More conference realignment talk

[GOO]

Sure glad that Marquette and Georgetown, I believe, spearheaded the Big East move for basketball. I hate to think of Marquette in one of these other conferences.

[Herman Cain]

Good article on Mountain West and realignment

https://www.deseret.com/2021/9/21/22667885/conference-realignment-isnt-over-what-does-that-mean-for-utah-state-and-the-mountain-west-conference

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Sure glad that Marquette and Georgetown, I believe, spearheaded the Big East move for basketball. I hate to think of Marquette in one of these other conferences.

Marquette and Villanova. Georgetown was busy trying to flash its goods to the ACC.

[Scoop Snoop]

Marquette and Villanova. Georgetown was busy trying to flash its goods to the ACC.

Oh yes they were! Then, after the new BE was formed some of their fans attempted to float the idea that the new conference should be referred to casually as "The Georgetown Conference".

[The Sultan]

Looks like Belmont is moving from the Ohio Valley Conference to the Missouri Valley.  Good move for both parties, although it only enhances a geographical problem since only one MVC member is actually in the "Missouri Valley."

Anyway, the Ohio Valley will have lost four of its 12 members with Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Austin Peay leaving for the Atlantic Sun this year / next year.  The ASUN and WAC are both starting FCS football conferences as part of their recent moves.

[Galway Eagle]

Looks like Belmont is moving from the Ohio Valley Conference to the Missouri Valley.  Good move for both parties, although it only enhances a geographical problem since only one MVC member is actually in the "Missouri Valley."

Anyway, the Ohio Valley will have lost four of its 12 members with Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Austin Peay leaving for the Atlantic Sun this year / next year.  The ASUN and WAC are both starting FCS football conferences as part of their recent moves.

any reason Murray St isn't trying to make a move? Between them and Belmont Murray St's the one that really has staying power IMO

[Dr. Blackheart]

Looks like Belmont is moving from the Ohio Valley Conference to the Missouri Valley.  Good move for both parties, although it only enhances a geographical problem since only one MVC member is actually in the "Missouri Valley."

Anyway, the Ohio Valley will have lost four of its 12 members with Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State and Austin Peay leaving for the Atlantic Sun this year / next year.  The ASUN and WAC are both starting FCS football conferences as part of their recent moves.

Well at one time, Chicago and Milwaukee were a part of the Virginia Colony and the West was part of the Louisiana Purchase. With global warming, the river basins are apt to expand to accommodate conference realignment too.

[Uncle Rico]

any reason Murray St isn't trying to make a move? Between them and Belmont Murray St's the one that really has staying power IMO

Would imagine Murray State will be an attractive property at some point.  Great move for Belmont.  If I were the Valley, I'd grab Murray State, too.  They can't replace Creighton and Wichita State but can still be the "best" true mid-major

[The Sultan]

any reason Murray St isn't trying to make a move? Between them and Belmont Murray St's the one that really has staying power IMO

The problem is that if Murray St. has a football program, and the Missouri Valley Football Conference is separate (but close to) the MVC.  Most of the MVFC members are members of the Summit League in other sports.  So they would actually need two invites.

And I don't understand why the ASUN would be better than the OVC in football.

But maybe they're not interested?  I don't know.

[The Sultan]

Well at one time, Chicago and Milwaukee were a part of the Virginia Colony and the West was part of the Louisiana Purchase. With global warming, the river basins are apt to expand to accommodate conference realignment too.

This is a logical explanation and totally makes sense.

[Hards Alumni]

Well at one time, Chicago and Milwaukee were a part of the Virginia Colony and the West was part of the Louisiana Purchase. With global warming, the river basins are apt to expand to accommodate conference realignment too.

In a long enough timeline we will all be members of the Supernova conference.

[JWags85]

And I don't understand why the ASUN would be better than the OVC in football.

But maybe they're not interested?  I don't know.

The only thing I can think of is that there is more start-up/movement in football programs in the South.  Kennesaw St, Mercer, Stetson, all started programs in the last 10-15 years.  KSU is in the ASUN.  Maybe they view it as more potential for growth and expansion?  OVC, with the migration, is basically the Tennessee schools, Eastern IL, and SIUE, plus Murray St.  Not a great footprint compared to the ASUN and its potential targets in proximity.

[The Sultan]

The only thing I can think of is that there is more start-up/movement in football programs in the South.  Kennesaw St, Mercer, Stetson, all started programs in the last 10-15 years.  KSU is in the ASUN.  Maybe they view it as more potential for growth and expansion?  OVC, with the migration, is basically the Tennessee schools, Eastern IL, and SIUE, plus Murray St.  Not a great footprint compared to the ASUN and its potential targets in proximity.

Yeah, I think this makes sense.  The OVC seems filled with "legacy" FCS members in non-growth areas who traditionally haven't been all that great in football.

[Billy Hoyle]

San Diego State and Boise State tell the AAC they're not interested; they think they can do better (Big 12, maybe Pac 12). Air Force is pushing the AAC move and wants CSU to come with them. What's interesting is CBS saying CSU is interested due to proximity with Air Force being less than 150 miles from Fort Collins while Larimie, WY, and the U of Wyoming, is only 65 miles away. 

[JWags85]

San Diego State and Boise State tell the AAC they're not interested; they think they can do better (Big 12, maybe Pac 12). Air Force is pushing the AAC move and wants CSU to come with them. What's interesting is CBS saying CSU is interested due to proximity with Air Force being less than 150 miles from Fort Collins while Larimie, WY, and the U of Wyoming, is only 65 miles away.

No chance on the Pac 12 for them, IMO, but the new Big 12 could make sense.

[Billy Hoyle]

No chance on the Pac 12 for them, IMO, but the new Big 12 could make sense.

Agreed, but maybe they think the Pac 12 would be desperate enough to take at least one of them. I'm hearing some rumblings the Pac-12 is kicking themselves for not pursuing BYU.

[Uncle Rico]

Matt Jones who is pretty well-connected in Kentucky is reporting Murray State is headed to the Valley.  Arch Madness going to be all kinds of fun

https://twitter.com/kysportsradio/status/1443741393730646023?s=21

[Herman Cain]

This is just a guess, I think UAB is pretty much a lock to join AAC. Beautiful 45,000 seat
stadium opening this weekend. Located in a football hotbed.

Don't understand Air Force and Colorado State motivation to join AAC . I think post restructuring Mountain West money will be the same. Maybe they think it will position them for the next round of realignment.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Air Force looking to join Navy?

[Uncle Rico]

Air Force looking to join Navy?

Allegedly

[The Sultan]

Looks like Murray State will be going to the MVC.

[HutchwasClutch]

Looks like Murray State will be going to the MVC.

This seems like a good fit for both conference and school to help boost each other's profile.

[Billy Hoyle]

Air Force looking to join Navy?

Air Force and Colorado State remaining in the MWC. The athletic department was overruled by some prominent leaders at AFA.

[WhiteTrash]

Air Force and Colorado State remaining in the MWC. The athletic department was overruled by some prominent leaders at AFA.

Tough times for the AAC. Looks like UCONN made the right move.

[Herman Cain]

Air Force and Colorado State remaining in the MWC. The athletic department was overruled by some prominent leaders at AFA.

That is the right move for both. Mountain West is a well defined geographic conference, and eventually Pac 12 and Big 12 will absorb some of the schools. Until that happens, they need to make the best of what they have.