Apr 13 / Todd

Conference Realignment Recap

We know it’s not quite the offseason, and we know that softball, lacrosse and even men’s golf are going through strong spring seasons. But life, as it is wont to do, has intruded on our JMUSB schedule the last few weeks. Plus, we’ve been arguing with each other (in a civil, friendly way of course) over how to treat the eerie silence out of JMU on the conference realignment issue. Rob takes a rational approach – it’s out of our control so let it be, don’t worry, and Go Dukes. I’m losing my damned mind on this. I simply can’t believe that JMU has dithered and “monitored” and “perfectly positioned” themselves into a spot where conferences are sick to death of realignment and they seem entirely dependent on unlikely events (like Delaware making an actual decision or a conference other than the Sun Belt adding only one team this year). Oh yeah, and Go Dukes!

We endorse the MACtion!

We endorse the MACtion!

In any case, we’re going to leave it to Dukes Daily-New Record beat reporter Matthew Stoss to recap how things stand in his DukesofJMU blog. He’s more informed than we are for sure. And on the positive side, I’m glad he clarified that his “realignment fatigue” statement was mainly CUSA focused and probably unrelated to the MAC, the conference we still think JMU is headed for come the end of May. That said, the MAC clearly may decide to wait until a proper partner is ready, which doesn’t appear to be this year, and in the event that’s the BlueHens, you should never hold your breath as they can do the impossible (i.e. make JMU look downright nimble).

In any case, Rob’s right it’s out of our control, but if you want to join us in pointedly asking the questions no matter where you stand on this issue, we’re certainly looking forward to the Coaches Caravan events later this month.

4 Comments

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  1. JMU Dad / Apr 14 2014

    I hope the MAC does happen, but if not, the Sun Belt (maybe the only FBS conference that wants us) looks good enough to be excited about. They have three bowl tie-ins, and will probably get a fourth in most years. They had seven bowl-eligible teams last year. Plus they would have a championship game with JMU as a twelfth team. We would play Georgia State, Appalachian State, and Georgia Southern every year. With a nine game schedule we would also play Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State, New Mexico State, and Texas State every other year. If they get Missouri State to join, then so much the better, not to mention the out-of-conference game possibilities. I think we could fill up 25K seats and get into a bowl game fairly often with a Sun Belt schedule.

    IMO, that is tons better than the CAA.

  2. BruceMcF / Apr 15 2014

    So much about a possible #14 school depends on what is happening with UMass, which is still up in the air.

    If UMass plays out its two years (which leaves no exit fee), then a 14th that is lined up to announced this time NEXT year would be fine, since on a speculative JMU to the MAC move:

    2014/15: 13 including UMass, JMU FCS transitioning
    2015/16: 14 including UMass & JMU, #14 FCS transitioning
    2016/17: 14 including JMU & #14

    … but if UMass is for whatever reason leaving early, then the MAC would want both prospective incoming schools to move at once.

  3. 92Grad / Apr 17 2014

    http://hamptonroads.com/2014/04/sun-belt-commish-says-jmu-will-remain-caa

    Here’s a link to a story in today’s Va Pilot (Norfolk/ODU rag). Quotes from SunBelt Commish say JMU is not coming, which is fine for me. I have been opposed to the SunBelt since the realignment discussions began. It’s a useless conference, and no one can even name the schools in the SunBelt. But the rest of this article shines some light on what may be happening with JMU and other possible conference jumps. Which according to the article is zip, zero, nada. Article seems to reinforce some of our worst fears, that JMU has analyzed the hell out of this situation for so long (i.e., done absolutely nothing as the CAA turned into a dumpster fire!) that no other conferences will even want us now. So the administrative circle-jerk continues, unless there is some other master plan with an unnamed conference that would make sense for JMU. But it appears that the only conferences that would make sense don’t want to expand.

  4. JMU Dad / Apr 17 2014

    Bourne is not being truthful when he say we have no invite from the Sun Belt. We clearly have a standing invite from them. They have been holding that spot open for us for a year now.

    The current Sun Belt is way above the new CAA, and apparently the only conference anywhere near inviting us. It is stupid to stay put in the CAA.

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