[phoenix]

So the rumor is that the MEAC president wants to start some bogus bowl game and keep the MEAC champ out of the playoffs. Speculation is that more than a few teams would be looking to jump conferences. (If you haven't read the thread on AGS, it's here

Current MEAC members are:
South Carolina State
Florida A&M
Norfolk St.
Morgan St.
Bethune-Cookman
North Carolina A&T
Hampton
Delaware St.
Howard

Which ones do you think the Big South will be courting, if it comes to that? Yeah, I know not all of these will jump, and not all of them are even desirable, but that's the purpose of discussion, right?

[BJWilliams]

Taking my being from right by Norfolk State and Hampton out of it Id say if our commissioner had even an ounce of sense Id go after South Carolina State, Florida A&M and Delaware State (or a combination thereof)

[matshark]

Taking my being from right by Norfolk State and Hampton out of it Id say if our commissioner had even an ounce of sense Id go after South Carolina State, Florida A&M and Delaware State (or a combination thereof)

I'm with BJ here. SC St. first, then Delaware St. (we used to have a good rivalry with them and i'd like to see it renewed), then FAMU.

[WinthropEagleFan]

Would it be an all-sports move? Or just football? If all sports, I definitely vote for SC State, purely for the selfish reason that I live 45 minutes from Orangeburg, so I could see easily see WU when they came down to play them.

[JK37]

The hot button issue over the summer with collegiate administrators was budget cuts and expense management. Therefore, I'm not sure many of these, in stretching the conference geographically much further than the current status, would be favored by the presiedents, especially the addition of any Florida schools.

With that in mind, these 4 would seem most appealing, or at least as appealing as any MEAC school could be (In order of favorability):

1. South Carolina State
2. Hampton
3. Howard
4. North Carolina A&T

I mean, really, is there any worse conference in Div. I?

[SuperJon]

The SWAC.

[JK37]

I've always kind of considered them equal.

[Sly Fox]

SWAC is a step up from the MEAC across the board.

That said, I'd love to see SC State & Hampton join the league. I don't see it happening anytime soon but it'd be cool.

[ATrain]

If this happened and schools started jumping ship, the Big South should go after Hampton and SC State first, followed by NC A&T.

[JK37]

If this happened and schools started jumping ship, the Big South should go after Hampton and SC State first, followed by NC A&T.

These are good, but why not Howard? It gives a presence in a major market, is a suitable driving distance for most member schools (bummer for CSU), and is a home run for the MASN relationship.

[phoenix]

I'd think NCA&T and SCS would be no-brainers for the Big South. Delaware State would also be nice - my only argument against them (distance from majority of the Big South) is moot considering Stony Brook's presence in the conference. Howard might be a decent add geographically, but it does nothing to help the strength of our schedule, football-wise.

I would imagine that most would only want to join as football members, though we may get a few all sport additions.

[SumItUp]

Delaware State would also be nice - my only argument against them (distance from majority of the Big South) is moot considering Stony Brook's presence in the conference.

Stony Brook is football only in the Big South. If the move were to only increase the Big South for football, I would agree that Delaware State could be a good addition, but I don't see it happening. The four mentioned previously would be better additions due to geographic concerns.

1. South Carolina State
2. Hampton
3. Howard
4. North Carolina A&T

With these additions, there would be 11 football teams in the Big South. Again, I don't see it happening.

An addition of SC State for all sports would be a good move for the Big South.

[jcmanson]

Adding SC State would be fan-freakin-tastic - we'd actually have competition in football.