http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releas...owl-games/

Congrats - now everyone else can tell us why (and it's been that way for 10 straight years it seems). It seems like a number of CUSA cities rank among the best ESPN markets for viewing audiences.

In general, bowl game ratings were way up (ESPN's games averaged a 2.3 rating for all 28 games), and attendance was way down (a record low 48K per game average).

(01-11-2013 07:19 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  In general, bowl game ratings were way up (ESPN's games averaged a 2.3 rating for all 28 games), and attendance was way down (a record low 48K per game average).

Sign of the times. A lot of people don't have the extra money travel.

(01-11-2013 07:19 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releas...owl-games/

Congrats - now everyone else can tell us why (and it's been that way for 10 straight years it seems). It seems like a number of CUSA cities rank among the best ESPN markets for viewing audiences.

In general, bowl game ratings were way up (ESPN's games averaged a 2.3 rating for all 28 games), and attendance was way down (a record low 48K per game average).

...thanks to Alabama/Auburn/SEC fans.

not that you mention this, and in light of the espn audience share, and considering the established fact that espn is ordering the nBE commissioner/whore guy what to do and whom to pick for expansion, you really have to wonder why UAB is still on the bench. you would think that they are a prime candidate.

oh, wait. espn would offend it's bottom biatches* if it so much as acknowledged uab's existence.

*auburn and holy alabama, of course.


edited to add footnote.

(01-11-2013 09:52 AM)EagleX Wrote:  oh, wait. espn would offend it's bottom biatches if it so much as acknowledged uab's existence.

You've broken the code. Expect a knock at your door momentarily.

(01-11-2013 09:44 AM)TTT Wrote:  

(01-11-2013 07:19 AM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releas...owl-games/

Congrats - now everyone else can tell us why (and it's been that way for 10 straight years it seems). It seems like a number of CUSA cities rank among the best ESPN markets for viewing audiences.

In general, bowl game ratings were way up (ESPN's games averaged a 2.3 rating for all 28 games), and attendance was way down (a record low 48K per game average).

...thanks to Alabama/Auburn/SEC fans.

Birmingham had the highest ratings for NONBCS bowl games as well We just love college football

Poor UAB. They'd have a solid program with a great coach and appropriately sized stadium given the support in their city for football. Too bad the Elephants are holding them down.

If its all about markets why are they not included???

(01-11-2013 05:02 PM)Thegoldstandard Wrote:  If its all about markets why are they not included???

because espn won't tolerate holy alabama and auburn from losing market share, and espn is billing the nBE's strings. and neither will the alabama and auburn alumni that run the state of alabama*

*like the MS and UM alumni that run the state of mississippi

Roll Tide??

(01-11-2013 07:15 PM)ArmoredUpKnight Wrote:  Roll Tide??

precisely. in more ways than one. it's times like this that I feel for our brethren at UAB. they have an even bigger problem than we do when it comes to state politics.

Our problem (well, a big part of it) is that our BoT is so small-minded, petty, and stupid that the idea of TWO successful programs in the UA system has never occurred to them, thus they have to protect their favorite child.

(01-11-2013 04:59 PM)Caltex2 Wrote:  Poor UAB. They'd have a solid program with a great coach and appropriately sized stadium given the support in their city for football. Too bad the Elephants are holding them down.

It can still happen, even with the jackals on the UABOT. People in Birmingham aren't opposed to UAB football or, in my opinion, going to Legion Field to watch games. What they are opposed to is crappy football, played at any venue. After eight losing seasons in a row it is a testament to the passion of the die-hards that anybody shows up for the Blazers. We were very close to turning the corner in 2004, close enough that Jimbo Fisher was willing to take over the program in 2006. The subsequent Bama years have almost killed it but we're not dead yet. If we can put a winning program on the field there will be plenty of interest.

All of us are one hire away from winning 9+ games a year. One dynamo assistant hired as head coach who surprises everyone and builds 3 recruiting classes to win 9, 10, or more games and gets the area's attention.

That happens at some point, or points in almost every program's lifespan. That hasn't happened yet at UAB, unless McGee turns out to be that guy.

When that happens, it's a lot better to be located in a football crazy environment than in an area where people aren't college football fanatics. Even with the handcuffs that the BOT, would it be easier to maintain program excitement after major success at NIU, Utah, or even Miami/Boston than in Birmingham?

(01-12-2013 11:42 AM)oldtiger Wrote:  All of us are one hire away from winning 9+ games a year. One dynamo assistant hired as head coach who surprises everyone and builds 3 recruiting classes to win 9, 10, or more games and gets the area's attention.

That happens at some point, or points in almost every program's lifespan. That hasn't happened yet at UAB, unless McGee turns out to be that guy.

When that happens, it's a lot better to be located in a football crazy environment than in an area where people aren't college football fanatics. Even with the handcuffs that the BOT, would it be easier to maintain program excitement after major success at NIU, Utah, or even Miami/Boston than in Birmingham?

when we were winning five to seven games a year our attendance was averaging about 25k a game if you excluded games played in the rain. if we can win 6-8 games a year on a regular basis UAB can average 25-30k

(01-12-2013 12:55 PM)bladhmadh Wrote:  

(01-12-2013 11:42 AM)oldtiger Wrote:  All of us are one hire away from winning 9+ games a year. One dynamo assistant hired as head coach who surprises everyone and builds 3 recruiting classes to win 9, 10, or more games and gets the area's attention.

That happens at some point, or points in almost every program's lifespan. That hasn't happened yet at UAB, unless McGee turns out to be that guy.

When that happens, it's a lot better to be located in a football crazy environment than in an area where people aren't college football fanatics. Even with the handcuffs that the BOT, would it be easier to maintain program excitement after major success at NIU, Utah, or even Miami/Boston than in Birmingham?

when we were winning five to seven games a year our attendance was averaging about 25k a game if you excluded games played in the rain. if we can win 6-8 games a year on a regular basis UAB can average 25-30k

Just look at CUSA's remaining and departing members' average attendance. Many of those programs that have had fans that have been critical of UAB's attendance are in the range you've listed.

Here's the attendance for 2012 for all FBS programs.
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2012/Internet/a...NDANCE.pdf

(01-11-2013 07:45 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Our problem (well, a big part of it) is that our BoT is so small-minded, petty, and stupid that the idea of TWO successful programs in the UA system has never occurred to them, thus they have to protect their favorite child.

Alabama is Ah-nold, and UAB is Danny Devito