sunbelt expansion on hold for now, Benson

[Dmanuhone]

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20 ... ck_check=1

[Saint3333]

I think the members they'd like to add and waiting to see how it shakes out vs. the Sun Belt waiting, but nice spin Mr. Benson.

[AppinATL]

So, the Sun Belt chooses to be re-active rather than pro-active. Sounding a bit like the SoCon to me.

[AppAttack]

This Karl Benson guy is really starting to annoy me.

[canes_mj]

The Big East basketball schools leaving shouldn't have an effect on App. The number of football schools in the conference hasn't changed. The only way this would hurt App's chances of moving up would be if the entire Big East folded and the football members were left looking for a conference. More than likely though this will create more openings if anything. Wise move for the SB on their part to wait and see how this all plays out.

[SpeedkingATL]

No real reason for Benson to make a move yet. It appears that none of the schools of interest are going anywhere any time soon.

[moehler]

waiting makes sense, the SBC probably are not going lose any more teams in the near future, and maybe after the dust settles, they could get lucky and land a school they probably couldnt have got 6 months ago. Its amazing how quickly things change, just a month ago, SBC was in a panic after losing teams to USA, now they can afford to sit back and wait and see how this thing plays out.

[AppAttack]

It's probably good for us too. We could end up somewhere better than the Sun Belt. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Testing my patience though.

[firemoose]

These people are nothing but a bunch of conference teases.

I do think it will work out in the end but the timing on this stinks. We're trying to recruit against teams that already have their FBS conference invites or are in the process of moving and I was hoping we would have something real to tell recruits in the January visits instead of "it looks like" we'll be moving in 2 years. Hopefully we'll know sooner rather than later.

[JCline0429]

It's probably good for us too. We could end up somewhere better than the Sun Belt. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Testing my patience though.

The problem is that the reasons CUSA and possibly the SB snubbed us will unfortunately apply to other conferences. Can you say "black balled." There's not a lot we can do about geography and market. Too, I don't see any other conferences...especially better conferences that would make a good fit...that would need us.