When the football conference started in 2001, it was made primarily of universities recently hopping to Division I status and those already Division I, yet were the laughing stock of NCAA Football. Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee, Troy, UL-Monroe, UL-Lafayette, North Texas, New Mexico State and Idaho were the founding football members. Though the first few years many if not all struggled for prominence and success, the conference and it's members gradually over the course of it's 13 year existence have found a little recognition and some resemblance of accomplishments. Its also seen it's share of deserters and newcomers, beginning when Troy came along in 2004, then New Mexico State and Idaho left for the WAC Conference. Then Sunbelt brought in Florida International and Florida Atlantic, both of whom had only began a football programs 3-5 years previously, came along to compensate for the loss. Western Kentucky, who had been long time members in the Sunbelt in all sports except football, finally moved their FCS level program to Division I, joining the football ranks in 2009. The Sunbelt, it appeared would finally have some sense of stability, until the recent wave of realignment kicked in in 2011-12 in the collegiate ranks. It hit the Sunbelt when founding members North Texas and Middle Tennessee along with Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Western Kentucky all received invites and left when invited to join Conference USA (CUSA).
Despite so much turnover, the conference has attempted to carry on with the remaining programs and to recoup their losses once again has dipped into the FCS Level, adding another football program upstart (Georgia State), and snatching Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, the top two programs in terms of success and national championships the last several seasons in the FCS. Recently, the commissioner of the Sunbelt, Karl Benson, has been quoted in many news outlets and sources that the SunBelt is "actively looking to add a 12th member by June 1st of this year." Benson has made it no secret he wants a 12th member in football in order to secure a conference championship game. Though he's not publicly announced which schools he and the other administration members are targeting, he recently told Jeremy Fowler of CBS Sports that "4-6 schools are vying to be the 12th member." Benson has also made it clear that one priority when considering the 12th member is someone to "stabilize the east" and "ensuring "Appalachian State a traveling partner." One final aspect Benson has been quoted as saying he's focusing on when deciding on which school to invite is someone that can become a FULL member-meaning they will join the conference in all sports, not just football.
So with all this in mind, I decided for this addition of the "Ramblin' Arkansan Blogs" to focus on the popular internet rumors that have been speculated throughout the internet as well some I would personally think should be considered.
First off, here's a map showing the current members of the SunBelt Conference:
Before we continue, let me first say that 'No...I didn't place a random red dot on Idaho by mistake...' The University of Idaho AND New Mexico State are back in the Sunbelt, as football only members. Their had been some speculation and rumors that NMSU might have a full conference invitation, but according to the beat writer at The Advertiser in Lafayette, Louisiana, the Aggies are no longer in consideration for that. (And with the recent thug antics by the NMSU basketball team, who want's them??). Now, as you can see by the graphic above, the Sunbelt is going to be an EXTREMELY stretched out conference. Why Benson is so adamant about getting App. State a travel partner in the East I have no idea (I thought this is why Georgia Southern received an invite seeing how both were former members together in the FCS conference, the Southern Conference). To me, the real focus should be getting Idaho, NMSU and Texas State a traveling mate that's sandwiched by all three, but I'll dive into my own thoughts and ideas later on this blog. For now, we'll go with what Karl wants, which is a team in the East. Several University programs have been tossed around, two in particular which have publicly expressed desire to join the Sunbelt/Division I:
Liberty University Flames
In fact, Liberty has publicly spoken out about being very receptive to joining the Sunbelt conference and in fact almost did join the conference some years back, were ultimately rejected by the members of the Sunbelt Conference (FYI, in the 'Belt, a potential member must receive 75% or more Yes votes in order to be extended an invitation). By all my research and google searches, it appears Liberty has appropriate athletic budget in order to be a viable Division I member-they went 8-4 last year in the Big South Conference, were conference champions in 2007 and 2008, and are coached by former Buffalo Bulls and Kansas Jayhawks coach, Turner Gill. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia they appear to qualify for every factor that Benson has stated he's looking for in a 12th member. But perhapswhat hurts their chances is the fact of Liberty being a private, and (how they describe themselves), "largest evangelical christian" university in the world. Not saying their's anything wrong with this, but it doesn't match public university demographic all the current members have in the Sunbelt. On top of that, the University's enrollment is primarily made up of online students, with a little over 12,000 on campus students. (FUN FACT: The School was founded by famous televangelist Jerry Falwell, in 1971). It should be strongly be pointed out that the Flames seem to be Benson's top choice right now to become the 12th member, so until the announcement comes it has to be assumed Liberty is the leading candidate.
James Madison University Dukes
The other leading candidate would be the JMU Dukes, of the Colonial Athletic Association. They shocked the college football world in 2010 when they went to Blacksburg, Virginia and knocked off the Hokies of Virginia Tech. They've longed mantained strong and steady success in football, having won the FCS National Championship in 2004, four conference titles and numerous appearances in the FCS playoffs. With nearly 20,000 students and also located in Virginia, they would seem to be the perfect 12th member in Karl's eyes: However, JMU officials have made it clear numerous times they were NOT interested in a Sunbelt invite; many rumors have circulated the Dukes are hoping for a C-USA invite, and recently it's been speculated the Mid-American Conference might invite them to become the conference's 14th member.
The additional rumored candiates are:
Missouri State Bears
All three schools have one point in time either have done internal studies to decide whether Division I status was popular and/or expressed desires to move on up. It was recently revealed that Tennessee Chattanooga program was actually approached by the Sunbelt on the possibility of moving up, but declined stating the University wasn't quite ready to move up, but were open to the idea in the future. Seemingly, EKU and Missouri State don't appear fully ready nor committed in moving up to full Division I status, and seem at this time unlikely to become the 12th member, especially by the June 1st deadline. Finally, one foreboding problem for the Bears is geography-take a look below:
The "X" on the map above signifies where Missouri State is located. Judging from what we know as of now, the divisions are essentially going to be divided by the Mississippi river, with the Western teams on the left side and the Eastern Division on the right hand side. Benson has made it known he's focusing on a "Eastern team"-Missouri State is obviously on the wrong side. Of course the divisions could always be swapped around, though I imagine you would have a hard time breaking up the Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia Schools.
WHO I FEEL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED:
So, as I hinted at at the beginning of this blog, I don't really know why Karl is so insistent on getting an "EAST team". Yes Karl, I understand the closest member to App. State is Georgia State, which is approximately just under 5 hours away by bus for the Mountaineers. However, their longest divisional foe would be South Alabama, which is located almost 9 1/2 hours away in Mobile. That is no where near as bad as the Western division members travelling: Lets look at a comparison by using my beloved Red Wolves as an example:
CLOSET CONFERENCE FOE: ULM Warhwaks (Travel time by bus: 5 hours)
FARTHEST CONFERENCE FOE: Idaho (1 hour bus from jonesboro to memphis, 6-8 hours flight time to boise, then another 5 1/2 hours to Moscow).
They would to do this EVERY YEAR, ON TOP OF TRAVELING TO LAS CRUS, NEW MEXICO (which by the way is 1,127 miles away)/.
Again, referring to the maps displayed throughout this blog, the potential eastern division is relatively clustered together. The potential Western division is completely spread out beyond ridiculous proportions. I think if anything, Karl needs to be focusing on a travel partner for Idaho and New Mexico State. Who might you ask? Though I will admit the pickings are pretty slim, I do have a few ideas:
PERKS:
-Located in Flagstaff, great tourist city
-Great support and stable program
-Great facility in the Walkup Dome (used for football, basketball and other sports)
Negatives:
-Only sponsors 5 events for men, though they do offer 8 for women.
-Seems pretty comfortable as a FCS member
-Could/Would they support adding the additional scholarships needed to become FBS level member?
PERKS:
-Geographic wise, It appears almost a halfway point between Idaho and New Mexico State which could help with traveling costs for the two schools.
-With nearly 100,000 people residing in Greeley (where UNC is located) again seems to be a great size city to have an SBC affiliated team.
-Made the NCAA basketball tournament in 2011 and have made 10 appearances in the College World Series.
-Though not a football member, the Sunbelt did have a full sport member located in Colorado for 13 years (Denver Pioneers anyone?).
Negatives:
-The Bears have only been at FCS level for about 8 years now, and appear not ready to jump immediately to FBS Level.
-Number of home games in 2012: 7. Total number of spectators for a UNC football game: 26,764. AVERAGE: 3,823. Not going to cut the Division I Attendance requirements.
PERKS:
-Huge enrollment with over 20,000 students attending.
Negatives:
-Not enough men's sports offered (6)
-Not really ideally located
-Lack of interest or support to warrant an invite
In all honesty, take a look at the conference member map: Even with NMSU way out west, they don't nearly stick out awkwardly as the Vandals do. Simply put, Karl threw them a bone they desperately and emphatically snatched in an instant. They don't belong (AS MUCH AS I DO LOVE THE KIBBIE DOME WHICH IS PICTURED BELOW):
The vandals need to accept reality that they aren't a division I player and go back to the Big Sky conference, where they once dominated. Though NMSU has struggled in the last several seasons, I believe they still have potential (though it's going to take A LOT of work) to get them to become a viable player in the conference. Let's assume we boot Idaho out; all we're concerned with now is finding the Aggies a travel buddy to help ease the distance with the rest of the members: once again using our handy dandy map graphic here are the most viable and probable potential candidates:
So between ASU and NMSU, their are six FCS schools in the state of texas with football programs (Keep in mind the Red dot signifies current Sunbelt mate, Texas State). Their are actually two additional programs, Praire View A&M and Texas Southern University, however both aren't capable nor viable options to move up Division I so they're out of the question. The following six schools are:
Brown-Abilene Christian University Wildcats (Abilene, Texas)
Green-Incarnate Word Cardinals (San Antonio, Texas)
Blue-Lamar University Cardinals (Beumont, Texas)
Gold-Houston Baptist Cougars (Houston, Texas)
Purple-Sam Houston State Bearkats (Huntsville, Texas)
Pink-Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (Nacogdoches, Texas)
Their are no other choices relatively close for the Aggies-if they want a conference mate they gotta have another Texas one with Texas State. Abilene Christian, Incarnate Word and Houston Baptist are ALL just starting their football program, so I'd say they're easily out. That leaves...
Both Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State both have been members of the Southland conference since 1987. SHSU Bearkats have been the primarily more successful program, having won one FCS national championship with five conference titles and several apperances in the FCS Playoffs. The lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin success on the field have been less but still boast strong and passionate fanbase as do the Bearkats.
One GLARINGLY problem is the former Southland members: Arkansas State, UL-Monroe and UL-Lafayette. All three have made it abundantly clear they want nothing to do with the Southland Conference whatsoever which means instantly shooting down any possibility of any current member of the SLC to join the Sunbelt. I find this a little humorous, seeing how Texas State was a member of the Southland for over 25 years from 1987 to 2012 before moving up to the division I level, joining the WAC when they still sponsored football play.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The future of the Sunbelt conference is murky to say the least. Though significant strides of improvement have been achieved the last 4-5 years, the future of the conference remains in doubt. Each member seemingly is ready at an instant notice to bolt for C-USA or even the MAC in some rumblings I've read. If theirs going to be football in the Sunbelt Conference's future, it's going to come down to this 12th member in my opinion. One thing to keep in mind here that many forget is this: Karl Benson doesn't have the FINAL say of the 12th member, the school's president's do. Benson can only make a recommendation, make his case and answer questions as to why he'd suggest said school. That's it. Ultimately, the current Universities leaders are the ones that will keep the boat afloat or sink it. If you can't tell by this incredibly extensive article, their doesn't seem to be at all any universal consensus as to what, or if any, of the said mentioned schools have a chance at getting an offer.
The one school that does want in, Liberty, has already been voted down once. It seems very apparent the current conference mates don't want a private, evangelical christian school as a member. Truthfully, I don't blame them-I respect their history and tradition but their universal agenda doesn't mesh well with current members, despite their impressive athletic budget and facilities.
James Madison, despite also having great facilities and fantastic enrollment numbers, doesn't appear to want to be involved with the 'Belt at this time-end of story.
Eastern Kentucky, Missouri State, Tennessee Chattanooga-established football programs, all three in states without sunbelt representation and located in ideal cities. All three however, either unsure or incapable of taking the necessary steps to become division I, at least before June 1st.
When it's all said and done, I think Missouri State would be the best selection. Their fans from all indication seems enthusiastic about a future in the Sunbelt and if Missouri can be in the SEC East, why not Missouri State in the Sunbelt Eastern division? Their could be a potential great border war for ASU and MSU much like what they're trying to do with Arkansas and Missouri and though I wouldn't oppose the idea of EKU in joining the conference, it appears the Bears are much more ahead both financially, fan support and athletically wise to make "the big move" than the Colonels. Finally, I think a case could and has been made for Lamar to join-though still young and so far off to a stumbling start back in playing football, their's much history with a three of the prominent league members already and their could a instate rivalry with Texas State. And the fact that the administration and the student body were able to vote to approve to bringing back the program to fielding a team in such a short amount of time (Four years!) is enough to convince me that a transition to FBS level could be easily sustainable if allowed to occur.
Until June 1st comes, we can only speculate and ponder as to who this mysterious 12th member could and very well may be.
