Sun Belt East

[Udforever1]

Nothing to do with UD, but just some conference realignment just today. Merrimack and Sacred Heart headed from the NEC to the MAAC. Will be interesting for those football programs, as the MAAC does not sponsor football.

[Brookside kid hen]

Personally I prefer the MAC simply because I believe we'd be competitive more quickly, if not right away, and for the travel distance, especially the non revenue sports. Conference USA is so spread out across the country and really how is UD going to be able to make any real rivalries in that conference, let alone the expense of the travel? I'd take it at this point, but that move makes no financial sense. As some others have said, the Sun Belt would be the gold standard for our move up, but I'm not sure that invite is coming, at least not quite yet anyway. Hopefully behind the scenes more is happening on that front. I mean if JMU, CCU, Liberty, Georgia Southern, can pull off the move then a state flagship university like UD certainly should be able to pull this move off

[bluehenbillk]

You guys get bent out of shape really easy. Here’s all I’m saying:

1- is UD researching a FBS move? I hope so, probably, but it wouldn’t be the first time. Do they probably get a sense of having been left behind? I hope so. Do they have the appetite to fork out the revenue to play at the FBS level? Unseen. It’s a lot more than the facility upgrades. You have the extra FB scholarships, you’d have to add a women’s scholarship team with scholarships for Title IX purposes, you’d have a big increase with NIL money - what the y do now doesn’t compare.

2- my doors closed comment. The only two possible scenarios today that exist with moving up are the MAC - and no one has said they’re interested in adding and CUSA. Do I believe UD has been offered and turned down? Sure. UD probably blew the Sun Belt off years ago and they blew the A-10 off in the 90’s. All moves that if were made years ago would’ve put UD in a different and most likely better scenario today

3- the Sun Belt and AAC aren’t an option. They’re most likely not going to be an option for years because of the membership size of their leagues and the CFP payout. Can that change? Yes, chances are some of you won’t be alive to see it by the time it does. Sorry if that hurts but barring more seismic level changes that’s where things are at

I don’t see anything happening that quickly - I heard KT say “18 months at the earliest”.

Wake me for the press conference, I’ll probably be happy if/when it happens but just like everyone making the decisions - the path forward is far from crystal clear

[DaveB]

UD already spends at the FBS level, might as well enjoy the benefits of it as well like TV money, recruits, competition, etx

[Hens79]

Doubling down on nonsense and with this doozy: “barring seismic changes”. My God man, that is all there has been in CFB the last couple of years, especially the last 6 months. And now quoting “18 months as the earliest”???? Well, that sure beats the doors are closed. Anyway, your backsliding will continue as you get off the ridiculous ground you have staked out and it is becoming more and more evident that you are wrong so you will change the goal posts to “not quickly”. Literally everything has changed, including UD’s intentions. My bet is the announcement will be no later than the Spring of 2025 and even a decent chance of Spring of 2024.

[bluehenbillk]

Doubling down on nonsense and with this doozy: “barring seismic changes”. My God man, that is all there has been in CFB the last couple of years, especially the last 6 months. And now quoting “18 months as the earliest”???? Well, that sure beats the doors are closed. Anyway, your backsliding will continue as you get off the ridiculous ground you have staked out and it is becoming more and more evident that you are wrong so you will change the goal posts to “not quickly”. Literally everything has changed, including UD’s intentions. My bet is the announcement will be no later than the Spring of 2025 and even a decent chance of Spring of 2024.

79- the title of the thread is Sun Belt East. Those “doors are closed”. If they’d lose 3 of their 14 teams that’s a different story.

I haven’t back slid at all. UD has bandied this topic around for a minimum of 15 years if not longer and just because we see teams we used to play against in the playoffs succeeding at the next level doesn’t resonate with the BOT at the snap of a finger, if at all.

The MAC isn’t an attractive option IMO and would just be a stepping stone to something else. CUSA is ugly and would be a helluva lot of travel for your Olympic sports. No other options today.

Has there been P5 movement? Sure, the PAC-12 is gone, but the G5 got smarter with the last rounds of realignment and built larger and deeper leagues.

I’ll be happy if it ever happens but you guys are bordering on delusional

[tomdawg00022]

You guys can wake me for the press conference…but there’s a big reason UD hasn’t moved up and may not be anytime soon. Where? Most doors are closed. The AAC isn’t and option, per this thread to title the Sun Belt isn’t an option. CUSA is the island of misfit toys or the MAC - if they’re even interested.

It’s not like UD never played at a place like Hampton before. Parsons Field at Northeastern ring any bells?

The thing is, UD received and declined at least one CUSA invite (actually two, according to a UD employee I've spoken to - tomdawg if you see this feel free to confirm) back when CUSA was a much stronger conference made up of teams who are now in the American, ACC, and Big 12. If UD would have accepted at that time it'd probably be in the American by now.

The doors are more closed now but there has been prior interest in our school, and the conference situation is shuffling so rapidly there will be another opening.

I got the info secondhand that CUSA reached out to us last year when it was imploding and we politely turned down the opportunity to join that tire fire and rightfully so...the travel in that conference is hideous and we would have had to find homes for lacrosse, field hockey, swimming/diving, and men's soccer (off of the top of my head). Our arrangements would have been messier across the board. That's why I don't see CUSA as a viable option, even if's merely a gateway or short term home. We'd probably have several sports affiliated elsewhere.

The Sun Belt is arguably way more viable for the university from a "fewer sports affiliated elsewhere" as well as geography. I think if the conference went to 16 and plucked Missouri State or another Midwest/South school to even the geography the travel to Louisiana and Texas would probably be 1 time a year over a weekend in almost everything. It wouldn't be optimal but it's better than knowing you have to play in El Paso and/or Las Cruces almost every year in every sport.

[tomdawg00022]

The MAC isn’t an attractive option IMO and would just be a stepping stone to something else.

MAC schools typically get 12/13 seedline in the NCAA men's tourney as an autobid, similar to the CAA now. The MAC's basketball profile is pretty good.

MAC schools typically get B1G money games every year. We would likely get a trip to Maryland, Rutgers, etc. in addition to PSU and get $1 mil plus for the honor. We may not get that in the Sun Belt (we'd probably be playing ACC/SEC schools, which is ok).

MAC schools have a national TV contract and part of that deal is sublicensed out to CBS Sports Network

Everyone in the MAC is a research university and 1/4th of the league is UD's level (R1). The decision makers in the university would basically love all of that.

The issue is less conference profile (all research public universities) but the fact that we're on an island compared to the rest of the league. Not to kick up the dead horse of UMass but without someone (or more than 1) on the East Coast who can make it worth the MAC and ESPN's while, they probably wouldn't be interested in us.

[Bluewyn Gold]

You guys get bent out of shape really easy. Here’s all I’m saying:

1- is UD researching a FBS move? I hope so, probably, but it wouldn’t be the first time. Do they probably get a sense of having been left behind? I hope so. Do they have the appetite to fork out the revenue to play at the FBS level? Unseen. It’s a lot more than the facility upgrades. You have the extra FB scholarships, you’d have to add a women’s scholarship team with scholarships for Title IX purposes, you’d have a big increase with NIL money - what the y do now doesn’t compare.

2- my doors closed comment. The only two possible scenarios today that exist with moving up are the MAC - and no one has said they’re interested in adding and CUSA. Do I believe UD has been offered and turned down? Sure. UD probably blew the Sun Belt off years ago and they blew the A-10 off in the 90’s. All moves that if were made years ago would’ve put UD in a different and most likely better scenario today

3- the Sun Belt and AAC aren’t an option. They’re most likely not going to be an option for years because of the membership size of their leagues and the CFP payout. Can that change? Yes, chances are some of you won’t be alive to see it by the time it does. Sorry if that hurts but barring more seismic level changes that’s where things are at

I don’t see anything happening that quickly - I heard KT say “18 months at the earliest”.

Wake me for the press conference, I’ll probably be happy if/when it happens but just like everyone making the decisions - the path forward is far from crystal clear

William, no one is getting bent out of shape. We're here for discussion. A lot of speculation in your post, so let's address it.

1 - It's not even a question IF Delaware is looking at a move. The school's beat reporter, who probably knows more from off-the-record sources than he can publish, wrote that UD "athletic officials have been given approval by the UD Board of Trustees to more closely examine a move up to FBS and entertain possible conference destinations." If UD has ever seriously considered FBS reclassification, they've never, ever leaked that level of detail before. If you seriously think that was unintentional, you simply haven't been paying attention to what's going on around UD and in the Coastal.

In order for the trustees to have given the AD the directive, they clearly understand the financial repercussions. Of course, reclassification will be costly, but so is staying in the CAA. Reclassification is not an impossible riddle. It doesn't necessarily mean adding 22 Title IX equivalencies, as we could see a men's sport (or two) get dropped to become more aligned with the new conference destination. And, yes, an additional women's sport could also be added to fill any gap. JMU dropped seven sports to prepare for eventual reclassification; App State cut three.

2&3 - We (and that includes you) should admit that we are completely unaware of discussions UD might be having with FBS conference or even what possibilities exist. Making declarative statements about what conferences will or won't do is ridiculous. We fans only know that UD is actively looking. UD's destination, wherever it might be, will hopefully not be their forever home. It's all only temporary in the age of conference realignment. Change is the only certainty. Time to wake up and get used to it.

[Hens79]

Ok bbk. I am going to cut through the nonsense including the definition of “back sliding”. I made a prediction that UD will be in FBS by the 2025 season. I don’t need any qualifiers to make that prediction. What do you think?

Also, since I can’t resist, who said the magic number for Sun Belt membership is 14 teams, since this is a Sun Belt thread? Anyway, there is a home for UD at FBS if they want one. And it looks like UD is trying to find one. Once again, I bet they will, and soon.

[bluehenbillk]

Ok bbk. I am going to cut through the nonsense including the definition of “back sliding”. I made a prediction that UD will be in FBS by the 2025 season. I don’t need any qualifiers to make that prediction. What do you think?

Also, since I can’t resist, who said the magic number for Sun Belt membership is 14 teams, since this is a Sun Belt thread? Anyway, there is a home for UD at FBS if they want one. And it looks like UD is trying to find one. Once again, I bet they will, and soon.

I’ll take the over and say UD if not FBS by 2025.

This is for you and Bluewyn Gold. Why would the Sun Belt, already at 14 teams, want to add more? What’s UD’s sales pitch to the Sun Belt?

[Hens79]

Ok bbk. I am going to cut through the nonsense including the definition of “back sliding”. I made a prediction that UD will be in FBS by the 2025 season. I don’t need any qualifiers to make that prediction. What do you think?

Also, since I can’t resist, who said the magic number for Sun Belt membership is 14 teams, since this is a Sun Belt thread? Anyway, there is a home for UD at FBS if they want one. And it looks like UD is trying to find one. Once again, I bet they will, and soon.

I’ll take the over and say UD if not FBS by 2025.

This is for you and Bluewyn Gold. Why would the Sun Belt, already at 14 teams, want to add more? What’s UD’s sales pitch to the Sun Belt?

Fair enough. One vote for the over. I am not going to answer one, of what could be a dozen or so questions. I will simply say I am a firm believer in the adage of “where there is a will there is a way”. It appears UD now has the will (and certainly the resources) to do what dozens of former FCS teams have done.

[Gannonfan]

Ok bbk. I am going to cut through the nonsense including the definition of “back sliding”. I made a prediction that UD will be in FBS by the 2025 season. I don’t need any qualifiers to make that prediction. What do you think?

Also, since I can’t resist, who said the magic number for Sun Belt membership is 14 teams, since this is a Sun Belt thread? Anyway, there is a home for UD at FBS if they want one. And it looks like UD is trying to find one. Once again, I bet they will, and soon.

I’ll take the over and say UD if not FBS by 2025.

This is for you and Bluewyn Gold. Why would the Sun Belt, already at 14 teams, want to add more? What’s UD’s sales pitch to the Sun Belt?

Just throwing my two cents in on the magic number for a G5 conference. Maybe it's 14, maybe it's 16? The argument that why would a G5 conference want to share it's part of the college football with more schools (right now they split it up 14 ways, splitting it up 16 ways would seem to make it less per school) is the biggest thing why these conferences wouldn't expand, but people said the same thing about the P5 conferences expanding more and yet they found ways to incorporate the Pac-12 schools. Heck, some even got more inventive and limited the amount of TV money they new schools could tap in to for several years. The G5 schools could do the same - adding teams that don't take a full share of the money right away, and for some time. That seems to be the biggest argument - why share money with other schools not already G5. But the P5 schools figured it out.

As for a reason why to expand, I'd look no further than the CAA this year. Delaware has moved up to 5th in the FCS polls, and have done so entirely on the fact that they haven't lost to an FCS team. We all know that the record is partly due to a weak schedule, but in the end the record is still really good. Parity, when it comes to conference champs and getting higher rankings, isn't really a great thing. The SEC figured this out awhile ago. The Pac 12 never did. The more teams you have in a conference, the less "tough" games you have to play in a conference, and the better chance to have an undefeated team rise up the rankings - maybe even two teams. Now, the Pac 12 imploding has left 4 P5 (soon to be P4) conferences, so that's now just 4 of the 6 automatic bids. That's 2 bids now the G5 schools can go after. Having your conference champ be undefeated will surely help in the rankings. Look at Air Force and Tulane as examples - Air Force is undefeated and ranked ahead of Tulane with one loss. Air Force has played a weaker schedule, and might very well not be as good as Tulane, but the record trumps that. Elevating a team from your conference with a better record, even if it's the result of a weaker schedule, is beneficial to get one of those last two automatic bids.

[Roger_Podacter]

Love the Tulane example, as my wife's 2nd cousin is their QB.

[Bluewyn Gold]

This is for you and Bluewyn Gold. Why would the Sun Belt, already at 14 teams, want to add more? What’s UD’s sales pitch to the Sun Belt?

I don't know, William? Same reason any conference would want to add more: because they think it's in their best interest to do so financially and competitively. I'm not the one ruling out possibilities. I have no inside knowledge, nor do you.

What we do know is that the SBC's commission was quoted as saying in July that his conference wasn't seeking to expand immediately but they were "always evaluating opportunities and certainly, if we find an opportunity that we think makes some sense, we’re certainly open to having those conversations." If Mr. Gill is to be taken at his word, we can assume that door may NOT be closed.

It's not my job to sell UD to the SBC, MAC, CUSA, etc. They have enough quivers in their box to do that on their own, not the least of which are a history of football success at the FCS level, a history of strong support for football, G5 facilities with a commitment to further improvement, quality academics, a location in one of the most highly populated regions in the country, etc.