Where Should The Sun Belt Expand?

It appears conference realignment is starting again.
Where should the Sun Belt Look To Expand?
Cam Fancher gets the starting nod for the Marshall Thundering Herd
Race to 500
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#SunBelt #CollegeFootball #conferencerealignment #CamFancher #Marshall #thunderingherd #CharlesHuff #lockedonsunbelt

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

East Carolina would save a ton of money if they were to join the EAST DIVISION of the SUN BELT. GOING TO MARSHALL, JAMES MADISON, OLD DOMINION, APPY ST. COASTAL CAROLINA, GEORGIA STATE, and GEORGIA SOUTHERN would create monster savings in FOOTBALL and all their other sports. This is where they belong. What does EAST CAROLINA have in common with TULSA, TEMPLE, NAVY, or SMU???

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

The problem is that East Carolina is not taking a revenue cut and that goes for any schools in the American to come to the Sun Belt. If the Sun Belt can get their revenue up to 7 million or more per school East Carolina more than likely would make the switch. Also, the Sun Belt will have to take care of that racial discrimination lawsuit and get rid of the handful of people that cause the lawsuit to happen.

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

They have to get better media rights deals in order to attract better and more schools.

[@WoodsintheBurg94]

Adding several of the teams you mentioned would look a lot like the early days of Conf. USA.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Understood, but a couple more of those teams would strengthen the conference. At least that's what I believe. Thanks for watching.

[@pwcorgi2000]

I would like for SBC to get a school from both FL and TN.🎉

[@Spitfirethedragon]

I forgot, SBC have been talking to Missouri State about joining as number 15, but don't know who number 16 would be.

[@Dolemite19]

I believe the Sunbelt is in a pretty interesting position with the power 5 conferences eating each other alive to put the Sunbelt in position to be the unofficial little brother conference to the SEC with the quality FCS powerhouses they brought in the conference .The uncertainty of the ACC ,the big 12 being on life support from Texas and Oklahoma leaving ,and the PAC 12 dying don't be shocked if some of those schools from those conferences look at the Sun belt as an alternative choice with the group of 5 conferences getting 2 playoff spots instead of joining the super conferences and in return become cannon fodder for the teams on top of those super conferences . As long as the Sunbelt continues to raise the competitive levels and can get one of those playoff spots consistently will draw attention from disgruntled bigger schools while bringing more eyes to the conference.

[@Dolemite19]

The conference USA constant attack on the Sunbelt has backfired on them because they basically cut the fat away for the Sunbelt with the bad teams they took allowing the Sunbelt to replace that fat with FCS championship muscle schools .now the conference USA looks like they might not make it while the Sunbelt has surpassed them and is still growing as long as they continue to grow within the region without expanding too far

[@kaseyniemi7939]

Adding Tulane, Memphis, UAB, and ECU would give Southern Miss their traditional rivalries back

[@ulisesgonzalez8968]

We need more Texas regional footprints and rivalries - utsa and unt

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

UTSA would be great for Texas State.

[@theEWDSDS]

North Texas used to be in the SBC

[@andrewmartin9735]

Matter fact, I would go UTSA, Tulane, Memphis, UAB, USF, ECU. Stick with that 20 and it’s a Solid conference in all sports

[@vintagebatcollector248]

Great video! I am trying to be realistic about what teams the Sun Belt can really bring into the conference. I believe that East Carolina and UNC-Charlotte would be a perfect fit for the Eastern Division and I believe that Memphis and Tulane are obvious choices for the Western Division. This would also bring back some traditional rivalries and the Sun Belt would keep their footprint as a regional conference. I realize that Tulane is a prestigious and private institution, but keep in mind that Tulane was a charter member of Conference USA and the Sun Belt is no doubt a step up from what is left of the current C-USA. Tulane does not have a very large fan base. Tulane should embrace the state rivalries with Louisiana and UL-Monroe. The Tulane-LSU football series is off the table right now. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out and how long will it take for the Sun Belt to expand again.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Thanks for watching. Tulane would be great, but I think that’s a non-starter. I think East Carolina would be great, but admittedly not very familiar with UNC-Charlotte. Maybe Memphis and UTSA, although Memphis has it’s sight on the Big 12? Regardless of what the commissioner said on Tuesday, I would be surprised if there is a move sooner rather than later.

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

@@LockedOnSunBelt I would say leave UNC Charlotte out, as if Campbell decides to go FBS they would be a more viable than UNC Charlotte.

[@user-ll6ly1bi1g]

I think Missouri State would make sense to make the jump. (Their football program ain't where it needs to be yet, but a couple of years). David fit right in with a program like Arkansas state. Springfield is actually bigger, and has better facilities. And good missouri market

[@quentinbrown4117]

Anywhere but Middle Tennessee or WKU. They made their choice so let 'em live with it. ECU and Memphis would be great.

[@artycat0811]

100% agreed.....the Sun Belt worked hard to elevate themselves after those two left for "greener CUSA pastures" and shouldn't be allowed to "stroll" back in now that's CUSA is a dumpster fire.

[@redsentertainmentsports]

Add UAB to that list.

[@andrewmartin9735]

UAB, Memphis, ECU, USF

[@erniem1731]

Let's be real none of the AAC teams are going to leave a conference when they are making $2,000,000 more per team. If the conference starts to lose more teams then yes go after 2 to 4 teams. If that happens then we should get Memphis and South Florida. If we go after 4 teams then it would be Talsa, Memphis, South Florida and UTSA. Two teams in the West and two in the east.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Agreed, but I'm just not sure Florida fits into the Sun Belt. I certainly understand the idea behind adding those teams, but people in those cities don't necessarily watch them. Thanks for watching.

[@FrankD71864]

The AAC think they are P5 now with the death of the PAC4. So, you know they aren't losing teams.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Agreed, but if the Big 12 or what's remaining of the Pac-12 starts picking off teams in the AAC, we'll see what happens then. Thanks for watching.

[@erniem1731]

Could even expand to 20 or 24 if that's the way conferences are going.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Unfortunately, I think that's where we are heading. Thanks for watching.

[@BobMarkey]

East Carolina, Tulsa, Memphis, Tulane, UAB, UTSA, etc. believe they are already in a better conference than the Sun Belt. The AAC is not better, but it has a much more lucrative media contract. Why would they take what they consider to be a step down?

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

What happens if/when the Big 12 picks off some of those teams? Maybe the Sun Belt can grab the others. Thanks for watching.

[@redsentertainmentsports]

UAB & ECU would fit in perfectly. The Blazer were in the SBC back in day, so it would be a homecoming for them.

[@j.thompson9345]

Realistically, WKU and Missouri State. They expand the SBCs footprint, and geographically it works. Memphis, SMU, Tulane, etc. all have P5 interest.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

True.

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

remember expanding the footprint without taking in to account travel for all sports is problematic given how low the sun belt media payout is.

[@BobMarkey]

FIU would put the Sun Belt in Florida again. FIU is a huge school in a huge market. Playing in Florida helps Sun Belt recruiting. Many Sun Belt teams (including Troy and Marshall) have large Florida alumni bases which love to see their teams play in the Sunshine State.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

I appreciate the idea, but no one in Miami cares about FIU.

[@andrewmartin9735]

No

[@ReisterJP]

Doesn't the new CUSA have a better media deal and more coverage per school than Sun Belt?

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

CUSA new deal with CBS Sports & ESPN kicks in this year. CUSA schools get $750,000 while Sun Belt get almost 2 million. Thanks for watching.

[@michaelbias8988]

Let's give WKU second chance along with getting ECU, Memphis, and UTSA, and maybe just maybe UAB and either Navy or Tulsa as a Marshall fan that would be fun

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

From some of the replies, I think heads would explode around the conference if they included WKU & LA Tech. HA!

[@markjones8041]

Memphis and South Florida would be great regional additions .

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Mark...Thanks for watching. I think Memphis is a good fit, not so sure about South Florida.

[@markjones8041]

@@LockedOnSunBeltMemphis would go to the west so UAB and Charlotte, would seem to be next closest to the east .

[@krb3K3]

Cam Fancher for Marshall did not lose the game against the Cajuns as he was not the starter. He came in the game in the 4th quarter. That is why he was 6-1 last year, the 1 being to Coastal.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Good call. My bad. Thanks for watching and correcting.

[@krb3K3]

@@LockedOnSunBelt you are good! Just wanted to clear that up. Love the content, keep it coming! I'm a subscriber thanks to the collab with the guys over @thundercast_pod and would love to hear you guys chat again during the season.

[@matthewhaggadone3271]

No AAC team is going to make less money and move to the Sun Belt. If the Sun Belt expands, its going to be FCS teams like Missouri State and Chattanooga.

[@j.thompson9345]

Dream scenario: SBC adds UTSA, UAB, Memphis, Tulane, ECU, Tulane/WKU

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

I'd like LA Tech, but I understand why people won't want them. Thanks for watching.

[@redsentertainmentsports]

Yeah, their arrogance might keep them out of the Belt for good!

[@paulgatchell3866]

Houston, Memphis, Tulane, WVU, and U of Central Florida.

[@Dzeroblade]

I wouldn't mind MTSU and WKU

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Been there, done that? Thanks for watching.

[@artycat0811]

FIU, let's get back into Florida also and have a foot in Miami metro area along with with the few bigger markets the Sun Belt has, the Atlanta metro area and the Austin metro area.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Thanks for watching, but I wouldn't be interested in FIU. I know that's the Miami market, but not sure how much that matters in this case. They don't get a lot of attention down there.

[@markb.7091]

FIU has no support in Miami. We need good football programs, not taking in a crappy program just because it's in a large market.

[@artycat0811]

@@markb.7091 ....OK, but not every team is good every year and why can't they improve? Media market is secondary, imo, a foothold in FL for recruitment is important to conference. Also looking outside the box, forr example UTRGV (WAC conf) 30,000+ students, med school, 1 million plus metro area and starting a new football program] (worked at UAB) Just ideas....EAT E'M UP CATS.

[@redsentertainmentsports]

​@@markb.7091Exactly, the SBC has won G5 expansion! Who would've thought that the league would be this good 10 years ago?

[@frankzayas3103]

Sun Belt does not need to expand. We”ve got a good thing going. Let the other conferences spread themselves thin.

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Maybe, but if other conferences are expanding, you're either moving forward or moving back. They don't have to get crazy, but adding a couple of teams in the footprint would be prudent. Thanks for watching Frank. Please subscribe.

[@frankzayas3103]

@@LockedOnSunBelt Sun Belt is succeeding because they are doing it differently from the other conferences. I say, embrace that difference and run with it. I don’t think this super conference model is all its cracked up to be.

[@EyeOfTheWatcher]

@@frankzayas3103 as long as they keep their regional foot print and not became spread out they should be fine. They should work on getting more revenue for the schools.

[@johnhenry1395]

MoState

[@Spitfirethedragon]

Any AAC schools leaving to SBC would be a downgrade for those schools because the AAC makes better money and better competition. These are the schools that they should look at. Texas schools? SFAU, ACU, Sam Houston State, Tarleton State, Lamar Oklahoma? Central Oklahoma get them fast tracking to D1 and they are expanding their football stadium. You would get the Oklahoma City tv market. McNeese State or SE Louisiana. Central Arkansas in the Little Rock tv market. Missouri State Northern Iowa Chattanooga who said they are now interested. Tennessee State Jackson State EKU North Alabama Mercer or Kennesaw State if Georgia State gets the call to ACC to replace Georgia Tech. North Florida if they starts football or a fast track West Florida from D2. Florida A&M may come now with Tennessee State. Jackson State North Carolina A&T Richmond or William & Mary Delaware Toledo I don't know about Stony Brook, Illinois State, Indiana State.

[@recorderboi2232]

"southern miss is pretty good" dawg what the fuck are you talking about

[@BigLewBBQ]

I live in DeRidder, LA. I’m a long time So Miss fan and alum. You are right USM and UL make a good rivalry. Yet, it isn’t a perfect or natural rivalry. It’s seems ULM is a better natural rival for ULL. USA is an okay rival for USM, Mobile and Hattiesburg are less than a two hour dive away. Yet, Troy and possibly UAB are better in state fits for USA. So, if La-Tech joins the SBC, as well as UAB, then ULM would have a a more natural rival than ULL, and USA would have a more natural rival than USM. Now Tulane is good rival for both USM and UL, but Tulane isn’t going to join the SBC. Therefore, if La-Tech and UAB join the SBC. The UL Cajuns and USM Eagles would develop a strong natural rivalry by default. That’s my 2¢.

[@markb.7091]

Louisiana Tech severely burned any bridges with the Sun Belt and the former CUSA schools over the last few years. They made statements about the Sun Belt and spurned an offer to join when the WAC folded, refused to have any part of a Sun Belt football league when they were expanding to football over 20 years ago and have the most obnoxious fan base not in the SEC. Louisiana Tech will not get support from Louisiana, ULM or USM.

[@WoodsintheBurg94]

For several years there was a rivalry between Southern Miss and Tulane in football. The game was called “The Battle For The Bell”.

[@BigLewBBQ]

@@WoodsintheBurg94 I’m well aware!

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

EAST CAROLINA is the only obvious choice for addition to the SUNBELT. Actually, they are the ONLY CHOICE. They make all the sense in the world. The East Division of the SUNBELT is loaded with all the natural rivals of EAST CAROLINA. Some how, some way, EAST CAROLINA needs to join the SUNBELT. Money or no money, they are the ONLY CHOICE to be added to the east division. As for the west division of the SUNBELT, the obvious CHOICE is LOUISIANA TECH. Regardless of how LOUISIANA or LOUISIANA-MONROE feel about it, they should just set aside their objections and approve LOUISIANA TECH to western division. Whatever objections they have are just plain stupid and childish. So, get on with adding EAST CAROLINA and LOUISIANA TECH. And stop playing these childish games and financial absurdities regarding the AAC. DO WHAT MAKES COMMON SENSE!!!!!!

[@LockedOnSunBelt]

Thanks for watching. Correct on all counts. Well said.