Conference Shake Up 2.0

[SubGod22]

UTPA to the WAC

[SubGod22]

This move will give the WAC 6 schools: New Mexico State, Seattle, Utah Valley, Cal-State Bakersfield, Grand Canyon and Pan American. I expect to see a couple more DII move ups in the future. I'm not famiar enough with the western schools to give an idea as to who those might be. I someone mention Regis and Metropolitan State. I have no idea where either are.

Part of me hopes that the Belt invites NMSU for football only and then MAYBE the MVC would invite them in for everything else. I'm probably dreaming, but one can hope.

[GoShockers89]

Some scant rumors floating around that Tulsa might receive a football-only invite to the Big East (seems unlikely) and NMSU will receive a football-only invite to the Sun Belt (as Sub mentions above).

Odds of both of these happening are close to 0%, but my god what an opportunity for the MVC if it played out that way. I'd pre-type the offer letters out for Elgin and then kidnap him myself until he agrees to sign them.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

This move will give the WAC 6 schools: New Mexico State, Seattle, Utah Valley, Cal-State Bakersfield, Grand Canyon and Pan American. I expect to see a couple more DII move ups in the future. I'm not famiar enough with the western schools to give an idea as to who those might be. I someone mention Regis and Metropolitan State. I have no idea where either are.

Part of me hopes that the Belt invites NMSU for football only and then MAYBE the MVC would invite them in for everything else. I'm probably dreaming, but one can hope.

Regis and Metro State are in Denver. Metro State is currently a DII school and I believe Regis is as well.

The WAC has gone from western super conference to doormat in 10 years. Epic meltdown.

[ABC]

Recently either Sullentrop or Lutz had some interesting observations about conference changes as it relates to Tulsa.
I can't seem to find the article, so if any can find it, please post the link.

Basically they were comparing the MVC with all of the conference stops Tulsa has had since they left the MVC - and it isn't positive.

With the Conf USA losing so many members, Tulsa isn't in a great spot.

Might they join the Big East for football only and the MVC for all other sports?

[RoyalShock]

If Tulsa and NMSU were to somehow fall into the MVC's laps, that would bolster the argument for turning Arch Madness into BBQ Madness.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

I can't see Tulsa joining the Big East. But then again, I don't understand Tulane either so what do I know? At any rate, the CUSA is falling fast so Tulsa would be smart getting out of it ASAP. Similarly, NMSU is going to be an awfully big fish in an awfully small pond if it stays in the WAC--going to be interesting to see what happens.

[ripemupshocks]

The WAC is dead, BE is collapsing and CUSA is quickly becomming blatantly mid-majorish. Somehow, this actually seems encouraging for the MVC. I wonder if there's any chance in hell the MVC could make a bold move like Tulsa-NMSU-Denver-UTEP, then split into two divisions. That might placate the weak sisters of the east.

If the MVC is a mid-major, then CUSA is blatantly mid-majorish. In football, every publication ranks CUSA the lowest RPI of all FBS conferences. According to RealTimeRPI, CUSA even has an SOS lower than eight FCS conferences, including the MVC. In basketball, the MVC has finished higher than CUSA in RPI seven out of the last eight seasons. And that's unlikely to change this season.

Sorry to keep harping on this, but it drives me nuts. CUSA is a dog. And if it wasn't for the reputation of Memphis Basketball, CUSA would be an even bigger dog. For teams in CUSA, the MVC would be a big step-up.

[SubGod22]

I hadn't yet seen the Tulsa rumors. IF they get a football only invite, Elgin better be offering them a spot as soon as possible. Same with New Mexico State and the Belt. I'm guessing both would accept and we'd be a stronger conference for it. I have a feeling Manning is going to have Tulsa pretty competitive in the next couple years and NMSU is a solid program. Both would be great additions and as Royal pointed out, maybe give a little more influence in moving the tournament to where it belongs in KC.

And I'd love for an addition of NMSU to piss of UE and have them leave due to travel concerns. Then we could target a better program and really upgrade the conference.

[SubGod22]

Back to the NMSU and WKU to CUSA rumors... It sounds like fans of the Belt believe WKU is pretty much a done deal. The 2nd spot seems to be in debate as there's some play with Arkansas State and Lafayette. If the Belt loses a couple, it may increase the chances of NMSU of getting at least a football invite. But many Belt fans want to keep things tight and are pushing for Georgia State or Georgia Souther (I forget) and Appy State. Even some are pulling for Jacksonville or Lamar.

For the MVC, I think we better hope it's WKU and Ark St to CUSA with the Belt adding a football only NMSU.

[ABC]

Recently either Sullentrop or Lutz had some interesting observations about conference changes as it relates to Tulsa.
I can't seem to find the article, so if any can find it, please post the link.

Basically they were comparing the MVC with all of the conference stops Tulsa has had since they left the MVC - and it isn't positive.

With the Conf USA losing so many members, Tulsa isn't in a great spot.

Might they join the Big East for football only and the MVC for all other sports?

Did anyone else see this article? It is driving me nuts that I can't seem to find it.

[SubGod22]

More rumors about a football only invite for Tulsa to the BE, but there are also some rumors that the MWC may be looking at adding them as a full member. I'd love to get their nonfootball sports into the MVC and I think that's almost guaranteed if they take the FB only offer.

In other news, Chicago State is expected to announce tomorrow that they're joining the WAC which would leave NJIT as the only member of The Great West Conference. However, it appears that NJIT may find a home in the NEC as there have been rumors of Quinnipiac and Monmouth joining the MAAC.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Does Chicago St play football?

[RoyalShock]

Does Chicago St play football?

There's some touch football out in the commons area, I think.

[SubGod22]

The WAC will not be a football conference any longer. Idaho is still there for now and NMSU. Outside of that, I don't think any of the new additions play. They're trying to survive and football won't be in the future.

It will be interesting to see what NMSU does going forward. They need a home for football but neither CUSA, MWC or the Belt have much interest.