If the NY6 G5 rep comes from the Sun Belt then it only helps the conference perception moving forward. It would help us reach that goal again next year and the year after. AAC built off UCFs run and it created the perception that whoever was top dawg coming out of AAC was top G5. We have the opportunity to be that conference now.
The rule needs changed, so why not now?
Exactly right Hoppy. It's all about building perception. The SBC has the chance this year to have their CCG put on ABC vs ESPN. It's the little victories over the AAC that add up to the SBC being perceived as the best G5 conference, and getting the prime tv slot over the AAC is one of them.
The SBC needs to be putting their best foot forward, and right now JMU is the best. And I say that as a person who hates JMU.
This is about positioning the conference in National perception for not only now, but for the future. We want to end up with a strangle hold on the CFP slot much like the AAC had with the access bowl slot. Unfortunately, they only take one G5 each year and it's subject to a committee that will show bias based on the perception of the strength of a league.
We were better than Boise in 2014 but was going to get passed over regardless of what happened with WKU. App State had a 12-1 season a few years back with 2 P5 road wins (UNC and South Carolina) and got left out of the access because it was handed to Memphis or someone from the AAC because it was perceived as the stronger conference.
We need to get the SBC to the point where if someone goes 11-1 then they are a lock for the playoff spot. And make all the other conferences have to say "well if the SBC is down this year our 10-2 team may have a shot".