Topic: NHR: Idaho, NMSU out as Sun Belt members after 2017

[Ovaltine Jenkins]

With the amended championship game rules staying at 10 makes sense for the Sunbelt, particularly for geographic reasons.  If C-USA downsized by two to return to 12, which schools would be on your list.  I would deep six FIU, MTSU and UNT and add GA State for the potential of the Atlanta market.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/01/reports-idaho-nmsu-out-as-sun-belt-members-after-2017/

[ATHENSHERDFAN]

I don't think market does jack for us at this point.  How much has Dallas and Houston helped?  I like MTSU and they bring quality.

[MUonium]

just don't get why anyone would think MT should be moving along...not gonna happen.  granted, perhaps NT shouldn't be in cusa.

If 10 is the magic number, it goes back to the big picture discussion of mid-majors (FBS low D1 schools according to P5) - from an an economic standpoint and knowing that competition/rivalries will take care of themselves:: for me, i'd like to see a new conference east of the mississippi to include MU (if no chance of being invited to AAC).  since there were rumors about TEP finding a new home and perhaps other western schools, i don't really care what those schools west of the mississippi do for themselves, don't care about their market presence, their academics or what their fans think.

[bbcard1]

There would be a certain amount of wisdom to the Texas schools peeling off to create a conference, picking up NMSU and possibly Idaho.

[gochneaur645]

Anybody who wants Georgia State over Georgia Southern is part of the problem with college athletics.

[miltonherdfan]

exactly.  nobody in these huge cities cares about a 3rd rate university.  why do you think our university in little ole huntington outdraws these schools exponentially, despite however much some on where wanna whine & moan about what a supposedly horrible fanbase we have?  nobody in ATL cares about GA St.  you can put 'em on whatever day of the week & whatever time you want, they aren't turning the tv on to watch 'em.

[Johnnyherd]

There would be a certain amount of wisdom to the Texas schools peeling off to create a conference, picking up NMSU and possibly Idaho.

Very smart man, I wish the powers that be saw it too....They'd make their lives easier and save tons of money in travel expenses....They pull in more fans with rivalry development in the state of Texas and it would help recruiting Texas high school players...

Plus they (and we) don't win these 2000 mile road trips very often....Last I heard we were like 1 win in 12 loses playing in the state of Texas and no team from Texas had won a game in the Joan...

[svherd]

The league made some poor choices in expansion, they looked at potential when they should have looked at established programs. Should have stayed at 12 schools. I wouldn't have added Charlotte or ODU. Appy St would have been the better choice in my mind. Then possibly Ga Southern or ULL.

Its gonna be years before either Charlotte or ODU can compete on a weekly basis in D1.

[Ovaltine Jenkins]

Anybody who wants Georgia State over Georgia Southern is part of the problem with college athletics.

We have to agree to disagree.  The problem with your thought is immediate gratification.  Georgia State is a growing university in downtown Atlanta with 33,000 students.  The school has ambitious economic development plan and has purchased Turner Field as on campus facility.  The problem with so many institutions, including businesses is that they think short term and not for the long run.  ODU, Charlotte and Georgia State 10 years from now will be thriving athletically if they put the right coaches in place because the infrastructure is there.  You have to play chess and not checkers.

http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/turner-field-goes-to-georgia-state/nppmp/