What Does Bryant Gain From the Big South?
The Bulldogs of Smithfield are talking with the Big South, but it may not be the right fit.
Conference realignment is far from over as many already know. The shuffling continued as NC A&T accepted an invite from the Colonial Athletic Association on Friday. If they accept, which they are likely to do, the move could be catastrophic for Big South football, leaving the league with four football-playing members.
Fortunately, the Big South already began courting replacements as HBCU Gameday’s Steven Gaither reported. The tweet below from Daniel Steenkamer conveys the situation and talks.
Of all schools, Bryant may seem like the most random and unlikely candidate for Big South expansion. Many are likely asking “Why Bryant?”
For several reasons, the Bulldogs may be better off staying in the Northeast Conference. The first one is obviously geography. While the Big South has expanded north, the closest school, Monmouth, moves to the CAA this year. The closest school is now Robert Morris which is 572 miles away. Additionally, the trips to the Carolina schools in the Big South average about 838 miles. The trip to Charleston Southern is the worst at 945 miles.
While the Big South seems like a step up, the conference is definitely in decline. The conference loses its two top schools in Kennesaw State and Monmouth in the coming years, along with HBCU power and 4-time Celebration Bowl champion, NC A&T.
The conference’s remaining members have combined for a meager three playoff appearances across a combined 93 FCS seasons. In fact, Charleston Southern’s 2016 playoff appearance was the last among its remaining football members.
While the Northeast Conference may never be a multi-bid conference in the FCS Playoffs, the new Big South may not be one either. The Northeast Conference has double the football members than the Big South with eight members.
It makes little sense for Bryant to risk not only comfortable geography, but football stability to join the Big South. In the end. the Bulldogs are taking a huge gamble if they do pursue Big South membership in the near future.