ThePrisoner

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9499740/is-college-football-big-five-conferences-split-ncaa

 

I have a feeling that larger FCS schools like Lamar and SHSU are really going to be left behind if this split happens. I feel that the large schools like UT and TAMU need this, but LU, as an FCS school, would basically be a Div II school if this were to happen. We would need to get to the mid major level (FBS) to maintain any semblence of recognition for the university. I also feel recruiting would take a step backwards as potential recruits would then see FCS as an even lower level than they do now.

It's more than a hint, big changes may already be underway:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130725/college-sports-braces-for-more-change/?sct=cf_t11_a0

The Sun Belt needs to wake up, they're not going to get either JMU or Missouri State. LU's the best choice for expansion.

I'd just like to see the school win consistently at the fcs level in all sports before we jump to fbs again.

 

No school wins consistently at any level. And we would miss out out on a huge opportunity by not pushing for this. JMHO

 

I agree. We can build a winning program in FBS just like we can in FCS. These opportunities don't come around all that often. We all should be pushing for a move like this.

 

I believe we might be able to make a case that we bridge the gap between east and west with NMSU now in the league. Also we are one more school to help with travel subsidies. And this playoff system could end up being a good ROI if the Sunbelt can put some players in the game.

I also agree. FCS is going nowhere and getting worse. Lamar has the potential to successfully move up to FBS and the SBC is looking for an extra school. Yet, all's quiet. Now's the time to be aggressive and deal.

I would think TxSt would be pushing hard for us.

No doubt, probably UTA as well. But, there seems to be much resentment among the older

Sun Belt members.

SBC weighing it's options for expansion

 

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20130109/SPORTS/301090324/SBC-weighing-its-options-expansion

 

"If it's exactly the same � 10 football, 12 the rest � then it's obvious we need to add two football-playing schools," Benson said last month. "And if we want to maintain the divisions, the balance, it would appear likely the two are gonna have to come from the east. That gets us to kind-of status quo."

 

"But if the decision is made to expand to 12 teams that play football, some combination of one or both of the Southland schools and New Mexico State and/Idaho might have a better shot at a Sun Belt invite."

 

So, if the SBC wants to stay at 10 football teams the invites will likely be Georgia Southern and App State. If they go 12 teams they probably will invite two of the following: NMSU,Idaho, Sam Houston or Lamar. I'm guessing April, May or June before the SBC makes a move because of the other conferences uncertainty.

If Lamar improves it's athletic facilities (i.e., expand Provost Umphrey Stadium), there would be no reason for the SBC to look at NMSU or Idaho for a western expansion. You certainly can't use their attendance, market size or on-field performance over Lamar's as an argument. In terms of geography beneficial to the SBC, Lamar is light years ahead. There's the fact that they're already FBS, but that's not a big or longterm advantage. If necessary to help conferences survive the realignment turmoil (i.e., UTSA and the WAC), the NCAA can grant waivers to speed up the process for transitioning schools. The only real problem I see is that since the last SBC defections were eastern schools, expansion plans seem to be looking eastward to replace MT and FAU.

Just read that ECU and Tulane are leaving CUSA for the Big East. That could lead to 1 or 2 schools leaving the Sun Belt for the CUSA. Time to watch the dominoes fall.

Yes, MTU is leaving for CUSA - and there's talk of FAU going with them. If FAU goes, the SBC becomes more centered around the deep South. With several western half SBC schools easily reachable by bus and none as far away as the Florida schools were, Lamar is a perfect candidate for the SBC. There's a need for some heavy PR now to take advantage of the situation.

I do not think the WAC will survive as a football conference, especially when (not if) La. Tech jumps ship. I have also heard rumors (from a normally reliable sources) that Thompson, commissioner of the WAC, has applied and will be interviewed for the SBC commissioner position that will open up this summer with Wright Water's retirement.

 

Bottom Line: I believe the WAC is a sinking ship football wise, but will survive as a non-football conference.

Thompson is commissioner of the Mountain West Conference, not the WAC. Check the accuracy of your sources again.

I read somewhere that UTA may announce this spring that they are bringing back football. Their current budget is pretty low at around $8 million, but they have a large student body so they could raise that pretty easily like Texas State and UTSA have. I think Lamar is still in the mix depending on how things shake out, and there's nothing wrong with staying FCS for another year or two. I'd hate for Lamar to join the WAC and then it falls apart.

Lamar becoming the WAC's 8th football school would only add to the stability the conference needs to keep it from falling apart. If UTA adds football it would be a plus and create a really nice eastern voting block of six schools; NMSU, UTA, TxState, UTSA, La Tech and Lamar. This scenario is great for a six team division in terms of travel and rivalries.

But, I think the remaining western schools, i.e., SJSU, Idaho, Utah State, are afraid of this massive shift in power and are dead-set against it until western schools are added first. There in lies the political problem, no new western schools are ready or financially able at this time and the western WAC teams won't budge from their position.

Thanks for the information as I've heard it is a lot of fun. Never been myself though.

You're welcome. It's even better to go toobin' with a mini-keg (inserted in a mini-inner tube and tied to your toob'). I don't know if the Lions Club is still open, but if the shuttle isn't running, you can park one car at Rio Vista Park for the return trip and ride in another to start toobin' at Sewell Park.

Cards,

it would be a shame to be in San Marcos and not go toobin' down the San Marcos river. I usually go toobin' in the morning then tailgating for a few hours before the game. There's tube rentals and a shuttle service from the Lions club of San Marcos in the park next to Strahan Coliseum. See link below:

LINK Lions Club Tube rentals

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/c2/38/49/san-marcos-river.jpg

Interesting comment by Justin, the Admin over at the BobcatReport.com:

 

Karl Benson is expected to be in attendance for this game. Once a compromise is reached with the western schools we will see Lamar get an invite.

 

Link: http://texasstate.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=2792&tid=148161608&mid=148161608&sid=1217&style=2

 

HOLY $&(^ That is awesome!

Card, it's official - Benson will be at the TxSt/LU game. Bring lots of fans, be loud!

http://www.txstatebobcats.com/sports/2011/10/8/FB_1008113713.aspx?id=282