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Post by unalions on Jun 24, 2022 10:12:52 GMT -6
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Post by brandon on Jun 24, 2022 10:50:21 GMT -6
So that means the ASUN and WAC will probably be one football conference after this year...
I don't mind either way, just wish we could figure something out and go with it.
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Post by unalions on Jun 24, 2022 13:42:50 GMT -6
Will UCA return to the Southland? Grant would not comment on rumors that Central Arkansas, which left last summer for the Atlantic Sun, might also be looking to make a return to the SLC.
“I will say we are going to be aggressive in trying to get recruit schools that fit our league’s profile and footprint,” said Grant. “We will listen and talk to those teams and keep in mind what we are trying to do.”www.americanpress.com/2022/06/24/breaking-incarnate-word-will-stay-in-southland-conference/
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Post by 1949lions on Jun 24, 2022 17:11:45 GMT -6
It might be time to jump ship from the ASUN. The program needs stability now that the transition is over.
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Post by brandon on Jun 24, 2022 18:25:33 GMT -6
Will UCA return to the Southland? Grant would not comment on rumors that Central Arkansas, which left last summer for the Atlantic Sun, might also be looking to make a return to the SLC.
“I will say we are going to be aggressive in trying to get recruit schools that fit our league’s profile and footprint,” said Grant. “We will listen and talk to those teams and keep in mind what we are trying to do.”www.americanpress.com/2022/06/24/breaking-incarnate-word-will-stay-in-southland-conference/This is the first I've heard of that possibility...
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Post by brandon on Jun 24, 2022 18:42:22 GMT -6
I have to say this, it would surprise me if UCA went back, I think they fit the ASUN better.
I also have a good feeling 2 more football schools are coming to the ASUN after JSU and Liberty leaves... Gumbart has said the ASUN wants 14 schools... I also believe one of those schools will be close to Arkansas. And Austin Peay isn't too far for the either.
IF.... And a big IF, UCA goes back to the Southland, I wouldn't be surprised if UNA and a couple of others, not necessarily in the ASUN try to join as well.
But like I said, I'm fairly confident that 2 more schools will join the ASUN and I believe it's going to be SEMO, and Tenn Tech.
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Post by unafied on Jun 27, 2022 8:02:29 GMT -6
Man, somehow I missed that Incarnate Word was RETURNING to the Southland. I think I just glossed over that headline on Friday.
What a mess.
I had already predicted that the ASUN and WAC would just end up being one football-only conference, but this is another step in that direction. I would love for the ASUN to pick up enough schools so that wouldn't have to happen, as I don't have much desire to see us regularly traveling to Nowhere, Texas and southern Utah. Hopefully Brandon is right about other schools coming. Unfortunately there is the continued threat that Eastern Kentucky and/or Kennesaw will be off to C-USA, so I just don't know about any long-term viability of the ASUN.
Of course, the ironic part of this continues to be that if the OVC had just taken us back in 2011, it would be a much stronger/stable conference. It would have probably never lost Austin Peay and EKU, would have probably been able to get Central Arkansas to join, and probably Kennesaw as well. It would be a really good FCS football conference in a sensible geographic footprint. I'm a little bitter we didn't see all of that take place, regardless of how inept the OVC leadership seems to be.
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Post by unalions on Jun 27, 2022 8:59:05 GMT -6
The OVC has caused most of all of this to happen to themselves, too. It’s quite crazy when you then back at it. They skipped us back a decade ago and caused bad blood. Yet, it seems that skipping the 2020 fall football season (when the football schools really wanted to play) that sent the train off the rails. They have lost five schools since then including their beloved Belmont.
As for the ASUN, the ever-changing environment is less than ideal.
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Post by mocs123 on Jun 27, 2022 10:35:29 GMT -6
CUSA at some point,(before or after all the ASUN schools come) will invite Chattanooga and SFA to make 14 schools with 2 divisions, east and west. (Protected Games) (or permanent crossover) West Western Kentucky (EKU) UCA (Liberty) Austin Peay (Chattanooga) UNA (JSU) SHSU (MTSU) SFA (KSU) La Tech (FIU) East Liberty (UCA) Eastern Kentucky (WKU) MTSU (SHSU) Chattanooga (APSU) JSU (UNA) KSU (SFA) FIU (LaTech) Each school will play 7 permanent games(6 division +1 out of division) and 2 non permanent crossover games for 9 total conference games every year. I tend to think Chattanooga isn't going anywhere after the SoCon unanimously voted to raise the buyout to leave the SoCon to $2M last year. I'm not sure we could afford to go C-USA anyways, BUT other than FIU, the hypothetical C-USA East you have listed is about as perfect of a fit for Chattanooga as you could get.
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Post by brandon on Jun 27, 2022 11:04:10 GMT -6
CUSA at some point,(before or after all the ASUN schools come) will invite Chattanooga and SFA to make 14 schools with 2 divisions, east and west. (Protected Games) (or permanent crossover) West Western Kentucky (EKU) UCA (Liberty) Austin Peay (Chattanooga) UNA (JSU) SHSU (MTSU) SFA (KSU) La Tech (FIU) East Liberty (UCA) Eastern Kentucky (WKU) MTSU (SHSU) Chattanooga (APSU) JSU (UNA) KSU (SFA) FIU (LaTech) Each school will play 7 permanent games(6 division +1 out of division) and 2 non permanent crossover games for 9 total conference games every year. I tend to think Chattanooga isn't going anywhere after the SoCon unanimously voted to raise the buyout to leave the SoCon to $2M last year. I'm not sure we could afford to go C-USA anyways, BUT other than FIU, the hypothetical C-USA East you have listed is about as perfect of a fit for Chattanooga as you could get. Yeah, this would be the perfect CUSA in my opinion. The exit fee is basically sticking y'all in the SoCon until the AAC comes calling in my opinion. And we know the likelihood of that. I, for the record, don't know what will happen, I just relay what I'm hearing at the time.
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Post by mocs123 on Jun 27, 2022 11:38:43 GMT -6
I know I'd heard rumors floating around that Chattanooga had some issues with the SoCon and I know the ASUN and OVC came courting, but our AD Mark Wharton decided to stay in the SoCon which is looking like a better move all the time. I'm sure the SoCon still isn't perfect, but the ASUN despite it's allure obviously has it's own warts (and the OVC is on life support). I was a little surprised that Chattanooga voted to raise the Exit Fee, but stability is worth something, particularly in these times, and I guess he thought it was worth it.
Personally I could care less what conference Chattanooga is in and care more about having good rivals that fans can really get behind. I think that's one area the SoCon lacks a bit, as other than ETSU, I'm not sure we have another "rival" school in the conference. I keep thinking Samford would develop into a rival, but it just hasn't happened. Mercer is a potential rivalry - and should be as they've thrown more wrenches into past football seasons than any other team.
I'm glad we have A-Sun members UNA and KSU on the schedule in upcoming years as it makes since for quality rival worthy teams to play each other. I wouldn't mind seeing APSU on the schedule either.
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Post by brandon on Jun 27, 2022 13:40:08 GMT -6
I know I'd heard rumors floating around that Chattanooga had some issues with the SoCon and I know the ASUN and OVC came courting, but our AD Mark Wharton decided to stay in the SoCon which is looking like a better move all the time. I'm sure the SoCon still isn't perfect, but the ASUN despite it's allure obviously has it's own warts (and the OVC is on life support). I was a little surprised that Chattanooga voted to raise the Exit Fee, but stability is worth something, particularly in these times, and I guess he thought it was worth it. Personally I could care less what conference Chattanooga is in and care more about having good rivals that fans can really get behind. I think that's one area the SoCon lacks a bit, as other than ETSU, I'm not sure we have another "rival" school in the conference. I keep thinking Samford would develop into a rival, but it just hasn't happened. Mercer is a potential rivalry - and should be as they've thrown more wrenches into past football seasons than any other team. I'm glad we have A-Sun members UNA and KSU on the schedule in upcoming years as it makes since for quality rival worthy teams to play each other. I wouldn't mind seeing APSU on the schedule either. I know all UNA fans want to keep UTC on the schedule... I think it has a great potential to be a good rivalry... I wouldn't even mind that being played at the Trash Pandas stadium yearly as a rivalry game...
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Post by ekusteve on Jun 30, 2022 12:28:19 GMT -6
Dominoes starting to be tipped over again. USC and UCLA to B1G as early as 2024.
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Post by northalaspectator on Jun 30, 2022 13:05:11 GMT -6
Dominoes starting to be tipped over again. USC and UCLA to B1G as early as 2024. I believe these schools are getting ready for the 2026 season. You had Texas and Oklahoma, now this. Maybe there was something to that meeting back in Florence on March 23 & 24. Whatever the course is will North Alabama be ready then or will they be left behind another 20 years?
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Post by unafied on Jun 30, 2022 13:40:02 GMT -6
Between the portal, NIL, and all of this realignment, I'm really not sure if I'll even enjoy college sports after the next couple of years. It's already hard to watch midweek games due to my kids. They might make it easy for me just to give up on Saturday games, as well.
Really don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but...
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