(09-16-2015 08:30 AM)cmt Wrote:  Blame the fans? Right. We have the BEST fans in the entire country. Attendance per win has to be the highest in the nation. Of teams that aren't ranked, have seldom been ranked, have hardly ever gone to a decent bowl, seldom get a visitor that brings more than 50 fans and could quite possibly be one of the worst football programs in history, we show up game after game, year after year.

Just look at any average attendance figures over the last 50 years, if there is such a thing, compare it to any other perennial loser and we are amazingly loyal considering our overall poor record.

Just a few years ago, it was argued right here that Memphis, Rice and Temple were the 3 worst top D1 (or whatever you call it ) football programs in history. We love our school and are eternally optimistic. All we need is a little P5 money in our pocket and we'll kick some a$$.

Then why did we only draw 35,000 for a 9-3 first time ever d1 conference championship? Hard to play much better than that and no support.

(09-16-2015 10:54 AM)FUB Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 08:30 AM)cmt Wrote:  Blame the fans? Right. We have the BEST fans in the entire country. Attendance per win has to be the highest in the nation. Of teams that aren't ranked, have seldom been ranked, have hardly ever gone to a decent bowl, seldom get a visitor that brings more than 50 fans and could quite possibly be one of the worst football programs in history, we show up game after game, year after year.

Just look at any average attendance figures over the last 50 years, if there is such a thing, compare it to any other perennial loser and we are amazingly loyal considering our overall poor record.

Just a few years ago, it was argued right here that Memphis, Rice and Temple were the 3 worst top D1 (or whatever you call it ) football programs in history. We love our school and are eternally optimistic. All we need is a little P5 money in our pocket and we'll kick some a$$.

Then why did we only draw 35,000 for a 9-3 first time ever d1 conference championship? Hard to play much better than that and no support.

hard to say. Maybe some people didn't believe still. Maybe some some thought it was a fluke..I dunno. As we keep winning, the people will come.

(09-15-2015 02:43 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 12:08 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 09:34 AM)KendallC Wrote:  We could go 130-0 the next ten seasons and the SEC still won't give us an invite.

The moment we join the B12 and shift the Memphis market way from the SEC is the moment we are taken seriously by the SEC. At that point, there is no MS or AR school that will hold us back.

Even if we join the B12, the SEC would still have a firm grasp on the Memphis market.

LOL. That's not even true right now.
They have a major presence, and would continue to get a good %.
However, even with bad teams, Memphis Tigers have OWNED viewership market, and would only own by even higher %'s.
Big 12 would get more viewers than SEC. Easily.

(09-15-2015 02:57 PM)Smith Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:43 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 12:08 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 09:34 AM)KendallC Wrote:  We could go 130-0 the next ten seasons and the SEC still won't give us an invite.

The moment we join the B12 and shift the Memphis market way from the SEC is the moment we are taken seriously by the SEC. At that point, there is no MS or AR school that will hold us back.

Even if we join the B12, the SEC would still have a firm grasp on the Memphis market.

I disagree with you. Memphis has and always will be about Memphis. Other cities probably yes, but not Memphis. All this city has been waiting on is a decent product. We finally have the right people in place.

You are correct, sir. I get tired of these SEC homers shooting from the hip. People who don't know better accept their bs as fact.

For instance, this guy states SEC has firm grasp on the market. People believe this and assume more SEC viewers than Memphis watchers.

Not so. Complete misrepresentation of facts.

I quit watching the SEC years ago. I've gotten where I only watch the AAC , B12 or B10 games now days. The P5 conferences have gotten where there is pretty much the same champion or group of 3 now days anyway, which makes it boring to watch as you pretty much know who is going to win.

(09-16-2015 10:40 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 09:15 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  A concern of mine is the raided P5 conference, upon us joining as replacement, loses its P5 status.

I am also unsure of the GOR strength in binding conferences together. If I recall properly, it was initially considered ironclad, but lately reports indicate it may have loopholes.

With each year of an existing contract the value of the GOR is reduced, i.e., using the ACC as an example the GOR was for a fixed period of time. I don't know if there are clauses that extend it year to year but there was at the time of execution a fixed period of the GOR.

The B12 GoR is fixed to the length of their current TV contract, which expires in 2025, IIRC.

(09-16-2015 11:24 AM)Pastnerized Wrote:  You are correct, sir. I get tired of these SEC homers shooting from the hip. People who don't know better accept their bs as fact.

For instance, this guy states SEC has firm grasp on the market. People believe this and assume more SEC viewers than Memphis watchers.

Not so. Complete misrepresentation of facts.

A few years ago (6?), the Comme4rcial Appeal actually did a survey which surprisingly showed that more of their subscribers called themselves Memphis fans than Ole Miss and Tennessee combined. How many of those Tiger fans can, or would, pay $50 for a football ticket is another matter.

(09-16-2015 10:44 AM)Atlanta Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 09:04 AM)TripleA Wrote:  The SEC is never adding Memphis. N-E-V-E-R. However, don't say they won't expand. They have a network now that is printing money, and it makes sense to add states they don't have. The SEC has interest in UNC and Virginia, and if not, then perhaps NC State and Va Tech. They also would take OU, and maybe OSU as a package, if they had no choice.

I would be shocked if they added any team in a state they already have, unless Texas decided to lower its standards, lol. That eliminates FSU, Ga Tech, Memphis, etc.

Another thing. Not saying it would ever happen, but P5 conferences with networks could go as high as 24 teams and make it work. This has actually been considered in the past, although I doubt it ever happens. The point is, don't say the B1G or SEC won't add any more teams. Conferences could make 15 teams (3 divisions of 5), 16 (2 divisions of 8, or 4 of 4), 18 (3 divisions of 6), 20 (4 divisions of 5), and 24 (4 divisions of 6) all work.

The B1G is actively looking to go to 16. If they did, the SEC could follow. But either one is only going to add other P5s from the B12 or ACC, if the GoRs can be overcome. Our hope would be in replacing a team in either the Big 12 or ACC.

Agree, in the OP's linked article, the author seemed to use a logic that geography was a major point of consideration which is contrary to the more accepted view that it is $$ added by gaining a wider foot with a new conference partner that had a large following, i.e., adding market share was the more important factor.

Geography in and of itself is not a driving force, as I doubt the Pac 12 adds Boise State just b/c it's in Idaho.

However, geography IS tied into $$$ when the conference has a network, and is missing a state within reasonable distance of its existing footprint, that would bring it more cable customers. That's why the SEC would look at the states of NC and VA, and ignore FL, TN, GA, etc.

Would ignore unless Memphis is in Bevo 12/10

Below is a contract lawyer's view about the GOR's ability to stop realignment. In sum, it is weaker than commonly believed.

http://www.foxsports.com/college-footbal...hts-010313

(09-16-2015 11:24 AM)Pastnerized Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:57 PM)Smith Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:43 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 12:08 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 09:34 AM)KendallC Wrote:  We could go 130-0 the next ten seasons and the SEC still won't give us an invite.

The moment we join the B12 and shift the Memphis market way from the SEC is the moment we are taken seriously by the SEC. At that point, there is no MS or AR school that will hold us back.

Even if we join the B12, the SEC would still have a firm grasp on the Memphis market.

I disagree with you. Memphis has and always will be about Memphis. Other cities probably yes, but not Memphis. All this city has been waiting on is a decent product. We finally have the right people in place.

You are correct, sir. I get tired of these SEC homers shooting from the hip. People who don't know better accept their bs as fact.

For instance, this guy states SEC has firm grasp on the market. People believe this and assume more SEC viewers than Memphis watchers.

Not so. Complete misrepresentation of facts.

I have no problem with you disagreeing with me. I take exception with you inferring that I "don't know better" and accept someone's BS as fact.

I don't have data to back up the following statement because it's an opinion...but you don't have data to back up yours either, so I guess that's fine:

If Memphis vs Bowling Green was on ESPN2 this weekend against Ole Miss vs Alabama on ESPN, my opinion is that more people in the Memphis area would watch Ole Miss vs Alabama. I could be wrong...I would like to be wrong...but I believe the average Memphis-area football fan would watch the SEC game.

(09-16-2015 11:19 AM)Pastnerized Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:43 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 12:08 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 09:34 AM)KendallC Wrote:  We could go 130-0 the next ten seasons and the SEC still won't give us an invite.

The moment we join the B12 and shift the Memphis market way from the SEC is the moment we are taken seriously by the SEC. At that point, there is no MS or AR school that will hold us back.

Even if we join the B12, the SEC would still have a firm grasp on the Memphis market.

LOL. That's not even true right now.
They have a major presence, and would continue to get a good %.
However, even with bad teams, Memphis Tigers have OWNED viewership market, and would only own by even higher %'s.
Big 12 would get more viewers than SEC. Easily.

someone should have access to the ratings last weekend. With OK and UT going head to head that might be a bit skewed.

What we can say right now with a certainty is that Memphis is a top 5 ESPN college market most years. So interest in college football is already present here. If Memphis were to get itself into a P5 conference, putting P5 teams into the Liberty Bowl, with write ups in the CA and discussion on local talk radio, I can see no reason why that top 5 market wouldn't respond. So I do think the Memphis college TV market is a positive when it comes to Memphis' expansion hopes and the Big 12. Add some of the other positives that Memphis now has ... new recruiting area, Big 12 geography, good basketball and now football. I think we have a lot going for us. We'll see.

(09-16-2015 01:58 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 11:24 AM)Pastnerized Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:57 PM)Smith Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:43 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 12:08 PM)UofMstateU Wrote:  The moment we join the B12 and shift the Memphis market way from the SEC is the moment we are taken seriously by the SEC. At that point, there is no MS or AR school that will hold us back.

Even if we join the B12, the SEC would still have a firm grasp on the Memphis market.

I disagree with you. Memphis has and always will be about Memphis. Other cities probably yes, but not Memphis. All this city has been waiting on is a decent product. We finally have the right people in place.

You are correct, sir. I get tired of these SEC homers shooting from the hip. People who don't know better accept their bs as fact.

For instance, this guy states SEC has firm grasp on the market. People believe this and assume more SEC viewers than Memphis watchers.

Not so. Complete misrepresentation of facts.

I have no problem with you disagreeing with me. I take exception with you inferring that I "don't know better" and accept someone's BS as fact.

I don't have data to back up the following statement because it's an opinion...but you don't have data to back up yours either, so I guess that's fine:

If Memphis vs Bowling Green was on ESPN2 this weekend against Ole Miss vs Alabama on ESPN, my opinion is that more people in the Memphis area would watch Ole Miss vs Alabama. I could be wrong...I would like to be wrong...but I believe the average Memphis-area football fan would watch the SEC game.

What if it was Memphis playing Ole Miss and Alabama playing Bowling Green? Or Memphis playing Texas/OU/TCU/etc. and Ole Miss playing Bowling Green?

Two top 10-15 teams playing each other is going to draw really well in almost every market...

Memphis is a better fit for the SEC than Big 12.

(09-16-2015 03:18 PM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 01:58 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 11:24 AM)Pastnerized Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:57 PM)Smith Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:43 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  Even if we join the B12, the SEC would still have a firm grasp on the Memphis market.

I disagree with you. Memphis has and always will be about Memphis. Other cities probably yes, but not Memphis. All this city has been waiting on is a decent product. We finally have the right people in place.

You are correct, sir. I get tired of these SEC homers shooting from the hip. People who don't know better accept their bs as fact.

For instance, this guy states SEC has firm grasp on the market. People believe this and assume more SEC viewers than Memphis watchers.

Not so. Complete misrepresentation of facts.

I have no problem with you disagreeing with me. I take exception with you inferring that I "don't know better" and accept someone's BS as fact.

I don't have data to back up the following statement because it's an opinion...but you don't have data to back up yours either, so I guess that's fine:

If Memphis vs Bowling Green was on ESPN2 this weekend against Ole Miss vs Alabama on ESPN, my opinion is that more people in the Memphis area would watch Ole Miss vs Alabama. I could be wrong...I would like to be wrong...but I believe the average Memphis-area football fan would watch the SEC game.

What if it was Memphis playing Ole Miss and Alabama playing Bowling Green? Or Memphis playing Texas/OU/TCU/etc. and Ole Miss playing Bowling Green?

Two top 10-15 teams playing each other is going to draw really well in almost every market...

Fair point...I was just using the games that Memphis and Ole Miss were playing this weekend for comparison. Luck of the draw that it was the Bama game for Ole Miss.

The SEC fan base in Memphis is split between four or five schools: Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Alabama. The question I would have is this: if Memphis was playing Texas and Tennessee was playing UCLA, which game would Memphis-based fans of the other SEC schools be more apt to watch? I'd like to think they'd watch us, but I'm not sure where their allegiance would lie.

(09-16-2015 03:23 PM)Farmer Jack Wrote:  Memphis is a better fit for the SEC than Big 12.

RC? Is that you???

(09-16-2015 10:54 AM)FUB Wrote:  ...

Then why did we only draw 35,000 for a 9-3 first time ever d1 conference championship? Hard to play much better than that and no support.

You can call it that.

Or you can call it a late season game with implications for getting a potential share of the conference championship against a 2-9 opponent where we drew approximately 10,000 more people than we did the year before against a similar opponent around the same date.

(09-16-2015 03:32 PM)aardWolf Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 03:23 PM)Farmer Jack Wrote:  Memphis is a better fit for the SEC than Big 12.

RC? Is that you???

Maybe the SEC is a better fit for Memphis. But I wouldn't say it was the other way around.

At any rate, Memphis will get into the SEC about the time I develop a sweet jumpshot and get my chance with the NBA.

(09-16-2015 03:24 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 03:18 PM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 01:58 PM)RCM1029 Wrote:  

(09-16-2015 11:24 AM)Pastnerized Wrote:  

(09-15-2015 02:57 PM)Smith Wrote:  I disagree with you. Memphis has and always will be about Memphis. Other cities probably yes, but not Memphis. All this city has been waiting on is a decent product. We finally have the right people in place.

You are correct, sir. I get tired of these SEC homers shooting from the hip. People who don't know better accept their bs as fact.

For instance, this guy states SEC has firm grasp on the market. People believe this and assume more SEC viewers than Memphis watchers.

Not so. Complete misrepresentation of facts.

I have no problem with you disagreeing with me. I take exception with you inferring that I "don't know better" and accept someone's BS as fact.

I don't have data to back up the following statement because it's an opinion...but you don't have data to back up yours either, so I guess that's fine:

If Memphis vs Bowling Green was on ESPN2 this weekend against Ole Miss vs Alabama on ESPN, my opinion is that more people in the Memphis area would watch Ole Miss vs Alabama. I could be wrong...I would like to be wrong...but I believe the average Memphis-area football fan would watch the SEC game.

What if it was Memphis playing Ole Miss and Alabama playing Bowling Green? Or Memphis playing Texas/OU/TCU/etc. and Ole Miss playing Bowling Green?

Two top 10-15 teams playing each other is going to draw really well in almost every market...

Fair point...I was just using the games that Memphis and Ole Miss were playing this weekend for comparison. Luck of the draw that it was the Bama game for Ole Miss.

The SEC fan base in Memphis is split between four or five schools: Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Alabama. The question I would have is this: if Memphis was playing Texas and Tennessee was playing UCLA, which game would Memphis-based fans of the other SEC schools be more apt to watch? I'd like to think they'd watch us, but I'm not sure where their allegiance would lie.

I have no idea...