USM, if the new coach doesn't change the offense too much, should have a fairly easy run through the west. This will set them up to host, which makes them the favorite.

I think the strength overall is in the east, but that just translates to more opportunities for losses.

Actually, the road to the CUSACG goes through Hattiesburg, MS in '16. USM hosts Marshall and La Tech this year. WKU has to travel to Marshall, La Tech, and MTSU...they will lose at least 2, possibly all 3 of those games.

USM wins the east and host either Marshall or MTSU. USM finishes regular season with an 11-1 record, gets the 12th win in the CUSACG, finished the regular season ranked in the #8-13 T25 ranking (possibly higher) and plays in the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida.

(02-27-2016 02:12 AM)TTT Wrote:  Actually, the road to the CUSACG goes through Hattiesburg, MS in '16. USM hosts Marshall and La Tech this year. WKU has to travel to Marshall, La Tech, and MTSU...they will lose at least 2, possibly all 3 of those games.

USM wins the east and host either Marshall or MTSU. USM finishes regular season with an 11-1 record, gets the 12th win in the CUSACG, finished the regular season ranked in the #8-13 T25 ranking (possibly higher) and plays in the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida.

I see you like to dream. Nothing wrong with that if you're immune to heartbreak. BTW, USM is in the west.

(02-27-2016 02:12 AM)TTT Wrote:  Actually, the road to the CUSACG goes through Hattiesburg, MS in '16. USM hosts Marshall and La Tech this year. WKU has to travel to Marshall, La Tech, and MTSU...they will lose at least 2, possibly all 3 of those games.

USM wins the east and host either Marshall or MTSU. USM finishes regular season with an 11-1 record, gets the 12th win in the CUSACG, finished the regular season ranked in the #8-13 T25 ranking (possibly higher) and plays in the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida.

Honestly, do you know how homerish and silly...no stupid that sounds? About the only thing you left out is playing a SEC school for the national champion.

After the above post everyone should know it's a waste of time responding to anything else you say from now till this board blows up.

Western is the King at this point. End of story.

(02-25-2016 08:20 AM)BKTopper Wrote:  

(02-24-2016 10:04 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  Western Kentucky has a chance to be really good IF they can maintain Doughty's production at QB. Ask Marshall how hard it was to replace Cato though. I think that CUSA is gonna be a toss up next year between Southern Miss, Tech, WKU, Middle Tennessee, and Marshall. Every team has it's warts so everyone will have a window of opportunity except for Charlotte, UTSA, and North Texas.

I hope you guys all see what I see... Those are 5 SOLID teams with (mostly) solid coaching plans in place, with a dedication to improving and not just maintaining,most of whom have name recognition (with Marshall leading the pack in that respect), and whose fan bases are all starting to hate each other (including an established rivalry with a name, that has transcended 3 conferences).

I'm VERY excited for next season. People talk a lot about wanting to be "The next Boise", but none of us are going to be able to do that. They were playing in a league where competition-wise it was just them and SJSU and LT, and for one or two seasons Hawaii (bulldogs please correct me if I'm mistaken). But they were for a good long stretch at the top of a lonely mountain.

None of us get that luxury. It's a bloodbath at the top. And I KNOW it's about to get a lot more crowded: FIU is going to break through, no questions asked. Everything is in place for them. FAU showed they have what it takes to compete with every team in the league, they just need to stop making the same mistakes.

What is happening here is EXACTLY what happened to Mountain West pre 2010 realignment: it's crowded at the top, and teams are getting ranked. People can poo-poo C-USA's market strategy (guilty), but that's one of the things MWC didn't have, aside from San Diego, Vegas, SLC. All west coast, hard for East Coast fans of the game to buy in.



The only other thing I'd like to see next season are those pretty stadiums in Texas packed, on tv.

2016 is going to be fun!

Actually it was Fresno not SJSU. SJSU only broke out in the last couple years (as well as Utah State). Once Boise left, it was Fresno and Nevada.

But your correct, next year is wide open.

(02-27-2016 08:08 PM)tigtoodawg Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 08:20 AM)BKTopper Wrote:  

(02-24-2016 10:04 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  Western Kentucky has a chance to be really good IF they can maintain Doughty's production at QB. Ask Marshall how hard it was to replace Cato though. I think that CUSA is gonna be a toss up next year between Southern Miss, Tech, WKU, Middle Tennessee, and Marshall. Every team has it's warts so everyone will have a window of opportunity except for Charlotte, UTSA, and North Texas.

I hope you guys all see what I see... Those are 5 SOLID teams with (mostly) solid coaching plans in place, with a dedication to improving and not just maintaining,most of whom have name recognition (with Marshall leading the pack in that respect), and whose fan bases are all starting to hate each other (including an established rivalry with a name, that has transcended 3 conferences).

I'm VERY excited for next season. People talk a lot about wanting to be "The next Boise", but none of us are going to be able to do that. They were playing in a league where competition-wise it was just them and SJSU and LT, and for one or two seasons Hawaii (bulldogs please correct me if I'm mistaken). But they were for a good long stretch at the top of a lonely mountain.

None of us get that luxury. It's a bloodbath at the top. And I KNOW it's about to get a lot more crowded: FIU is going to break through, no questions asked. Everything is in place for them. FAU showed they have what it takes to compete with every team in the league, they just need to stop making the same mistakes.

What is happening here is EXACTLY what happened to Mountain West pre 2010 realignment: it's crowded at the top, and teams are getting ranked. People can poo-poo C-USA's market strategy (guilty), but that's one of the things MWC didn't have, aside from San Diego, Vegas, SLC. All west coast, hard for East Coast fans of the game to buy in.



The only other thing I'd like to see next season are those pretty stadiums in Texas packed, on tv.

2016 is going to be fun!

Actually it was Fresno not SJSU. SJSU only broke out in the last couple years (as well as Utah State). Once Boise left, it was Fresno and Nevada.

But your correct, next year is wide open.

Whoa. Brain fart. I totally meant Fresno. Was picturing the silly green V on the helmet and all. Thanks for catching that!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

(02-25-2016 08:20 AM)BKTopper Wrote:  

(02-24-2016 10:04 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  Western Kentucky has a chance to be really good IF they can maintain Doughty's production at QB. Ask Marshall how hard it was to replace Cato though. I think that CUSA is gonna be a toss up next year between Southern Miss, Tech, WKU, Middle Tennessee, and Marshall. Every team has it's warts so everyone will have a window of opportunity except for Charlotte, UTSA, and North Texas.

I hope you guys all see what I see... Those are 5 SOLID teams with (mostly) solid coaching plans in place, with a dedication to improving and not just maintaining,most of whom have name recognition (with Marshall leading the pack in that respect), and whose fan bases are all starting to hate each other (including an established rivalry with a name, that has transcended 3 conferences).

I'm VERY excited for next season. People talk a lot about wanting to be "The next Boise", but none of us are going to be able to do that. They were playing in a league where competition-wise it was just them and SJSU and LT, and for one or two seasons Hawaii (bulldogs please correct me if I'm mistaken). But they were for a good long stretch at the top of a lonely mountain.

None of us get that luxury. It's a bloodbath at the top. And I KNOW it's about to get a lot more crowded: FIU is going to break through, no questions asked. Everything is in place for them. FAU showed they have what it takes to compete with every team in the league, they just need to stop making the same mistakes.

What is happening here is EXACTLY what happened to Mountain West pre 2010 realignment: it's crowded at the top, and teams are getting ranked. People can poo-poo C-USA's market strategy (guilty), but that's one of the things MWC didn't have, aside from San Diego, Vegas, SLC. All west coast, hard for East Coast fans of the game to buy in.



The only other thing I'd like to see next season are those pretty stadiums in Texas packed, on tv.

2016 is going to be fun!

The WAC was a very good league with several top 25 teams in the league, year in and year out. In 2012 post Boise and Fresno, there were 3 top 25 teams Tech, Utah State and SJSU. Nevada also had several ranked teams durng the Kapernick years. But it was common to have at least 2 WAC teams in the top 25, Boise and Fresno. IMO the WAC pre-2012 was a stronger league top to bottom than CUSA.

The WAC was Boise by a mile with Fresno, Tech, Nevada and later Utah State clamoring for second place. Hawaii went to the Sugar Bowl one year but was average at best the rest of its time. Man there was some great football in that Conference but boy was it exhausting with all that travel. The WAC that we started with in 2001 was my favorite Conference by far. This version of CUSA is a close second and if it remains stable will overcome my fond memories of the WAC days. WE got a good thing going here. Fans hate and respect each other. The keep up and care about what the other teams are doing. This is a good setup

(02-29-2016 04:10 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  The WAC was Boise by a mile with Fresno, Tech, Nevada and later Utah State clamoring for second place. Hawaii went to the Sugar Bowl one year but was average at best the rest of its time. Man there was some great football in that Conference but boy was it exhausting with all that travel. The WAC that we started with in 2001 was my favorite Conference by far. This version of CUSA is a close second and if it remains stable will overcome my fond memories of the WAC days. WE got a good thing going here. Fans hate and respect each other. The keep up and care about what the other teams are doing. This is a good setup

Yeah that's what I'm saying. We haven't even seen the fruit of our labors yet. As long as the B12 doesn't implode, I think the 2018 season is going to be a thing of beauty.

(02-29-2016 03:47 PM)Dawgxas Wrote:  

(02-25-2016 08:20 AM)BKTopper Wrote:  

(02-24-2016 10:04 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  Western Kentucky has a chance to be really good IF they can maintain Doughty's production at QB. Ask Marshall how hard it was to replace Cato though. I think that CUSA is gonna be a toss up next year between Southern Miss, Tech, WKU, Middle Tennessee, and Marshall. Every team has it's warts so everyone will have a window of opportunity except for Charlotte, UTSA, and North Texas.

I hope you guys all see what I see... Those are 5 SOLID teams with (mostly) solid coaching plans in place, with a dedication to improving and not just maintaining,most of whom have name recognition (with Marshall leading the pack in that respect), and whose fan bases are all starting to hate each other (including an established rivalry with a name, that has transcended 3 conferences).

I'm VERY excited for next season. People talk a lot about wanting to be "The next Boise", but none of us are going to be able to do that. They were playing in a league where competition-wise it was just them and SJSU and LT, and for one or two seasons Hawaii (bulldogs please correct me if I'm mistaken). But they were for a good long stretch at the top of a lonely mountain.

None of us get that luxury. It's a bloodbath at the top. And I KNOW it's about to get a lot more crowded: FIU is going to break through, no questions asked. Everything is in place for them. FAU showed they have what it takes to compete with every team in the league, they just need to stop making the same mistakes.

What is happening here is EXACTLY what happened to Mountain West pre 2010 realignment: it's crowded at the top, and teams are getting ranked. People can poo-poo C-USA's market strategy (guilty), but that's one of the things MWC didn't have, aside from San Diego, Vegas, SLC. All west coast, hard for East Coast fans of the game to buy in.



The only other thing I'd like to see next season are those pretty stadiums in Texas packed, on tv.

2016 is going to be fun!

The WAC was a very good league with several top 25 teams in the league, year in and year out. In 2012 post Boise and Fresno, there were 3 top 25 teams Tech, Utah State and SJSU. Nevada also had several ranked teams durng the Kapernick years. But it was common to have at least 2 WAC teams in the top 25, Boise and Fresno. IMO the WAC pre-2012 was a stronger league top to bottom than CUSA.

No disagreement here. I was referring to pre-Boise/Fresno departure, though.

This is the 2nd time I see the whining about the reigning champ and their schedule. It happens to all reigning Champs. You think it should be an easy ride?

What is it Ric Flair says.. To be the man you gotta beat the man.



Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

If ANYONE in the East does what Boise did, they will get an equal amount of respect and press.

Most lame and weak excuses I've ever heard. No one in the East has done it yet....period.

(02-25-2016 08:20 AM)BKTopper Wrote:  

(02-24-2016 10:04 PM)RonBurgundy Wrote:  Western Kentucky has a chance to be really good IF they can maintain Doughty's production at QB. Ask Marshall how hard it was to replace Cato though. I think that CUSA is gonna be a toss up next year between Southern Miss, Tech, WKU, Middle Tennessee, and Marshall. Every team has it's warts so everyone will have a window of opportunity except for Charlotte, UTSA, and North Texas.

I hope you guys all see what I see... Those are 5 SOLID teams with (mostly) solid coaching plans in place, with a dedication to improving and not just maintaining,most of whom have name recognition (with Marshall leading the pack in that respect), and whose fan bases are all starting to hate each other (including an established rivalry with a name, that has transcended 3 conferences).

I'm VERY excited for next season. People talk a lot about wanting to be "The next Boise", but none of us are going to be able to do that. They were playing in a league where competition-wise it was just them and SJSU and LT, and for one or two seasons Hawaii (bulldogs please correct me if I'm mistaken). But they were for a good long stretch at the top of a lonely mountain.

None of us get that luxury. It's a bloodbath at the top. And I KNOW it's about to get a lot more crowded: FIU is going to break through, no questions asked. Everything is in place for them. FAU showed they have what it takes to compete with every team in the league, they just need to stop making the same mistakes.

What is happening here is EXACTLY what happened to Mountain West pre 2010 realignment: it's crowded at the top, and teams are getting ranked. People can poo-poo C-USA's market strategy (guilty), but that's one of the things MWC didn't have, aside from San Diego, Vegas, SLC. All west coast, hard for East Coast fans of the game to buy in.



The only other thing I'd like to see next season are those pretty stadiums in Texas packed, on tv.

2016 is going to be fun!

I don't agree with this FIU lost to WKU and Marshall by a combined 110 points to finish the season. How are they close to breaking out?

(03-01-2016 01:43 PM)StandingInEE Wrote:  If ANYONE in the East does what Boise did, they will get an equal amount of respect and press.

Most lame and weak excuses I've ever heard. No one in the East has done it yet....period.

Lets be honest no one in the west in CUSA has done it either. But you're wrong because Boise isn't surrounded by the sec or big10 or acc.

Like I said Southern Ill had just as good of a run in basketball as the zags...

they never became espn media darlings. There's a reason for that. That reason is the same as for football.

I didn't see any excuses being used.

(03-01-2016 03:33 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(03-01-2016 01:43 PM)StandingInEE Wrote:  If ANYONE in the East does what Boise did, they will get an equal amount of respect and press.

Most lame and weak excuses I've ever heard. No one in the East has done it yet....period.

Lets be honest no one in the west in CUSA has done it either. But you're wrong because Boise isn't surrounded by the sec or big10 or acc.

Like I said Southern Ill had just as good of a run in basketball as the zags...

they never became espn media darlings. There's a reason for that. That reason is the same as for football.

I didn't see any excuses being used.

Second this. It's a damn shame the Salukis never got an iota of the press and respect the zags did. Sad.