(09-02-2015 01:49 PM)EagleNationRising Wrote:  Geez...it seems like there are a lot of ODU fans over here that **** out roses...is this the norm? Like they weren't in FCS not 3 years ago getting knocked out the playoffs twice in a row by a now Sunbelt team.

Yes, it's the norm. They're the new Easy U. (ECU) of the conference. Pretty much big-headed with nothing to show for it. Not many fans of their fans here. Sigh.

All in all a good add for the Sun Belt. To gauge it's strength against something we all know, i took a look at this add vis a vis our Old Dominion add. There are similarities and differences, but here's what I found.

There are couple of similarities between the ODU add for us, and the CCU add for the Sun Belt. They are both quite near Beaches (Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach...both good destinations). Both are new to football (ODU started as a FCS Indy in 2009 and moved to FBS formally, this year although the played provisionally in 2014 season; CCU started football in 2003, and will move to FBS in 2018, playing provisionally in 2017, I believe.) Both have under-sized stadiums with plans to upgrade as soon as possible. Foreman Field seats around 20,000 and is being upgraded to 34,000, I believe. Brooks Stadium does not enable FBS sized crowds at the moment seating only around 9,500, but is being upgraded to 20,000.

Similar basketball results in NCAA tournaments although ODU does hold an edge: in the last 10 years ODU has 5 NCAA appearances (11 in their history) while CCU has 2 in the last 10 years (4 in total). Baseball, on the other hand, while good at both schools, favors the Chanticleers who have 8 Regional and 2 Super Regional entries in the last 10 years.

The major differences are in student size. ODU at 24,828 is clearly the larger school since CCU only posts 9,976 students. Athletic budgets are mismatched as well, but CCU has deep pocket donors that may close that gap. ODU spends $34 million on Athletics while CCU spends a reasonably sized $23 million. TV markets...no comparison. ODU is in the 43rd largest TV market while CCU sits in the 104th largest media market of Florence/Myrtle Beach.

While I do think this is a good add for the Sun Belt, I do believe (and yes, this is opinion) that C-USA clearly got the better end of the deal. I'd take ODU as an add any day over Coastal Carolina.

(09-02-2015 03:17 PM)Cnelson203 Wrote:  Similar basketball results in NCAA tournaments with 2 NCAA berths for ODU and 4 for CCU -- two of which were back to back. Baseball, on the other hand, while good at both schools, favors the Chanticleers who have 8 Regional and 2 Super Regional entries in the last 10 years.

Correction, we have had 11 NCAA berths to their 4.

(09-02-2015 03:29 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 03:17 PM)Cnelson203 Wrote:  Similar basketball results in NCAA tournaments with 2 NCAA berths for ODU and 4 for CCU -- two of which were back to back. Baseball, on the other hand, while good at both schools, favors the Chanticleers who have 8 Regional and 2 Super Regional entries in the last 10 years.

Correction, we have had 11 NCAA berths to their 4.

I stand corrected, and will change the post. I meant to compare only last 10 years, where it is still ODU 5, and CCU 2. Thanks for the correction.

(09-02-2015 03:17 PM)Cnelson203 Wrote:  Athletic budgets are mismatched as well, but CCU has deep pocket donors that may close that gap. ODU spends $34 million on Athletics while CCU spends a reasonably sized $23 million.

Since you are making a comparison, the most recent numbers show ODU with an over $41 million dollar athletic budget.

http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances

Further, I don't know where you are sourcing the expected size of ODU's new stadium. Our administration has been absolutely non-committal about giving an expectation for the capacity.

ODU brought football back into its athletic portfolio in 2009. We played football from 1930-1941; hence ODU playing in a stadium that was built as a New Deal project (which probably will be replaced entirely). The only thing Coastal and ODU have in common is being close to a beach. In just about any other metric, they are completely different institutions.

wouldn't mind if ODU scheduled them once for home/home. would give me an excuse to go down and play some golf

We've got openings in the future and I hope we can get a H-H with Coastal once they're full-FBS. If their MBB can stay decent, a basketball series would be ok too.

Once they get their stadium closer to 30k seats, I imagine we'll see a bowl proposal attached to Coastal, there are far worse bowl destinations than Myrtle Beach.

(09-02-2015 03:29 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Correction, we have had 11 NCAA berths to their 4.

Yes. ODU has received the respect of as many at large bids as Coastal has in total appearances. Probably not a good comparison. We picked up 2 or 3 at larges while running near the top our their conference before we left it around 20 years ago.

That said, I think Coastal is a good add. Not based on where they are, but where they are going. With that many HSs in the area playing good football, it's not going to take a real long time for them to compete at this level. And in that way, they are very much like us. Probably won't go 6-6 in year 1, but it won't take them long.

(09-01-2015 01:21 PM)monarchman Wrote:  The Sunbelt is just not a good conference. I guess Coastal Carolina makes since for them, but it does not improve the image of that league.

When MTSU, WKU, FAU, UNT, and FIU were still in the SunBelt, we kicked C-USA's ass in face-to-face matches... So, only NOW does the SBC suck.

(09-02-2015 10:03 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 03:29 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Correction, we have had 11 NCAA berths to their 4.

Yes. ODU has received the respect of as many at large bids as Coastal has in total appearances. Probably not a good comparison. We picked up 2 or 3 at larges while running near the top our their conference before we left it around 20 years ago.

That said, I think Coastal is a good add. Not based on where they are, but where they are going. With that many HSs in the area playing good football, it's not going to take a real long time for them to compete at this level. And in that way, they are very much like us. Probably won't go 6-6 in year 1, but it won't take them long.

Wonder what the divisional alignment will be, that will have some impact on how quickly they get up to speed.

(09-02-2015 10:22 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:03 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 03:29 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Correction, we have had 11 NCAA berths to their 4.

Yes. ODU has received the respect of as many at large bids as Coastal has in total appearances. Probably not a good comparison. We picked up 2 or 3 at larges while running near the top our their conference before we left it around 20 years ago.

That said, I think Coastal is a good add. Not based on where they are, but where they are going. With that many HSs in the area playing good football, it's not going to take a real long time for them to compete at this level. And in that way, they are very much like us. Probably won't go 6-6 in year 1, but it won't take them long.

Wonder what the divisional alignment will be, that will have some impact on how quickly they get up to speed.

Agreed. They have some good teams in the Belt and there are only so many games against Georgia State and Idaho.

(09-03-2015 05:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:22 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:03 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 03:29 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Correction, we have had 11 NCAA berths to their 4.

Yes. ODU has received the respect of as many at large bids as Coastal has in total appearances. Probably not a good comparison. We picked up 2 or 3 at larges while running near the top our their conference before we left it around 20 years ago.

That said, I think Coastal is a good add. Not based on where they are, but where they are going. With that many HSs in the area playing good football, it's not going to take a real long time for them to compete at this level. And in that way, they are very much like us. Probably won't go 6-6 in year 1, but it won't take them long.

Wonder what the divisional alignment will be, that will have some impact on how quickly they get up to speed.

Agreed. They have some good teams in the Belt and there are only so many games against Georgia State and Idaho.

It would most likely be App, GS, GSU, CCU, Troy, and USA. App and southern will be tough games every year as will USA. Troy has been down but how long will they stay there and then there is always GSU. Things could definitely change again by the time they are added. Idahos contract is up next in 2017, I think, so they could be booted and someone brought in to replace them. As long as the new team declares by July 2016 they will be on the same transition schedule as CCU and could change the divisions. CCU would also have the head start on the recruits.

(09-03-2015 07:08 AM)benny_t Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 05:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:22 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:03 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 03:29 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  Correction, we have had 11 NCAA berths to their 4.

Yes. ODU has received the respect of as many at large bids as Coastal has in total appearances. Probably not a good comparison. We picked up 2 or 3 at larges while running near the top our their conference before we left it around 20 years ago.

That said, I think Coastal is a good add. Not based on where they are, but where they are going. With that many HSs in the area playing good football, it's not going to take a real long time for them to compete at this level. And in that way, they are very much like us. Probably won't go 6-6 in year 1, but it won't take them long.

Wonder what the divisional alignment will be, that will have some impact on how quickly they get up to speed.

Agreed. They have some good teams in the Belt and there are only so many games against Georgia State and Idaho.

It would most likely be App, GS, GSU, CCU, Troy, and USA. App and southern will be tough games every year as will USA. Troy has been down but how long will they stay there and then there is always GSU. Things could definitely change again by the time they are added. Idahos contract is up next in 2017, I think, so they could be booted and someone brought in to replace them. As long as the new team declares by July 2016 they will be on the same transition schedule as CCU and could change the divisions. CCU would also have the head start on the recruits.

I feel bad for Idaho. They try so hard but never get any recognition. People see them as more of an FCS team. It's sad

(09-03-2015 01:06 PM)Surbadger Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 07:08 AM)benny_t Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 05:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:22 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:03 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  Yes. ODU has received the respect of as many at large bids as Coastal has in total appearances. Probably not a good comparison. We picked up 2 or 3 at larges while running near the top our their conference before we left it around 20 years ago.

That said, I think Coastal is a good add. Not based on where they are, but where they are going. With that many HSs in the area playing good football, it's not going to take a real long time for them to compete at this level. And in that way, they are very much like us. Probably won't go 6-6 in year 1, but it won't take them long.

Wonder what the divisional alignment will be, that will have some impact on how quickly they get up to speed.

Agreed. They have some good teams in the Belt and there are only so many games against Georgia State and Idaho.

It would most likely be App, GS, GSU, CCU, Troy, and USA. App and southern will be tough games every year as will USA. Troy has been down but how long will they stay there and then there is always GSU. Things could definitely change again by the time they are added. Idahos contract is up next in 2017, I think, so they could be booted and someone brought in to replace them. As long as the new team declares by July 2016 they will be on the same transition schedule as CCU and could change the divisions. CCU would also have the head start on the recruits.

I feel bad for Idaho. They try so hard but never get any recognition. People see them as more of an FCS team. It's sad

Honestly, I can see why the perception exists... They usually suck and they play in a dome smaller than a lot of FCS stadiums... I keep thinking they'd be better off in the Big Sky, maybe one day. Or maybe if they magically get good. That would work too, they could stay FBS then.

(09-03-2015 01:12 PM)Ole Blue Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 01:06 PM)Surbadger Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 07:08 AM)benny_t Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 05:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:22 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  Wonder what the divisional alignment will be, that will have some impact on how quickly they get up to speed.

Agreed. They have some good teams in the Belt and there are only so many games against Georgia State and Idaho.

It would most likely be App, GS, GSU, CCU, Troy, and USA. App and southern will be tough games every year as will USA. Troy has been down but how long will they stay there and then there is always GSU. Things could definitely change again by the time they are added. Idahos contract is up next in 2017, I think, so they could be booted and someone brought in to replace them. As long as the new team declares by July 2016 they will be on the same transition schedule as CCU and could change the divisions. CCU would also have the head start on the recruits.

I feel bad for Idaho. They try so hard but never get any recognition. People see them as more of an FCS team. It's sad

Honestly, I can see why the perception exists... They usually suck and they play in a dome smaller than a lot of FCS stadiums... I keep thinking they'd be better off in the Big Sky, maybe one day. Or maybe if they magically get good. That would work too, they could stay FBS then.

To me, they just seem like the lovable losers. Its hard to not like them because they don't seem to do anything to anyone. I'll root for them unless they are playing a C-USA team. I would really hate to see them pushed down to FCS, even if they really need to be there.

(09-03-2015 01:06 PM)Surbadger Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 07:08 AM)benny_t Wrote:  

(09-03-2015 05:41 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:22 PM)MTPiKapp Wrote:  

(09-02-2015 10:03 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  Yes. ODU has received the respect of as many at large bids as Coastal has in total appearances. Probably not a good comparison. We picked up 2 or 3 at larges while running near the top our their conference before we left it around 20 years ago.

That said, I think Coastal is a good add. Not based on where they are, but where they are going. With that many HSs in the area playing good football, it's not going to take a real long time for them to compete at this level. And in that way, they are very much like us. Probably won't go 6-6 in year 1, but it won't take them long.

Wonder what the divisional alignment will be, that will have some impact on how quickly they get up to speed.

Agreed. They have some good teams in the Belt and there are only so many games against Georgia State and Idaho.

It would most likely be App, GS, GSU, CCU, Troy, and USA. App and southern will be tough games every year as will USA. Troy has been down but how long will they stay there and then there is always GSU. Things could definitely change again by the time they are added. Idahos contract is up next in 2017, I think, so they could be booted and someone brought in to replace them. As long as the new team declares by July 2016 they will be on the same transition schedule as CCU and could change the divisions. CCU would also have the head start on the recruits.

I feel bad for Idaho. They try so hard but never get any recognition. People see them as more of an FCS team. It's sad

I feel bad for them in the sense that it wasn't their fault that the only G5 conference that makes sense for them AND they can get into fell apart. They aren't getting the MWC call as long as Boise is around and Boise isn't going anywhere.

The Sun Belt is s means to an end for Idaho and vice versa, much like the first time they were members, the difference is the first time they had somewhere else to go before the Sun Belt no longer needed them and it doesn't seem like that's the way it will play out this time. The Sun Belt already has replacement options if they want to go down that road the next time Idaho's deal expires.

If MT were a Sun Belt member still I'd be pushing for a full invite to NMSU and a replacement for Idaho out of the usual suspects Lamar, SHSU, Missouri State, EKU et al(apart from Liberty) to get to 12/14. I'll grant Missouri State is the lone choice that would do anything for me, but what does Idaho do for you?

Idaho has troubles that are no fault of their own, but they also aren't blameless for their lot in life so to speak.

(09-02-2015 10:18 PM)goliath74 Wrote:  

(09-01-2015 01:21 PM)monarchman Wrote:  The Sunbelt is just not a good conference. I guess Coastal Carolina makes since for them, but it does not improve the image of that league.

When MTSU, WKU, FAU, UNT, and FIU were still in the SunBelt, we kicked C-USA's ass in face-to-face matches... So, only NOW does the SBC suck.

No, the Sun Belt was pretty bad for most of the first decade, we closed the gap with CUSA, largely in favorable match ups, over about a five year period, but I'd argue the Sun Belt is better now than it was ~2001-2008ish.