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Post by The Cardinal Rule on Sept 10, 2021 10:32:47 GMT -6
Sun Belt will ‘certainly consider’ adding schools, commissioner Keith Gill says. www.al.com/sports/2021/09/sun-belt-will-certainly-consider-adding-schools-commissioner-keith-gill-says.htmlSome six weeks after saying his league wasn’t looking to expand, Sun Belt Conference commissioner Keith Gill said Friday he is now open to the idea. Gill’s change of heart comes amid a series of major realignments in college football’s structure, including Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC and BYU, UCF, Houston and Cincinnati applying for admission to the Big 12. The latest news in particular could have a trickle-down effect on the Sun Belt, which might see some of its 10 members invited to replace UCF, Houston and Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference, or schools that leave other leagues for the AAC. The Sun Belt currently sits at 10 football-playing schools: South Alabama, Troy, Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, Texas State, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina. In addition, Little Rock and Texas-Arlington field teams in every sport except football. Gill said during Sun Belt Conference media day in July that his league wasn’t “looking to have any mergers or substantial changes” to its 10-team, two-division structure. However, veteran college football writer Brett McMurphy reported Thursday that the Sun Belt would be “aggressive in pursuing members” in the future.
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Post by trojan2003 on Sept 10, 2021 11:55:22 GMT -6
USM should be a good candidate, maybe Liberty and James Madison. Marshall would be great but might have other options.
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Post by cardinalblacktrojan on Sept 10, 2021 11:58:42 GMT -6
The Sun Belt was looking to expand weeks ago, despite what Gill says.
As confirmed by a well-respected Marshall fan on their board, a tail number on a plane (registered with New Orleans/Louisiana) arrived in the Tri-Cities Airport near Huntingdon, WV, and it was in fact Keith Gill having discussions with the administration at Marshall, after Marshall had reached out the Sun Belt Conference about potential mutual interests.
Most likely since then, the Sun Belt has been looking into whether another school in CUSA is interested by request of Marshall, and Marshall and the other school are reviewing what their legal and monetary obligations are before committing to an exit.
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Post by trojan2003 on Sept 10, 2021 12:37:44 GMT -6
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Post by trojanbrutha on Sept 10, 2021 14:57:10 GMT -6
Troy needs to stay where they are right now. Even though we have stumbled the past few years, we have helped build a solid foundation that can be added to and met the moment versus any G5 conference. We should not squander that for a dying conference. We are in a position, as a league, to continue writing our own collective story.
Don't give that up.
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Post by scatman on Sept 10, 2021 16:04:36 GMT -6
Troy needs to stay where they are right now. Even though we have stumbled the past few years, we have helped build a solid foundation that can be added to and met the moment versus any G5 conference. We should not squander that for a dying conference. We are in a position, as a league, to continue writing our own collective story.
Don't give that up.
Very good point. We’re not talking about a healthy AAC, either. We’re talking about an AAC losing their 3 best teams. Everyone knows the SunBelt is the best G5 conference as a WHOLE. No reason to squander our standing.
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Post by trojanfan1988 on Sept 10, 2021 17:37:44 GMT -6
I was thinking the same thing. I remember when Middle Tennessee, FAU, FIU left and we all thought the sky was falling. Look at the Sunbelt Conference now.
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Post by Mr E 205 Legion on Sept 10, 2021 17:39:18 GMT -6
The Sun Belt was looking to expand weeks ago, despite what Gill says. As confirmed by a well-respected Marshall fan on their board, a tail number on a plane (registered with New Orleans/Louisiana) arrived in the Tri-Cities Airport near Huntingdon, WV, and it was in fact Keith Gill having discussions with the administration at Marshall, after Marshall had reached out the Sun Belt Conference about potential mutual interests. Most likely since then, the Sun Belt has been looking into whether another school in CUSA is interested by request of Marshall, and Marshall and the other school are reviewing what their legal and monetary obligations are before committing to an exit. GLAD to see the information above! My thoughts / predictions after the smoke clears from further conference realignments is that C-USA will cease to exist. I know that thought does NOT brings sadness to numerous Troy fans. Reading the information above makes it appear that Marshall has been reading the same tea leaves and are positioning themselves with a Plan A AND a Plan B. Since people on this forum like to give their predictions, here are my further thoughts 1) AAC wins the race and takes Southern Mississippi (who I would love to have in the SBC, especially filling that gap in our footprint), Marshall and UAB (only for the Birmingham market and a toehold in Alabama). 2) SBC MIGHT give Old Dominion a second chance to join us OR drop back down to FCS. 3) SBC DEFINITELY tells the five former SBC schools what they can do! 4) Louisiana Tech and Rice probably end up becoming independents. IN A PERFECT WORLD, we have the SBC taking Southern Mississippi and Marshall and the AAC floundering for awhile.
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Post by buzzlightyear on Sept 10, 2021 17:44:05 GMT -6
Updated “Old Phrase”: Politics (and conference realignments) make strange bedfellows.
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Post by asacarter on Sept 10, 2021 19:00:00 GMT -6
Football brings the money in. As a commish I reckon you have to consider all sports. UAB, Marshall, USM, make good sense geographic Marshall is a stretch. I like the though of La Tech in there. Decent football womens basketball was excellent years ago. I'm still in the camp the P5 breaks away.
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Post by trojanbrutha on Sept 10, 2021 19:30:28 GMT -6
Football brings the money in. As a commish I reckon you have to consider all sports. UAB, Marshall, USM, make good sense geographic Marshall is a stretch. I like the though of La Tech in there. Decent football womens basketball was excellent years ago. I'm still in the camp the P5 breaks away. LA tech is above the SBC, so no need to waste their time.
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Post by Trojans1andAll on Sept 10, 2021 19:41:08 GMT -6
Keys to success.
1. Improve ALL men's sports. Bigly. 2. Stay in a unified Sun Belt.
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Post by troyjan95 on Sept 11, 2021 9:00:35 GMT -6
Come join us Marshall and Liberty Come join us Southern Miss and ....... UAB/Memphis/East Carolina? ??
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Post by Trojans1andAll on Sept 11, 2021 9:31:32 GMT -6
ua'sb can go to hell.
"B b b but, rivalry!"
Don't care, they can go to hell.
"B b b but, basketball!"
Don't care, they can go to hell.
I'd rather have La. Tech than ua'sb. Even they have higher quality fans.
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Post by bennekles on Sept 11, 2021 10:08:40 GMT -6
UAB and La Tech won't be in the Belt. No one will want three Alabama and three Louisiana schools.
If we add USM and Marshall, that is all we need. 14 doesn't have to be pushed for. We just need to solidify the core we have.
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Post by trojan2003 on Sept 11, 2021 11:44:38 GMT -6
UAB and La Tech won't be in the Belt. No one will want three Alabama and three Louisiana schools. If we add USM and Marshall, that is all we need. 14 doesn't have to be pushed for. We just need to solidify the core we have. Would like to invite ECU along with Marshall and USM.
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Post by trojan2003 on Sept 11, 2021 11:46:33 GMT -6
App to AAC? csnbbs.com/thread-929257.html”Heard this morning App wants out. They are in contact with the AAC pleading their case. Was also told the AAC is considering going to 16 and try to kill off the Belt and CUSA. What's left of the Belt and CUSA may end up merging with some teams left out. All this will depend on if App leaves or not. If App leaves others in the Belt will follow. If App stays then they all stay. Leave it to App to mess up a good thing.”
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Post by Trojans1andAll on Sept 11, 2021 12:17:38 GMT -6
If the App rumor is true, wouldn't it be hilarious if they split and couldn't get anyone else to go with them?
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Post by trojan2003 on Sept 11, 2021 15:03:05 GMT -6
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Post by troyjan95 on Sept 12, 2021 21:30:17 GMT -6
What is App good in besides football? Of they go, good for them but seriously what is the conference getting besides a really good football team
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Post by Troy_Fan_15 on Sept 13, 2021 14:17:37 GMT -6
I like the idea of expansion I just wish there was an easier way to get Troy in the SBC West. I want to play Louisiana and Arkansas State every season on top of playing South. If Southern Miss is getting added then I want to be on that side even more.
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