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Post by Whup Em All on May 9, 2022 8:04:04 GMT -6
UCA definitely WANTS to move up. They've made that abundantly (and explicitly) clear for the past year or two. But they haven't yet succeeded in selling themselves to anyone who could make that dream happen. The Bears really needed a solid football season last fall, with a deep playoff run. Instead, they wound up sitting at home at the end of November with a 5-6 record. Their basketball is historically terrible, and their 20-loss season this year didn't show signs that their drought is ending. But at least they can show they have a deep fan base overflowing with passion and excitement, right? Wrong. They only averaged 7,560 in their five home games. I don't have anything against the Bears, and would be cool with them joining CUSA, but it's not going to happen if they keep this up. Mo State also wants to move up, but they want it to be entirely on their terms, with no compromises. (It'd be not unlike JSU being invited to CUSA and replying, "Nah, we're waiting on the Sun Belt. Thanks.") I know their fans don't necessarily speak for their A.D. and president, but their fans have managed to turn me off with their comments about CUSA. Look, if you want to move up to FBS, and fans of an FBS conference are expressing excitement about potentially adding your school, the correct response isn't, "CUSA?! No way. You're the worst conference in America. We're better than that." If that's how they feel, fine. They can stay in FCS for-freaking-ever. Kennesaw needs to announce a stadium expansion, and they need to match that with a deep playoff run in football and (at least) a winning season in basketball. If they can connect those dots, they can improve their CUSA chances dramatically. Perhaps even leapfrog EKU. But as it stands now, they're stuck in 2nd place among eastern candidates, when CUSA only has room to add one. Tarleton isn't ready yet. Everyone knows it. But they're in as good a place as anyone, only because they're ACTIVELY making facility improvements and making their FBS intentions known. And they're in the West, where teams are needed, whether or not NMSU and/or UTEP remain. SFA is clearly the better choice, but they're also clearly more wishy-washy about their FBS intentions. I think they entered the WAC intending to move to FBS *eventually* ... like, maybe 8-10 years. When that timetable got moved up, it kind of shocked them into silence. All they need to get an invite from CUSA is a stated desire to move up. The longer they wait, the more distant that invitation becomes. EKU is going to happen, and as I said earlier, I don't believe it's contingent on WKU leaving. But I believe CUSA won't announce anything until at least next spring, and possibly the spring after, since they want JSU and SHSU to have made progress on (or even completed) their FBS transition. If EKU gets an invitation, it'll be paired with at least one western team, which means 4 teams out of 11 would be in transition. That's a bit much. It makes more sense that they'll wait for Tarleton to complete the D-I transition and JSU/SHSU to complete the FBS transition, then invite Tarleton and EKU at the same time, bringing the conference to 11 teams, with only two in transition. That'll leave one slot left to bring the conference to 12 teams, where I believe we're headed, since geographic divisions will benefit everyone. And to keep those divisions balanced, the third team will come from the West. Mo State can take the slot if they want it. So can SFA. UCA can make a play for it. As much as I like McNeese's fans, and as much as McNeese wants to make the move, I don't think they're in the running. If my timetable is correct, they'll have about 1-2 years to prove me wrong.
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Post by gemofthehills on May 9, 2022 8:11:34 GMT -6
FBS schools in these states, correct my post if needed Arkansas 2 Georgia 3 Louisiana 5 Texas 9 w/SHSU Kentucky 3 Missouri 1
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Post by Whup Em All on May 9, 2022 9:13:35 GMT -6
FBS schools in these states, correct my post if needed Arkansas 2 Georgia 3 Louisiana 5 Texas 9 w/SHSU Kentucky 3 Missouri 1 Broken down by population: Arkansas - (2 FBS) - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Georgia - (4 FBS) - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Louisiana - (5 FBS) - 1 FBS per 930K residents Texas - (13 FBS) - 1 FBS per 2.2M residents Kentucky - (3 FBS) - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Missouri - (1 FBS) - 1 FBS per 6.1M residents And Alabama (6 FBS schools w/JSU) - 1 FBS per 817K residents EDIT: I corrected the FBS-programs-per-resident stats for Georgia and Texas, since those numbers were off. Georgia actually has 4 FBS programs; Texas has 13.
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stevo
Full Member
Posts: 731
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Post by stevo on May 9, 2022 11:09:20 GMT -6
UCA definitely WANTS to move up. They've made that abundantly (and explicitly) clear for the past year or two. But they haven't yet succeeded in selling themselves to anyone who could make that dream happen. The Bears really needed a solid football season last fall, with a deep playoff run. Instead, they wound up sitting at home at the end of November with a 5-6 record. Their basketball is historically terrible, and their 20-loss season this year didn't show signs that their drought is ending. But at least they can show they have a deep fan base overflowing with passion and excitement, right? Wrong. They only averaged 7,560 in their five home games. I don't have anything against the Bears, and would be cool with them joining CUSA, but it's not going to happen if they keep this up. Mo State also wants to move up, but they want it to be entirely on their terms, with no compromises. (It'd be not unlike JSU being invited to CUSA and replying, "Nah, we're waiting on the Sun Belt. Thanks.") I know their fans don't necessarily speak for their A.D. and president, but their fans have managed to turn me off with their comments about CUSA. Look, if you want to move up to FBS, and fans of an FBS conference are expressing excitement about potentially adding your school, the correct response isn't, "CUSA?! No way. You're the worst conference in America. We're better than that." If that's how they feel, fine. They can stay in FCS for-freaking-ever. Kennesaw needs to announce a stadium expansion, and they need to match that with a deep playoff run in football and (at least) a winning season in basketball. If they can connect those dots, they can improve their CUSA chances dramatically. Perhaps even leapfrog EKU. But as it stands now, they're stuck in 2nd place among eastern candidates, when CUSA only has room to add one. Tarleton isn't ready yet. Everyone knows it. But they're in as good a place as anyone, only because they're ACTIVELY making facility improvements and making their FBS intentions known. And they're in the West, where teams are needed, whether or not NMSU and/or UTEP remain. SFA is clearly the better choice, but they're also clearly more wishy-washy about their FBS intentions. I think they entered the WAC intending to move to FBS *eventually* ... like, maybe 8-10 years. When that timetable got moved up, it kind of shocked them into silence. All they need to get an invite from CUSA is a stated desire to move up. The longer they wait, the more distant that invitation becomes. EKU is going to happen, and as I said earlier, I don't believe it's contingent on WKU leaving. But I believe CUSA won't announce anything until at least next spring, and possibly the spring after, since they want JSU and SHSU to have made progress on (or even completed) their FBS transition. If EKU gets an invitation, it'll be paired with at least one western team, which means 4 teams out of 11 would be in transition. That's a bit much. It makes more sense that they'll wait for Tarleton to complete the D-I transition and JSU/SHSU to complete the FBS transition, then invite Tarleton and EKU at the same time, bringing the conference to 11 teams, with only two in transition. That'll leave one slot left to bring the conference to 12 teams, where I believe we're headed, since geographic divisions will benefit everyone. And to keep those divisions balanced, the third team will come from the West. Mo State can take the slot if they want it. So can SFA. UCA can make a play for it. As much as I like McNeese's fans, and as much as McNeese wants to make the move, I don't think they're in the running. If my timetable is correct, they'll have about 1-2 years to prove me wrong. Is there another school out there in a situation like Tarleton? Got the money and can make it happen.
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Post by Whup Em All on May 9, 2022 13:06:14 GMT -6
Is there another school out there in a situation like Tarleton? Got the money and can make it happen. Lamar apparently has all the money in the world, as well as a really nice location between Houston and Lake Charles, convenient to both SHSU (120 miles) and La Tech (230 miles). What they DON'T have is anything resembling athletic success or fan support. And while I've seen their name come up from time to time in expansion discussions, I'm not sure they're at all interested in FBS. Beyond them, I don't know of anyone else out there in the position Tarleton is in.
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Post by ntxgamecock on May 11, 2022 8:46:12 GMT -6
FBS schools in these states, correct my post if needed Arkansas 2 Georgia 3 Louisiana 5 Texas 9 w/SHSU Kentucky 3 Missouri 1 Broken down by population: Arkansas - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Georgia - 1 FBS per 3.54M residents Louisiana - 1 FBS per 930K residents Texas - 1 FBS per 3.2M residents Kentucky - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Missouri - 1 FBS per 6.1M residents And Alabama (6 FBS schools w/JSU) - 1 FBS per 817K residents Whup’s is probably a better stat to look at. Let’s not forget that Texas used to be its own republic (If you ever live here, you’re not allowed to forget) For some travel perspective. I live just east of Dallas, 15 minutes north of the Buc-ee’s in Terrell. It takes 10 hrs to drive non-stop, to Jacksonville, through three other states. The first 3 hours of that are still in Texas. If I turn right at Buc-ee’s instead and drive 10 hours non-stop, I’m still in Texas, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso. In Jacksonville, I am within a two hour drive of 6 FBS programs (JSU, UAB, Bama, Auburn, Ga St, Ga Tech). Here in Rockwall, TX, there are only 3 FBS programs within two a two hour drive (SMU, TCU, UNT) (Baylor is about 2 1/2 hrs. away.) More schools, but less concentrated. SFA and Tarleton are both about 3 hrs from me. So is SHSU. I Would love to see Dallas Baptist added. It is a beautiful campus with outstanding baseball facilities. UT-Arlington has a good football stadium, but they’ve tried football twice, and they have trouble drawing KSU numbers - just no support there. I’d also like to see UT-Tyler start football. They have a good baseball program with money and the UT system. There is no FBS school in that area, but there is lots of oil money in East tx. They are about halfway between SFA and Shreveport. They’d be a good geographic fit for SFA and La Tech. East Tx football is dominated by ETBU (D-III) and TJC (NJCAA), who are perennial powers at their levels. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by ntxgamecock on May 11, 2022 8:57:56 GMT -6
Is there another school out there in a situation like Tarleton? Got the money and can make it happen. Lamar apparently has all the money in the world, as well as a really nice location between Houston and Lake Charles, convenient to both SHSU (120 miles) and La Tech (230 miles). What they DON'T have is anything resembling athletic success or fan support. And while I've seen their name come up from time to time in expansion discussions, I'm not sure they're at all interested in FBS. Beyond them, I don't know of anyone else out there in the position Tarleton is in. Abilene Christian has money and, much like Tarleton, has recently moved up from D-II. I think they moved up first? Not sure about FBS aspirations, but they did join the WAC with the other TX schools a couple of years ago. Abilene is 3 hrs and 18 minutes from me, but it’s west of DFW. They have a pretty rich athletic history, and state of the art facilities. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by Whup Em All on May 11, 2022 9:41:59 GMT -6
Lamar apparently has all the money in the world, as well as a really nice location between Houston and Lake Charles, convenient to both SHSU (120 miles) and La Tech (230 miles). What they DON'T have is anything resembling athletic success or fan support. And while I've seen their name come up from time to time in expansion discussions, I'm not sure they're at all interested in FBS. Beyond them, I don't know of anyone else out there in the position Tarleton is in. Abilene Christian has money and, much like Tarleton, has recently moved up from D-II. I think they moved up first? Not sure about FBS aspirations, but they did join the WAC with the other TX schools a couple of years ago. Abilene is 3 hrs and 18 minutes from me, but it’s west of DFW. They have a pretty rich athletic history, and state of the art facilities. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Crap... I forgot about Abilene. Their name comes up all the time on fan boards. Unsure of their FBS goals, but they did join the WAC at a time when "WAC-to-FBS" was still a thing. Thanks for the info on the other Texas schools, @nxtgamecock
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Post by gemofthehills on May 11, 2022 10:17:53 GMT -6
Heck, Allen High School could probably play FBS football. Their band maybe larger than the Southerners
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Post by troysux on May 11, 2022 11:14:45 GMT -6
I drove to San Antonio in December. The first mile marker I saw when I crossed into Texas was 880. That’s a big state. The last mile marker on 65 north of Huntsville before you hit Tennessee is around 340 or so.
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Post by ntxgamecock on May 11, 2022 20:53:23 GMT -6
Heck, Allen High School could probably play FBS football. Their band maybe larger than the Southerners Eagle Stadium isn’t a bad facility either. Holds 17k. That may be more than ACU and SHSU combined. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by all4onecusa on May 28, 2022 23:32:33 GMT -6
FBS schools in these states, correct my post if needed Arkansas 2 Georgia 3 Louisiana 5 Texas 9 w/SHSU Kentucky 3 Missouri 1 Almost, my friend. Georgia has 4 FBS teams--Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, & Georgia Southern. Texas will have 13 FBS teams--Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Houston, Rice, Southern Methodist, North Texas, UTSA, UTEP, Texas State, & Sam Houston.
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Post by Cleburneslim on May 29, 2022 6:54:27 GMT -6
I’m not sure the number of teams really matters. When it comes to college football not all states are equal. It seems the further south you go the more support you get in that state. Also it is not true that people are fans of only one school just because a person is a tech fan doesn’t mean the won’t watch ga so. Or one of the others. This tends to only be a problem with the top 2 school Bama auburn. Tech dawgs etc. I typically watch whichever is on as long as they aren’t on at the same time. Then I often flip back and forth.
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Post by warthog on May 31, 2022 10:36:54 GMT -6
FBS schools in these states, correct my post if needed Arkansas 2 Georgia 3 Louisiana 5 Texas 9 w/SHSU Kentucky 3 Missouri 1 Almost, my friend. Georgia has 4 FBS teams--Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, & Georgia Southern. Texas will have 13 FBS teams--Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Houston, Rice, Southern Methodist, North Texas, UTSA, UTEP, Texas State, & Sam Houston. He probably wasn't counting ga tech as FBS.
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Post by Whup Em All on May 31, 2022 12:20:58 GMT -6
Broken down by population: Arkansas - (2 FBS) - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Georgia - (4 FBS) - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Louisiana - (5 FBS) - 1 FBS per 930K residents Texas - (13 FBS) - 1 FBS per 2.2M residents Kentucky - (3 FBS) - 1 FBS per 1.5M residents Missouri - (1 FBS) - 1 FBS per 6.1M residents And Alabama (6 FBS schools w/JSU) - 1 FBS per 817K residents I edited this post with the correct number of FBS teams for Georgia and Texas.
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