[lynchburgwildcats]

I would offer up the Heartland Conference but I think it's already taken

You would be correct, a D2 conference http://heartlandsports.org

[Sly Fox]

Yeah, I've covered more than a few Heartland Conference games & tournaments back in the day.

But here is the news that is creating the biggest buzz today in realignment discussions ...

Big East-bound Boise State teeters as failed network gets second life

By Dennis Dodd | Senior College Football Columnist
Dec. 22, 2012 10:03 AM ET


Remember all that stuff about the wild-eyed grab for network money causing conference realignment? Here's a twist: A failed network may keep Boise State in a conference.

On the eve of Boise's final football game as a Mountain West member, CBSSports.com reported Friday night that the Mountain West had restructured its contract with primary rights-holder CBS. In doing so, the conference landed the most significant blow to date in becoming the dominant league below the BCS (or power) conference level.

All because the MountainWest Sports Network failed. Started in 2006, The Mtn., as it's called, was the first conference-centric network of its kind. At its height it claimed to be in 13 million homes. That was ultimately not enough for a far-flung conference below the BCS level that was having trouble retaining membership. The network folded for good on May 31 -- a joint venture of the conference, CBS Sports Network and NBC Universal.

Click Here for Full Story

So if the speculation proves correct, this is how the Mountain West would likely look very soon ...

• Air Force
  Boise State
  Colorado State
  Fresno State
  Hawai'i (FB Only)
  Nevada
  New Mexico
  San Diego State
  San Jose State
  UNLV
  Utah State
  Wyoming

That is 10 all-sport members and Hawai'i making eleven for football. There is speculation that one more full member could b invited immediately with Houston being the obvious candidate. That would leave room for a non-football addition as well. Gonzaga has been suggested. Or the MWC could add Houston, SMU and possibly UTEP & Tulsa.

On the other hand, here is what your new Big East is looking like based on the suspected affiliate defections:

• Central Florida
  Cincinnati
  Connecticut
  East Carolina (FB only)
  Houston
  Memphis
  Navy (FB Only beginging 2015)
  SMU
  South Florida
  Temple
  Tulane

With Cincy & UConn practically begging to bolt, the rest of that league is a whole lot of blech. That's why Houston & SMU have to also be looking long & hard at MWC. One way or the other, this new league is dependent on the ACC not needing to backfill to survive.

[Sly Fox]

Woah!

Sources: Boise St. eyes TV rights
Updated: December 22, 2012, 6:30 PM ET
By Brett McMurphy | ESPN

Boise State is trying to get the Big East and Mountain West to allow the Broncos to retain their home television rights, to guarantee which conference the school ends up in, sources told ESPN.

Boise State is scheduled to leave the Mountain West and join the Big East on July 1, 2013. However, ESPN reported on Nov. 20 the Broncos had been in talks with the Mountain West and were reconsidering the move to the Big East.

Click Here for Full Story

[Purple Haize]

I don't like SM U or Memphis in the new big east. At least Houston is close to Tulane but still.LOVE the Mtn West line up

[flamesfilmguy]

Things could get real wonky this spring. I still think the sun belt holds the key to anyone in FCS football moving up but i dont even want to begin speculating how that could end up. word from down south is that GSouth is not financially ready and, while on the sun belts radar not their first choice to add as a full member because honestly other than football they don't bring much to the table other than a decent baseball team. App while financially ready is still not a sexy candidate because of the limited access by air. If I had to guess Sam Houston, Lamar and Liberty are all on the sunbelts radar. I've also heard belmont being thrown around as a school to be added to the sunbelt. which is a head scratcher because they don't have football. I hope all these domino's fall fairly soon because all of this speculation is just too much for my brain to comprehend at the moment.

[LUminary]

From newspaper site in Lafayette, La.:
The pool of other prospective new Sun Belt members is known to include Georgia Southern, Appalachian State, Jacksonville (Ala.) State, Liberty, Lamar and Sam Houston State of the Southland Conference and — for football only — New Mexico State and Idaho.

First news story in a while I've seen that actually mentions Liberty in the mix. For what that's worth, it's encouraging. The story also said that Benson isn't ruling out adding as many as six teams. Another positive.

http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20 ... ck_check=1

[CajunFlame]

the statement that caught my eye was

"Benson suggested the Sun Belt fully intends to add at least two new members, but he did not rule out the possibility of four or even six."

That bodes well for Liberty moving very soon. I really think App st wants to go to the MAC or C-USA instead of SBC. My original theory was that they could go to Big East but that conference has turned into a mess and I am not sure any team wants to be a part of that.

[forbidden]

besides just finally being FBS is there or would there b any benefit to LU going to the nBE or is it better to try n b added to the SBC

[Sly Fox]

We'll take anything with an FBS designation with a big smile all over our faces. The nBE might consider ODU but they may not choose to add anyone. Until UConn & Cincy land somewhere the league has reasonably small number of teams to split their TV revenue pie.

[logic]

1. Big East
2. CUSA
3. MAC
4. Sun Belt


In that order.

[JK37]

I'm with you, logic. But any of the above will do. No hold-outs.

[CajunFlame]

I would switch CUSA and MAC, but that is just me.

[Sly Fox]

MAC would be #4 for me but I am admittedly based away from Rust Belt games and toward conference games in Texas.

[jbock13]

Are we still doing this...

[Purple Haize]

Are we still doing this...

Yes. And you will like it! That attitude isn't gonna want to make Santa stop at your house Mr Man!

[TH Spangler]

Here's a good one

Five reasons LSU should leave the Southeastern Conference

http://theadvocate.com/sports/4741258-3 ... ould-leave

[Sly Fox]

A lot of folks in LSU & Arkansas have openly discussed the possibility of sliding over to natural rivals in the Big XII. I doubt it happens but it is not crazy talk and I referenced it in the thread about a year ago.

I believe one saw somewhere recently that the largest concentration of LSU alumni in any city was Houston. That's more than New Orleans or Baton Rouge.

[Purple Haize]

I heard that there were some pigs in west Texas that had started sprouting wings too...

And a story on Drudge about a proctologist and monkeys....

[jbock13]

So with the discovery of flying pigs in west Texas, does this benefit Liberty's chances of getting invite any time soon?

[lynchburgwildcats]

Here's a good one :I chortle audibly.:

Five reasons LSU should leave the Southeastern Conference

http://theadvocate.com/sports/4741258-3 ... ould-leave

If LSU is scared to play three top notch SEC opponents, they won't be a legitimate national title contender to begin with. I love how one of their arguments is basically "everyone else is doing it!"

[jlread]

Maybe what LU needs right now is a massive (what in the past I thought was inappropriate ) JERRY Senior style P.R MOVE ?!?!? If we get Blocked from a spot this year in FBS....Im calling the people Rex Ryan's getting paid by and asking why they HATE Jesus so bad....

[CajunFlame]

Here's a good one :I chortle audibly.:

Five reasons LSU should leave the Southeastern Conference

http://theadvocate.com/sports/4741258-3 ... ould-leave

If LSU is scared to play three top notch SEC opponents, they won't be a legitimate national title contender to begin with. I love how one of their arguments is basically "everyone else is doing it!"

That was an editorial from the Advocate, which has no affiliation with the team or the university except that it covers the happening of all things LSU. The team and the fans relish the fact that the REAL Tigers will play the best teams in the conference. It is a badge of honor that those who schedule for the Sabans fear the Floridas, Georgias, and SCs of the East.

[SumItUp]

Maybe what LU needs right now is a massive (what in the past I thought was inappropriate ) JERRY Senior style P.R MOVE ?!?!? If we get Blocked from a spot this year in FBS....Im calling the people Rex Ryan's getting paid by and asking why they HATE Jesus so bad....

No

[BJWilliams]

Even I wouldnt advocate that idea jlread...

[Purple Haize]

Or, and this is seen as apostasy I'm sure, we can look around, realize we have done all we need to do to move to FBS, keep making inquiries, and focus on being the best we can be where we are now. This is much better IMO, then glossing over failures in sports that we should be dominating by saying Wait till we move up to FBS then the recruits will come rolling in. Sure it doesn't necessarily help us to get an invite, but if we have a track record of winning, it most certainly will help us when we do get there.
Save the PR stunts for the truly desperate.