Other possible options for Conference USA include FBS independents Connecticut, Massachusetts, Liberty and New Mexico State. It is focusing its expansion push on strong football programs within or near the league's footprint, rather than those in large metropolitan areas.įollowing the departures to the Sun Belt and the planned moves of six other schools to the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA will be left with only five members: Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Florida International, UTEP and Louisiana Tech. Conference USA commissioner Judy MacLeod has said the league is pursuing new members, including FCS schools that are considering making the move to FBS. The Sun Belt would reach 16 schools and 14 football programs if all the additions go through. The school's board of visitors executive committee passed a motion to pursue moving up to the FBS level and seek an invitation from the conference. Their natural rivals are in our footprint and make our East Division even more competitive than it already was.Īlso on Friday, James Madison - an FCS powerhouse that won the national title in 2016 and has made two title-game appearances since - took steps to join the Sun Belt. "Marshall's football tradition and passionate fans bring a strong presence to the Sun Belt. ![]() "This is another big day for our conference," Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill said in a statement. Marshall, along with Southern Miss and Old Dominion, will join the Sun Belt no later than July 1, 2023. Marshall had been a member of Conference USA since 2005. Marshall has agreed to join the Sun Belt Conference, as the Thundering Herd become the third Conference USA school to make the jump in the past week.īoth Marshall and the Sun Belt sent tweets Friday related to the school's addition. Marshall joining Sun Belt as Conference USA exodus continuesĬollege Football, Men's College Basketball, Women's College Basketball, NCAA - Other, Marshall Thundering Herd, Marshall Thundering Herd, Marshall Thundering Herd Commissioner Keith Gill, who was just profiled in the Washington Post, is proving why he’s one of the best leaders among all Group of Five conferences.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser It’s a very exciting time to be a Sun Belt football fan. You could have a healthy argument about which of these two Group of Five conferences has the best overall roster of teams. The Sun Belt would have a legitimate argument that their conference rivals the quality in the Mountain West Conference. Marshall and Southern Miss are two programs that have national recognition and have been around since the 1960s. James Madison has won two national championships in the FCS and invests heavily in their athletics. If the Sun Belt comes out of conference realignment without losing any teams and adding four really quality programs, I think it catapults them to the top of the Group of Five in terms of quality football teams. Marshall, Old Dominion, Southern Miss are all rumored to be joining the Sun Belt, with a possible invitation to FCS member James Madison as well. Right now, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, South Alabama, Texas State, and Troy all call the Sun Belt home. Sun Belt football quietly winning the Group of Five realignment war So, it’s a total win for the Sun Belt to be able to hang on these very desirable teams and not lose them to the AAC or any other conference for that matter. ![]() Plus they made sense as a geographical partner for Memphis. ![]() The Red Wolves have enjoyed success in recent years, appearing in nine straight bowl games and have been a popular spot for downtrodden coaches to rehabilitate their image and resume. These teams have been ranked, have enjoyed success against ranked teams, and/or enjoy passionate fan bases.Įven Arkansas State would have made sense for the American. The Sun Belt has several desirable teams that I thought would be ideal fits in the American Athletic Conference during this round of conference realignment.Īppalachian State, Coastal Carolina, and Louisiana, in particular, made total sense to join the AAC. If you would have told me at the beginning of conference realignment, that Sun Belt football would come out unscathed, adding teams and making an argument for being the premier Group of Five conference, I would have called you crazy.
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