*Rumored Lamar to FBS discussion*

[Guest CardAmbassador]

A while back, I read someone predict a total change in the NCAA landscape. Instead of a two tier system (FBS, FCS), they predicted a three tier system. The top tier would be a few (2 to 4) super-conferences, which would crown the national champion. The mid tier would be the remaining FBS schools and possibly the FBS hopefuls like LU and SHSU, which would still carry the non-BCS bowl games. The bottom tier would be the FCS tier.

 

I don't know that I believe that this is very likely, but it is excellent for speculation.

 

I firmly believe that many of the top schools will continue to do what they can to distance themselves from the pack. That's why you see the massive spending on CFB. It's a vicious cycle where you spend more and distance yourself more. The average guy likes a Boise, do you think Big XII or SEC schools like Boise, hell no, that's a new school coming up raking in their dollars. Why do you think Baylor is so afraid of losing AQ.

[Bearkat25]

A while back, I read someone predict a total change in the NCAA landscape. Instead of a two tier system (FBS, FCS), they predicted a three tier system. The top tier would be a few (2 to 4) super-conferences, which would crown the national champion. The mid tier would be the remaining FBS schools and possibly the FBS hopefuls like LU and SHSU, which would still carry the non-BCS bowl games. The bottom tier would be the FCS tier.

 

I don't know that I believe that this is very likely, but it is excellent for speculation.

 

I've heard of the rumor that there will be a three tier system as well.

 

Tier one: Superconference

Tier two: AQ (Didn’t make the cut for tier one)

Tier three: Non-AQ (lower tier FBS schools)

[Guest NorthoftheBorder]

A while back, I read someone predict a total change in the NCAA landscape. Instead of a two tier system (FBS, FCS), they predicted a three tier system. The top tier would be a few (2 to 4) super-conferences, which would crown the national champion. The mid tier would be the remaining FBS schools and possibly the FBS hopefuls like LU and SHSU, which would still carry the non-BCS bowl games. The bottom tier would be the FCS tier.

 

I don't know that I believe that this is very likely, but it is excellent for speculation.

 

I've heard of the rumor that there will be a three tier system as well.

 

Tier one: Superconference

Tier two: AQ (Didn’t make the cut for tier one)

Tier three: Non-AQ (lower tier FBS schools)

 

What this equates to is:

 

Tier one: Superconference - Most of the money

Tier two: AQ (Didn’t make the cut for tier one) - Some money but not a lot

Tier three: Non-AQ (lower tier FBS schools) - Almost no money

 

You know that is what is going to happen

[coachacola]

A while back, I read someone predict a total change in the NCAA landscape. Instead of a two tier system (FBS, FCS), they predicted a three tier system. The top tier would be a few (2 to 4) super-conferences, which would crown the national champion. The mid tier would be the remaining FBS schools and possibly the FBS hopefuls like LU and SHSU, which would still carry the non-BCS bowl games. The bottom tier would be the FCS tier.

 

I don't know that I believe that this is very likely, but it is excellent for speculation.

 

I've heard of the rumor that there will be a three tier system as well.

 

Tier one: Superconference

Tier two: AQ (Didn’t make the cut for tier one)

Tier three: Non-AQ (lower tier FBS schools)

 

What this equates to is:

 

Tier one: Superconference - Most of the money

Tier two: AQ (Didn’t make the cut for tier one) - Some money but not a lot

Tier three: Non-AQ (lower tier FBS schools) - Almost no money

 

You know that is what is going to happen

 

So not much will change from how things are now except everybody will be doing the conference shuffle. :S

[Guest KNIGHT902]

I think after this football season and coach knights 1st basketball season, there will be more than just one conference looking to add Lamar to there conference.Lamar should weigh all there offers, Wac, Sunbelt, Con-usa.There are going to be a lot of schools switching conferences next year.Con-usa looks pretty good .Go Cards

[BigRed98]

I'm by no means "in the know", but I don't see how LU jumps from FCS to C-USA. They want us for a basketball/baseball school? I doubt that this would happen based on one year of basketball. Don't forget that baseball has somewhat struggled recently. It would be cool, but I doubt that would happen.

 

With the way the cards seem to be falling, I don't think LU makes the FBS jump within the next several years if OU leaves the Big 12. OSU is tied at the hip with OU, and TT is watching. If OU leaves, OSU and TT are gone as well. This also means that BYU will not join the Big 12. Instead of the Big 12 backfilling with UH and possibly SMU, the Big 12 will dissolve right along with LU's hopes to move up any time soon.

 

Now, if OU stays in the Big 12, all bets are off on conference realignment, especially if the Big 12 feels squeezed by the SEC becoming a super conference and decides to try to match them. Also, I read an article somewhere that BYU will consider joining the Big 12 if OU stays. UT needs to kiss OU's butt before the Longhorns end up Independent in a new world of super conferences filled with teams who don't want to agree to play them.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

Everything is volatile right now. It's pretty hard to predict what will happen. I'm fairly confident that if C-USA had to invite LU then C-USA would be in trouble and it wouldn't be any more attractive than either of our other options.

 

I do know that this instability has created opportunities for us, but it can just as easily squash them as BR98 said.

[Guest Crawfish]

FYI I understand the WAC has added Cal State University Bakersfield (CSUB) and Houston Baptist as affiliate members for baseball.

[jdcurran235]

This really makes me want a WAC invite now.

[Guest BigRed2010]

I think it was Dallas Baptist not Houston Baptist

[Guest NorthoftheBorder]

After what I have seen in 3 games, we have way more to worry about than a FBS invite.

[theTestament]

After what I have seen in 3 games, we have way more to worry about than a FBS invite.

 

I could not have said it better.

[Guest Crawfish]

Yeah, Dallas Baptist is correct. My bad... :blush:

[TexGator]

After what I have seen in 3 games, we have way more to worry about than a FBS invite.

 

Very true. We'll see if they can right the ship and get to 6 or 7 wins (which isn't far-fetched). If we get to 7 wins, that would make us more appetizing to recruits. I caught the Abilene Christian vs. North Alabama game last week, and it was very evident that UNA had 18 FBS transfers they had was because their coach is a Bowden- guys from FSU, UGA, NCSt., and even one from UT.

 

Bowden didn't get those guys because of HOPE- he got them because he had a winning tradition that he was building on. We need that winning tradition.

 

And I think the invite of DBU officially shuts off the WAC for Lamar.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

And I think the invite of DBU officially shuts off the WAC for Lamar.

 

You do know this was for baseball correct? This changes nothing.

[TexGator]

And I think the invite of DBU officially shuts off the WAC for Lamar.

 

You do know this was for baseball correct? This changes nothing.

 

Often, I'm the sort of person who says we shouldn't read extra into things, but the WAC has gone to the "Texas" well 4 times in the last 2 years... and even when you throw in their other additions, they haven't gone after a school NOT part of one of the 35 largest MSAs- the Golden Triangle comes in at #132.

 

Here are the MSAs for the new WAC members:

San Antonio - 24

Dallas-Ft. Worth - 4

Denver - 21

Seattle - 14

Austin - 35

 

Looks like they're not wanting schools as much as markets.

[TBonesLU]

And I think the invite of DBU officially shuts off the WAC for Lamar.

 

You do know this was for baseball correct? This changes nothing.

 

Often, I'm the sort of person who says we shouldn't read extra into things, but the WAC has gone to the "Texas" well 4 times in the last 2 years... and even when you throw in their other additions, they haven't gone after a school NOT part of one of the 35 largest MSAs- the Golden Triangle comes in at #132.

 

Here are the MSAs for the new WAC members:

San Antonio - 24

Dallas-Ft. Worth - 4

Denver - 21

Seattle - 14

Austin - 35

 

Looks like they're not wanting schools as much as markets.

 

I will stand by what I've said; Benson will be kicking himself when he realizes that UT-A does not bring the Dallas market. It does not even bring the Arlington market.

 

With that said, how many people watched the football game Saturday night? The 15k or so plus the ones such as myself watching the game online (I'm all the way in Dallas).

[coachacola]

The WAC is definitely after markets but they do need to start adding some football schools soon. I think they'll invite Lamar if they can't find anyone else to join. But with all the changes going on right now, I'm glad Lamar hasn't been invited yet. Staying in the SLC will give them time to build up the program and fan support. In the SLC, Lamar can probably count on sellouts or near sellouts for home games against McNeese, SFA and SHSU. Not sure if that would be the case in the WAC, and without a decent TV contract, travel costs would suck the athletic department dry.

[geezer]

If the reported rumors hold true, the Big 12 may hold together for a few more years which would be good for LU chances to go to a BCS before the door closes. From what I have read it looks like Texas may be the school none of the other major conferences wants.

[TexGator]

If the reported rumors hold true, the Big 12 may hold together for a few more years which would be good for LU chances to go to a BCS before the door closes. From what I have read it looks like Texas may be the school none of the other major conferences wants.

 

I think that Texas is the school EVERYONE wants- the problem is that Texas is the school that wants NOBODY. They have a brand that makes it possible for them to "go it alone" and they're trying to find a way to make it work.

[LUSportsFan]

If the reported rumors hold true, the Big 12 may hold together for a few more years which would be good for LU chances to go to a BCS before the door closes. From what I have read it looks like Texas may be the school none of the other major conferences wants.

 

I think that Texas is the school EVERYONE wants- the problem is that Texas is the school that wants NOBODY. They have a brand that makes it possible for them to "go it alone" and they're trying to find a way to make it work.

 

I think you make a valid point concerning a school that EVERYONE wants, but my understanding is that the LHN is causing the other conferences to back away. Reports I read concerning UT's and OU's attempts to go to the PAC ?? indicated that how to handle the network (UT) and future network (OU) was a key factor in the PAC ?? deciding to stay where it is. I think the LHN will continue to contribute to the instability in the Big 12-2-1 also. The original plan of the network (Tier 3 games) with no mention of high school games would probably have been accepted by everyone in the Big 12-2. I'm pretty sure that everyone would not have liked it, but it would have been accepted. Adding conference games and the talk of high school games and possibly high school championship games on the network was a different matter. The stated intent of the network vs the ultimate plan of the network turned out to be a little disinginuous. At least that was the perception.

[Guest CardAmbassador]

If the reported rumors hold true, the Big 12 may hold together for a few more years which would be good for LU chances to go to a BCS before the door closes. From what I have read it looks like Texas may be the school none of the other major conferences wants.

 

I think that Texas is the school EVERYONE wants- the problem is that Texas is the school that wants NOBODY. They have a brand that makes it possible for them to "go it alone" and they're trying to find a way to make it work.

 

I think you make a valid point concerning a school that EVERYONE wants, but my understanding is that the LHN is causing the other conferences to back away. Reports I read concerning UT's and OU's attempts to go to the PAC ?? indicated that how to handle the network (UT) and future network (OU) was a key factor in the PAC ?? deciding to stay where it is. I think the LHN will continue to contribute to the instability in the Big 12-2-1 also. The original plan of the network (Tier 3 games) with no mention of high school games would probably have been accepted by everyone in the Big 12-2. I'm pretty sure that everyone would not have liked it, but it would have been accepted. Adding conference games and the talk of high school games and possibly high school championship games on the network was a different matter. The stated intent of the network vs the ultimate plan of the network turned out to be a little disinginuous. At least that was the perception.

 

I think the recent news shows without a doubt that the network and UT not accepting revenue sharing deals like the SEC and PAC have has been the major sticking point. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Big XII, it appears on a divergent path from what the other conferences have been aiming for. (small, nonequal revenue sharing, vs. large revenue sharing conferences)

[LUSportsFan]

Realignment of the conferences is still in a fluid state. The Big East and Big 12-2-1 will need to add members. The SEC will probably go to at least 14 members. Big East and WAC need members to remain a viable FBS conference. For the Big East, assuming TCU is still coming, they would have the minimum of 7 members to fully qualify, but they would probably not sit there. My understanding is that the Big 12-2-1 needs at least 10 teams to prevent renegotiation of the Fox television contract.

 

Unless there are mergers, as those conferences reload or add, more openings will be available in the other conferences. Additionally, as we all know, the WAC needs at least two additional football members.

 

As long as Lamar takes care of its business, it SHOULD at least be in the mix of candidates to back fill the conferences that would be impacted by any moves to higher level FBS conferences.

 

I think we're in the mix of possible WAC candidates already. We just need to keep doing good things.

[coachacola]

I think I read somewhere that UT is beginning to see the light and they are more open to revenue sharing or they will be stuck without a conference. Although they make tons of money now, that could change if they a forced to go independent and they lose all their big rivalry games.

 

Both the Big East and Big 12 will probably add some teams so that might trickle down to Lamar. These days a WAC invite would make me a lot more nervous than last year. After football season ends we'll probably see some more movement.

[Guest Crawfish]

I have said several time, and I believe this more than ever at this time, that La Tech will not get a C-USA invite and will in fact join the SBC. There have been rumblings of this again in the online media and I believe there is some credence to it. If this happens, I think Texas State may also try and follow them. This will basically reduce the WAC to a non-football conference.

 

I also think that if UCF gets an invitation to join the Big East, then FIU or FAU would be likely candidates to replace them in C-USA, not LA Tech. FIU for example has 44K students.

 

Bottom line, I think La. Tech ends up in the SBC. I also think the Sunbelt will go ahead and expand to 12-14 to protect itself in the next shakeup. This might open up a spot for the Cards based on its previous relationship with Belt schools.