Conference realignment again????

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Originally Posted by Geaux

https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/...ac/6298326001/

Dr. Maggard made it very clear,....our program will not operate in a continuous deficit.

Not sure if he or T-Joe made this decision, but it signals we are going to be a G5 program for the foreseeable future. I would rather walk into the darkness of the AAC or potentially the Big 12, but I don't balance the books.

With our recent success and Maggard's connections, one would think we could get to a larger conference if our leadership really wanted to.

One would speculate, this is why Cajun Field talks have haulted. No one wants to invest big dollars into SBC programs. Makes no sense to upgrade if we remain in the SBC. Ride the current version Cajun Field until the wheels fall off.

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The sunbelt is about to be a better football conference than the AAC. With the departure of UH, Cincy, UCF and speculation possibly Memphis. Being replaced by UNC Charlotte, FAU,NT, Rice, UAB, UTSA the AAC is CUSA. That would not be a move up at this point.

If you look at the AAC closely, after this season, only USF remains from the old Big East. Memphis, SMU, ECU, Tulsa, Tulane, and Temple, all big metro schools were invited after The Big East basketball schools separated leading to the AAC. Agree, the AAC didn't do themselves any favors on their recent backfilling. Still, right or wrong they were mostly consistent sticking with their metro/big city plan. In the past I was an advocate for UL joining the AAC, but it apparently boils down to AAC only wants big city schools no matter how much they suck. Except for Memphis and SMU, competitively the AAC is becoming a shell of its former self. A diminished brand the SBC should soon surpass on the field.

Its positive the SBC picked up USM, Marshall, etc. to provide members more regional East/West rivals. We have to make the most of it while we work on towards goal of getting Cajun Field renovated.

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Originally Posted by Duckster

If you look at the AAC closely, after this season, only USF remains from the old Big East. Memphis, SMU, ECU, Tulsa, Tulane, and Temple, all big metro schools were invited after The Big East basketball schools separated leading to the AAC. Agree, the AAC didn't do themselves any favors on their recent backfilling. Still, right or wrong they were mostly consistent sticking with their metro/big city plan. In the past I was an advocate for UL joining the AAC, but it apparently boils down to AAC only wants big city schools no matter how much they suck. Except for Memphis and SMU, competitively the AAC is becoming a shell of its former self. A diminished brand the SBC should soon surpass on the field.

Its positive the SBC picked up USM, Marshall, etc. to provide members more regional East/West rivals. We have to make the most of it while we work on towards goal of getting Cajun Field renovated.

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This is so right, we need to protect this version of the SBC from being poached from any other G5 conferences. I truly think the SBC went from being a terrible conference in 2001 to probably the best G5 conference in 2022. It took a long time to get where we are, but the journey was worth it. The problem now is that we are now a conference that has some real targets if a P5 conference comes calling. This has never been the case with the SBC before. The SBC needs to make sure that all 14 teams in this conference are all working on the same goals. We do have some dead weight like every conference does, but for the most part the top 2/3rds of this conference in all relative sports are solid, specifically football.

With the improvements to facilities that I would put most of the SBC's facilities up against almost any G5 teams in the country. Granted some need improvement (see UL football facility), but you can't argue the Cajun Dome, The Tigue, Yvette Girourd Field, the T/F Soccer facility are on par or better than 75%+ of G5 teams. Look at schools like App State, Texas State, USA, Marshall, A-State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and others and the improvements or incredible facilities they already have. Marshall is building a new baseball facility as we speak. We have to have to have to get Cajun Field renovations started after that, the sky is the limit for UL and the Belt.

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

This is so right, we need to protect this version of the SBC from being poached from any other G5 conferences. I truly think the SBC went from being a terrible conference in 2001 to probably the best G5 conference in 2022. It took a long time to get where we are, but the journey was worth it. The problem now is that we are now a conference that has some real targets if a P5 conference comes calling. This has never been the case with the SBC before. The SBC needs to make sure that all 14 teams in this conference are all working on the same goals. We do have some dead weight like every conference does, but for the most part the top 2/3rds of this conference in all relative sports are solid, specifically football.

With the improvements to facilities that I would put most of the SBC's facilities up against almost any G5 teams in the country. Granted some need improvement (see UL football facility), but you can't argue the Cajun Dome, The Tigue, Yvette Girourd Field, the T/F Soccer facility are on par or better than 75%+ of G5 teams. Look at schools like App State, Texas State, USA, Marshall, A-State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State and others and the improvements or incredible facilities they already have. Marshall is building a new baseball facility as we speak. We have to have to have to get Cajun Field renovations started after that, the sky is the limit for UL and the Belt.

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I know their are so many against this and their is another reason why it won't happen (specifically the partnership it appears that Middle has with WKU and the history of La Tech and Middle in the SBC), but hear me out and I know I will get a lot of flack on this one. But consider adding La Tech and Middle to this conference and have an SBC West that consisted of these 8:

Troy
USA
LTU
ULM
Texas State
stAte
USM
Louisiana

And a SBC East that consisted of these 8 teams:

Georgia State
Georgia Southern
Coastal
App
Marshall
ODU
Middle
James Madison

A 16 team conference that adding these 2 teams would not change the geographical strategy of the SBC but would clearly strengthen the conference in basketball (La Tech had an RPI of 80 last year, Middle had an RPI of 60). Would solidify an already strong baseball conference (La Tech had an RPI of 36 this year, Middle had an RPI of 66). Would not hurt in Women's basketball (La Tech had a RPI of 127 last year, Middle had an RPI of 41). And Football would not suffer as La. Tech and Middle while both were a little down last year both have had very good seasons in the past.

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

I know their are so many against this and their is another reason why it won't happen (specifically the partnership it appears that Middle has with WKU and the history of La Tech and Middle in the SBC), but hear me out and I know I will get a lot of flack on this one. But consider adding La Tech and Middle to this conference and have an SBC East that consisted of these 8:

Troy
USA
LTU
ULM
Texas State
stAte
USM
Louisiana

And a SBC West that consisted of these 8 teams:

Georgia State
Georgia Southern
Coastal
App
Marshall
ODU
Middle
James Madison

A 16 team conference that adding these 2 teams would not change the geographical strategy of the SBC but would clearly strengthen the conference in basketball (La Tech had an RPI of 80 last year, Middle had an RPI of 60). Would solidify an already strong baseball conference (La Tech had an RPI of 36 this year, Middle had an RPI of 66). Would not hurt in Women's basketball (La Tech had a RPI of 127 last year, Middle had an RPI of 41). And Football would not suffer as La. Tech and Middle while both were a little down last year both have had very good seasons in the past.

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You need a compass app. ��

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

I know their are so many against this and their is another reason why it won't happen (specifically the partnership it appears that Middle has with WKU and the history of La Tech and Middle in the SBC), but hear me out and I know I will get a lot of flack on this one. But consider adding La Tech and Middle to this conference and have an SBC East that consisted of these 8:

Troy
USA
LTU
ULM
Texas State
stAte
USM
Louisiana

And a SBC West that consisted of these 8 teams:

Georgia State
Georgia Southern
Coastal
App
Marshall
ODU
Middle
James Madison

A 16 team conference that adding these 2 teams would not change the geographical strategy of the SBC but would clearly strengthen the conference in basketball (La Tech had an RPI of 80 last year, Middle had an RPI of 60). Would solidify an already strong baseball conference (La Tech had an RPI of 36 this year, Middle had an RPI of 66). Would not hurt in Women's basketball (La Tech had a RPI of 127 last year, Middle had an RPI of 41). And Football would not suffer as La. Tech and Middle while both were a little down last year both have had very good seasons in the past.

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Tech don't want to be in a conference with ULM. They have made that very clear. Plus they would get into our conference and the first thing they would do is fight how we brand ourselves athletically. Tuck Fech.

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Originally Posted by SlickRick

You need a compass app. ��

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Sorry just caught that, the SBC West and East titles should be changed. My bad.

How many universities originally started Division 1A. I believe it was 72, UL being one of them.

I feel like we will get back to something of that size for the top tier of college football. I hope and pray UL makes the same move they did back in the day and has the opportunity to stay at the top level.

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

SR, I know what you are saying, but you are just adding Middle and La Tech, Middle based on location could go in either the East or West, but La Tech has to be in the East because of the proximity of UL, ULM, Arkansas State? Middle would go to the West because of their proximity to specifically Georgia State, but Middle would be easy to fly into for anyone because of the Nashville airport. I know it would change some of the geography but not much. Adding Middle, to me makes sense in the East.

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I think you got your east and west mixed up. Middle would be in the east. Tech in the west.

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

I think you got your east and west mixed up. Middle would be in the east. Tech in the west.

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I did, I just caught it and corrected it on the original email thanks. It feels like a Monday.

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

Tech don't want to be in a conference with ULM. They have made that very clear. Plus they would get into our conference and the first thing they would do is fight how we brand ourselves athletically. Tuck Fech.

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So you think they would rather be in a conference with NMSU, Sam Houston and Jacksonville State over UL, Troy, Texas State, A-State, Coastal, App, Georgia Southern, Ga State, USA, ETC. I get your point, they don't want to be in the SBC with ULM, but one ULM vs many ULM's seems like a mistake. I know we have our issues with them, but inner conference hatred makes great rivalries.

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

I know their are so many against this and their is another reason why it won't happen (specifically the partnership it appears that Middle has with WKU and the history of La Tech and Middle in the SBC), but hear me out and I know I will get a lot of flack on this one. But consider adding La Tech and Middle to this conference and have an SBC West that consisted of these 8:

Troy
USA
LTU
ULM
Texas State
stAte
USM
Louisiana

And a SBC East that consisted of these 8 teams:

Georgia State
Georgia Southern
Coastal
App
Marshall
ODU
Middle
James Madison

A 16 team conference that adding these 2 teams would not change the geographical strategy of the SBC but would clearly strengthen the conference in basketball (La Tech had an RPI of 80 last year, Middle had an RPI of 60). Would solidify an already strong baseball conference (La Tech had an RPI of 36 this year, Middle had an RPI of 66). Would not hurt in Women's basketball (La Tech had a RPI of 127 last year, Middle had an RPI of 41). And Football would not suffer as La. Tech and Middle while both were a little down last year both have had very good seasons in the past.

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…….You do realize that it would put 3 La teams in the conf along with the LSU and Tulane teams….hey you got about half of the old Gulf States Conference! Don’t surrender a favorable situation in recruiting against Ltur and ULM in North La and really everywhere! These 2 will continue to maybe split their talent selections!

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Originally Posted by Boomer

…….You do realize that it would put 3 La teams in the conf along with the LSU and Tulane teams….hey you got about half of the old Gulf States Conference! Don’t surrender a favorable situation in recruiting against Ltur and ULM in North La and really everywhere! These 2 will continue to maybe split their talent selections!

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I will go with my standard response to Boomer's posts.......What?

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

Tech don't want to be in a conference with ULM. They have made that very clear. Plus they would get into our conference and the first thing they would do is fight how we brand ourselves athletically. Tuck Fech.

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I bet they start playing ULM more going forward. They were told to start playing nice if they want a chance.

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Originally Posted by cajun_lannister

I bet they start playing ULM more going forward. They were told to start playing nice if they want a chance.

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Who is "they" that told Tech? And how long would that really last?

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

So you think they would rather be in a conference with NMSU, Sam Houston and Jacksonville State over UL, Troy, Texas State, A-State, Coastal, App, Georgia Southern, Ga State, USA, ETC. I get your point, they don't want to be in the SBC with ULM, but one ULM vs many ULM's seems like a mistake. I know we have our issues with them, but inner conference hatred makes great rivalries.

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If you read Bull dogs barks and bytes at the time this was all taking place, yes, those arrogant SOB's think they are in a better place and were making fun of USM for jumping to a lesser league. Also their fan base would rather go independent before being in a conference with ULM. I think having 2 schools within 30 miles of each other in towns of maybe 40 and 20k water down the league some. I would vote one or the other but not both if I had a voice in the matter.

Speaking of ULM, the writing is on the wall. They should really drop to FCS. They have the smallest FBS budget. No way to be competitive.

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

If you read Bull dogs barks and bytes at the time this was all taking place, yes, those arrogant SOB's think they are in a better place and were making fun of USM for jumping to a lesser league. Also their fan base would rather go independent before being in a conference with ULM. I think having 2 schools within 30 miles of each other in towns of maybe 40 and 20k water down the league some. I would vote one or the other but not both if I had a voice in the matter.

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Just for the record, last year La Tech was trying everything they possibly could to get into the Sun Belt. And of course they did this knowing ULM was a member. They’d instantly accept an invite.

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Originally Posted by ZoomZoom

Who is "they" that told Tech? And how long would that really last?

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Presidents at ULM and UL

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

I will go with my standard response to Boomer's posts.......What?

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The main point of Boomer’s post is that along with LSU in the SEC, Tulane in the AAC and us and ULM in the Belt, that’s four programs in small Louisiana currently in conferences seen as better than CUSA, at least in football, which is mainly what matters these days.

If we are correct that the Belt could still be on the way up in the football world and maybe eventually be seen better than AAC after several of their members depart for Big 12, why then give up that recruiting talking point by allowing another Louisiana program in.

I’ve been a proponent during the past year’s shift of a Belt that includes LA Tech, mostly from the heated rivalry standpoint, but now that NIL combined with no-sit transfer is showing its real ugly head, I think I’ve done a 180.

If the Belt does overtake the AAC in football quality and perception, then that means us and ULM will be seen as being in a better football conference than every program in the state not named LSU, and winning such a conference would hopefully pay dividends.

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Originally Posted by Geaux

Speaking of ULM, the writing is on the wall. They should really drop to FCS. They have the smallest FBS budget. No way to be competitive.

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You’re right, but there’s really no incentive for them to do it which is why I don’t see it happening.

They get to exist in a strong G5 conference (which is significantly stronger than their close rival La Tech’s.) And by being in this conference they get $2 million/yr for media rights and another ~$1.5 million/yr in CFP payouts. And they also get the benefit of really low travel costs.

Why would they give up all that to slum it in the Southland, which isn’t even a strong FCS conference anymore?

Can't wait for that Rutgers/UCLA game. Gonna be epic!

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Originally Posted by CajunNation

Can't wait for that Rutgers/UCLA game. Gonna be epic!

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Rumors are swirling now that Georgia Tech could be moving to the B1G.

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

Rumors are swirling now that Georgia Tech could be moving to the B1G.

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Cajuns to PAC12 or ACC?

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Originally Posted by RaginDave

Rumors are swirling now that Georgia Tech could be moving to the B1G.

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Georgia Tech moving where? Not the Big 10, their not in consideration from everything I've read.