SBC Definitely Expanding for 2014 Season

[Gonzo]

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


With MTSU and FIU's move to CUSA expedited, Bensen is finally having to show his hand. He knows that FCS move-ups (GaSo and App) will have to have a one-year transition period per NCAA rule. When you jump subdivisions, you can't just pay a fee and leave right away like MTSU and FIU. If he was considering adding Idaho or some Western FBS team, he would not need to make this announcement. I think this basically guarantees that the announcement of 2 current FCS school's moving to the Sunbelt before June 1 and it is very likely those schools will be App and the Stink.

[AppAttack]

I hope you're right, but I keep thinking about how Cobb dissed the SunBelt last year. Benson and the others making the decisions may leave us out.

[T-Dog]

When Cobb called the Sun Belt "a glorified FCS conference" two years ago, it was because of the previous leadership had a holier-than-though attitude about move-ups even though the entire conference was move-ups and the members weren't investing that much in football to get better, thus making such a move unfeasible. Now things have changed with new leadership, members making strides in football and most importantly, wanting a more eastern footprint. The Sun Belt is a lot more attractive now than before.

Also, since last summer, it should have been apparent that App was going to be in the SoCon for the 2013-14 season. So even though we've been going through this roller coaster since late September 2010 and some of us are tired of it, we're going to have to wait a little bit longer.

[asumike83]

I hope you're right, but I keep thinking about how Cobb dissed the SunBelt last year. Benson and the others making the decisions may leave us out.

Possibly, but I doubt it. With a business decision like this, they will invite who they think is the best option. I doubt they would take a program that isn't ready just to prove a point. Not that we are a lock to go to the SBC but if we are left out, it would likely be due to location and/or weak basketball as opposed to Cobb's comments.

Also, I could be wrong on this, but I believe he said that before Benson was the commissioner.

[Gonzo]

When Cobb called the Sun Belt "a glorified FCS conference" two years ago, it was because of the previous leadership had a holier-than-though attitude about move-ups even though the entire conference was move-ups and the members weren't investing that much in football to get better, thus making such a move unfeasible. Now things have changed with new leadership, members making strides in football and most importantly, wanting a more eastern footprint. The Sun Belt is a lot more attractive now than before.

Also, since last summer, it should have been apparent that App was going to be in the SoCon for the 2013-14 season. So even though we've been going through this roller coaster since late September 2010 and some of us are tired of it, we're going to have to wait a little bit longer.

What has/does suggest that? This time table leads one to believe that 2013 will be our transition year*.

[TheMoody1]

When Cobb called the Sun Belt "a glorified FCS conference" two years ago, it was because of the previous leadership had a holier-than-though attitude about move-ups even though the entire conference was move-ups and the members weren't investing that much in football to get better, thus making such a move unfeasible. Now things have changed with new leadership, members making strides in football and most importantly, wanting a more eastern footprint. The Sun Belt is a lot more attractive now than before.

Also, since last summer, it should have been apparent that App was going to be in the SoCon for the 2013-14 season. So even though we've been going through this roller coaster since late September 2010 and some of us are tired of it, we're going to have to wait a little bit longer.

What has/does suggest that? This time table leads one to believe that 2013 will be our transition year*.

That is the way I read it as well. If we join and announce by June 1 we will be in the Sun Belt for 2014 and will not be play off eligible this year.

[hapapp]

I'm still not sold that we want to join the SBC. I know most of us who are pro-FBS want it to happen. But, I'm not convinced the folks who will make this decision see things as we do. Their calculations are much more complicated than ours. I'm of the opinion if we want to become a FBS member then we get there first and then work towards the best possible situation for our program and university. However, it is a much larger question than FBS or bust for the university community.

[Saint3333]

Hap I got that feeling this past offseason, but they have been extremely tight-lipped this past football season through now.

I wouldn't be surprised either way at this point.

[Gonzo]

I'm still not sold that we want to join the SBC. I know most of us who are pro-FBS want it to happen. But, I'm not convinced the folks who will make this decision see things as we do. Their calculations are much more complicated than ours. I'm of the opinion if we want to become a FBS member then we get there first and then work towards the best possible situation for our program and university. However, it is a much larger question than FBS or bust for the university community.

I think it is FBS or bust for this administration. They have fund-raised, hyped and promoted this move for going on three years now. If they’re really that oblivious they'll be looking for new jobs. I understand being cautious regarding revenue ect, but it really is now or never and they must see that. Sometimes you have to take a hit to avoid being stuck in the dark ages for another 20 years. Georgia Southern has shown more commitment to the SBC than we have, and seeing the Stink move to the SBC while App stays in the SoCon would utterly destroy the athletics program as we know it, especially after last May and the UNC-Concord leap frogged us conference wise.

I'm with you though. Foot in the door time. The Sunbelt is the one and only choice. It's not a bad time to join such a league either. They own a 3-1 advantage in head to head games against the media market premadonna league aka CUSA.

This is it, in all likelihood. Only a colossal failure by the administration could screw this up IMO.

[hapapp]

Hap I got that feeling this past offseason, but they have been extremely tight-lipped this past football season through now.

I wouldn't be surprised either way at this point.

I would say 50-50. I agree things have changed. Of course, they have been tight-lipped about the move in general.

[hapapp]

Sometimes you have to take a hit to avoid being stuck in the dark ages for another 20 years. Georgia Southern has shown more commitment to the SBC than we have, and seeing the Stink move to the SBC while App stays in the SoCon would utterly destroy the athletics program as we know it, especially after last May and the UNC-Concord leap frogged us conference wise.




I don't disagree that it would be difficult to watch GSU make the move and we stay at home. I would hope the admin thinks like we do on that score. However, I'm fearful they may not be persuaded by that logic.

Quite frankly, they (the decision-makers) are in a difficult spot. Whichever decision they make will please some and bring the wrath of others. Most of us would make this decision with one thought in mind, the administration has several constituencies to reckon with in deciding the direction to go.

[appbanker]

When Cobb called the Sun Belt "a glorified FCS conference" two years ago, it was because of the previous leadership had a holier-than-though attitude about move-ups even though the entire conference was move-ups and the members weren't investing that much in football to get better, thus making such a move unfeasible. Now things have changed with new leadership, members making strides in football and most importantly, wanting a more eastern footprint. The Sun Belt is a lot more attractive now than before.

Also, since last summer, it should have been apparent that App was going to be in the SoCon for the 2013-14 season. So even though we've been going through this roller coaster since late September 2010 and some of us are tired of it, we're going to have to wait a little bit longer.

What has/does suggest that? This time table leads one to believe that 2013 will be our transition year*.

That is the way I read it as well. If we join and announce by June 1 we will be in the Sun Belt for 2014 and will not be play off eligible this year.

Why would we not be eligible for the playoff? ODU was eligible this last year during their transition, they just could not win the auto bid.

[huskie3]

Troy on Tuesday announced a road/home football deal with Duke for 2013 and 2014.

I like this quote from end of article. If Dook is willing to do this with Troy, surely they will do home and home with APP.

[kiddbrewer]

When Cobb called the Sun Belt "a glorified FCS conference" two years ago, it was because of the previous leadership had a holier-than-though attitude about move-ups even though the entire conference was move-ups and the members weren't investing that much in football to get better, thus making such a move unfeasible. Now things have changed with new leadership, members making strides in football and most importantly, wanting a more eastern footprint. The Sun Belt is a lot more attractive now than before.

Also, since last summer, it should have been apparent that App was going to be in the SoCon for the 2013-14 season. So even though we've been going through this roller coaster since late September 2010 and some of us are tired of it, we're going to have to wait a little bit longer.

What has/does suggest that? This time table leads one to believe that 2013 will be our transition year*.

That is the way I read it as well. If we join and announce by June 1 we will be in the Sun Belt for 2014 and will not be play off eligible this year.

Why would we not be eligible for the playoff? ODU was eligible this last year during their transition, they just could not win the auto bid.

ODU announced after the June 1 deadline. They were declared ineligible for the CAA autobid though and got in on an at large.

[hapapp]

When Cobb called the Sun Belt "a glorified FCS conference" two years ago, it was because of the previous leadership had a holier-than-though attitude about move-ups even though the entire conference was move-ups and the members weren't investing that much in football to get better, thus making such a move unfeasible. Now things have changed with new leadership, members making strides in football and most importantly, wanting a more eastern footprint. The Sun Belt is a lot more attractive now than before.

Also, since last summer, it should have been apparent that App was going to be in the SoCon for the 2013-14 season. So even though we've been going through this roller coaster since late September 2010 and some of us are tired of it, we're going to have to wait a little bit longer.

What has/does suggest that? This time table leads one to believe that 2013 will be our transition year*.

That is the way I read it as well. If we join and announce by June 1 we will be in the Sun Belt for 2014 and will not be play off eligible this year.

Why would we not be eligible for the playoff? ODU was eligible this last year during their transition, they just could not win the auto bid.

It has to do with the transition period. If we were going to be eligible to compete as an FBS member in 2014, then I don't believe we would be eligible for the playoffs. ODU was scheduled to begin play in CUSA in 2015.

[hapapp]

When Cobb called the Sun Belt "a glorified FCS conference" two years ago, it was because of the previous leadership had a holier-than-though attitude about move-ups even though the entire conference was move-ups and the members weren't investing that much in football to get better, thus making such a move unfeasible. Now things have changed with new leadership, members making strides in football and most importantly, wanting a more eastern footprint. The Sun Belt is a lot more attractive now than before.

Also, since last summer, it should have been apparent that App was going to be in the SoCon for the 2013-14 season. So even though we've been going through this roller coaster since late September 2010 and some of us are tired of it, we're going to have to wait a little bit longer.

What has/does suggest that? This time table leads one to believe that 2013 will be our transition year*.

That is the way I read it as well. If we join and announce by June 1 we will be in the Sun Belt for 2014 and will not be play off eligible this year.

Why would we not be eligible for the playoff? ODU was eligible this last year during their transition, they just could not win the auto bid.

ODU announced after the June 1 deadline. They were declared ineligible for the CAA autobid though.

I pretty sure they announced in May of 2012.

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt ... 8142.story

[TheMoody1]

Hap I got that feeling this past offseason, but they have been extremely tight-lipped this past football season through now.

I wouldn't be surprised either way at this point.

I would say 50-50. I agree things have changed. Of course, they have been tight-lipped about the move in general.

You may be right but I really don't see the BOT voting no if we get an invite. It will be tough to explain how GSU could pull it off financially and we can't.

[hapapp]

Hap I got that feeling this past offseason, but they have been extremely tight-lipped this past football season through now.

I wouldn't be surprised either way at this point.

I would say 50-50. I agree things have changed. Of course, they have been tight-lipped about the move in general.

You may be right but I really don't see the BOT voting no if we get an invite. It will be tough to explain how GSU could pull it off financially and we can't.

Travel won't be as much an issue for them in the SBC as will be for us.

[TheMoody1]

Hap I got that feeling this past offseason, but they have been extremely tight-lipped this past football season through now.

I wouldn't be surprised either way at this point.

I would say 50-50. I agree things have changed. Of course, they have been tight-lipped about the move in general.

You may be right but I really don't see the BOT voting no if we get an invite. It will be tough to explain how GSU could pull it off financially and we can't.

Travel won't be as much an issue for them in the SBC as will be for us.

I put together the one way miles from Statesboro and Boone to each of the eight SBC football playing schools for 2013. From Statesboro it totals 4510 and from Boone it is 5069. I don't think an extra 1118 round trip miles is a big deal.

[BeauFoster]

Troy on Tuesday announced a road/home football deal with Duke for 2013 and 2014.

I like this quote from end of article. If Dook is willing to do this with Troy, surely they will do home and home with APP.

Not necessarily - Duke may be using the old "playing in our recruiting footprint" card to get into the eyes of some Alabama talent. Go down there, put on a good showing, show off the fancy Nike duds and such, and maybe sway a kid who would otherwise attend a lower-level SEC school.