to take this opportunity and split CUSA and SBC into eastern and western teams, but logic will not prevail.

Do you mean merge the two and have two divisions? or do you mean trade amongst the two to more regionalize because I like the latter.

Trade, draw a line down between Al and MS pretty much.

[bcoach]

A real option for CUSA is to not add anyone and wait until the Big 12 raids the AAC and in turn one or more members of CUSA go to the AAC.

The payout doesn't reward G5 conferences larger than 12 members, they will be at 13 after UAB.

If CUSA does add they could go ULL for the program with the most momentum or the other extreme in GA St. for market. I think they'll likely go for somewhere in between with either USA or Texas St. (good programs near larger markets and slotted in the Western division) or a dark horse in NMSU to serve as a travel partner for UTEP and the best basketball program (with an FBS football team) available in their footprint.

JMU fans are hoping for their big break on this one, they are likely to be disappointed no matter how hard ODU pushes. I will tip my hat to ODU for trying though hint hint.

Of course the best solution for all parties would be to take this opportunity and split CUSA and SBC into eastern and western teams, but logic will not prevail.

Do you mean merge the two and have two divisions? or do you mean trade amongst the two to more regionalize because I like the latter.

Trade, draw a line down between Al and MS pretty much.

Great idea