(11-14-2012 10:58 PM)BJUnklFkr Wrote:  

(11-13-2012 06:13 PM)3601 Wrote:  What is benefit of doing these divisions for 2 years and then switching?

Hell if I know, but damn good question, 36...

First of all, that hasn't happened yet. Probably went to east-west for 2 years, b/c they couldn't decide. Now they have 2 more years to decide. May do the zipper then, but just as easy, they could keep it the same.

I know. I just thought the whole prediction seemed out of whack.

My prediction is that the Navy out west scenario wins out.

(11-13-2012 06:13 PM)3601 Wrote:  It doens't make much sense to me to have two years of geographic divisons and then totally shake up the mix.

Can anybody explain to me the upside of doing this?

Thought the same thing when I read the article.

This is 2015!

Eastern Division
UConn
Rutgers
Temple
Cincinnati
Louisville
Central Florida
South Florida

Western Division
Navy
Memphis
SMU
Houston
Boise
SDSU
one of: BYU/Air Force/ Fresno/East Carolina

No stupid Zippers

Yeah I like Wilkie's format. In that scenario, order of preference should be:

1. BYU
2. Air Force
3. Fresno
4. ECU

I have no dog in the fight but I don't think you want your conference to have all newcomers in one division and all the original members in the other division. I dont think Boise signed up to play in a division with an independent which is already at its highest potential, a MWC foe, 1 upper level C-USA school, 1 mid level C-USA school, 1 lower end C-USA school, and BYU (more then likely) or another MWC foe. It appears other then $$$ that is taking a step side ways not up. I know all the original members want to stick together but I think the new comers will want zippers other than Memphis.

(11-15-2012 12:05 PM)not_again Wrote:  I have no dog in the fight but I don't think you want your conference to have all newcomers in one division and all the original members in the other division. I dont think Boise signed up to play in a division with an independent which is already at its highest potential, a MWC foe, 1 upper level C-USA school, 1 mid level C-USA school, 1 lower end C-USA school, and BYU (more then likely) or another MWC foe. It appears other then $$$ that is taking a step side ways not up. I know all the original members want to stick together but I think the new comers will want zippers other than Memphis.

Why would Memphis not want a zipper, too? We want to be with Cincy, and especially with Louisville, not stuck in the West with a bunch of C-USA/MWC newbies like ourselves.

There are no easy answers here. That's why it is taking so long to decide. No way to make everybody happy.

At 14, east-west keeps the newbies from the oldies, nothing many of us in the west particularly like, but it also keeps the western teams together.

A zipper spreads the wealth better, new and old, and gives everybody access to the best recruiting areas. But it's confusing as hell, seems somewhat arbitrary, and forces permanent crossovers, which cuts down on the ability to play all conference teams regularly.

Will be interesting to see how it eventually unfolds.

(11-13-2012 11:02 PM)Mestophalies Wrote:  ^ I'm Mestophalies and I approve this message.

I'm SleepingGiantsFan and I approve of your avatar.

(11-15-2012 12:05 PM)not_again Wrote:  I have no dog in the fight but I don't think you want your conference to have all newcomers in one division and all the original members in the other division. I dont think Boise signed up to play in a division with an independent which is already at its highest potential, a MWC foe, 1 upper level C-USA school, 1 mid level C-USA school, 1 lower end C-USA school, and BYU (more then likely) or another MWC foe. It appears other then $$$ that is taking a step side ways not up. I know all the original members want to stick together but I think the new comers will want zippers other than Memphis.

As far as I can tell there are only two original members.

Boise would be just fine playing with BYU and SDSU along with a decent Houston and SMU teams. Memphis and Temple probably don't bring enthusiasm but they will play teams from the Eastern division too so it's not a side ways move.

(11-14-2012 02:28 AM)IceJus10 Wrote:  Everyone wants access to recruiting in Florida, Texas, and California... that's why they'll switch to the zippers... if there is one member from each state in each division it works... and your cross-division rival, will be your guaranteed part of your schedule!

That's why it makes sense -- you need to take advantage of the coast-to-coast nature of such a vast league... and considering you only travel 4-games a year, they won't all be cross country or right next door, so it makes the travel component fair for everyone.

I don't think the access to Texas and California is that big of an inducement to Rutgers, UConn and Temple. As a Rutgers fan I would happily trade a second Florida team for access to Texas AND SDSU. Aside from UConn-SMU I think UConn fans would agree with that.

(11-15-2012 02:33 PM)LaBradfordsTWill Wrote:  Boise would be just fine playing with BYU and SDSU along with a decent Houston and SMU teams. Memphis and Temple probably don't bring enthusiasm but they will play teams from the Eastern division too so it's not a side ways move.

Maybe after Memphis kicks their ass a few times, the enthusiasm will improve. It ain't "if", it's "when". If you don't like to hear a tiger growl, don't poke sticks.

(11-15-2012 02:35 PM)UpStreamRedTeam Wrote:  

(11-14-2012 02:28 AM)IceJus10 Wrote:  Everyone wants access to recruiting in Florida, Texas, and California... that's why they'll switch to the zippers... if there is one member from each state in each division it works... and your cross-division rival, will be your guaranteed part of your schedule!

That's why it makes sense -- you need to take advantage of the coast-to-coast nature of such a vast league... and considering you only travel 4-games a year, they won't all be cross country or right next door, so it makes the travel component fair for everyone.

I don't think the access to Texas and California is that big of an inducement to Rutgers, UConn and Temple. As a Rutgers fan I would happily trade a second Florida team for access to Texas AND SDSU. Aside from UConn-SMU I think UConn fans would agree with that.

Geographic divisions meet the criteria mentioned by Aresco. That's how I would do it. Although the zippers mentioned by the conference have UConn & SMU in the red division together.