(08-23-2016 02:40 PM)blackhawk Wrote:  I have no clue our actual prospects for gaining legitimate consideration and an eventual invitation to a conference greater than ours (I am flattered by the talk of the BIG 12, but find that to be just that...flattering and not really realistic), but I do gather that our time is now.

The Chicago market and that talk...well, that aint going to change. Geography is our best friend in this arena.

BUT...Our FB program has been the constant that has helped us attract whatever noise we are making. From the Orange Bowl, to LYNCH to a billion straight MAC (W) Championships....to our W's over the BIG 10, and alike...We have relied upon our own definition of greatness and people have noticed.

Nothing lasts forever and those with concerns have a good argument. Besides for the fact that our attendance has dwindled from not good to bad, we are at a cross roads. This year may be our last year with a great connection to our past. We are losing a tremendous amount of talent and winning players (no, not to say we cannot replace them, but..) .. we are up against it this year and next and..

We wont have the signature win against Northwestern or Iowa or the close loss to Ohio State. Even a W against SDSU or S. FLA appears less sexy (thought it is not). A significant loss hurts us. More than that, more so.

So, what happens if we go 500 this year and stagnate there (or, worse) for a bit.

What is our argument then?
I think we are in conversations b/c of our football program and Chicago market or not, those pushing us will find a harder time doing so when one has to bring our success from a year or two or three ago.

Good timing for the hoop program though. Yes, not nearly as important as FB, but the combination could be tremendous or the offset could be key.

(08-23-2016 02:40 PM)blackhawk Wrote:  I have no clue our actual prospects for gaining legitimate consideration and an eventual invitation to a conference greater than ours (I am flattered by the talk of the BIG 12, but find that to be just that...flattering and not really realistic), but I do gather that our time is now.

The Chicago market and that talk...well, that aint going to change. Geography is our best friend in this arena.

BUT...Our FB program has been the constant that has helped us attract whatever noise we are making. From the Orange Bowl, to LYNCH to a billion straight MAC (W) Championships....to our W's over the BIG 10, and alike...We have relied upon our own definition of greatness and people have noticed.

Nothing lasts forever and those with concerns have a good argument. Besides for the fact that our attendance has dwindled from not good to bad, we are at a cross roads. This year may be our last year with a great connection to our past. We are losing a tremendous amount of talent and winning players (no, not to say we cannot replace them, but..) .. we are up against it this year and next and..

We wont have the signature win against Northwestern or Iowa or the close loss to Ohio State. Even a W against SDSU or S. FLA appears less sexy (thought it is not). A significant loss hurts us. More than that, more so.

So, what happens if we go 500 this year and stagnate there (or, worse) for a bit.

What is our argument then?
I think we are in conversations b/c of our football program and Chicago market or not, those pushing us will find a harder time doing so when one has to bring our success from a year or two or three ago.

Good timing for the hoop program though. Yes, not nearly as important as FB, but the combination could be tremendous or the offset could be key.

(08-23-2016 03:31 PM)Suptroop Wrote:  

(08-23-2016 02:40 PM)blackhawk Wrote:  I have no clue our actual prospects for gaining legitimate consideration and an eventual invitation to a conference greater than ours (I am flattered by the talk of the BIG 12, but find that to be just that...flattering and not really realistic), but I do gather that our time is now.

The Chicago market and that talk...well, that aint going to change. Geography is our best friend in this arena.

BUT...Our FB program has been the constant that has helped us attract whatever noise we are making. From the Orange Bowl, to LYNCH to a billion straight MAC (W) Championships....to our W's over the BIG 10, and alike...We have relied upon our own definition of greatness and people have noticed.

Nothing lasts forever and those with concerns have a good argument. Besides for the fact that our attendance has dwindled from not good to bad, we are at a cross roads. This year may be our last year with a great connection to our past. We are losing a tremendous amount of talent and winning players (no, not to say we cannot replace them, but..) .. we are up against it this year and next and..

We wont have the signature win against Northwestern or Iowa or the close loss to Ohio State. Even a W against SDSU or S. FLA appears less sexy (thought it is not). A significant loss hurts us. More than that, more so.

So, what happens if we go 500 this year and stagnate there (or, worse) for a bit.

What is our argument then?
I think we are in conversations b/c of our football program and Chicago market or not, those pushing us will find a harder time doing so when one has to bring our success from a year or two or three ago.

Good timing for the hoop program though. Yes, not nearly as important as FB, but the combination could be tremendous or the offset could be key.

Agree 100%. The rest of the conference had caught up and literally every game this year with the exception of maybe two can be considered trap games. I think this will be our toughest schedule all around since I can remember. After this year I feel there's going to be a few years before we regroup. Although, if we can pull a win over either sdsu or usf I think people will respect more than beating a northwestern or purdue. I would love to see an AAC invite. Big 12, I'd die and go to heaven but don't see it realistically.

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(08-23-2016 05:29 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  And also don't forget Toledo and WMU lose big time talent going into next season also

(08-25-2016 09:22 AM)Huskie_Jon Wrote:  The Huskies had a down year with key injuries, and still made it to the MCC (thanks to MAC tie breaking rules). It used to be that a down year meant a losing record. Remember '07.

You saw what a healthy Hare could do in '14. This team could return to form. If QBs start going down again, it may be time to bring back the wishbone.