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College football realignment is moving fast and not stopping

By Ryan Kay

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 11: A flag is flown displaying the Cincinnati Bearcats and Big 12 logos during the game between the Murray State Racers and Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 11: A flag is flown displaying the Cincinnati Bearcats and Big 12 logos during the game between the Murray State Racers and Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 10: A detailed view of the Conference USA logo during a game between the University of Houston Cougars and the Tulane Green Wave being held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 10, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Houston defeated Tulane 73-17. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 10: A detailed view of the Conference USA logo during a game between the University of Houston Cougars and the Tulane Green Wave being held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 10, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Houston defeated Tulane 73-17. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

What 2023 Group of Five could look like with Conference USA

Here is a look at a potential 2023 conference map that is based on Conference USA being able to exist this conference realignment despite losing six teams to the AAC.

Conference USA

East

  • Marshall
  • Army
  • Liberty
  • Florida International
  • Old Dominion

West

  • UTEP
  • Louisiana Tech
  • Northern Illinois
  • Middle Tennessee
  • Western Kentucky

MAC

West

  • Western Michigan
  • Central Michigan
  • Ball State
  • Bowling Green
  • Eastern Michigan
  • Toledo

East

  • Akron
  • Miami (OH)
  • Ohio
  • Kent State
  • UConn (football only)
  • Buffalo

AAC

East

  • Temple
  • East Carolina
  • South Florida
  • Memphis
  • Navy
  • Charlotte
  • FAU

West

  • SMU
  • Tulsa
  • Tulane
  • North Texas
  • Rice
  • UAB
  • UTSA

Sun Belt

East

  • Appalachian State
  • Coastal Carolina
  • Troy
  • Georgia State
  • Georgia Southern
  • Florida International
  • James Madison

West

  • Louisiana
  • Texas State
  • South Alabama
  • UL Monroe
  • Arkansas State
  • Southern Miss
  • New Mexico State

The above models are the most likely scenarios for the 2023 season. However, it could dramatically change by 2025 where there may no longer be a Conference USA if they lose any more members to the AAC or even a conference like the Sun Belt.

Conference realignment for the Group of Five conferences is in many ways different to Power Five expansion. Power five expansion focuses more on if the schools are members of the Association of American Association, a top 30 revenue-generating school, a top 100 nationally academic ranked university, and is the university located near a top 20 TV/streaming market.

Group of Five realignment is different.

Group of Five expansion is more about survival like in the case of Conference USA or adding more schools like the AAC because some members went to a Power Five conference.

Keeping costs down with traveling to other schools to play with another in conference play especially in non-revenue generating sports is important as well. In other words, to stay relevant for Group of Five FBS college football conferences, you need to be lucky like the MAC and Mountain West where geography helps keep your conference intact or be like the AAC where you can easily add members from other Group of Five conferences.

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