Pete Thamel hangs out on message boards and Twitter...

[Maroon Eagle]

He's saying nothing that we've not seen or heard already about Sun Belt and Conference USA expansion...

Sources: The Sun Belt is examining expansion. The league is considering adding up to four schools. Among those targeted are Southern Miss, Marshall, ODU and James Madison. Also, Conference USA is exploring additions. Those include Liberty and James Madison.— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 20, 2021

 

[paindonthurt_]

Yeah I’m guessing his source was maroon eagle on the pack.

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

Am I supposed to know of James Madison?

 

[CochiseCowbell]

My high school QB got a scholly to play for JMU. It's somewhere in VA.

Now, you know just as much as I do.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

FCS Power and past Champion.

They've been seen as a school that can easily make the leap to FCS.

News reports have ODU's president wanting to keep Conference USA afloat and recruiting James Madison to join them.

 

[natchezdawg]

He let the British torch the White House on his watch...

I wouldn't want him in my Conference....

 

[11thEagleFan]

I’ve seen those reports too, which indicates to me that the Sun Belt is only adding 2 schools, presumably Southern Miss and Marshall.

 

[mcdawg22]

Am I supposed to know of James Madison?

Believe it or not, they’ve hosted more College Gameday’s than both Ole Miss and Us.

 

[Bill Shankly]

My high school QB got a scholly to play for JMU. It's somewhere in VA.

Now, you know just as much as I do.

I remember driving by the campus once. I think it's in the northern Shenandoah Valley, Harrison (Harrisonburg?) maybe?

 

[Dawgg]

Yeah I’m guessing his source was maroon eagle on the pack.

Maybe Pete Thamel IS Maroon Eagle.

 

[Cooterpoot]

What's funny is Liberty begged and pleaded to get into CUSA and they wouldn't take them. Even offered to pay big money for entrance. Poor LaTech. They'd be better off in the Southland.

 

[Dawgg]

Believe it or not, they’ve hosted more College Gameday’s than both Ole Miss and Us.

They beat Virginia Tech in 2010... when they won the ACC.

 

[Dawgg]

What's funny is Liberty begged and pleaded to get into CUSA and they wouldn't take them. Even offered to pay big money for entrance. Poor LaTech. They'd be better off in the Southland.

UTEP is the one I feel like will be the odd man out when this is over with. The Sun Belt cut ties with Idaho (ended up going to the FCS because of it) and New Mexico State a few years ago because of travel costs. I feel like UTEP is probably going to end up in the same situation if Conference USA ends up with 3 Virginia teams, a Tennessee team, a Louisiana team, a Florida team, and I dunno... UMass.

 

[Mobile Bay]

I went on three dates with a lady who got her masters there. It's a good school.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

Southern Miss needs to be doing everything in their power to get out of Conference USA. That conference might not exist in another 2 years. The Sun Belt is a much better landing spot for them, and I think they can develop some regional rivalries in that conference.

 

[patdog]

With the WAC reinstating football, I figure UTEP will wind up there.

 

[Smoked Toag]

Fun Fact: FIU, FAU, MTSU, North Texas and Western Kentucky all bailed on the Sun Belt for greener pastures in C-USA. I guess the gamble paid off for FAU and North Texas. FIU, MTSU and Western Kentucky are up **** creek.

There's also previous history with New Mexico State. They bailed on them, came back, then Sun Belt bailed on them. So, perhaps Sun Belt could still add a UTEP maybe, without travel being too bad. And if travel is so much, why are they adding those northern schools.