Jeff Reed: Football Drives Conference Moves Affecting Red Wolves

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We have heard a lot of the comments about the future of the Arkansas State University Red Wolves and the Sun Belt Conference. We will address those in a moment.

But first the latest news.

Tonight there is a conference call where the Sun Belt Conference will make comments on its future. The wildfire rumors, and reports in some cases, are that Appalachian State and Georgia Southern – right now a pair of FCS members  or I-AA as some still prefer – will join the league in all sports except football in 2013-14. They make the transition in football for the 2014 season.

Now from out west, there is talk that Idaho and New Mexico State, both as of late members of the Western Athletic Conference, which no longer sponsors football, will join in 2014 for football only.

If all of this goes down, the Sun Belt will have 12 football schools (if no more of the current conference members defect), which sets up two divisions and a possible title game for football. We hope such a game would be played at an on-campus site of the one participants. All of these football moves are done with 2014 in mind and the new playoff arrangements.

If it all goes down, here are how things likely shape up for football:

The West

  • ASU
  • Texas State
  • Louisiana-Lafayette
  • Louisiana-Monroe
  • New Mexico State
  • Idaho

The East

  • Troy
  • South Alabama
  • Western Kentucky
  • Georgia State
  • Appalachian State
  • Georgia Southern

Arkansas State Red Wolves athletic director Terry Mohajir, speaking on Sports Night on the Arkansas Radio Network, confirmed there would be additions to the Sun Belt Conference for 2013-14. And by 2014 there would be more additions for football.

“I don’t want to steal anyone’s thunder,” he said. He didn’t steal anything but he did answer yes to both of those questions. Just no details.

Of course, hours after we talked, came the news that Tulsa was gleefully leaving Conference-USA to join the yet-to-be-named conference of some former Big East members. That again leaves C-USA short of the 12 football teams it is required to have for a championship game.

Every time C-USA loses a member it raids the Sun Belt – four Sun Belt teams leave the conference this year for C-USA – and it is likely that league again turns its attention to the  Sun Belt for new members. Speculation has centered on two programs – the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers and the Arkansas State Red Wolves –  as next in line to join or depart, depending upon your point of view.

“There is still a lot that is going to happen before 2014,” said Mohajir, who is a joy to interview for his candor. “You have to see what the Big 12 is going to do and the ACC. Everyone is trying to get to 12 teams.”

About all you can say at this moment is conference realignment and its effects on the Sun Belt and the Red Wolves is far from over.

A lot of Red Wolves followers are frustrated because Arkansas State is still in the Sun Belt. It is not like Arkansas State has turned down any offers to move. The bet is, if C-USA calls then the Red Wolves will be gone.

Another complaint we hear from some fans concerns the addition of FCS schools (that is I-AA for those of us who long for the old classification) to the Sun Belt. The answer to that complaint is: Who else are you going get, aside from New Mexico State and Idaho? Those two had no other option.

So as the Sun Belt makes moves to try and solidify its future, another domino falls with Tulsa.

Will C-USA come calling the Red Wolves? It is likely Arkansas State is on the short list, but as of this writing, there is one report that Western Kentucky is the choice this time.

Like Mohajir said, there is a lot that is going to happen before next year. We agree – this thing is far from over.

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