UAB Bringing football back. Not only would it be awful for a school at our level to have to drop football, especially while being forced by a bigger instate school essentially, the cynical part of us should consider something.

1. Charlotte is probably already going to suck next year...While they'll get better, it will take time.
2. If UAB brings football back for 2016...It won't be very pretty to watch on the field for a couple years.

Having two bad teams in the league and potentially more in the league bring down CUSA's ranking in the Power ratings, which means more money for the Sun Belt at the end of each year to greedily divide up among ourselves while not sharing with UTA and UALR.

If UAB football returns, not only do we gain an ally back in the fight against the Big Boys...but we also get a monetary boost until they can get their house in order.

Does this make me cynical for hoping to profit off one school's misfortune, or rather an evil genius...I need a ruling?

tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

But... we currently have 3 bad teams (at least... Troy is on the fence how they will improve, regardless of Troy posters claiming this is the rise to dominance again):
- Georgia State
- Idaho
- NMSU

We need at least 2 to step up and become "not that bad" to keep our percentages better than CUSA's.

Then, after Texas State destroys FSU, we can claim superiority!









(Please know the last line was sarcasm)

(05-08-2015 10:19 AM)moehler Wrote:  tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hit the nail on the head. When ECU was in CUSA, they had the same problem...and still do. It's hard to contend with the storied programs of UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We have a similar issue because we are relatively close to UK and Ohio State.

I would think that App and Georgia Southern have the luxury (from what I can tell) of being off on an island, so they kind of dominate their niche in their states. I don't think there is another FBS school anywhere close to Statesboro or Boone is there?

(05-08-2015 10:45 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:19 AM)moehler Wrote:  tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hit the nail on the head. When ECU was in CUSA, they had the same problem...and still do. It's hard to contend with the storied programs of UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We have a similar issue because we are relatively close to UK and Ohio State.

I would think that App and Georgia Southern have the luxury (from what I can tell) of being off on an island, so they kind of dominate their niche in their states. I don't think there is another FBS school anywhere close to Statesboro or Boone is there?

Not a single FBS school within a 190 mile radius of Statesboro.

(05-08-2015 10:45 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:19 AM)moehler Wrote:  tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hit the nail on the head. When ECU was in CUSA, they had the same problem...and still do. It's hard to contend with the storied programs of UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We have a similar issue because we are relatively close to UK and Ohio State.

I would think that App and Georgia Southern have the luxury (from what I can tell) of being off on an island, so they kind of dominate their niche in their states. I don't think there is another FBS school anywhere close to Statesboro or Boone is there?

It's getting better, but south Georgia is still dominated by UGA fans.

(05-08-2015 10:45 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:19 AM)moehler Wrote:  tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hit the nail on the head. When ECU was in CUSA, they had the same problem...and still do. It's hard to contend with the storied programs of UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We have a similar issue because we are relatively close to UK and Ohio State.

I would think that App and Georgia Southern have the luxury (from what I can tell) of being off on an island, so they kind of dominate their niche in their states. I don't think there is another FBS school anywhere close to Statesboro or Boone is there?

Winston Salem (Wake Forest) is 86 miles away, so that's about it.

(05-08-2015 10:53 AM)TheEagleWay Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:45 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:19 AM)moehler Wrote:  tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hit the nail on the head. When ECU was in CUSA, they had the same problem...and still do. It's hard to contend with the storied programs of UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We have a similar issue because we are relatively close to UK and Ohio State.

I would think that App and Georgia Southern have the luxury (from what I can tell) of being off on an island, so they kind of dominate their niche in their states. I don't think there is another FBS school anywhere close to Statesboro or Boone is there?

Not a single FBS school within a 190 mile radius of Statesboro.

Doesn't matter. UGA has an iron grip on the market share of fandom in the state. When even Georgia Tech can't sell out games on their best seasons you know it's bad.

I would argue it's much easier to build a football fan base in North Carolina than Georgia. I don't think it's a coincidence that perenniel FCS and G5 attendance leaders (App and ECU) are in North Carolina. Would love it if all of the P5 programs we share a state with were nothing programs.

I agree that Charlotte and UAB (if they bring back football) would be a drag on CUSA for a few years. Whether it's enough of a drag to allow The Belt to gain some traction is questionable. . . . . As previously stated, we've got a couple of anchors of our own . . . We would really need them to step up in order to take advantage of whatever drag Charlotte and UAB put on CUSA . . .

wow, forgot Marshall is in the backyard of Ohio State, that's tough. As far as App being on an island, not really close to the ACC teams (except Wake), its kinda of a double edge sword, yes, we don't have the shadow of the ACC or even the SEC hanging over Boone, but we are in a terrible tv market, and a terrible recruiting area, there are not a lot of blue chip football or basketball players that come out of the mountains.

(05-08-2015 10:55 AM)FLEagle Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:45 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:19 AM)moehler Wrote:  tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hit the nail on the head. When ECU was in CUSA, they had the same problem...and still do. It's hard to contend with the storied programs of UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We have a similar issue because we are relatively close to UK and Ohio State.

I would think that App and Georgia Southern have the luxury (from what I can tell) of being off on an island, so they kind of dominate their niche in their states. I don't think there is another FBS school anywhere close to Statesboro or Boone is there?

It's getting better, but south Georgia is still dominated by UGA fans.

Statesboro isn't in south Georgia, similar to how USF isn't in south Florida. But yes REAL south Georgia (and most of Georgia in general) is DOMINATED by UGA. I don't see that changing much anytime soon.

(05-08-2015 10:06 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  UAB Bringing football back. Not only would it be awful for a school at our level to have to drop football, especially while being forced by a bigger instate school essentially, the cynical part of us should consider something.

1. Charlotte is probably already going to suck next year...While they'll get better, it will take time.
2. If UAB brings football back for 2016...It won't be very pretty to watch on the field for a couple years.

Having two bad teams in the league and potentially more in the league bring down CUSA's ranking in the Power ratings, which means more money for the Sun Belt at the end of each year to greedily divide up among ourselves while not sharing with UTA and UALR.

If UAB football returns, not only do we gain an ally back in the fight against the Big Boys...but we also get a monetary boost until they can get their house in order.

Does this make me cynical for hoping to profit off one school's misfortune, or rather an evil genius...I need a ruling?

A bad team or two isn't a bad thing for a conference. WAC did well in the BCS system despite routinely having schools in the bottom 5 or bottom 10 of FBS in the power ratings. It's hard to run the table if EVERYONE is good. Remember ECU at 6-1 was considered a near lock for the access bowl then they dropped three of their final five league games.

(05-08-2015 11:13 AM)moehler Wrote:  wow, forgot Marshall is in the backyard of Ohio State, that's tough

Yeah. Ohio is right across the river and the Kentucky border is about three miles from the western city limits. There are Marshall fans in both states of course, but by and large it's as if someone put up a big blue wall on the KY border and a scarlet and silver one as soon as a bridge over the Ohio is crossed. And then there's the Eerdiot zone (referring to WVU, not App) which extends north of Charleston and straight down the US 119 corridor.

Columbus - 2.25 hours
Cincinnati - 2.25 hours
Lexington - 1.5 hours
Louisville - 2.5 hours
Morganhole - 2.75 hours

Yep.. We're surrounded.

GS might be geographically distant from other FBS schools, but the love for the red and black G is STRONG around this piece.

(05-08-2015 10:58 AM)BurlingtonApp Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:45 AM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(05-08-2015 10:19 AM)moehler Wrote:  tough to see UAB bringing back anytime soon, the "great, almighty" Alabama has spoken!!! UNCC, is going to get better, but its going to take probably 3 or 4 years before they start gaining any respectability. UNCC has learned a hard lesson, they thought that they would immediately dominate the Charlotte market, and become "the darlings" of the area, maybe even replace the ACC teams, but, predictably, it hasn't happen, the ACC still dominates the market, even App and ECU, seem to have a bigger presence, you can make a case that their own alumi seem to be losing interest, and it doesn't appear the students have jumped on board, and really support the program. Winning against quality programs would go a long way to fixing a lot of their problems, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Hit the nail on the head. When ECU was in CUSA, they had the same problem...and still do. It's hard to contend with the storied programs of UNC, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. We have a similar issue because we are relatively close to UK and Ohio State.

I would think that App and Georgia Southern have the luxury (from what I can tell) of being off on an island, so they kind of dominate their niche in their states. I don't think there is another FBS school anywhere close to Statesboro or Boone is there?

Winston Salem (Wake Forest) is 86 miles away, so that's about it.

UNCC isn't in a worse position than App St (or Ga So) due to proximity to major programs, it's due to a lack of history as a football power (or football at all). Even though App and Ga So were FCS they built programs that created state-wide awareness and interest in their football programs. I'm not familiar with Ga So but in App's case at least it's a large school that doesn't have a lot of commuters like Charlotte. I'd equate it to JMU vs George Mason in Virginia.

App won't go "head to head" with Duke and UNC, but will be more on a level with ECU and maybe some day NC State. JMU will never be a UVA but will compete with ODU and maybe some day Va Tech. Plenty of grads and fans to go around, will just take time for it to grow. UNCC is primarily know for BB and coming out of a commuter school perception are starting much further down the ladder.

Guys, I don't see why we need CUSA to implode for us to do well. The Belt has 3 dogs (but two of them can be handed walking papers if they don't produce).

CUSA has plenty of dogs too.

---

The Bowl situation has resolved itself. Now all we need to do is to fix basketball and start winning some more OOC games. For USA that means beating NC State at home. Ark State? Beat Mizzou at home.

---

I remain unconvinced that UAB will be bringing football back. Some of y'all don't understand exactly how arrogant and completely unaccountable the UAT Board is. And with a total Bamer in the Governor's mansion (Bentley - who has a son working at Bryant Bank), I'm unconvinced you'll see much pressure from the state level.

Could be very bad if they replace UAB and pick off one of our top programs. Regardless both conferences will be fine...

(05-08-2015 11:43 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  Guys, I don't see why we need CUSA to implode for us to do well. The Belt has 3 dogs (but two of them can be handed walking papers if they don't produce).

CUSA has plenty of dogs too.

---

The Bowl situation has resolved itself. Now all we need to do is to fix basketball and start winning some more OOC games. For USA that means beating NC State at home. Ark State? Beat Mizzou at home.

---

I remain unconvinced that UAB will be bringing football back. Some of y'all don't understand exactly how arrogant and completely unaccountable the UAT Board is. And with a total Bamer in the Governor's mansion (Bentley - who has a son working at Bryant Bank), I'm unconvinced you'll see much pressure from the state level.

Because the idea of that league failing pleases me?

For me (personally), this conference needs three things to be literally perfect:

1. Another Texas football team.
2. No trips to Moscow (no offense, Idaho fans, that's just not an area I care to visit/recruit from/send our team to)
3. a few more games on ESPN2.

I figure 2 & 3 will work itself out in a few years (next TV negotiation round and I think Idaho will leave when 2 teams are added in the next year or two... some kind of bargain between the east and west to grab Missouri State and an eastern school that is not clear at this time).

Then, I figure number 1 will happen if/when NMSU leaves. The Sun Belt will end up being a 12/14 league. HOPEFULLY with 2 bids in NCAA basketball tourney (maybe not two auto-selections, but every 2-3 years have a second team make it in).