EverettGriz said:What? Please explain how losing UConn, UMass, JMU (soon Nova and possibly Richmond and even Delaware) makes the East stronger. Who replaced those programs? And that doesn't even consider the southeast (GSU, App, etc).
UConn? Their last year in FCS was 4-7. Their last 9 years in FCS were 62-49. They had 1 good years in those 9 years. UConn was seldom very good in FCS. Not a big loss. Have done fairly well in FBS, tho. With their strong hoops programs and other conference affiliation, it made some sense.
UMass? The team that went 1-11 last year?, and finished FCS as follows: 5-6, 6-5, 5-6. UMass was good at times in the past, but not so much in recent history. A minor loss.
JMU? They're good but they haven't announced going anywhere yet, have they?
Haven't heard Delaware or Richmond are going anywhere. Doubt Delaware would. Maybe not Richmond either, but don't know.
Other teams that have risen: Stony Brook, Colgate, Albany, UNH has been up for awhile, Penn and Harvard, Bethune-Cookman. Coastal Carolina is on the rise. Others not previously mentioned: Sam Houston St, Northern Arizona in recent years, So Dak St, Ill St in recent years. Blue Mountain St.