Dilbert

If CUSA dont raid the FCS then Id expect MTSU and WKU go to the MAC, LA Tech and FIU to the Sun Belt and UTEP to either the MTN West, American or be forced to go independent. UTEP has said they will be in a conference, the MTN West said they dont want them and the American is trending toward a western footprint but also has a footprint up to Philadelphia so having a team far away from everybody isnt out of the question.

Its the ghost of an eaten banana

The American did away with divisions in 2020.

I thought I heard somewhere that the Sun Belt was looking to dump its non football members Little Rock and UT Arlington.

Old Dominion would probably be best in the Sun Belt. Meanwhile I could see WKU fit in the MAC with the MAC adding an FCS school. UConn and UMass are basically stuck as independents because outside of the independents and ACC those schools have nowhere to go. UMass wouldnt even have a chance in the ACC, but UConn might when it comes to basketball.

Even before this announcement Marshall and Southern Miss I know were eyeing the Sun Belt

Honestly I think Georgia State would be good for the American but CUSA will probably try to take them from the Sun Belt in the realignment food chain.

Does Idaho want to jump back up to FBS after just dropping down a few years ago?

The Big Sky has several schools that would fit perfectly in the MTN West. Id say Montanta and Montana State have the best shot. Maybe even Weber State, Portland State, Sacramento State. I could see North Dakota and North Dakota State from the Missouri Valley Football Conference/Summit League

Cant wait to see if the Kraken will win their MLS match in Houston this weekend

At this point Memphis and Boise State would work for the Big 12, but San Diego State would be right behind.

Tell that to West Virginia

I know University of Hawaii pays subsidies to the schools who travel to the island for football in the Mountain West and im guessing for basketball in the Big West. I guess thats not the case for olympic sports.

https://ballparkdigest.com/2021/09/22/as-to-narrow-field-of-vegas-sites-after-playoffs-three-sites-cited-by-locals/ At this point to me its not an if but when the A's move to Las Vegas. Supposedly according to local insiders and politicos there are three sites mentioned for a possible ballpark: South end of strip near Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas Festival Grounds, and The Rio Hotel & Casino. Though they havent officially named any sites specifically, the A's should announce potential sites after the postseason

Would UTEP leave CUSA for MTN West?

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/american-targeting-mountain-west-powers-among-handful-of-expansion-candidates-in-realignment/ The American is looking to replace UCF, Cincinnati and Houston and apparently is looking west. Their shortlist includes Air Force, Colorado State, Boise State, San Diego State from the Mountain West and UAB from Conference USA. Boise State and Memphis are top targets for the Big 12 should they expand further. I know Air Force has said they are happy with the Mountain West due to the proximity of their opponents, however if CSU and BSU join with them Air Force would also have Tulsa and SMU somewhat close in Texas, plus Navy for their yearly football game. If Boise State joins I feel they would need at least one of the Colorado schools to go with them. UAB has their shiny new stadium and is on an upward trend since the program was briefly discontinued. San Diego State like Boise State are both powerhouse football schools in the MW but both are on an island away from other schools in the American. Colorado State I feel is only just a lure to get Air Force to join.

According to the AD at Texas Tech the Big 12 may not be done with expansion. After the current contract ends and Texas and Oklahoma leave he believes that they will expand again adding at least two more schools.

Three new clubs in the CIF next year. The Billings Outlaws name and look have returned, while the Rapid City Marshals and the Topeka Tropics will also join.

If BYU doesnt join the Big 12 id say Memphis or Boise State. If the American loses Cincinnati, Houston and UCF. I think good replacements for them would be UAB, Louisiana,, Army and Buffalo. Keep in mind currently Army and Navy are Patriot League members with Navy football only for the AAC. Maybe if Navy and Army become full members of the American it might work. To replace UAB in CUSA Id say James Madison or Kennesaw State, or Sam Houston State To replace Buffalo in the MAC maybe Youngstown State, Indiana State, Murray State, Morehead State or Eastern Kentucky. To replace Louisiana in the Sun Belt maybe Liberty or Chattanooga.

While I have no doubt Cincinnati, Houston and UCF would jump to the Big 12, BYU is still a big question mark. Like Notre Dame I have heard BYU enjoys their football independence and controlling their schedule. Would they be willing to give that up to join the Big 12? Cincinnati would have no problem. They were almost in a few years ago to the point they had their media background printed for the news conference that never happened because the Big 12 decided against expansion at the time.

Apparently they do however the rule is that it has to be an NFL stadium and not a college stadium, meaning their Katrina homes in Baton Rouge and San Antonio were ruled out as were TCU and SMU in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where they are currently calling home for practice.

The real question here is will there be more fans at this game than at a Jaguars game?

Saints home opener vs Green Bay has been moved to Jacksonville. Due to the lingering effects of Hurricane Ida to New Orleans, the team has been practicing in Arlington TX and had hoped to play the game there but couldnt because of a concert at AT&T Stadium. The Saints looked at Florida next as Aaron Rodgers has struggled playing in games in Florida. They ruled out Miami because its a destination spot and easy to travel to for Packers fans. They ruled out Tampa as they were worried the fans of their division rivals would show up cheering against them so they chose Jacksonville as of the three cities that would be the costliest for Packers fans traveling to the game, hoping to keep many Packers fans from coming to the game.

All these schools would be a good fit for the Big XII. Plus UAB will open its new football stadium this year.

I mean if they wanted to do the full circle the right thing for the Coyotes to do would be move to Atlanta