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+---- Thread: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side (/thread-741586.html)
Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - CajunFanatico - 07-01-2015 05:48 PM
Shamelessly stolen from across the street but since Marshall, realignment, etc all seem to be the topic du jour, I figured this one would get some hits here as well. And when time permits, visit that thread over there.....some really interesting comments being made about fellow conferences.
Quote:Should Marshall leave Conference USA and join the American Athletic Conference if the opportunity arises?
My first reaction is an unequivocal yes.
Quote:The AAC and Mountain West are clearly at the top of the Group of Five conferences pecking order. To be honest, those two leagues actually appear to be pulling away from C-USA, the Mid-American Conference and the Sun Belt.
First, however, an opening has to be created.
Well, guess what?
That could happen in the next year because the topic of expansion has been raised again recently in the Big 12 by none other than Oklahoma's president, David Boren. He is an out-spoken advocate of increasing the league's membership from 10 to 12, so the Big 12 can play a conference championship game.
Quote:And everybody lives happily ever after.
Except, that is, for the AAC, which would have to fill Cincinnati's vacancy.
That's where Marshall joins the conversation.
Although other advocates are promoting UMass or Army for the opening, Marshall seems to be a better option given its recent football success.
But would it be the right move for Marshall?
At second guess, I'm not so sure.
I question the financial circumstances. And not just the seven-figure exit and entrance fees involved in changing leagues. I also doubt if Marshall can afford the day-to-day finances of competing in the AAC.
What good is being a Hyundai in a Cadillac league?
Besides the money, there is also the sticking point of taking academic non-qualifiers. Taking props has been important to Marshall's success, but the AAC doesn't allow it.
But, perhaps, the biggest question is: Could MU compete in the AAC?
The gut-reaction is yes. But let's not be fooled by MU's last two records. Sure, the Herd posted a 10-4 record in 2013 with a 7-1 conference mark. Then, it followed that up with a 13-1 overall record and a 7-1 C-USA record.
But, remember, that was without playing former C-USA members UCF, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, SMU, Tulane and Tulsa, who left to join the AAC.
So, let's look at how well Marshall competed against those seven when they were still in C-USA.
In eight years, Marshall posted only two winning records a pair of 7-6 finishes in 2009 and 2011.
The Herd was 40-57 overall and 29-34 in league play.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x45917178/Grass-not-greener-for-MU-on-AAC-side
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - AppManDG - 07-01-2015 06:35 PM
But, perhaps, the biggest question is: Could MU compete in the AAC?
The gut-reaction is yes. But let's not be fooled by MU's last two records. Sure, the Herd posted a 10-4 record in 2013 with a 7-1 conference mark. Then, it followed that up with a 13-1 overall record and a 7-1 C-USA record.
But, remember, that was without playing former C-USA members UCF, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, SMU, Tulane and Tulsa, who left to join the AAC.
So, let's look at how well Marshall competed against those seven when they were still in C-USA.
In eight years, Marshall posted only two winning records a pair of 7-6 finishes in 2009 and 2011.
The Herd was 40-57 overall and 29-34 in league play.
It wasn't just former coach Mark Snyder's doing, either. The last three years belonged to Doc Holliday, who improved MU to 17-20 overall and 13-11 in C-USA.
Since MU struggled to compete against those seven then, there's no reason to believe the Herd would be a powerhouse in the AAC now.
Marshall needs to stay right where it is.
If the reaction to Hamrick scheduling App to a home and home is any indication, Herd fans will be ready to tar and feather this guy.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - FlyHawk98 - 07-01-2015 06:58 PM
A poster on herdfans.com brought up a great point....
Quote:Well, in 2013, we rolled ECU and beat a bad Tulsa team on the road by 2 TD's. So, that's not a great argument.
Also, other than UCF and Tulsa, we were competitive against the AAC:
ECU: 4-6 in our last 10 with 2 OT losses
Memphis: 6-2
Tulane: 4-0
Houston: 2-2
SMU: 2-2
Houston: 2-2
Tulsa: 1-4 (all but one game was close and we had TERRIBLE teams and/or an incompetent coach in 2-4 of those games depending on how you count)
UCF: 0-8 in CUSA play (3 wins all time)
I think you can easily argue that our record against these teams is way better if we have a better coach and better players like we do now. Even with a bad team, we were competitive against most of these teams. And, extremely poor coaching cost us at least 3 against UCF.
This was all with the worst coach in decades. One who tried to run a Big 10 style of play when we have been a passing team for a long time now.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - CajunFanatico - 07-01-2015 07:18 PM
(07-01-2015 06:58 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote: A poster on herdfans.com brought up a great point....
Quote:Well, in 2013, we rolled ECU and beat a bad Tulsa team on the road by 2 TD's. So, that's not a great argument.
Also, other than UCF and Tulsa, we were competitive against the AAC:
ECU: 4-6 in our last 10 with 2 OT losses
Memphis: 6-2
Tulane: 4-0
Houston: 2-2
SMU: 2-2
Houston: 2-2
Tulsa: 1-4 (all but one game was close and we had TERRIBLE teams and/or an incompetent coach in 2-4 of those games depending on how you count)
UCF: 0-8 in CUSA play (3 wins all time)
I think you can easily argue that our record against these teams is way better if we have a better coach and better players like we do now. Even with a bad team, we were competitive against most of these teams. And, extremely poor coaching cost us at least 3 against UCF.
This was all with the worst coach in decades. One who tried to run a Big 10 style of play when we have been a passing team for a long time now.
No doubt Marshall could compete today as could most of C-USA against the average AAC team. The better SunBelt teams could as well in all probability. Over the longhaul though, if they're not raided because of another round of realignment, I suspect their superior athletic budgets, facilities, coaching salaries, etc will take a toll against the rest of us G5'ers.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - FlyHawk98 - 07-01-2015 07:22 PM
Budgets aren't everything, and don't forget this is all about football.
UCONN, SMU, Temple, Tulane, and Tulsa.....get serious, they are not anything to write home about. All of them historically suck except for Tulsa's little run that has already ended a few years ago.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - CajunFanatico - 07-01-2015 07:56 PM
(07-01-2015 07:22 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote: Budgets aren't everything, and don't forget this is all about football.
UCONN, SMU, Temple, Tulane, and Tulsa.....get serious, they are not anything to write home about. All of them historically suck except for Tulsa's little run that has already ended a few years ago.
I didn't say budgets were everything, nor did I say the entire AAC would dominate any other conference. Quite the contrary, the AAC lagged C-USA and the MWC last year on the field.
Any number of ingredients need to come together at the same time to not only field a successful team, but to do it consistently year after year. As with most things in life though, money helps a lot.....better facilities, bigger salaries to hire better coaching staffs, and more bells and whistles to attract top-quality athletes. As currently configured, the AAC has the advantage over C-USA. I don't see how anyone could argue otherwise.
And, as C-USA posters are prone to do when talking to Belt fans, one need only look at the direction of the flow of traffic when the gates of realignment open.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - runamuck - 07-03-2015 07:27 AM
(07-01-2015 07:22 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote: Budgets aren't everything, and don't forget this is all about football.
UCONN, SMU, Temple, Tulane, and Tulsa.....get serious, they are not anything to write home about. All of them historically suck except for Tulsa's little run that has already ended a few years ago.
certainly none of those scare anybody in football..
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - goodknightfl - 07-03-2015 08:35 AM
All you need to watch, in telling pecking order is direction of schools changing conf. AAC/MWC>CUSA>MAC/Belt. If Marshall got the chance they would jump and figure out how to make it work. Marshall was down during its first run in CUSA, partially due to competition, partially due to coaching changes. How would they do in AAC,? who knows.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - lance99 - 07-03-2015 11:37 AM
Marshall is not getting into the AAC under any circumstances. The AAC wants TV sets and Marshall does not have enough.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - Usajags - 07-03-2015 11:45 AM
Has it gotten so bad this summer that we are now stealing threads directly from the neighbors yard???
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - Tom in Lazybrook - 07-03-2015 11:59 AM
(07-03-2015 11:45 AM)Usajags Wrote: Has it gotten so bad this summer that we are now stealing threads directly from the neighbors yard???
Yea, Marshall ain't all that.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - UofMemphis - 07-03-2015 12:32 PM
(07-01-2015 07:22 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote: Budgets aren't everything, and don't forget this is all about football.
UCONN, SMU, Temple, Tulane, and Tulsa.....get serious, they are not anything to write home about. All of them historically suck except for Tulsa's little run that has already ended a few years ago.
Except that's not reality...football drives the bus, but basketball can be an effective money maker...just ask UL and UK.
budget, market, and basketball are working against Marshall...plus, there's no room at the inn.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - FlyHawk98 - 07-03-2015 12:52 PM
(07-03-2015 11:37 AM)lance99 Wrote: Marshall is not getting into the AAC under any circumstances. The AAC wants TV sets and Marshall does not have enough.
Another misinformed ignorant post about Marshall.
We are located in the #65 TV market (with 479,750 tv homes.) Nothing great, but its not to shabby either.
Plus, whether you like it or not, people all across this country know and have heard of Marshall University. They might not be able to tell you anything about us, but they have heard our name.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - lance99 - 07-03-2015 12:57 PM
(07-03-2015 12:52 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote:Hold on,(07-03-2015 11:37 AM)lance99 Wrote: Marshall is not getting into the AAC under any circumstances. The AAC wants TV sets and Marshall does not have enough.
Another misinformed ignorant post about Marshall.
We are located in the #65 TV market. Nothing great, but its not to shabby either.
Plus, whether you like it or not, people all across this country know and have heard of Marshall University. They might not be able to tell you anything about us, but they have heard our name.
Everyone knows who Marshall is. That is not the point. I saw the Threads on the AAC board about Marshall. They are treating you like the "flavor of the week."
65th is respectable as far as market, but they want stronger markets and you know it.
Sent from my Z987 using Tapatalk
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - FlyHawk98 - 07-03-2015 02:20 PM
I dont really care. I'm happy with where Marshall is at and what we are accomplishing in CUSA.
We actually own and control our market. Not like Temple and some of the others who are on the 7th page of the sports section.
Re: RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - trojanbrutha - 07-03-2015 04:18 PM
(07-03-2015 12:52 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote:(07-03-2015 11:37 AM)lance99 Wrote: Marshall is not getting into the AAC under any circumstances. The AAC wants TV sets and Marshall does not have enough.
Another misinformed ignorant post about Marshall.
We are located in the #65 TV market (with 479,750 tv homes.) Nothing great, but its not to shabby either.
Plus, whether you like it or not, people all across this country know and have heard of Marshall University. They might not be able to tell you anything about us, but they have heard our name.
That and a $1 will possibly get you a cup of coffee...
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - chiefsfan - 07-04-2015 05:38 PM
(07-03-2015 02:20 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote: I dont really care. I'm happy with where Marshall is at and what we are accomplishing in CUSA.
We actually own and control our market. Not like Temple and some of the others who are on the 7th page of the sports section.
Wait a second, Marshall can say they are happy in CUSA and don't want to move, but AState fans get ridiculed for it when we make similar comments about the Sun Belt?
(For the Record, I agree with you guys, CUSA is a perfect situation for Marshall)
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - CajunExpress - 07-05-2015 10:23 AM
The Marshall story on WPXL HD tonight at 7:30 PM Central time, Cox Cable 1049. ion television.
Title is We Are Marshall.
RE: Chuck Landon: Grass not greener for MU on AAC side - FlyHawk98 - 07-05-2015 12:11 PM
I never said I didn't want Marshall to move, or that Marshall wouldn't move.
All I said is that I am happy where Marshall is at and the direction we are headed. Guess I feel like a Louisiana fan in this regard.
As for Ark St. I don't care what you guys say or do. I respect your program, and I have stated multiple times that I wish Marshall would start a new conference with some of you that are serious about football.
We messed up with a lot of who we invited.