GSU: Yours Truly in the AJC

As was recently covered here -- after stealing the meat and potatoes from the AJC -- the Georgia State Panthers could end up with an in-state rival in the Sun Belt Conference.

With the conference realignment rumor mill always in full swing, the mid-major focus has now fallen on Georgia Southern and Appalachian State potentially moving to the Sun Belt.

Georgia State beat writer Doug Roberson of the AJC put out a Twitter request for State and Southern fans to express their opinions about the possible move.  And apparently I was the only Panther fan dumb enough to speak up:

Georgia State fans with hopes of creating a meaningful rivalry for the Panthers should welcome the addition of Georgia Southern to the Sun Belt. 

The Eagles’ entrance to the Sun Belt would immediately seed the potential for an in-state rivalry for the Panthers -- one that previously existed when both schools were members of the Trans American Athletic Conference in the 1980s and early 90s. 

Within the Sun Belt, the Panthers will likely develop relationships with South Alabama and Troy, two foes across our westward border with whom the Panthers have recent history.  

But Southern would create an instant advisory and a marquee football matchup for State that may resonate with both casual and diehard fans, pitting the city vs. rural Georgia. 

The Panthers have lacked any true rival -- regional or founded in competition -- in over a decade.   Upon joining the Colonial Athletic Association in 2005, the fan base was excited for realignment and hoped a regional rivalry might develop with UNC Wilmington.  But the Seahawks’ campus remained a seven-hour trip from Atlanta.   State’s departure from the CAA then dashed any possibility of time-built traditions within the conference. 

To some degree, State and Southern have maintained a rivalry in recent years in Olympic sports, softball and bickering over which school is the real ‘GSU’ on message boards.  However, the cornerstone of collegiate rivalries in the South is football and the Panthers still have to prove they can compete with Southern.   

While rivalries are oft founded in region, they are fueled by competitiveness.  After a 1-10 season, the Panthers have an obligation to improve their team and head coach Trent Miles appears capable of a turnaround with the fledgling program. 

If the Panthers improve in football, the addition of Southern to the Sun Belt should set the table for a new in-state rivalry in Georgia.

In case you missed the link above, here is the AJC blog with fan opinions, "Here's why you think the Eagles should join the Panthers in the Sun Belt."