http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... nce-member

SDSU returns to MWC

ECU goes Big East for all sports

Big East looks to add Tulsa to get back to 12 teams

This means CUSA will definitely have to add one or more schools. Previously it was mentioned that MWC may poach some CUSA Texas teams.

We may see some movement soon.

AtlAppMan wrote:http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... nce-member

SDSU returns to MWC

ECU goes Big East for all sports

Big East looks to add Tulsa to get back to 12 teams

This means CUSA will definitely have to add one or more schools. Previously it was mentioned that MWC may poach some CUSA Texas teams.

We may see some movement soon.

The MWC is now a considerably better conference than the Big East and will likely be at the top of the group that isn't the Big 5. The Big East now is no better than C-USA.

appst89 wrote:

AtlAppMan wrote:http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... nce-member

SDSU returns to MWC

ECU goes Big East for all sports

Big East looks to add Tulsa to get back to 12 teams

This means CUSA will definitely have to add one or more schools. Previously it was mentioned that MWC may poach some CUSA Texas teams.

We may see some movement soon.

The MWC is now a considerably better conference than the Big East and will likely be at the top of the group that isn't the Big 5. The Big East now is no better than C-USA.

The BE has become CUSA. Mtn West sitting at a 12 schools needs at least 2, possibly 4. The proactive move would be to grab New Mexico State, UTEP.

Looks the next round of shake-ups is around the corner. With the Big 12 Comissioner's statement about becoming more proactive with expansion, the BIG dominos may be about to fall. Hope Charlie is ready to bring the A game this time.

Didn't see anything about Tulsa actually going to the BE in that article or pod cast, just that it was rumored that they might ask them.

Completely unrelated but MTSU and Florida Atlantic (both current Sun Belt members), are trying to get into Conference USA a year early. The only hold up is the two schools having to pay a $1 million fee to leave early. This would leave the Sun Belt with only 8 teams for this year. Which means to get to 12 football playing schools they would need 4 teams and to get to 10 football playing schools they would need 2 more teams.

The related part is if Tulsa gets an invite to the Big East, it has been rumored that Western Kentucky would take their place in Conference USA. This would leave yet another opening in the Sun Belt for the 2014 year. Which means the Sun Belt would be looking to add 3-5 more football playing members.

WKU leaving the Belt would be a negative. We would have to know GSU was coming with us if that happens.

I hope we have the CAA on standby if this doesn't work out.

Would it be a negative if WKU left, or would it open the door for JMU to join us and GSU? I know WKU is better known, but JMU would be a much better fit for the Apps and the Eagles.

If we ended up in a conference with JMU and GSU that would be the best case scenario for us at this point, I just don't see it.

I don't think the Belt is interested in extending the footprint that far, I'd say we are on the edge for their comfort. More importantly I don't think JMU would join the Belt.

They would head west before inviting JMU I believe.

I'd love to be in a conference with JMU but they don't seem to be a fit in the SBC. I'm not sure we are either, unless we go in with GaSo.
This brings up an interesting question:If we had the opportunity to either join the Sun Belt with GaSo or the MAC with JMU, what would be the best choice?
(Disclaimer- I know the MAC hasn't expressed interest in such an offer)

MAD Doctor wrote:I'd love to be in a conference with JMU but they don't seem to be a fit in the SBC. I'm not sure we are either, unless we go in with GaSo.
This brings up an interesting question:If we had the opportunity to either join the Sun Belt with GaSo or the MAC with JMU, what would be the best choice?
(Disclaimer- I know the MAC hasn't expressed interest in such an offer)

My preference would be the MAC, because that league has had more stability and its members are more like us academically.

Mac, everything app89 said, plus they are a strong basketball conference. Perfect sitution would join Mac with JM.

JTApps1 wrote:Would it be a negative if WKU left, or would it open the door for JMU to join us and GSU? I know WKU is better known, but JMU would be a much better fit for the Apps and the Eagles.

I have seen some suggest if WKU goes it is bad for us because we then are on an island in the northern end of the SBC. JMU is not likely to be interested in the SBC as they are way out of the footprint.

Unfortunately, I think it is a matter of if and not when WKU will leave, which is not good for Appalachian. WKU and MTSU are geographically convenient and have strong basketball programs. Losing both of them hurts the conference basketball RPI and put us on more of an island geographically.

Still a step up from the SoCon and I think we should accept if offered alongside Georgia Southern but it does make the Sun Belt less attractive.

asumike83 wrote:Unfortunately, I think it is a matter of if and not when WKU will leave, which is not good for Appalachian. WKU and MTSU are geographically convenient and have strong basketball programs. Losing both of them hurts the conference basketball RPI and put us on more of an island geographically.

Still a step up from the SoCon and I think we should accept if offered alongside Georgia Southern but it does make the Sun Belt less attractive.

Agreed it really hurts App and Georgia Southern. It hurts almost every Appalachian sport except for football. I hope Appalachian can find an FBS home that fits well and gives us a chance to continue our university growth.

You have to almost check daily to see what conference an FBS team is in, so seems to mainly be getting into an FBS conference. After that there will still be continual movements of other FBS teams. Eventually lower tier FBS teams will want to change to more regional associations. At that time we will be ready to associate with who we want.

GoApps70 wrote:You have to almost check daily to see what conference an FBS team is in, so seems to mainly be getting into an FBS conference. After that there will still be continual movements of other FBS teams. Eventually lower tier FBS teams will want to change to more regional associations. At that time we will be ready to associate with who we want.

I agree with that and if I were making the decision without any other considerations that our leadership has to make, I would find any FBS home. However, our leadership has much more to consider than most of us do as per the financials.

MAD,

I would def. go with the MAC if both offers were on the table, for everything that has already been said: stability, academics, and basketball.

I think another round of moves is planned, and SBC is trying to wrap up the departures of MTSU and FAU. I personally think we are on call at the SBC along with GA GA SOU, and that this "half-time" break benefits us and allows us to explore other options.

CUSA, BE, SBC all need more schools. MAC could expand or need to replace UMass. I think we are in a good position right now, and the moves by the big boys may cause CUSA to realize they need to focus strong regional conference ties, and improving the product on the field. If you look at it, we are now right in the middle of CUSA's new eastern footprint.

Stranger things have happened.

GoAppsGo92 wrote:I think we are in a good position right now, and the moves by the big boys may cause CUSA to realize they need to focus strong regional conference ties, and improving the product on the field. If you look at it, we are now right in the middle of CUSA's new eastern footprint.

Stranger things have happened.

I was thinking the same thing today in a conversation with a couple of college coaches that happened by the school at the end of the day.....interesting.