Topic: Conference Shuffling - Field Pass Prognost...

[field pass]

ok so now .....ecu will be able to jump in for all sports....

News Flash Folks:  Boise and SDSU are leaving...and Navy as well as any western teams like Air Force or BYU arent coming to save the day.  Cinncy and Uconn are going to leave too..next 12-24 months.

If TV markets dont dictate the merger of BE football schools/CUSA/some MWC schools then Marshall should be on the inside track and affiliation with the schools we would like to be with.  But, if TV markets still will dictate membership after all of this then the 2 big questions are: (and if either of these take place, Marshall may be left out and be back to the MAC.)

1- Does the remainder of the BE schools/cusa schools pick the best media market with the schools with highest enrollment like new FBS schools and those considering the move up to FBS?  
If they decide to pick up larger schools in bigger cities like FIU, FAU, Charlotte, and ODU then we are back in the MAC. If they pick up our decent TV market with a more establish name then we are in as long as #2 doesnt happen.


2- Does it stretch 2-3 time zones or stay regional?
If they succeed and stretch West to pick up some MWC schools with good TV markets to play with Houston and SMU in a western division then there wont likely have a big eastern school expansion and we are back to the MAC.  If they dont then Houston and SMU may leave and join with BYU and Boise in a new MWC.


Here is who we want to be with and the rest may stay or go:

UCF
USF
ECU
Memphis


FIU (may get picked)
FAU (may get picked)
ODU (may get picked)
Charolotte (may get picked)
Houston (may leave)
SMU (may leave)
Louisiana Tech (may get picked)
Marshall (may get picked)
USM (may get picked)
UAB (may get picked)
Tulane (may get picked)
Temple (may get picked)

I think the 4 we want to be with are a lock.  Btwn 8-12 of the second list of 12 will likely get picked up to go with the top list.  It depends if they want to go to 12, 14, or 16?  

The other option that I like the best is for CUSA to start inviting teams back in and refunding their exit fees......take the proactive approach and raid the Big East!!!!

[ought-three]

That is very interesting. I haven't heard much talk about us going back to the MAC, but it is a possibility. The MAC is the only conference that hasn't been significantly affected by all of this realignment and, as it turns out, the winner of the championship game was in the BCS.

[Thundering In MD]

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[Herdmeister]

I think we would stay aligned with ODU, MTSU and others before ever going back to the MAC. I just believe that going back there would EVER happen.