There are still dominoes falling so opportunities still exist.

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

Wouldn't shock me at all if ECU got the call

I think ECU should be the choice but common sense doesn't seem to play a role in realignment

ECU could fit, but so could UMass. I'm guessing UMass would love to move bball to the Big East. It will be interesting to see how this develops, but I'd be somewhat surprised if they took ECU.

What's ironic is if (and for the record I think it's a big if) the BE took ECU, most of our reason for wanting CUSA would go with them.

I expect another round of moves this fall. BE will choose someone from MAC or CUSA... prompting a move by either one of those conferences. I personally would like to see us in either one of those over the Sun Belt. And with the outstanding academic reputation of the MAC, I really woudn't mind seeing us there.

I think the administration deserves major props for keeping a steady hand at the wheel during these league shake-ups. I think our turn is coming. While market may have been an issue in prior rounds, absolutely no one I have read or heard from says our program is not ready.

97grad wrote:What's ironic is if (and for the record I think it's a big if) the BE took ECU, most of our reason for wanting CUSA would go with them.

True. Without ECU in CUSA, I'd much rather join the SBC and hope GSU comes along.

I agree with several others that if ECU is the pick of the Big East, I really don't think C-USA is that big of a deal for us. From purely a football standpoint, I would rather go to the Sun Belt and have games with Georgia State and Georgia Southern and FIU, for recruiting purposes. Also, like I've said in the past, Georgia Southern is our best rival currently and I'd love to retain that at the next level. Also, I think G State could develop into that type rival and help us further help us recruit in Georgia. Add in FAU, USA, Troy and we have some really good rivalries to develop and great trips for fans to enjoy.

Tractor,

I don't know if you have looked at the academic ranking of the SunBelt, but it's not very good. In fact, not only would be be in the top two in football crowds, we would be in the top one or two in academic ranking.

I'm not dismissing SunBelt out of hand, I'm just saying that academics ought to matter as well. SunBelt is a more southern league, but I don't know if that helps recruiting or not either. We will still enjoy our recruiting grounds we traditionally have, but could open up the midwest and central US in the MAC or CUSA.

Interesting that the article states that the BE is not looking to raid anyone... which could mean that ECU would still be left off of the table... mentioned specifically FBS independent teams....

I don't know why people keep saying Georgia Southern is going to be in some FBS conference anytime soon. The top leadership has clearly stated they are not in a position to make a move anytime soon. Sounds like at least 5-10 yrs out. Basically they do not have the financial resources/backing to get it done.

I'm gonna show my ignorance here, but I have never really understood how the academic make-up of a conference has anything to do with where we should be. There is no Sun Belt Conference Quiz Bowl Championship, that I know of and if there is, then it sounds like we'd have a chance to be as dominant in that as we have been in SoCon Football. I'm joking, but really, what's the big deal? I'd much prefer the Sun Belt over any of our other options because of the natural rivalries that could develop. If The Stink were to come in at some point, so much the better, but even without them, I like the games we'd have in that league.

AppinATL wrote:I'm gonna show my ignorance here, but I have never really understood how the academic make-up of a conference has anything to do with where we should be. There is no Sun Belt Conference Quiz Bowl Championship, that I know of and if there is, then it sounds like we'd have a chance to be as dominant in that as we have been in SoCon Football. I'm joking, but really, what's the big deal? I'd much prefer the Sun Belt over any of our other options because of the natural rivalries that could develop. If The Stink were to come in at some point, so much the better, but even without them, I like the games we'd have in that league.

We would be at a disadvantage recruiting. The schools with lower standards could sign players that we couldn't admit.

OK, I can see that, thanks for the explanation. Sort of like what we deal with year in and year out with GA Southern, home town of Honey Boo-Boo. I can see where dealing with that across the whole conference would cause a problem.