Topic: My prediction-conference situation

[herdman]

Here is my prediction. The recent defectors from CUSA are forming a new conference.  I honestly believe we will get invited to that new league that includes UCF, ECU, etc.

My prediction is that Marshall will be invited within a year. I believe by 2014 we will not be a member of CUSA.

[ThunderDent]

If there is a new "National Conference" it will be harder for us to get the invite than a pure East coast league would. That all depends on Boise. However, if they stay, and we see an "alliance" type league, I'd love to see two 10 team divisions. Play round robin with no cross-over so it stays regional. IMO, BYU, NAVY, ARMY, and Air Force will be INDY, and play national schedules, esp if AFA can keep thier other sports in the WAC or MWC.


MY National Conference:

East
--------
1-UConn
2-Temple
3-Cincinnati
4-Memphis
5-ECU
6-UCF
7-USF
8-Southern Miss
9-Marshall
10-Navy (doubt they still come)-- so if they stay INDY --
(Old Dominion/Hampton Roads recruiting/Va Market/Huge potential)

West
------
1-Houston
2-SMU
3-Tulane
4-Boise St
5-San Diego St
6-Fresno St
7-UNLV
8-New Mexico
9-Air Force (possible INDY, so fill with... UTEP)
10-BYU -- Doubtful they leave INDY, so if they stay INDY -- (Colo St, Wyo, Utah St, Tulsa)????

FB schedule, everyone plays 9 game round-robin divisional schedules, NO cross overs. Division winners meet in CCG, and most every year would get the auto BCS bid.

BBall would play a divisional round robin format (9 Home, 9 Away), then get seeded in conference tourney allowing cross-divisional matchups.

I feel Army, Navy and BYU all stay INDY. I think if AFA could keep oly sports in MWC or WAC they would go INDY as well for FB.

This gives you:
1) Regionality, keeps divisions neat, and allows everyone to be all sports, while keeping feel of regional league.
2) Already established rivalries (what makes people actually watch the games)
3) Tons of TV product throughout multiple time zones
4) "Super-conference" that is best-of-the-rest, almost always getting BCS auto-bid
5) Give everything to ESPN, playing mulitple Thurs, Fri, Saturday afternoon games on ESPNU and ESPN2 (we see what happens when you anger them, plus they'll give you the BEST exposure).
6) Easy replacements if UConn, Cincy, etc. leave to ACC
7) Plenty of big markets to help the TV deal.
8) Recruiting in FLA, TX, Cali, Hampton Roads
9) Bowl games:
*BCS (most every year)
*Liberty (Memphis) vs. SEC
*Belk (Charlotte) vs. ACC
*Russel Athletic (Orlando) vs. ACC
*Military (D.C.) vs. Army/Navy/AFA or ACC
*Beef'O'Brady's (St. Pete/Tampa Bay) vs. CUSA
*Poinsettia (San Diego) vs. BYU or PAC-12
*Las Vegas vs. PAC-12
*Armed Forces (Fort Worth) vs. Army/Navy/AFA or MWC
*New Mexico vs. PAC-12

[cincyherd]

I think what B12 does and how fast it does it, are big factors in the future of eastern conferences.   It's hard to believe Cincinnati and UCONN will end up mid-majors.  I've always been for us being in a conference with Cincinnati.  Works for me.

[Huffnagel]

i dont think that Cincy and UCONN will be left out. I think we need to watch what happens to the ACC and then hope to fit in somewhere. I think the ACC is about the be raided and will not resemble its current look in a couple years. 

[MUsince96]

ThunderDent I saw your post about this on the CSNBBS message boards.  I like 18 better than 20.  And although I LOVE your overall idea.  I just don't see us making the cut at this moment.  Maybe after Cincy and UCONN move to the ACC.