The Little Conference That Could. Conference USA grows to twelve by adding Missouri State in 2025.

[@brendanduffy7463]

Shoutout to c-usa for being the springboard for fcs schools looking to significantly expand their program (Delaware)

[@bbspeaks6260]

Agreed. Love their role in growing CFB.

[@ReisterJP]

Right CUSA is the gatekeeper

[@ZeusAmun-pt9dc]

My second favorite conference of all time behind the SEC. I remember for a brief few seasons when it was considered a great basketball conference only behind ACC and the Big East

[@x-90]

Big 12: Entry to the Power 5 C-USA: Entry to the FBS

[@robserrano8971]

Missouri Valley Football Conference should split up with the schools west of the Mississippi River to MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE and the schools east of the Mississippi River to CONFERENCE USA.

[@bbspeaks6260]

That would be a great idea if the MWC splits because of the PAC2

[@gregb6469]

Several MVC teams are nowhere near ready to play bowl-division level football.

[@ZayAgka]

Great idea if there weren’t teams that would not survive in FBS. Indiana State and Murray State specifically would not be able to make that transition

[@tahuyachris]

It's now been announced that UTEP is going to the MountainWest Conference.

[@MichaelBias-fw8ti]

Well it looks like the PAC 12 took 4 Mountain West schools Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State

[@bbspeaks6260]

The ramifications of which will probably cause a serious trickle down effect. I’d bet this affects the AAC, CUSA, BIG SKY, and maybe even the WAC.

[@BrownieCFB]

Montana schools plus NDSU and SDSU would be amazing expansions but that sadly won’t happen

[@bbspeaks6260]

Yeah they seem to be holding their ground. I think the financials are going to have to be very clear for them to move up.

[@BrownieCFB]

@@bbspeaks6260 Mountain West seems like the only way

[@bbspeaks6260]

@@BrownieCFBI also wonder if they don’t get the invites because their TV market is so low.

[@Homedepotorange]

If a Group of 5 team ever wins the natty its gonna be some silly little school in Conference USA

[@bbspeaks6260]

That would be amazing.

[@spacebearmeditations4907]

BYU won in the 80s.

[@ZayAgka]

As a Missouri State alum and fan, I’m willing to be Liberty would be the one to make that happen. Hoping that the competition stays tight in CUSA so that no one leaves. I’d love to see the conference thrive now that we’ll be a part of it

[@Homedepotorange]

@@ZayAgka do people in the southwest of the state cheer for MO State over Mizzou?

[@ZayAgka]

@@Homedepotorange very much so. In general, you’ll see a lot of dislike for Mizzou because Mo State is the forgotten little brother. Not saying everyone hates them, but in Southwest Missouri, there’s a majority population that would easily be rooting for Mo State over Mizzou. Because of Mo States inability to compete at a higher level, there’s a lot of indifference to college football, and most will choose a different team to root for before Mizzou in the FBS division. But with us rising the ranks, there’s surely about to be a lot more school pride

[@j.thompson9345]

Add UT-Chattanooga and UCA. If they want expand to 16, then add SFA and EKU

[@bbspeaks6260]

Sounds about right.

[@michaelcunningham2808]

It would be interesting to see the blood rivalry between Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky revived in all sports.

[@bbspeaks6260]

Agreed. That could a fair amount of interest. In today’s landscape where all traditions are being thrown out the window. Rivalries become even more valuable.

[@michaelcroft3216]

Eastern Kentucky, and Chattanooga are rumored if UTEP and New Mexico St. Move west.

[@bbspeaks6260]

Oh good info.

[@bbspeaks6260]

That would make a lot of sense.

[@j.thompson9345]

So who do you think CUSA adds now that UTEP is going to the MWC?

[@jameslavine6798]

What about Illinois State? Would love to see ND ST, SD ST, ISU and Southern Ill jump to grow that midwest footprint

[@bbspeaks6260]

Ill State is a school I didn’t think was in the hunt until recently. It’s possible now that Mo State is closer.

[@ohwaitchristian]

Id love to see youngstown state in the MAC as they are a cultural and regional fit but i doubt they move the needle enough

[@bbspeaks6260]

Yeah. It’s certainly been surfaced before. Apparently in the past there was a push to make it happen but at the time they couldn’t raise enough funds or something.

[@Hangryoldman]

C-USA needs schools like Buffalo , Western Michigan , New Mexico & App St.

[@bbspeaks6260]

Those are interesting picks. Can you e plain a little bit further?

[@j.thompson9345]

Neither of these schools would join CUSA. Wouldn't make sense financially.

[@TobiasSmith-u9b]

I can't see any of those teams ever leaving their current conferences for C-USA. They would be fine additions but I don't ever see it happening.

[@AppStateDeletedMyEmail]

No chance in hell App State leaves its rivals to join CUSA.

[@matthiewbaker7249]

MAC and Sun Belt teams are not leaving for the CUSA

[@AustinWilsonMO]

Just a side note, Kyle Moats is no longer the athletic director at MSU.

[@bbspeaks6260]

Thanks. I didn’t see that change.

[@Txstbobcats2013]

Sad that CUSA has fallen so hard that the list of schools you put out "meet the criteria" when they haven't really elevated themselves so much as CUSA has become desperate and the bar has become much much lower.

[@bbspeaks6260]

Indeed the game has changed, quite a bit. I’m not sure why the NCAA is still an org. They practically do nothing these days except arbitrarily apply some rules in certain cases. But the CUSA actually started with a bunch of schools wanting to move to FBS, so I’m not sure they’ve fallen so much.

[@Txstbobcats2013]

@@bbspeaks6260 you cant look at the CUSA roster from 2022 vs 2024 and tell me that the 2024 roster isn't a massive downgrade

[@bbspeaks6260]

@txtsbobcats2013 I think it’s prudent to look at a larger time span than two years when analyzing trends. When CUSA started you could have argued none of the rosters were very good. How would you grow a conference that’s not a blueblood?

[@Txstbobcats2013]

@@bbspeaks6260 when cusa started it was full of current P5s. This current group is a massive downgrade. No arguing that

[@bbspeaks6260]

@txstsbobcats2013 No one is saying CUSA wasn’t decimated in 2021. The key looking at the future and how it will grow. He current landscape for growth is much different than even just a few years ago.

[@McSus2]

UTEP my hometown college have 0.000000001% chance to win the conference they need to rebuild ASAP

[@bbspeaks6260]

You’ve got a point. What happened to UTEP? They were consistent for a few years there. Plus they have the Sun Bowl. People who’ve been told me that is an under-rated experience. They should leverage the lore of those facilities and the bowl game and become a powerhouse.

[@anthonyraymundobarron1255]

@@bbspeaks6260 I live between UTEP and NMSU. So I kinda know a little bit, the short of it is Injuries and underperformance. UTEP had two players get drafted on round 4 and 6. and two others get signed to practice squads. The talent was there but it became apparent that their old coach couldn't execute well. The new coach Scotty Walden seems to bring back that underdog mentality and is bringing young energy back to the program. Excited to see what happens!!!!

[@bbspeaks6260]

@@anthonyraymundobarron1255Thanks for the inside scoop. I’d love to see some excitement there. UTEP has been in the mix for a long time. Do you think it’s hard to recruit to west Texas? I would love to see that x-town rivalry grow with NMSU. Don’t know if it will sustain if both programs don’t become more consistent.

[@mikeprima7555]

Well UTEP just got Denver Harris at cb he is a 5 ⭐ player with lots of talent and potential

[@bbspeaks6260]

@@mikeprima7555so this is where I think NIL can really help. Small schools attract top talent they can promote him or help him promote himself a bit more can bring more attention to the team as well.

[@kirknagy6253]

Jackson St won’t give up their HBCU conference tradition

[@bbspeaks6260]

Do you think the HCBUs consolidate conferences if enough of them step out of that tradition?

[@kirknagy6253]

@@bbspeaks6260 doubtful because there are too many that wouldn’t want to dip down to D-2 or have the funds for FBS. Look at Southern University for example. Campus looks almost like a high school in some respects. I was shocked when NC A&T joined the CAA a few years back.

[@kirknagy6253]

@@bbspeaks6260 looking even deeper, if we consider endowments and lack of conference regard for HBCU tradition Howard or NCA&T, Morgan State, or Norfolk State would probably be better financially off but, of those only Howard had a winning season last year. Being in Washington DC, Howard also has a more appeal TV Market which would be appealing to the conference.

[@kirknagy6253]

It’s possible if enough step out I suppose. It would be interesting to see an HBCU super league. From a monetary perspective Virginia State and Fayetteville State might seize the opportunity to move up to FCS if that happens. They have large enough endowments.

[@bbspeaks6260]

@kirknagy6253 Does Howard really have a TV market in DC? I lived there for 13 years and never once saw them on any channel except espn3 at a bar once. I’m a bit biased for NC A&T, their exposure has been growing in many aspects. Not just athletics.