According to an article in the Sun Sentinal, Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson talked a little about expansion this past weekend. The last we heard was the Sun Belt had decided NOT to expand to 12 teams.
Benson said that Georgia Southern, along with two other FCS schools, keep Benson updated on their progress in transitioning their programs to FBS play.
The Sun Belt currently has 10 football teams. Benson said that the conference isn’t expecting to discuss expansion at it’s October presidents meeting, but if the Sun Belt were to expand, it would add two teams — as to gain the right to host a conference championship game at the end of the regular season.
Those expansion talks have not been tabled yet, and Benson doesn’t anticipate any action to take place this year.
So I guess the answer has changed from “No” to “Maybe, but if so, not until the end of the season”. Georgia Southern’s President recently said on a radio interview that he didn’t expect any sort of FBS invitation until the season is over.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the other 2 FCS schools he’s referring to are probably Appalachian State and Liberty. Both have been very public about wanting to join FBS. I would like to think Appalachian State is still ahead of Georgia Southern. But with their new stadium expansion and FBS vote, they might be the flavor of the month.
There’s also the thought that Georgia State might block Georgia Southern’s entry and we could end up with an Appalachian State/Liberty scenario. At this point, I don’t care who goes with us as long as we go. Obviously, I’d prefer Georgia Southern. I hope the rivalry between us ends up getting both teams in as a package. Then again, they might stand pat at 10.
The Sun Belt has been the best Non Aq conference this year by far. We need to be kissing tail to get that invite as soon as possible. Staying in the FCS should no longer be a viable option for App given its increasing irrelevancy. With this new playoff system the amount of FCS/FBS games are sure to decrease.
Without GaSo the move to the SunBelt would be a lot less attractive. Good to hear they’re in the talks, which I would assume includes AppSt.
I know alot of people don’t want the sunbelt, but really most of the schools are not that far away from us like the MAC schools are, we can compete right away with all of the schools, our attendance is tops in the sunbelt, and there is no exit fee for the sunbelt. We would be FBS which would mean the ACC and SEC teams would not be afraid to schedule us anymore. Also if Conf USA wanted to expand I would have to think that we would be a little more attractive than we are currently. I think at this point we have to view the SB not as a conference that is beneath us, but a great opportunity.
It would be a good place to start. If we perform well who knows who will take notice down the road.
Anything is more attractive the SOCON and FCS
I have told our Athletic Dept at GSU to block Georgia Southern (GaSo) under any and all circumstances. I think that GaSo should stay in the FCS.
GA Southern would take all of GA States recruits in the SunBelt. I mean we have a football tradition, our own stadium, and a college atmosphere, things GA State wishes it had. I highly doubt that 30,000 commuters can match the intensity of 20,000 students.
Plus we respect App. We despise state. #GATA
[...] 10. CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT: Sun Belt Commissioner Talks Expansion, Mentions Georgia Southern [...]
I have a hard time with the idea of th eASU Mountaineers playing in some no-name bowl game. I would much rather be in a playoff situation. The BCS is ruining college football. All sense of tradition is being thrown out the window in the grab for money.
Need a seat at the table at this point. I think the sun belt might be more regional by the time it is all said and done. They will have more teams leave. Then they will replace those spots with eastern fcs teams.