(03-15-2013 12:38 PM)eager eagle Wrote:  There are many, including USM folks, on this and other boards who seem happy and relish the idea that the nBige has crumbled and falls far short of what our defectors thought it would be. It would be best for us to keep our traps shut-dont degrade those who sincerely felt they were doing better, and wish them all success and best of luck. I assure you this isnt over yet and it wont be long before we are in bed with those same folks again.

you just don't really get it, do you? the simple fact that C-USA will probably be reconstituted in a couple of years under a new name, but after millions of dollars for every school in entry and exit fees, is PRECISELY the problem.

I have never criticized the defectors, but I have condemned, and in the harshest words that I can think of, the process, and the undeniable dishonesty of the nBE commissioner throughout this realignment process.

there is a huge difference.

not to mention . . . I am confident that Southern Miss will be fine, wherever we land -- or don't land.

our basketball program is demanding respect, and under Monken, our football program will regain that sure footing that it has had for 20 years.

just tell us where to be. we will suit up, and we will give you more than you want, whomever you are, and whatever sport we are playing.

(03-15-2013 06:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  Baruna, I remain convinced that we're next if we want to be.

We're working on the budget. Our FB budget is at least mid-CUSA.

I suspect that your view of USM and its need to get out of COnf USA represents the majority view of USM fans.

(03-15-2013 07:11 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 06:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  Baruna, I remain convinced that we're next if we want to be.

We're working on the budget. Our FB budget is at least mid-CUSA.

I suspect that your view of USM and its need to get out of COnf USA represents the majority view of USM fans.

It would not surprise me.

This is the CUSA board. Most of us basically like(d) CUSA here.

(03-15-2013 07:11 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 06:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  Baruna, I remain convinced that we're next if we want to be.

We're working on the budget. Our FB budget is at least mid-CUSA.

I suspect that your view of USM and its need to get out of COnf USA represents the majority view of USM fans.

Most USM fans want out of C-USA. But we don't see America 12 as the answer. Its certainly not a step up. Maintaining... Yes. But We want a seat at the big boys table. Bottom line is most USM fans could care less whether we're playing USF or FIU. Neither is a top tier game in our eyes.

(03-15-2013 07:32 PM)RowdyRoost Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 07:11 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 06:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  Baruna, I remain convinced that we're next if we want to be.

We're working on the budget. Our FB budget is at least mid-CUSA.

I suspect that your view of USM and its need to get out of COnf USA represents the majority view of USM fans.

Most USM fans want out of C-USA. But we don't see America 12 as the answer. Its certainly not a step up. Maintaining... Yes. But We want a seat at the big boys table. Bottom line is most USM fans could care less whether we're playing USF or FIU. Neither is a top tier game in our eyes.

I have heard a lot of fans say this too.

(03-15-2013 07:32 PM)RowdyRoost Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 07:11 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 06:22 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  Baruna, I remain convinced that we're next if we want to be.

We're working on the budget. Our FB budget is at least mid-CUSA.

I suspect that your view of USM and its need to get out of COnf USA represents the majority view of USM fans.

Most USM fans want out of C-USA. But we don't see America 12 as the answer. Its certainly not a step up. Maintaining... Yes. But We want a seat at the big boys table. Bottom line is most USM fans could care less whether we're playing USF or FIU. Neither is a top tier game in our eyes.

I don't see how you can say it isn't a step up. I admit its a small step.

Look, let me be clear---perception is everything. Almost ALL of the teams in the NBE are going to be perceived to be better than your newcomers.

Here is an example---Memphis may get a 9 seed. Because nobody respects CUSA. I think it's stupid, but I don't get to seed teams.

Is that going to be better with LA Tech and MTSU? ODU? No.


Those are fine institutions. Great programs. I'm sure they'd be competitive with the old teams in CUSA. But, the perception among the talking heads will be that they aren't as good.

generally speaking, AndreWhere is an outlier. he speaks for himself.

myself, I am simply just praying that he finally sees the light. heh

(03-15-2013 02:48 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  I know how USM fans feel. Teams they routinely beat get a promotion just because of the location of the school (market mostly). You are now looked down upon by Tulane, UCF, USF, and Temple. It sucks, but it truly is all about TV contracts. It's an injustice and you have the right to be pissed about it.

I don't think any of those teams look down on USM. Maybe casual Temple fans just because they would look down on anything Mississippi, but no serious fans.

(03-15-2013 09:15 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 02:48 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  I know how USM fans feel. Teams they routinely beat get a promotion just because of the location of the school (market mostly). You are now looked down upon by Tulane, UCF, USF, and Temple. It sucks, but it truly is all about TV contracts. It's an injustice and you have the right to be pissed about it.

I don't think any of those teams look down on USM. Maybe casual Temple fans just because they would look down on anything Mississippi, but no serious fans.

Why would any of us look down on USM which has a proven record of doing more with less? If their fans do screw em.

(03-15-2013 09:15 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 02:48 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  I know how USM fans feel. Teams they routinely beat get a promotion just because of the location of the school (market mostly). You are now looked down upon by Tulane, UCF, USF, and Temple. It sucks, but it truly is all about TV contracts. It's an injustice and you have the right to be pissed about it.

I don't think any of those teams look down on USM. Maybe casual Temple fans just because they would look down on anything Mississippi, but no serious fans.

I think Temple and some UConn fans look down on all of us. Some Huskie fans act like they have respect for all of us, but I'm not sure. Heck, some UCF fans look down at all of us. I don't go the BE board nearly as much as most, but it's pretty obvious what fans feel.

School administrators' opinions are what is important. Despite what anyone says, no one really knows what the member schools administrators "think" of any of our programs. One thing is for certain; when someone says the know what their administration is doing behind the scenes, that person knows less than anyone because they are believing smoke and mirrors that administrators put out.

I have always had respect for Southern Miss, been watching Memphis Southern Miss
games from the age of 7 , I root for Southern when they are not playing Memphis.
Good Luck S.Miss !!!

(03-15-2013 02:48 PM)T_Won1 Wrote:  I know how USM fans feel. Teams they routinely beat get a promotion just because of the location of the school (market mostly). You are now looked down upon by Tulane, UCF, USF, and Temple. It sucks, but it truly is all about TV contracts. It's an injustice and you have the right to be pissed about it.

It is like ECU, USM, Marshall, and LT have all have good top rated teams and have beaten some of best programs but still are passed over because of TV markets. ECU and USM have history and formed a brotherhood together. USM helped ECU get into Cusa as ECU/USM were big supporters for Marshall and LT into Cusa. Hopefully, one day all four schools will be in same conference and not just for one year.

(03-15-2013 09:40 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  I think Temple and some UConn fans look down on all of us. Some Huskie fans act like they have respect for all of us, but I'm not sure. Heck, some UCF fans look down at all of us. I don't go the BE board nearly as much as most, but it's pretty obvious what fans feel.

Old Tiger, it's an issue as old as the Republic itself, Northern vs Southern interests, Rural vs urban.
Looks like it's manifested squarely in the A-12.
Somewhere in all this, former relationships are being tossed aside for a few extra TV dollars.
Be interesting to see how it plays out.

(03-15-2013 09:56 PM)AtlantaEagle Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 09:40 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  I think Temple and some UConn fans look down on all of us. Some Huskie fans act like they have respect for all of us, but I'm not sure. Heck, some UCF fans look down at all of us. I don't go the BE board nearly as much as most, but it's pretty obvious what fans feel.

Old Tiger, it's an issue as old as the Republic itself, Northern vs Southern interests, Rural vs urban.
Looks like it's manifested squarely in the A-12.
Somewhere in all this, former relationships are being tossed aside for a few extra TV dollars.
Be interesting to see how it plays out.

Yep, and it's clear as a bell in that environment.

(03-15-2013 06:08 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 05:52 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 05:43 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 03:13 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 03:04 PM)AtlantaEagle Wrote:  I gotta tell you though..your AD was behind a lot of those new invites.
Then, ECU bails out to the NBE.
Just saying....

I noticed that, too. I think Marshall is probably OK with those schools too, though , and I'm not sure what the alternative would have been.

Terry Holland was a great AD, his pushing for ODU and Charlotte( fine schools in their own right) left fans scratching their heads. That move was out of desperation imo as it looked as if we were not going to get an invite out of Conf-USA. It was a self serving move for ECU, but not one that most fans I know wanted. If no invite was to be forthcoming, then Holland wanted to create regional rivalries for ECU. Any move constituted in panic is never a good one and those invites were panic moves imo. Given the current state of college football, do you honestly think that any AD would have turned down the invite we were given?

No, unlike a lot of USM fans, I think you did exactly what you should have. Yeah, it's FB only, but that's your #1 sport. My view is that the hierarchy of conferences is well-established, and that moving up the hierarchy is always good. It means more money, prestige, and exposure.

I just hope were not talking about how mad we are at Rice, Tulsa, UAB, and UTEP ina couple of years.

I have been genuinely surprised that Tulsa instead of USM has been projected as the 12th team. I really do not understand what the issue is in not making USM the 12th team. I wonder if the biggest roadblock in this becoming a reality is the total USM athletic budget? I know from conversations that I have had with people in the ECU athletic office that ECU views USM as its closet footprint team in COnf USA. So the hold up in inviting USM is certainly not coming from us.

I'm betting that the biggest reason is that UConn does not see itself traveling to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for conference games. I do not believe that any C-USA schools heading to the new conference would object to Southern Miss, but I could sure see UConn objecting, and maybe Cincinnati too.

Where is ESPN headquarters located?? ccunt-etiquette right???

Temple is located where? The town with the crappiest fans in the nation???

Fk those guys. I can't even imagine trying to communicate with those people. I am certain they feel that way about us.

I hate southern miss (strictly on field), not the fans or school. Worry not, ACC will be gutted soon enough. You guys will be in the nBE/A12/W.E.

(03-15-2013 03:04 PM)AtlantaEagle Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 02:50 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  No one has a crystal ball that will tell them the future. ECU did the best it could to position itself in a more competitive league. I can tell you that many ECU fans were very nervous that they might be playing in a league with two schools that had never played a down of FBS football and with two teams from the Sun Belt that ECU had no history with. Besides, you are incorrect when you say that the BE has collapsed. The BE name has, the majority of the schools that were in it when ECU signed up are still there. If you as a Southern Miss fan and are fine playing the schedule you have now for the next decade or so then great. I for one, am still glad that ECU made the jump in spite of all the uncertainty. I would also rather see the teams that are currently in the BE on Saturday in Greenville than the majority of the ones in Conf USA, USM being the one exception.

I gotta tell you though..your AD was behind a lot of those new invites.
Then, ECU bails out to the NBE.
Just saying....

ECU wants to be like TCU. TCU was the main force behind SMU and Rice. As soon as we added the schools that TCU wanted they left. ECU is just following the playbook.

(03-15-2013 11:58 PM)PlainTiger Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 06:08 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 05:52 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 05:43 PM)baruna falls Wrote:  

(03-15-2013 03:13 PM)AndreWhere Wrote:  I noticed that, too. I think Marshall is probably OK with those schools too, though , and I'm not sure what the alternative would have been.

Terry Holland was a great AD, his pushing for ODU and Charlotte( fine schools in their own right) left fans scratching their heads. That move was out of desperation imo as it looked as if we were not going to get an invite out of Conf-USA. It was a self serving move for ECU, but not one that most fans I know wanted. If no invite was to be forthcoming, then Holland wanted to create regional rivalries for ECU. Any move constituted in panic is never a good one and those invites were panic moves imo. Given the current state of college football, do you honestly think that any AD would have turned down the invite we were given?

No, unlike a lot of USM fans, I think you did exactly what you should have. Yeah, it's FB only, but that's your #1 sport. My view is that the hierarchy of conferences is well-established, and that moving up the hierarchy is always good. It means more money, prestige, and exposure.

I just hope were not talking about how mad we are at Rice, Tulsa, UAB, and UTEP ina couple of years.

I have been genuinely surprised that Tulsa instead of USM has been projected as the 12th team. I really do not understand what the issue is in not making USM the 12th team. I wonder if the biggest roadblock in this becoming a reality is the total USM athletic budget? I know from conversations that I have had with people in the ECU athletic office that ECU views USM as its closet footprint team in COnf USA. So the hold up in inviting USM is certainly not coming from us.

I'm betting that the biggest reason is that UConn does not see itself traveling to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for conference games. I do not believe that any C-USA schools heading to the new conference would object to Southern Miss, but I could sure see UConn objecting, and maybe Cincinnati too.

As a USM fan... I view conferences from a football standpoint. Often overlooking the basketball side of things. Having said that, I view UCONN and Temple as weaknesses. I'd rather play La Tech and ECU any day of the week.