(12-23-2016 01:40 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Let me preface by saying I'm proud as hell of Idaho, the season you've had, and the beat down you put on CSU last night......but (and I'm sure this is the way your president looks at it) 1 good season does not magically eliminate the real problems that are behind the step down....the meager budget, the abysmal fan support, the years of losing, the lack of facilities, or the recruiting disadvantages.

I hate it for you guys...I really do...I wish the MWC would get their heads out of their asses and invite you, but it's just not meant to be and your president made an extremely tough decision that's unpopular but for the best.

twitter.com/DieselOnRadio

This isn't the SEC. Like it or not we compare favorably to most of the rest of the Sun Belt in terms of football accomplishments. I get the geographic problem but you don't need to talk down to us like we have other huge problems the rest of the conference doesn't have.

(12-23-2016 02:00 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 01:56 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  The other idea would be go ahead and invite EKU and JMU as 11 and 12. With no crossover. Also good basketball adds.

Troy - APP
USA - CCU
TXSU- JMU
ULL - GSU
ULM - Ga St
ASU- EKU

Might aswell join FCS. If y'all do decided something like that.

Remember, I have no allegiance to any SBC program. Both teams are FBS capable and fit the region well. JMU and EKU would not be any worse then NMSU and probably an upgrade. That FCS view would have kept Ga So and App out of the conference. Both already have SBC titles. I only included NMSU since it was currently already part of the two year deal and thought it was the simplest solution. UMASS could easily be added with JMU or EKU but does create a northern outpost in the same time zone to get an existing FBS team. My point was I think a 12 team makes more sense when planning a CCG.

(12-23-2016 02:09 PM)LatahCounty Wrote:  I get the geographic problem but you don't need to talk down to us like we have other huge problems the rest of the conference doesn't have.

I'm not talking down to anyone....not my intent at all....just playing devil's advocate. I'm sure you and the UI brass know your problems much better than I do from afar. But the gap between what you want and what's realistically sustainable is (apparently) too wide to keep doing what you're doing.

twitter.com/DieselOnRadio

(12-23-2016 02:18 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 02:00 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 01:56 PM)msm96wolf Wrote:  The other idea would be go ahead and invite EKU and JMU as 11 and 12. With no crossover. Also good basketball adds.

Troy - APP
USA - CCU
TXSU- JMU
ULL - GSU
ULM - Ga St
ASU- EKU

Might aswell join FCS. If y'all do decided something like that.

Remember, I have no allegiance to any SBC program. Both teams are FBS capable and fit the region well. JMU and EKU would not be any worse then NMSU and probably an upgrade. That FCS view would have kept Ga So and App out of the conference. Both already have SBC titles. I only included NMSU since it was currently already part of the two year deal and thought it was the simplest solution. UMASS could easily be added with JMU or EKU but does create a northern outpost in the same time zone to get an existing FBS team. My point was I think a 12 team makes more sense when planning a CCG.

Not saying you are a fan of a Sun Belt program. However, I was just pointing out what I saw. Looks like most of the teams you listed are from an FCS conference. You made and FCS conference and labeled it FBS. Just an observation. NMSU is a much better program and I believe if SBC boots us out for them (EKU and JMU) would be a downgrade. NMSU is a state school and has more funds and better academics and is light years ahead of there FCS programs. Trust me NMSU is a hidden Gem. We are the next Arizona St

Appalachian State
Coastal Carolina
Georgia State
Georgia Southern
South Alabama
Troy

ULL
ULM
Arkansas State
Idaho (Little Rock non-football)
Texas State
New Mexico State (UT-Arlington non-football)

The Sun Belt breaks down neatly into geographically reasonable divisions (as someone mentioned earlier, once you get on a plane, it really doesn't matter how far you fly, particularly if we're just talking about football).

8-game conference schedule for football and 16 for basketball is clean and balanced.

I will say that given the instability the Belt had faced in the last dozen years, it is nice to see them acting from a position of power; at one point they were taking teams because they needed to to survive. Now they can just take teams they feel will strengthen the conference.

(12-23-2016 12:37 PM)LatahCounty Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 12:30 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  Or try to convince Montana, Montana State, North Dakota State, Eastern Washington, and maybe Portland State to re-create the WAC as a football conference.

When your friend from high school is 35 and still going on and on about his awesome job at the movie theater and living in his parents' basement it's time to give up on him.

That's Montana. They're never leaving mom's basement. They feel safe down there.

(12-23-2016 01:54 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  I agree with you ^^^ I'm so happy IDaho put the beat down to a broke back Moutain team. And honestly I believe I liked being in the Sun Belt a lot better than in the WAC. Sure we got to play BSU every now and then, however I feel like we fit in here more than y'all realize.

The majority of NMSU fans do not want to be in the Sun Belt per the multitude of negative comments about the SBC made in the NMSU Sports Forum. However, I agree with you that the Sun Belt is the best overall fit for NMSU and I still have hope that NMSU will remain in the SBC somehow, someway.

(12-23-2016 03:25 PM)DoubletapWolf Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 01:54 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  I agree with you ^^^ I'm so happy IDaho put the beat down to a broke back Moutain team. And honestly I believe I liked being in the Sun Belt a lot better than in the WAC. Sure we got to play BSU every now and then, however I feel like we fit in here more than y'all realize.

The majority of NMSU fans do not want to be in the Sun Belt per the multitude of negative comments about the SBC made in the NMSU Sports Forum. However, I agree with you that the Sun Belt is the best overall fit for NMSU and I still have hope that NMSU will remain in the SBC somehow, someway.

That's just because the Sun Belt kind of booted us out unexpectedly. I'm kind of upset about it aswell. We are here for atleast one more year and they make a big announcement before the season even started? Couldn't they have waited to let us know at the end of this season or perhaps next season? Maybe it was supposed to give us time to land in another conference. Unless, according to my theory the Sun Belt just did that to kind of add pressure to NMSU and UI to perform accordly. To see what their reactions are and if they are truly committed to FBS. UI obviously wasn't and NMSU was. Other than that I really enjoy being in this conference and Think we would thrive in this conference much like UNM kind of does in the MW. Baseball would be top 25 so would MBB and football is all ready playing better competive football games. That shows what direction NMSU is headed in. We finally have an AD and Presdent that know what they're doing. This is the Sun Belts chance to jump over CUSA and the MAC in how they view the belt as a conference. Time to make it know that the belt isn't the one getting picked apart again. Watch UTEP will be begging to flee the CUSA soon and then NMSU and UTEP are going to lobby together in a different conference. BTW NMSU basketball is going to be elite pretty soon coach weir in his first season is doing big things and apparently SBC basketball is improved as well.
Sun Belt West Div
UTEP
NMSU
Texas St
Louisiana
Arkansas State
Louisiana Monroe
Sun Belt East Div
Appy St
Georgia St
Georgia Southern
CCU (Chunky Chick University)
Troy
South Alabama
Then we could really call our selfs the Sun Belt. Since the sun belt is literally almost all of those states I just included and everyone would be happy and basketball would be fun. You could lock cross division rivals because I wouldn't careless if play App St or CCU as I'm sure they wouldn't care either. Besides don't y'all want to advertise you brand coast to coast?

A conference is only as good as its weakest member. That's why IMO Benson let the WAC fizzle away. To many Big Egos in the conference to function and move on. Why do you think the MW is starting to suck because all of those AD are ultimately trying to one up each other instead of getting together and working to build their brand. How are you supposed be conference members and trust Boise St when they think are better than you? Did you know that BSU reiceves extra money from the MW? Much like the B12 with Texas, they let them call all the shots and they only benefited for them selfs and now the B12 is boring conference to watch compared to the rest of the P5s. Not sure but it starting to look like a familiar trend.

(12-23-2016 03:25 PM)DoubletapWolf Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 01:54 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  I agree with you ^^^ I'm so happy IDaho put the beat down to a broke back Moutain team. And honestly I believe I liked being in the Sun Belt a lot better than in the WAC. Sure we got to play BSU every now and then, however I feel like we fit in here more than y'all realize.

The majority of NMSU fans do not want to be in the Sun Belt per the multitude of negative comments about the SBC made in the NMSU Sports Forum. However, I agree with you that the Sun Belt is the best overall fit for NMSU and I still have hope that NMSU will remain in the SBC somehow, someway.

NMSU Fans just want to be in a conference with schools that it has history with. We have little to no history with the current SBC membership. The only team Aggie fans have mentioned from the old SBC is North Texas. They are no longer in the conference.

Aggie Fans are negative toward the SBC probably mostly because of Benson and our history with him. Not so much the each school. I can't speak for all aggie fans but that is how i read it.

(12-23-2016 05:03 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 03:25 PM)DoubletapWolf Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 01:54 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  I agree with you ^^^ I'm so happy IDaho put the beat down to a broke back Moutain team. And honestly I believe I liked being in the Sun Belt a lot better than in the WAC. Sure we got to play BSU every now and then, however I feel like we fit in here more than y'all realize.

The majority of NMSU fans do not want to be in the Sun Belt per the multitude of negative comments about the SBC made in the NMSU Sports Forum. However, I agree with you that the Sun Belt is the best overall fit for NMSU and I still have hope that NMSU will remain in the SBC somehow, someway.

NMSU Fans just want to be in a conference with schools that it has history with. We have little to no history with the current SBC membership. The only team Aggie fans have mentioned from the old SBC is North Texas. They are no longer in the conference.

Aggie Fans are negative toward the SBC probably mostly because of Benson and our history with him. Not so much the each school. I can't speak for all aggie fans but that is how i read it.

That would be ideal. However, none of those school give to chits about us. I'm casual fan I have no relationship with NMSU what so ever and can say Las Cruces will support NMSU if they where good. Las Crucens are raised to be winners in high school we dominate the state. Much is expected from our University and we can do that we just need to perform. And it only make sense to do so with schoos that have equal Athelics budgets and Facilities. And IMO that's the Sun Belt schools

(12-23-2016 05:13 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 05:03 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 03:25 PM)DoubletapWolf Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 01:54 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  I agree with you ^^^ I'm so happy IDaho put the beat down to a broke back Moutain team. And honestly I believe I liked being in the Sun Belt a lot better than in the WAC. Sure we got to play BSU every now and then, however I feel like we fit in here more than y'all realize.

The majority of NMSU fans do not want to be in the Sun Belt per the multitude of negative comments about the SBC made in the NMSU Sports Forum. However, I agree with you that the Sun Belt is the best overall fit for NMSU and I still have hope that NMSU will remain in the SBC somehow, someway.

NMSU Fans just want to be in a conference with schools that it has history with. We have little to no history with the current SBC membership. The only team Aggie fans have mentioned from the old SBC is North Texas. They are no longer in the conference.

Aggie Fans are negative toward the SBC probably mostly because of Benson and our history with him. Not so much the each school. I can't speak for all aggie fans but that is how i read it.

That would be ideal. However, none of those school give to chits about us. I'm casual fan I have no relationship with NMSU what so ever and can say Las Cruces will support NMSU if they where good. Las Crucens are raised to be winners in high school we dominate the state. Much is expected from our University and we can do that we just need to perform. And it only make sense to do so with schoos that have equal Athelics budgets and Facilities. And IMO that's the Sun Belt schools

NMSU is good in MBB (11-2 this season) and the citizens of LC do not support it. It has become such an issue that even the reporters of the Sun News are calling out the LC Community. The community caring ends at University blvd. If you weren't just a casual fan, then you would know that the LC community doesn't give a chit about NMSU. LC cares about its high school sports only. They only care about NMSU football having a big stadium for them to pack for the rivalry of LCHS and Mayfield. Truth is if NMSU (the major employer) wasn't around the high schools of LC would not be at the level they are at and even have as many as there are now. So don't tell me LC community will support NMSU, because all the LC community does is give excuse as to why they cannot show up.

I would give both schools a stay of execution and extend them two more years. Give 12 teams a try for a few years, see if we like it or not. Nothing at the FCS level really excites me besides JMU and SHSU. 10 might be more financial beneficial though.

(12-23-2016 05:42 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 05:13 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 05:03 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 03:25 PM)DoubletapWolf Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 01:54 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  I agree with you ^^^ I'm so happy IDaho put the beat down to a broke back Moutain team. And honestly I believe I liked being in the Sun Belt a lot better than in the WAC. Sure we got to play BSU every now and then, however I feel like we fit in here more than y'all realize.

The majority of NMSU fans do not want to be in the Sun Belt per the multitude of negative comments about the SBC made in the NMSU Sports Forum. However, I agree with you that the Sun Belt is the best overall fit for NMSU and I still have hope that NMSU will remain in the SBC somehow, someway.

NMSU Fans just want to be in a conference with schools that it has history with. We have little to no history with the current SBC membership. The only team Aggie fans have mentioned from the old SBC is North Texas. They are no longer in the conference.

Aggie Fans are negative toward the SBC probably mostly because of Benson and our history with him. Not so much the each school. I can't speak for all aggie fans but that is how i read it.

That would be ideal. However, none of those school give to chits about us. I'm casual fan I have no relationship with NMSU what so ever and can say Las Cruces will support NMSU if they where good. Las Crucens are raised to be winners in high school we dominate the state. Much is expected from our University and we can do that we just need to perform. And it only make sense to do so with schoos that have equal Athelics budgets and Facilities. And IMO that's the Sun Belt schools

NMSU is good in MBB (11-2 this season) and the citizens of LC do not support it. It has become such an issue that even the reporters of the Sun News are calling out the LC Community. The community caring ends at University blvd. If you weren't just a casual fan, then you would know that the LC community doesn't give a chit about NMSU. LC cares about its high school sports only. They only care about NMSU football having a big stadium for them to pack for the rivalry of LCHS and Mayfield. Truth is if NMSU (the major employer) wasn't around the high schools of LC would not be at the level they are at and even have as many as there are now. So don't tell me LC community will support NMSU, because all the LC community does is give excuse as to why they cannot show up.

You're one of those fans. The MBB is good. However, you can't expect ticket sales to jump right up either. Last year Marvin Menzies squad was good but oh how boring and lame was it to go to game because of the lame style of play. Which he had been there about 8 years. I remember I started following the Aggies after the almost knocked off MSU in the tourney and I became a HUGE Aggie supporter and most of my friends think I'm crazy. But I can tell you the ppl of Las Cruces want to see a winner and we don't want to see something slopped up together. Tell the administration to stop being cheap asses and put together a top 25 program. I really believe Weir is doing that so right now. Marvin did nothing for this program but please the old retired ppl that don't spend no money in our state. I am born and raised here in las cruces and I know for a fact that we las crucens are dieing for a good program to watch. Students want to be able to drink (for cheap) and go to the game we want to be able to chant whatever we want at the games. We just want something fun to do here.

(12-23-2016 06:34 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 05:42 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 05:13 PM)NMSTFan Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 05:03 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 03:25 PM)DoubletapWolf Wrote:  The majority of NMSU fans do not want to be in the Sun Belt per the multitude of negative comments about the SBC made in the NMSU Sports Forum. However, I agree with you that the Sun Belt is the best overall fit for NMSU and I still have hope that NMSU will remain in the SBC somehow, someway.

NMSU Fans just want to be in a conference with schools that it has history with. We have little to no history with the current SBC membership. The only team Aggie fans have mentioned from the old SBC is North Texas. They are no longer in the conference.

Aggie Fans are negative toward the SBC probably mostly because of Benson and our history with him. Not so much the each school. I can't speak for all aggie fans but that is how i read it.

That would be ideal. However, none of those school give to chits about us. I'm casual fan I have no relationship with NMSU what so ever and can say Las Cruces will support NMSU if they where good. Las Crucens are raised to be winners in high school we dominate the state. Much is expected from our University and we can do that we just need to perform. And it only make sense to do so with schoos that have equal Athelics budgets and Facilities. And IMO that's the Sun Belt schools

NMSU is good in MBB (11-2 this season) and the citizens of LC do not support it. It has become such an issue that even the reporters of the Sun News are calling out the LC Community. The community caring ends at University blvd. If you weren't just a casual fan, then you would know that the LC community doesn't give a chit about NMSU. LC cares about its high school sports only. They only care about NMSU football having a big stadium for them to pack for the rivalry of LCHS and Mayfield. Truth is if NMSU (the major employer) wasn't around the high schools of LC would not be at the level they are at and even have as many as there are now. So don't tell me LC community will support NMSU, because all the LC community does is give excuse as to why they cannot show up.

You're one of those fans. The MBB is good. However, you can't expect ticket sales to jump right up either. Last year Marvin Menzies squad was good but oh how boring and lame was it to go to game because of the lame style of play. Which he had been there about 8 years. I remember I started following the Aggies after the almost knocked off MSU in the tourney and I became a HUGE Aggie supporter and most of my friends think I'm crazy. But I can tell you the ppl of Las Cruces want to see a winner and we don't want to see something slopped up together. Tell the administration to stop being cheap asses and put together a top 25 program. I really believe Weir is doing that so right now. Marvin did nothing for this program but please the old retired ppl that don't spend no money in our state. I am born and raised here in las cruces and I know for a fact that we las crucens are dieing for a good program to watch. Students want to be able to drink (for cheap) and go to the game we want to be able to chant whatever we want at the games. We just want something fun to do here.

The university is not being cheap. They are not made of money. We do not get a blank check like UNM does from the state. You want to see a top 25 program in LC? Fans need to show up! Having 3,000 fans per game is not going to help make NMSU a top 25 program. Money from ticket sales go to the Athletic Department. Butts in seats help attract players, TV and possibly generate interest from a better conference. As a casual fan it is clear that you have no idea how financially strained NMSU is.

If NMSU were in the top 25, LC would not show up! There would be excuses as to why they couldn't. Its a two way street. NMSU is doing its part, LC is not.

I do not expect a packed PAC this year, but 5-6,000 fans per game is reasonable.

(12-23-2016 02:39 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(12-23-2016 02:09 PM)LatahCounty Wrote:  I get the geographic problem but you don't need to talk down to us like we have other huge problems the rest of the conference doesn't have.

I'm not talking down to anyone....not my intent at all....just playing devil's advocate. I'm sure you and the UI brass know your problems much better than I do from afar. But the gap between what you want and what's realistically sustainable is (apparently) too wide to keep doing what you're doing.

twitter.com/DieselOnRadio

Sorry I'm a little touchy. I've spent a lot of time reading posts from people telling me how bad our program is and how many problems we have and I've had to take it because we were in a bad stretch but the fact is we're no worse than a lot of G5 teams. Here is the list of Sun Belt schools with more bowl wins than Idaho:

1. Arkansas State

That's it. Here is the list of Sun Belt schools with more bowl wins than Idaho in the past decade:

1. Arkansas State

I realize there are some new programs in this conference and App St. in particular has had a terrific opening 3 years but these are still the facts. I apologize that you were the guy I picked on.

(12-23-2016 06:07 PM)Eagleditka Wrote:  I would give both schools a stay of execution and extend them two more years. Give 12 teams a try for a few years, see if we like it or not. Nothing at the FCS level really excites me besides JMU and SHSU. 10 might be more financial beneficial though.

I like this guy. We just need to outlast Chuck Staben to avoid the Big Sky. He'll be gone within 2 years. And in the meantime, we're going to win some games.

(12-23-2016 11:10 AM)AppinVA Wrote:  I have no issue with having Idaho and NM State in the league for football only. Once you get on a plane ONCE EVERY OTHER OR EVERY THIRD YEAR, does it really matter how far you're going?

A valid point but further edited to show the full impact.

Regarding Idaho, they should go back to playing football against teams that their fan base can travel to. Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, and the rest of the Big Sky is logical

Let's remember the decision was based on the on field performance of the two schools. This year the SBC is rated 4th out of the G5 conferences and has a chance at 3rd once the bowls are complete. Idaho, with its wins over UNLV and Colorado State, certainly helped that this year.

But in the previous two, neither Idaho and NMSU contributed anything, in fact, they hurt the league. The SBC finished 5th in both years. Had the SBC not had those teams they would have finished 4th one year, 3rd in the other.

THAT'S why the decision was made.

The league presidents have made the decision. They won't be going back on it.