Lamar to FBS is not dead despite the foolish decision by the WAC

[UNLV]

One concern I have always had was going to the WAC and then having a conference shift then Lamar gets stuck out west alone.
Well the WAC cured that fear. Conference realignment is far from dead. We know

1. BE may take Houston to partner with TCU.
2. BE is going to take UCF to partner with USF.
Orlando, Houston, DFW market. They would have to be as stupid as the WAC to pass on those markets.

So that leaves CUSA at 10 schools.

The question becomes does UTEP want to stay in CUSA?  or does the MWC look more attractive. Keep in mind El Paso is closer to California than to Houston. MWC passed on SJSU and San Jose sits in a mega-market. So I wouldn't rule out USU and Utep getting the MWC invite. The MWC is waiting on the Big 12 to break up,not gonna happen. Maybe BYU will join the Big 12.

This still leaves CUSA with 10 or 9 members. Who will CUSA invite? I say at least 1 SBC. I do not know which SBC school. Maybe one of the Florida schools. I would put UNT, MTSU, and La Tech as last resort options.

We must keep and eye on ULM. This school is half Lamar size, in a poor state, in a small town, and a athletic budget smaller than FCS Lamar or any of the Texas SLC football schools. With budget cuts coming in 2012, do the math.

If SBC loses 2 schools, they are down to 8 football. 3 schools, they lose FBS status. So don't buy into that SBC won't add FCS schools. They will after the BE makes a move. Lamar could go SBC in 2013.

[1KatKiller]

well, since you brought it up first...I'm hearing U of H to the big east.

[coachacola]

The PAC 10/12 commissioner mentioned a week or two ago that he thinks there's a lot of alignment/expansion on the horizon in the next year or two.  The MWC may still end up taking Utah State and/or San Jose State.  The WAC needs to get to at least 8 football schools by 2014.  A lot of the BCS schools want more FBS teams so they can rack up more wins and get bowl eligible.

I've also read that the NCAA is unhappy that the FCS playoffs is a money loser.  There's really no incentive to force schools to stay at the FCS level if they want to move up and have the money.

Lamar now has an extra year or two to build up the football program and the whole athletic department before jumping to FBS.  The WAC is probably the way to go but one raid of the SBC will open up that conference too.

[UNLV]

[quote name="1KatKiller" post="1009232" timestamp="1305214158"]
well, since you brought it up first...I'm hearing U of H to the big east.
[/quote]Me too. Hopefully before July 1st.

[UNLV]

[quote name="coachacola" post="1009238" timestamp="1305214871"]
The PAC 10/12 commissioner mentioned a week or two ago that he thinks there's a lot of alignment/expansion on the horizon in the next year or two.  The MWC may still end up taking Utah State and/or San Jose State.  The WAC needs to get to at least 8 football schools by 2014.  A lot of the BCS schools want more FBS teams so they can rack up more wins and get bowl eligible.
[/quote]This is what pissed me off. Comcast wants SJSU in the MWC and they just might make it in. They are on the way out but blocks Lamar from coming in.
[quote]
I've also read that the NCAA is unhappy that the FCS playoffs is a money loser.  There's really no incentive to force schools to stay at the FCS level if they want to move up and have the money.

Lamar now has an extra year or two to build up the football program and the whole athletic department before jumping to FBS.  The WAC is probably the way to go but one raid of the SBC will open up that conference too.
[/quote]Also the possibility of ending FBS/FCS and all schools play at 1 level.

[coachacola]

[quote name="UNLV" post="1009240" timestamp="1305215030"]
[quote author=1KatKiller link=topic=84175.msg1009232#msg1009232 date=1305214158]
well, since you brought it up first...I'm hearing U of H to the big east.
[/quote]Me too. Hopefully before July 1st.
[/quote]

Actually that makes sense.  The UH fan base don't seem to care that much about the CUSA.  Big East teams would probably draw better in Houston than CUSA teams plus they'd re-unite with TCU.  If they join the Big East, UH should hire a big time basketball coach and play a lot of their games in the Toyota Center.  Like LU, they can't return their BB program back to the glory days.