Neither team choked. We have seen time and time again that college football is unpredictable. The best team does not always win and playing on the road can be a disaster. It was an interesting year. ECU has a good club and will have their work cut out for them in the AAC. Marshall will be the league favorite next fall but we have questions that need solved as well. Its anybodies title. Just depends on who gets hot and plays well on the road. jmo

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Does it matter if they choked vs MTSU and Ohio either? Nope, all that really matters at the end of the day to the people grading out our seasons is that we had better record and very likely will have the highest rankings in CUSA too.

(01-02-2014 09:03 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Does it matter if they choked vs MTSU and Ohio either? Nope, all that really matters at the end of the day to the people grading out our seasons is that we had better record and very likely will have the highest rankings in CUSA too.

The team that won the CUSA championship had the better season and that's neither ECU nor Marshall.

Still reeling from the gut punch that was the Liberty Bowl. Such a contrast with feeling after winning our first CUSA Championship.

But I think the main impression I get is that there a are a lot of solid programs in this league. Almost too many - it will be hard for any of us to pull a Northern Illinois, let alone a Boise State. Good OOC wins are going to be key to improving our reputation.

We really need La Tech and Southern Miss to get back to where they were.

Best Year by Conference:

1.) ACC/SEC - who ever wins the NCG; other results pale
2.) slot loser of #1 here
3.) B1G - MSU's win over Stanford in Rose puts them here
4.) AAC - UCF's big win as 17 point dogs catapults this conference
5.) PAC - 6 and 3; will not win a BCS game
6.) Big XII - 2 and 2 with 2 to play (Baylor's defense, Texas collapse)
7.) Indies - ND and Navy win, BYU loses
8.) C-USA - 3 and 3 after tumult of realignment show other programs stepping up
9.) MWC - 3 and 3 Fresno and Boise losses hurt
10.) SBC - 1 and 0 with one to play
11.) MAC - routed in bowl season to this point

(01-02-2014 09:03 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Does it matter if they choked vs MTSU and Ohio either? Nope, all that really matters at the end of the day to the people grading out our seasons is that we had better record and very likely will have the highest rankings in CUSA too.

Want to bet that ECU finishes higher ranked? Marshall will likely be receiving votes in the final poll. ECU will not.

We can bet $100 if you want. A 3rd party ECU fan can hold the money.

CUSA already deemed the BCS computer polls were a more fair judge and we had a nice lead on you.

First year ever with three teams with 10 wins in history of league, and only second time with four schools having at least 9 wins (2003) is positive step forward for this league.

Replacing East Carolina and Tulsa and Tulane (this year) for football is tall order for WKU, Old Dominion and Charlotte (next year), and bottom of league MUST put money into right places to make football programs more competitive - FIU and UAB must upgrade facilities (sorry, Blazers, I don't think Bama people will EVER let you build new stadium).

I have high hopes for a league that goes from Marshall having closest rivals 7.5 hours (ECU) or 8.5 hours (UAB and Memphis), and one in central Florida, to a league with MTSU, WKU, Old Dominion, Charlotte and two South Florida rivals (which I hope turns into one game there every year on alternating basis) and some very drivable games for fan bases who yelled for drivable games, then are bitching about having three MAC schools on schedule in 2014 (mostly due to Louisville moving).

I like the new schools and wish all the former schools the best, because in the future -- C-USA needs to be good partners with AAC, MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt going forward, like they have already done with new bowls. It is us against the P5 leagues, and the national media is definitely on their side.

(01-01-2014 07:16 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  My thoughts are I can't figure out if I'm really pleased or a little disappointed with ECU's season. On the one hand winning 10 games and beating UNC and State on the road in the same year are massive accomplishments, but on the other hand the 3 losses were hugely disappointing in both the way they happened and what they cost ECU the chance of accomplishing. In the end this season will likely be viewed by ECU fans similarly to the 99 and 08 seasons, ones where there were some great highlights but in the end a lot of ECU fans will always think about what could have been.

I would add this season to the list of seasons 99,08,09 etc where ECU failed to close the deal on finishing ranked in the Final Top 25 poll. I had always thought winning at Marshall was going to be tough but the squandered game at Tulane was awful and we should have beaten VT.

(01-02-2014 12:16 PM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 07:16 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  My thoughts are I can't figure out if I'm really pleased or a little disappointed with ECU's season. On the one hand winning 10 games and beating UNC and State on the road in the same year are massive accomplishments, but on the other hand the 3 losses were hugely disappointing in both the way they happened and what they cost ECU the chance of accomplishing. In the end this season will likely be viewed by ECU fans similarly to the 99 and 08 seasons, ones where there were some great highlights but in the end a lot of ECU fans will always think about what could have been.

I would add this season to the list of seasons 99,08,09 etc where ECU failed to close the deal on finishing ranked in the Final Top 25 poll. I had always thought winning at Marshall was going to be tough but the squandered game at Tulane was awful and we should have beaten VT.

At least this season unlike those 3 we did win the bowl game. Had we lost to Ohio this would have been a miserable offseason having to deal with another bowl loss and the horrible taste that Marshall tank job left in everyones mouth. I want to be careful to not be too down on a team that accomplished a lot of things, but they had the ability to do so much more and squandered the opportunity.

(01-02-2014 06:58 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 12:16 PM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 07:16 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  My thoughts are I can't figure out if I'm really pleased or a little disappointed with ECU's season. On the one hand winning 10 games and beating UNC and State on the road in the same year are massive accomplishments, but on the other hand the 3 losses were hugely disappointing in both the way they happened and what they cost ECU the chance of accomplishing. In the end this season will likely be viewed by ECU fans similarly to the 99 and 08 seasons, ones where there were some great highlights but in the end a lot of ECU fans will always think about what could have been.

I would add this season to the list of seasons 99,08,09 etc where ECU failed to close the deal on finishing ranked in the Final Top 25 poll. I had always thought winning at Marshall was going to be tough but the squandered game at Tulane was awful and we should have beaten VT.

At least this season unlike those 3 we did win the bowl game. Had we lost to Ohio this would have been a miserable offseason having to deal with another bowl loss and the horrible taste that Marshall tank job left in everyones mouth. I want to be careful to not be too down on a team that accomplished a lot of things, but they had the ability to do so much more and squandered the opportunity.

I am not down on the team at all. I am frustrated having watched ECU for 27yrs and knowing that plays here and there that separate a great season from a good season. ECU was very close to a great season. A dropped pick 6 to beat VT and a crapping of the bed at Tulane kept ECU from going into the Marshall game undefeated and ranked. It is hard to have things line up for a great season including catching VT, UNC and NCST all in vulnerable seasons at the same time. I am very happy for a 10 win season and bowl win but still disapointed in what might have been

(01-02-2014 07:19 PM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 06:58 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 12:16 PM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 07:16 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  My thoughts are I can't figure out if I'm really pleased or a little disappointed with ECU's season. On the one hand winning 10 games and beating UNC and State on the road in the same year are massive accomplishments, but on the other hand the 3 losses were hugely disappointing in both the way they happened and what they cost ECU the chance of accomplishing. In the end this season will likely be viewed by ECU fans similarly to the 99 and 08 seasons, ones where there were some great highlights but in the end a lot of ECU fans will always think about what could have been.

I would add this season to the list of seasons 99,08,09 etc where ECU failed to close the deal on finishing ranked in the Final Top 25 poll. I had always thought winning at Marshall was going to be tough but the squandered game at Tulane was awful and we should have beaten VT.

At least this season unlike those 3 we did win the bowl game. Had we lost to Ohio this would have been a miserable offseason having to deal with another bowl loss and the horrible taste that Marshall tank job left in everyones mouth. I want to be careful to not be too down on a team that accomplished a lot of things, but they had the ability to do so much more and squandered the opportunity.

I am not down on the team at all. I am frustrated having watched ECU for 27yrs and knowing that plays here and there that separate a great season from a good season. ECU was very close to a great season. A dropped pick 6 to beat VT and a crapping of the bed at Tulane kept ECU from going into the Marshall game undefeated and ranked. It is hard to have things line up for a great season including catching VT, UNC and NCST all in vulnerable seasons at the same time. I am very happy for a 10 win season and bowl win but still disapointed in what might have been

Any one of the missed FG's would have won the game for us at Tulane. We have struggled recently in the dome, so thank gawd Tulane is building a new stadium since they decided to move with us.

Ok, there was more to CUSA Football 2013 than the ECU @ Marshall game. It does have its place in the pantheon of CUSA football this year but there was a lot else going on in the conference too.

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Apprently you've not been around long enough to know that most threads can turn into a Marshall / ECU pissing match. Kinda like UCF / Everyone in the conference prior to their exit.

(01-01-2014 11:49 PM)DxOCD Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:46 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:45 PM)DxOCD Wrote:  Who was favored to win the east this year?

Arguably a split decision on ECU and Marshall.

Ecu was favored per cusa site as voted by the league. Therefore per the definition I believe that constitutes being favored and a choke.

I guess if you want to ignore countless "experts" that said otherwise. There was plenty of people that said Marshall would win the East including my own expert opinion.

(01-02-2014 09:03 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Does it matter if they choked vs MTSU and Ohio either? Nope, all that really matters at the end of the day to the people grading out our seasons is that we had better record and very likely will have the highest rankings in CUSA too.

59-28

(01-02-2014 09:05 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 09:03 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Does it matter if they choked vs MTSU and Ohio either? Nope, all that really matters at the end of the day to the people grading out our seasons is that we had better record and very likely will have the highest rankings in CUSA too.

The team that won the CUSA championship had the better season and that's neither ECU nor Marshall.

True story.

(01-03-2014 12:43 AM)MU ATO Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 09:03 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Does it matter if they choked vs MTSU and Ohio either? Nope, all that really matters at the end of the day to the people grading out our seasons is that we had better record and very likely will have the highest rankings in CUSA too.

59-28

10-3 > 10-4

(01-03-2014 12:54 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(01-03-2014 12:43 AM)MU ATO Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 09:03 AM)StillJonesing Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 11:36 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  Does it matter whether ECU choked against Marshall or not? Likewise, does it matter whether Marshall choked against Rice or not?

Does it matter if they choked vs MTSU and Ohio either? Nope, all that really matters at the end of the day to the people grading out our seasons is that we had better record and very likely will have the highest rankings in CUSA too.

59-28

10-3 > 10-4

Yup and you're supposed to win your home games. We have been unfortunate that the last 2 years in our division we had to go on the road for the championship game. IE Marshall and UCF.

(01-02-2014 07:19 PM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 06:58 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(01-02-2014 12:16 PM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  

(01-01-2014 07:16 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  My thoughts are I can't figure out if I'm really pleased or a little disappointed with ECU's season. On the one hand winning 10 games and beating UNC and State on the road in the same year are massive accomplishments, but on the other hand the 3 losses were hugely disappointing in both the way they happened and what they cost ECU the chance of accomplishing. In the end this season will likely be viewed by ECU fans similarly to the 99 and 08 seasons, ones where there were some great highlights but in the end a lot of ECU fans will always think about what could have been.

I would add this season to the list of seasons 99,08,09 etc where ECU failed to close the deal on finishing ranked in the Final Top 25 poll. I had always thought winning at Marshall was going to be tough but the squandered game at Tulane was awful and we should have beaten VT.

At least this season unlike those 3 we did win the bowl game. Had we lost to Ohio this would have been a miserable offseason having to deal with another bowl loss and the horrible taste that Marshall tank job left in everyones mouth. I want to be careful to not be too down on a team that accomplished a lot of things, but they had the ability to do so much more and squandered the opportunity.

I am not down on the team at all. I am frustrated having watched ECU for 27yrs and knowing that plays here and there that separate a great season from a good season. ECU was very close to a great season. A dropped pick 6 to beat VT and a crapping of the bed at Tulane kept ECU from going into the Marshall game undefeated and ranked. It is hard to have things line up for a great season including catching VT, UNC and NCST all in vulnerable seasons at the same time. I am very happy for a 10 win season and bowl win but still disapointed in what might have been

You need to stop focusing on two-three plays that could have, maybe, might have gone differently and look at all the other plays that did go the way we wanted.

A good season?????? What ever, we are not Texas where 10-3 is a "good" season. 2007 was a "good" season, so was 2012. We've only had 1 other double digit win season in our history. Skippy never won 10 games, nor Logan as HC or Ed Emory, or Pat Dye, or Sonny Randle. Only Bill Lewis and Ruffin McNeil can say that.

No, it wasn't a dream season, but it was a great season. You can't see the Forrest for the trees.