LOUISIANA VS TECH

[Turbine]

USM was a good rival before and will be again. They also bring a good crowd.

You and Turbine are definitely determined with your opinions, gotta give you that!

I have not chimed in on best conference partner preferences. I'm enjoying the read.

I just know UL will make more money as a twelve-game independent, besides the four-games each year where every single school is an independent.

[ManAboutTown]

Vannini's article did not say they were real candidates for SBC expansion. He said "Old Dominion and James Madison are in Virginia and a bit outside the footprint, but they could work as travel partners. They have large athletic budgets, in the $50 million range, though those budgets are heavily subsidized by student fees."

He also said that after saying this about USM and Marshall, "Southern Miss and Marshall are largely viewed by people in the Sun Belt as the strongest choices. Both have football history, long runs of success and, most importantly, engaged fans who travel, especially when they’re successful. Much like the Sun Belt benefited from adding App State and Georgia Southern from the FCS because they had solid fan bases (as opposed to “TV markets”), Southern Miss in particular is smack dab in the middle of the Sun Belt’s footprint."

My take from the article was that USM and Marshall were the real candidates and ODU and JMU were second tier candidates.

If you’re only reading Vannini, then maybe that’s the takeaway. Different outlets have been talking about eastern adds and ODU/JMU have been in consideration. Vannini saying it gives it credence.

[Hudsheen#Fired]

Wouldn't southern miss and old dominion damage sun belts football perception. They have been garbage the past few years. James Madison is a good fcs team but again we are bringing on a fcs team

[Turbine]

I'll jump in, just cause I know cajun55. Here's my 2¢...play LT every year as our rival game & OOC finale; leave them to rot in CUSA 4.0.

SBC adds USM & MU this year, getting to 12. In 2 years add 2 more - assuming SBC continues to increase rankings and status.

West pursues Memphis or Tulsa (if either are still in AAC)
East pursues ECU, ODU, or JMU

I don't like the idea of adding any former conference mates (LTU, WKU, MTSU). But, this is just my 2¢.

I agree there is no advantage to adding a member for IN-Conference games when it causes you to lose games from the Independent portion of the schedule.

[Cajunmac]

If you’re only reading Vannini, then maybe that’s the takeaway. Different outlets have been talking about eastern adds and ODU/JMU have been in consideration. Vannini saying it gives it credence.

I was referring to just one article. IF the SBC goes to 14 teams, then yes, they may be atop the list and that is what Vannini is saying. I've seen others say the same thing. I don't know, Vannini doesn't know, no one here knows that 14 teams is where the SBC wants to be.

[cajun55]

I agree there is no advantage to adding a member for IN-Conference games when it causes you to lose games from the Independent portion of the schedule.

Seems like the consensus is add Marshall in the East & add Southern Miss in the West. Seems like all of us like this. 14 teams is the wild west on any consensus.

[CajunNation]

IMHO, if we go to 14, it will be because the rumors were true. There was going to be a jailbreak on our eastern side.

We would be down to Texas State, UL, ULM, stAte, South Al, Troy, Georgia Southern. I guess you tell UTA and LR to stay.

Only possible adds would be UTEP, NMSU, Liberty, maybe FIU, Sam Houston, Jax State, Missouri State, etc....

[Cajun_in_NM]

Seems like the consensus is add Marshall in the East & add Southern Miss in the West. Seems like all of us like this. 14 teams is the wild west on any consensus.

Ideally would've added UTSA plus 1 East team, but they've sewn their oats in CUSA 4.0...I mean AAC.

[Cajunmac]

For a G5 conference I do not see how 14 teams is a winning number. Our football TV revenue is thin already with a 10 team conference. Adding two programs with a strong fan base and general college college football fan recognition I'd be fine with, but adding four teams? ODU has had one winning season since 2014 (when they joined C-USA). They are 32-48 as a program at the FBS level. I do not see them bringing TV revenue or adding CFP revenue to the SBC.

[CharlieK]

Just read the thread on BBB. I can't decide what I want to happen more 1) Tech get left to rot in the smoldering remains of C-USA or 2) LSU to offer BN the job and get rejected.

It's a tight battle.

[CajunNation]

For a G5 conference I do not see how 14 teams is a winning number. Our football TV revenue is thin already with a 10 team conference. Adding two programs with a strong fan base and have general fan recognition I'd be fine with, but adding four teams? ODU has had one winning season since 2014 (when they joined C-USA). They are 32-48 as a program at the FBS level. I do not see them bringing TV revenue or adding CFP revenue to the SBC.

The eastern schools are not concerned with TV or CFP revenue right now. They will create their East Coast Conference, hook or crook.

[cajun55]

IMHO, if we go to 14, it will be because the rumors were true. There was going to be a jailbreak on our eastern side.

We would be down to Texas State, UL, ULM, stAte, South Al, Troy, Georgia Southern. I guess you tell UTA and LR to stay.

Only possible adds would be UTEP, NMSU, Liberty, maybe FIU, Sam Houston, Jax State, Missouri State, etc....

ouch