99Tiger Wrote:You guys gripe that CUSA teams don't play MAC teams...but did you ever think that we have no room on your schedules for you? I'll use my school as an example. Memphis plays 8 conference games. That leaves us three games in any given year to do with as we please. In any given year, we play two of three SEC rivals (Tennessee, Ole Miss, Miss State) and generally a local team (Arkansas State). (note...if you look at this year's schedule, we don't play Tennessee because they backed out of the game against us)

Now, here's where I throw a MAC argument back in your faces...we have lots of history with these teams.

Here's where your argument breaks down. You play a "local" team like Ark St supposedly b/c they're "local". But, your SEC rivals are only rivals b/c they are local too.

Basically, Memphis' excuse is they want to stay close to home for every OOC game.

But, that's no way to build a program. Why do you think UGa glamorizes their early games w/ Yale? Or why the ND v U$C rivalry is so big?

Memphis plays Ark St NOT b/c they need a local game...they do it b/c they are afraid to play an OOC game against a competitive xBCS team. Maybe your fans would know more about BGSU if they actually played outside of a tri-state area.

That's a vision for a small-time program. Just like the rest of CUSA. QED.

Stifler Wrote:99 - Actually, you do a fairly good job of supporting Nick's point in your post. Tradition we understand and support. Nobody suggested that Memphis dump long-term rivalries for games against the MAC, but let me ask a couple questions.

Are the Memphis games against Tennessee, Ole Miss etc. 1-1's?

Are these games played annually?

Why did Tennessee back out?

Is Memphis the exception or the rule concerning this type of scheduling in CUSA? I know USM, Marshall and UAB do not get a lot of love from their local BCS brethern.

If your getting 1-1's then by all means continue. If not consider the pressure that will start to occur with BCS teams if the MAC and CUSA (and the other non-BCS conferences) teams schedule each other in lieu of taking OOC paydays and phantom "return" visits. I think what we're advocating here is an attempt to gain more bargaining power and a shift in the paradigm.

I'm not advocating an all or nothing policy vs. the BCS, nor am I suggesting match-ups that offer no upside. I'll tell you this though - I would be thrilled with a 1-1 with Memphis, USM or ECU especially with the alternative of a 3-1 with a BCS team that is just as likely to back out as to show-up. Prettty intruiging ESPN weeknight/gameplan match-ups as well.

Our games against SEC teams are 1-1. Actually our new contract with Tennessee has them playing 3 in Memphis and 2 in Knoxville...so we're technically getting the better end of the deal.

We don't always play those SEC teams annaully. We play Ole Miss most years, we play Tennessee typically 2 out of every 4 or 5 years (the state legislature got involved to make that series happen), and we play Miss State about 2 of every 4 years. It basically rotates so that we generally have 2 of the SEC teams on our schedule.

Why did Tennessee drop us this year? We say they were afraid of playing us in the Liberty Bowl this year, we should easily have the better set of starters (but they'll be able to go deeper into their bench). They say they wanted to add a televised game to their schedule...1) they added La tech or U La La, I don't remember which...2) we already have three confirmed national TV appearances this year, I don't think we're that unattractive for TV this year.

Our history with these teams runs pretty deep. Ole Miss helped our program more than anyone would consider in these days. Their coach insisted on playing us every year when they were competing for championships and we were going 8-2 but not getting invited to bowl games. When a fire at our athletic complex destroyed our equipment, they gave or lent us some of theirs. They have reportedly pushed for our inclusion in the SEC in the past, including the early-1990's when Arkansas and South Carolina got the nod instead. We gladly play them every year in every sport, and although we're bitter rivals (as fans) we realize and secretely enjoy that our programs aren't meant to be separated.

Tennessee is a bitter rivalry that we had to fight to have started...imagine Marshall-WVU. The state legislature came in and made the series happen. We're something like 1-19 in the series, but many of the games have painfull been won by the Volunqueers in the last minute. I still have a piece of the goal post that I (and three friends) carried out of the stadium after our only win, in 1996.

I'll admit that I don't understand Mississippi State...maybe I just don't get it.

And Dr. Torch, you ignorant slut, you know nothing about our series with Arkansas State or our other rivalries. You guys like to talk so much smack about CUSA team's lack of tradition and long-term rivals, but criticize someone for playing the long-term rivals they have...here's our most played opponents and the teams we look forward to see on our schedule when it happens.

USM - 54 games
Ole Miss - 53 games
Arkansas State - 50 games
Mississippi State - 42 games
Louisville - 39 games
Cincinnati - 29 games

I realize that it may not be Harvard-Yale, or Michigan-Ohio State, but it's what we've got.

I wouldn't mind playing a MAC team, but it appears our dance card is full.

HerdZoned Wrote:UTEP avg. close to 11K per game in basketball. This had a big hand in the decision making. Memphis doesn't even draw that many.

I believe Memphis routinely draws 16,000 or more in baskeball and is usually in the top 10-15 nationwide.

99Tiger Wrote:

Stifler Wrote:99 - Actually, you do a fairly good job of supporting Nick's point in your post. Tradition we understand and support. Nobody suggested that Memphis dump long-term rivalries for games against the MAC, but let me ask a couple questions.

Are the Memphis games against Tennessee, Ole Miss etc. 1-1's?

Are these games played annually?

Why did Tennessee back out?

Is Memphis the exception or the rule concerning this type of scheduling in CUSA? I know USM, Marshall and UAB do not get a lot of love from their local BCS brethern.

If your getting 1-1's then by all means continue. If not consider the pressure that will start to occur with BCS teams if the MAC and CUSA (and the other non-BCS conferences) teams schedule each other in lieu of taking OOC paydays and phantom "return" visits. I think what we're advocating here is an attempt to gain more bargaining power and a shift in the paradigm.

I'm not advocating an all or nothing policy vs. the BCS, nor am I suggesting match-ups that offer no upside. I'll tell you this though - I would be thrilled with a 1-1 with Memphis, USM or ECU especially with the alternative of a 3-1 with a BCS team that is just as likely to back out as to show-up. Prettty intruiging ESPN weeknight/gameplan match-ups as well.

Our games against SEC teams are 1-1. Actually our new contract with Tennessee has them playing 3 in Memphis and 2 in Knoxville...so we're technically getting the better end of the deal.

We don't always play those SEC teams annaully. We play Ole Miss most years, we play Tennessee typically 2 out of every 4 or 5 years (the state legislature got involved to make that series happen), and we play Miss State about 2 of every 4 years. It basically rotates so that we generally have 2 of the SEC teams on our schedule.

Why did Tennessee drop us this year? We say they were afraid of playing us in the Liberty Bowl this year, we should easily have the better set of starters (but they'll be able to go deeper into their bench). They say they wanted to add a televised game to their schedule...1) they added La tech or U La La, I don't remember which...2) we already have three confirmed national TV appearances this year, I don't think we're that unattractive for TV this year.

Our history with these teams runs pretty deep. Ole Miss helped our program more than anyone would consider in these days. Their coach insisted on playing us every year when they were competing for championships and we were going 8-2 but not getting invited to bowl games. When a fire at our athletic complex destroyed our equipment, they gave or lent us some of theirs. They have reportedly pushed for our inclusion in the SEC in the past, including the early-1990's when Arkansas and South Carolina got the nod instead. We gladly play them every year in every sport, and although we're bitter rivals (as fans) we realize and secretely enjoy that our programs aren't meant to be separated.

Tennessee is a bitter rivalry that we had to fight to have started...imagine Marshall-WVU. The state legislature came in and made the series happen. We're something like 1-19 in the series, but many of the games have painfull been won by the Volunqueers in the last minute. I still have a piece of the goal post that I (and three friends) carried out of the stadium after our only win, in 1996.

I'll admit that I don't understand Mississippi State...maybe I just don't get it.

And Dr. Torch, you ignorant slut, you know nothing about our series with Arkansas State or our other rivalries. You guys like to talk so much smack about CUSA team's lack of tradition and long-term rivals, but criticize someone for playing the long-term rivals they have...here's our most played opponents and the teams we look forward to see on our schedule when it happens.

USM - 54 games
Ole Miss - 53 games
Arkansas State - 50 games
Mississippi State - 42 games
Louisville - 39 games
Cincinnati - 29 games

I realize that it may not be Harvard-Yale, or Michigan-Ohio State, but it's what we've got.

I wouldn't mind playing a MAC team, but it appears our dance card is full.

99 - Thanks for the info. The 1-1's w/ those SEC foes are a great deal for your program and beyond being fair (something the BCS typically doesn't understand) offer great geographic rivals and attendance draws. From most of the postings by some of your conference brethern, this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. I feel that there would be some great opportunities for 1-1's between CUSA, MAC, MWC that would benefit all parties.

99Tiger Wrote:And Dr. Torch, you ignorant slut, you know nothing about our series with Arkansas State or our other rivalries. You guys like to talk so much smack about CUSA team's lack of tradition and long-term rivals, but criticize someone for playing the long-term rivals they have...here's our most played opponents and the teams we look forward to see on our schedule when it happens.

USM - 54 games
Ole Miss - 53 games
Arkansas State - 50 games
Mississippi State - 42 games
Louisville - 39 games
Cincinnati - 29 games


I wouldn't mind playing a MAC team, but it appears our dance card is full.

Yeah, yeah 99Tiger, just keep making the same argument...maybe someone will buy it some day. :rolleyes:

See, we keep hearing how the MAC sucks because it's too regional...too many intra-state Ohio and intra-state Mich games. But, it doesn't take a genius to look at a map and see how close Memphis is to Jonesboro.

Plus, when your "dance card is full" for every OOC game...it gets a bit tiresome to hear. You want a rival w/ Mississippi or Ark St or Tenn, fine. Pick one. Every team isn't your rival (although I understand that is the way southerners tend to think.)

Frankly you don't have to like it, but it's just more proof that CUSA is small time. They don't want to venture out of their own neighborhood to play an interesting game. You seem to like it that way. Fine again. Just stop making excuses of how CUSA has no room for good OOC games; you waste time and bandwidth.

And do me a favor...let the Herdiban know CUSA's small-time mentality. 'Cause they seem to think they're moving on up. It would make everyone happy to see you CUSA fans argue amongst yourselves.

OK, let's flip the issue...let's say that your school could get a 1-1 deal with several Big Televen schools. Sure, you don't play any of them every year, but you always have 2 of them on your schedule and always 1 game per year at home. Now, let's also assume that these games were already in place and have been played many times? Let's take it a step further and say that these games...and their proximity...help offset some of your wild travel costs.

Would you consider dropping that type of schedule to play a CUSA team 1-1?

I didn't think so.

Just quit bitchin'.

...and how is it "small time" that we play 3 SEC schools on a regular basis...including one where three of five games are at Memphis? Play SEC schools...play MAC schools? If you think playing the MAC schools would make us more "big time" then you're delusional.

...and while I'm add it, I'll point out that Southern Miss's OOC opponents next season are Nebraska, California, and Alabama...yeah, they're going to drop those too!

And those UT games have NOTHING to do with the fact that they can get in front of their Memphis alumni, and that the Liberty Bowl will be two-thirds orange for those games (at least) has *nothing* to do with it... right...

:rolleyes:

Papa Lou BSU Wrote:And those UT games have NOTHING to do with the fact that they can get in front of their Memphis alumni, and that the Liberty Bowl will be two-thirds orange for those games (at least) has *nothing* to do with it... right...

:rolleyes:

I'd say that the stadium is about half urnge...does that mean that we should play them any less?

We fought hard to play that series, we're going to keep it.

They'd rather not play us, even if it means that they don't get to play in front of their alumni living in Memphis.

99Tiger Wrote:Let's take it a step further and say that these games...and their proximity...help offset some of your wild travel costs.

Not my fault you're in some dumb*** conference that's spread over 60% of the country. Like I said, go hash this out w/ Marshall folks...they don't believe it.

Quote:...and how is it "small time" that we play 3 SEC schools on a regular basis

Ark St is SEC? You're mixing up SEC and SBC. Not that it matters to me. :snore:

99Tiger Wrote:...and while I'm add it, I'll point out that Southern Miss's OOC opponents next season are Nebraska, California, and Alabama...yeah, they're going to drop those too!

That's great.

See, the BCS teams are afraid to schedule the MAC. I guess you wouldn't understand.

DrTorch Wrote:

Quote:...and how is it "small time" that we play 3 SEC schools on a regular basis

Ark St is SEC? You're mixing up SEC and SBC. Not that it matters to me. :snore:

Let me clarify it for you...we play 3 SEC teams on a regular basis...Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Mississippi State...and 1 SBC team on a regular basis...Arkansas State.

I left off the SBC team because it's didn't support my point regarding "big time."

Happy?

Vandelay Wrote:The MAC has made a lot of sense since Chryst has taken over.
While a neutral site is always the most desirable, it certainly doesn't always work for leagues other than the SEC, Big 12 and now ACC. As much as C-USA doesn't want to be compared to the MAC, they are far more "MAC-Like" then BCS like. Rotating destinations within their league is the right thing to do since a neutral C-USA site would likely not draw more than 20K - 25K. How could you get many more fans than that in a place like Dallas for a Tulane - Marshall championship game? Putting the game in each other's stadiums and you can now get to the 40K plateau.

By the way, when viewing the C-USA boards, it's laughable how they applaud the UTEP decision. Here is how the Miner's have done lately - but that's right, they have great facilities and "market potential."



2003-Texas-El Paso (WAC)

8/30 @ Arizona (2-10) L 7 42
9/6 vs. Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (non-IA) L 13 34
9/13 vs. San Diego State (6-6) L 0 34
9/20 @ Louisville (9-4) L 14 42
9/27 vs. Sam Houston State (non-IA) W 59 14
10/4 @ *Southern Methodist (0-12) W 21 19
10/11 vs. *Louisiana Tech (5-7) L 35 38
10/25 @ *Hawaii (9-5) L 15 31
11/1 vs. *Tulsa (8-5) L 28 56
11/8 vs. *San Jose State (3-8) L 41 69
11/15 @ *Boise State (13-1) L 21 50
11/22 @ *Rice (5-7) L 14 45
11/29 vs. *Fresno State (9-5) L 20 23
2-11-0



2002-Texas-El Paso (WAC)

8/31 vs. Sacramento State (non-IA) W 42 12
9/7 @ Kentucky (7-5) L 17 77
9/14 @ Oklahoma (12-2) L 0 68
9/21 vs. *Hawaii (10-4) L 6 31
9/28 @ *San Jose State (6-7) L 24 58
10/5 @ New Mexico State (7-5) L 14 49
10/19 vs. *Rice (4-7) W 38 35
10/26 @ *Tulsa (1-11) L 0 20
11/2 vs. *Boise State (12-1) L 3 58
11/9 @ *Nevada (5-7) L 17 23
11/16 vs. *Southern Methodist (3-9) L 35 42
11/23 vs. *Louisiana Tech (4-8) L 24 38



2001-Texas-El Paso (WAC)

9/1 @ New Mexico (6-5) L 6 26
9/8 vs. Texas Southern (non-IA) W 52 6
9/22 @ *Boise State (8-4) L 17 42
9/29 vs. *Tulsa (1-10) W 26 10
10/6 vs. Alabama (7-5) L 7 56 @ Birmingham, AL
10/13 @ *Hawaii (9-3) L 7 66
10/20 vs. *San Jose State (3-9) L 28 40
10/27 @ *Southern Methodist (4-7) L 14 40
11/10 vs. *Louisiana Tech (7-5) L 30 53
11/17 @ *Rice (8-4) L 17 27
11/24 vs. *Nevada (3-8) L 31 48

There is more to a school than just football...........................

Oh and you know they did hire Mike Price to end the bad football mess.

Karl Wrote:

The Knight Time Wrote:

DrTorch Wrote:This is funny on so many levels.

But as for divisions, how about a "Central" division and a "Out in BFE why the hell are they in the same conference" division?

Not everybody enjoys being able to take a bus to every away game.

Most players already did that in high school. :D

And in SOME high schools, they were SHORT buses. :D

:rofl:

HuskieDan Wrote:

HerdZoned Wrote:I think what you will see in UTEP in 2-3 years is an explosive non-BCS Mike Pirce team. Maybe something like NIU was, if you remember Nick when NIU made the move back to I-A they were the laughing stock of the MAC at 0-11.

Uh, dipswitch, NIU never went 1AA.

We did, however, play UTEP, and they beat us pretty good. Of course, we were horrible at the time. My have times changed - we're a top 30 team, they're getting spanked by the likes of Cal Poly.

Sorry, it's hard to have too much sympathy for a 60 year old that has to be the life of the party at on-campus bars.

Actually it was a Strip Club and since when are the only patrons at a strip joint only college age???

This was just another example of overly conservative A-holes blowing things out of hand.

Big deal he went to watch women strip. People need to get over it and themselves while they are at it.

I would have told Alabama to go F_ck themselves.

Woops Double post.

MU ATO Wrote:

HuskieDan Wrote:

HerdZoned Wrote:I think what you will see in UTEP in 2-3 years is an explosive non-BCS Mike Pirce team. Maybe something like NIU was, if you remember Nick when NIU made the move back to I-A they were the laughing stock of the MAC at 0-11.

Uh, dipswitch, NIU never went 1AA.

We did, however, play UTEP, and they beat us pretty good. Of course, we were horrible at the time. My have times changed - we're a top 30 team, they're getting spanked by the likes of Cal Poly.

Sorry, it's hard to have too much sympathy for a 60 year old that has to be the life of the party at on-campus bars.

Actually it was a Strip Club and since when are the only patrons at a strip joint only college age???

This was just another example of overly conservative A-holes blowing things out of hand.

Big deal he went to watch women strip. People need to get over it and themselves while they are at it.

I would have told Alabama to go F_ck themselves.

My favorite part of the Mike Price story was the stripper ordering one of everything on the menu from room service and charging it to the room. That's classic. That's right up there with Jerry Springer paying for a Northern Ky. hooker with a personal check while he was mayor of Cincy.
And explains why 'Bama is "Price-less."

I forgot to add--she ordered it all "to go." :rofl:

axeme Wrote:

MU ATO Wrote:

HuskieDan Wrote:

HerdZoned Wrote:I think what you will see in UTEP in 2-3 years is an explosive non-BCS Mike Pirce team. Maybe something like NIU was, if you remember Nick when NIU made the move back to I-A they were the laughing stock of the MAC at 0-11.

Uh, dipswitch, NIU never went 1AA.

We did, however, play UTEP, and they beat us pretty good. Of course, we were horrible at the time. My have times changed - we're a top 30 team, they're getting spanked by the likes of Cal Poly.

Sorry, it's hard to have too much sympathy for a 60 year old that has to be the life of the party at on-campus bars.

Actually it was a Strip Club and since when are the only patrons at a strip joint only college age???

This was just another example of overly conservative A-holes blowing things out of hand.

Big deal he went to watch women strip. People need to get over it and themselves while they are at it.

I would have told Alabama to go F_ck themselves.

My favorite part of the Mike Price story was the stripper ordering one of everything on the menu from room service and charging it to the room. That's classic. That's right up there with Jerry Springer paying for a Northern Ky. hooker with a personal check while he was mayor of Cincy.
And explains why 'Bama is "Price-less."

Exactly.

Alabama was just trying to save face with their overly conservative southern alums who wouldnt want some unholy roller running their beloved Tide into the ground.

Price is better off and Bama can kiss Shula's arse all day long.

I can understand the Ustachy thing with the college co-eds and even the O'Leary thing to an extent, but Price was out having fun. The only problem were the Bama faithful whom the school was afraid to piss off.

Like I said if I were Price I would of been on my way and told them to suck it.

Actually, the word is the Price has liked being the life of the party, including on-campus bars, for quite some time now. That's why I said so.

Personally, I could care less what he did at a strip bar in Florida. I do find it interesting that CUSA seems to be a haven for coaches needing second chances. Morality-wise, it seems to be turning into the lil-SEC, except without the multimillion dollar slush fund budgets.

HuskieDan Wrote:Actually, the word is the Price has liked being the life of the party, including on-campus bars, for quite some time now. That's why I said so.

Personally, I could care less what he did at a strip bar in Florida. I do find it interesting that CUSA seems to be a haven for coaches needing second chances. Morality-wise, it seems to be turning into the lil-SEC, except without the multimillion dollar slush fund budgets.

Really, like the lil-SEC?

Get a grip on reality. We have a few coaches who screwed up in the past. They're good to great coaches whose every move is now going to be examined under a very powerful microscope.

O'Leary - A damn good coach who did something very stupid. I don't buy the whole "I put that on my resume a long time ago" line...it was just as much a lie then as it was with he provided the info to Notre Dame. I seriously doubt he'll be doing that again.

Eustachy - A great basketball coach who got a little carried away and needed the unwanted jolt in his life to force him to get his act in order. He wasn't trying to hook up with the girls at the party, he wasn't touching them inappropriately, he was reliving college days gone by...but it wasn't what a college coach should be doing. I really doubt he'll be enjoying Natty Lights with the coeds anymore.

Price - This is the one that I have the biggest problem with. His transgressions went beyond "I screwed up" to "I'm pretty sleezy"...at least based on the SI story. However, someone was going to give him a chance to coach again, and while I'm glad it wasn't Memphis, I'm also glad that a future CUSA member was able to pick up a good coach at a bargain price.