So if we lived in a world where college football made sense this would be an ideal merger.
1.FAU
2.FIU
3.ULL
4.ULM
5.Tulane
6.South Alabama
7.Troy
8.UAB
9.MT
10.ECU
11.Marshall
12. USM
13.Rice
14. UTEP
15.UNT
16.WKU
17.ASU
18.Tulsa
2 Divisions, 9 game conference schedule, busable and easy plane access teams, 8 major TV markets, three sub size Tv markets, and competative teams in football. Revenue would be maximized because teams would be able to keep most of their TV money with low travel and this conference would have a strong rivalries within the divisions.
With the close proximity of teams attendence would also be at an all time high for most members. Like say for UAB, Troy fans can drive there, South fans can drive there, and MT fans can drive there let alone the students and alumni who live in Birmingham. Same for the Lousiana schools ULL had 29k without South in the Sun Belt if they had members like USM and Tulane who are only a skip and a hop away then they would be in the 30's. Or say USM, they could drive to Troy, ULL, ULM, Tulane This also would have brought the Go Daddy and New Orleans bowl with the Sun Belt teams.
What sounds like it makes for better televison Troy vs USM or Wyoming vs New Mexico. (I have watched a lot of football and I don't think I have ever seen Wyoming on TV) Heck I even remember that game where ECU beat Va Tech.
But once again this is just a hypothetical thread instead of the usual "I hate the Big East" or "Billy Bob Blogs about the Big 12 might want Louisville if they expanded"
Meltdown and Diatribes in 3...2...1...
I fully expect some ECU fan to commit suicide after reading this. Even though the divisions would most likely be what they want in expansion members.
East.
FIU
FAU
Middle Tenn
Marshall
ECU
USM
Troy
South Alabama
UAB
West
Tulsa
Rice
UNT
UTEP
ASU
WKU
ULL
Tulane
ULM
I like the C-USA / Sunbelt merger idea. I would trade UTEP for the Ruston Dawgs though. UTEP does not really fit in there. I understand why ECU and Southern Miss would look at that as a step back but they also want geography and regional rivalries so......They need to drop the name Sunbelt as well. Sounds generic.
(02-27-2012 03:22 PM)War Torn Ruston Wrote: [ -> ]I like the C-USA / Sunbelt merger idea. I would trade UTEP for the Ruston Dawgs though. UTEP does not really fit in there. I understand why ECU and Southern Miss would look at that as a step back but they also want geography and regional rivalries so......They need to drop the name Sunbelt as well. Sounds generic.
This idea would just be Conference USA and makes more sense than losing all the auto bids and having to ever fly to Hawaii, Wyoming, New Mexico, or Fresno from the east coast or Florida.
And it's probably better for UTEP than the MWC because they can just schedule New Mexico in OOC and get to play most their games in Texas and Louisiana.
Get rid of the name Sun Belt from this equation and a lot of fans would actually find this very appealing after a while. Being able to drive to 2-3 away games and come back in the same day and getting to Fly to places like Miami, Boca, Dallas, and Mobile.
I can understand if you are in the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana area why you'd like a league like this. Travel is very good for teams in that area. Travel still isn't that good for ECU in it, and the only team that would bring more than 500 fans to a game in Greenville would be Marshall. ECU and Marshall are just in a far different region than the rest of those schools. I'm not going to insult you idea, just ECU and Marshall from you travel and regional perspective don't fit it.
I really do not know why Marshall does not go back to the MAC. I am sure money has a lot to do with it but being in the MAC would make a lot of sense to me for them. They are still on TV with ESPN, and The Big 10 loves playing games against MAC teams. Maybe a Herd fan can tell me why I am wrong but I still like the idea. Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan, and Ohio have all looked great against good AQ teams. The MAC looks like it is just getting better.
(02-27-2012 03:29 PM)War Torn Ruston Wrote: [ -> ]I really do not know why Marshall does not go back to the MAC.
To be honest, I don't know why they left in the first place.
(02-27-2012 03:28 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote: [ -> ]I can understand if you are in the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana area why you'd like a league like this. Travel is very good for teams in that area. Travel still isn't that good for ECU in it, and the only team that would bring more than 500 fans to a game in Greenville would be Marshall. ECU and Marshall are just in a far different region than the rest of those schools. I'm not going to insult you idea, just ECU and Marshall from you travel and regional perspective don't fit it.
There really is no good answer for ECU, because the only teams that would bring more than 500 fans are in AQ conferences or FCS.
(02-27-2012 03:28 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote: [ -> ]I can understand if you are in the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana area why you'd like a league like this. Travel is very good for teams in that area. Travel still isn't that good for ECU in it, and the only team that would bring more than 500 fans to a game in Greenville would be Marshall. ECU and Marshall are just in a far different region than the rest of those schools. I'm not going to insult you idea, just ECU and Marshall from you travel and regional perspective don't fit it.
I think that would be the case in any scenario that ECU has currently, correct?
The positive with this merger would be that the furthest west they would have to go in division would be Mississippi. No trips to Rice, Tulsa, or UTEP- or trips to play Tulane. Plus, there would be at least a limited inter-divisonal game where you actually woudl feel like you're part of the same conference.
(02-27-2012 03:28 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote: [ -> ]I can understand if you are in the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana area why you'd like a league like this. Travel is very good for teams in that area. Travel still isn't that good for ECU in it, and the only team that would bring more than 500 fans to a game in Greenville would be Marshall. ECU and Marshall are just in a far different region than the rest of those schools. I'm not going to insult you idea, just ECU and Marshall from you travel and regional perspective don't fit it.
So you are saying you do not fit in C-USA now because that is what this is with added teams in the same region C-USA is in. Where do you belong? I really do not have any idea what is left for you that is not a step down. The ACC? You will not go to Syracuse or Florida because they are not regional so...... The Big East goes to San Diego so I guess you do not fit in there. SEC? Nope. That A&M trip or Missouri is just not gonna cut it. Switch with Appy State. I bet they wouldn't complain.
ECU fits here just fine. You just can't be happy.
(02-27-2012 03:33 PM)stever20 Wrote: [ -> ] (02-27-2012 03:28 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote: [ -> ]I can understand if you are in the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana area why you'd like a league like this. Travel is very good for teams in that area. Travel still isn't that good for ECU in it, and the only team that would bring more than 500 fans to a game in Greenville would be Marshall. ECU and Marshall are just in a far different region than the rest of those schools. I'm not going to insult you idea, just ECU and Marshall from you travel and regional perspective don't fit it.
I think that would be the case in any scenario that ECU has currently, correct?
The positive with this merger would be that the furthest west they would have to go in division would be Mississippi. No trips to Rice, Tulsa, or UTEP- or trips to play Tulane. Plus, there would be at least a limited inter-divisonal game where you actually woudl feel like you're part of the same conference.
Yes it's going to be that no matter what for us, meaning ECU has to be in whatever configuration of non-AQ teams that will make the most money and have the best collection of schools who are the most committed to playing big time athletics. There is no regional for us, and this proposed thing is just kinda half assed regional. The main reason I like the merger is because it pretty much aligns us with the non-AQ's who are spending the most and have the best tradition left.
I don't blame Marshall for leaving in the first place. Conference USA was loaded when it had teams like Memphis, Cincy, Louisville, SMU, Houston, ECU all in the same conference. And it was better than playing in the Mac.
But now it's kind of lateral between the two in terms of football. If ECU and Marshall joined it would probably be better than the alliance minus no Florida recruiting unless they schedule a home and home rivalry with FAU and FIU.
(02-27-2012 03:38 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote: [ -> ]I don't blame Marshall for leaving in the first place. Conference USA was loaded when it had teams like Memphis, Cincy, Louisville, SMU, Houston, ECU all in the same conference. And it was better than playing in the Mac.
But now it's kind of lateral between the two in terms of football. If ECU and Marshall joined it would probably be better than the alliance minus no Florida recruiting unless they schedule a home and home rivalry with FAU and FIU.
SMU was never in the conference with those guys at the same time. They came in 05 when Cincy and Louisville left.
(02-27-2012 03:37 PM)War Torn Ruston Wrote: [ -> ] (02-27-2012 03:28 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote: [ -> ]I can understand if you are in the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana area why you'd like a league like this. Travel is very good for teams in that area. Travel still isn't that good for ECU in it, and the only team that would bring more than 500 fans to a game in Greenville would be Marshall. ECU and Marshall are just in a far different region than the rest of those schools. I'm not going to insult you idea, just ECU and Marshall from you travel and regional perspective don't fit it.
So you are saying you do not fit in C-USA now because that is what this is with added teams in the same region C-USA is in. Where do you belong? I really do not have any idea what is left for you that is not a step down. The ACC? You will not go to Syracuse or Florida because they are not regional so...... The Big East goes to San Diego so I guess you do not fit in there. SEC? Nope. That A&M trip or Missouri is just not gonna cut it. Switch with Appy State. I bet they wouldn't complain.
ECU fits here just fine. You just can't be happy.
Yes I am saying that we don't fit in C-USA regionally. We never really did even from day one, but it was the best collection of schools we could align ourselves with. The merger going forward will be the best collection of schools we can align ourselves with from a budget, tradition, and name recognition standpoint. There's never going to be a non-AQ league that's regional for us.
(02-27-2012 03:38 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote: [ -> ]I don't blame Marshall for leaving in the first place. Conference USA was loaded when it had teams like Memphis, Cincy, Louisville, SMU, Houston, ECU all in the same conference. And it was better than playing in the Mac.
But now it's kind of lateral between the two in terms of football. If ECU and Marshall joined it would probably be better than the alliance minus no Florida recruiting unless they schedule a home and home rivalry with FAU and FIU.
True. I like MAC football. There for about a 4 week stretch the Tuesday night MAC games on ESPN were crazy. I find it hard to feel that bad for The Big East to be honest. Hell they destroyed the metro conference and the old C-USA. No wonder a lot of fans hate them. Can't say I blame them.
As much as I get into it with ECU fans on here I can see how they feel about "steping down" and how messed up it is to see UCF, Louisville, SMU, Houston, get in the Big East. If ever say I don't like ECU it's a lie because I think the pirate thing is cool and I really respect the fan base for still standing up for their team through all these dissapointing realignments.
Just for asking sake how would ECU fans feel if say UTEP went to the MWC and was replaced by App State or ODU?
(02-27-2012 03:43 PM)War Torn Ruston Wrote: [ -> ] (02-27-2012 03:38 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote: [ -> ]I don't blame Marshall for leaving in the first place. Conference USA was loaded when it had teams like Memphis, Cincy, Louisville, SMU, Houston, ECU all in the same conference. And it was better than playing in the Mac.
But now it's kind of lateral between the two in terms of football. If ECU and Marshall joined it would probably be better than the alliance minus no Florida recruiting unless they schedule a home and home rivalry with FAU and FIU.
True. I like MAC football. There for about a 4 week stretch the Tuesday night MAC games on ESPN were crazy. I find it hard to feel that bad for The Big East to be honest. Hell they destroyed the metro conference and the old C-USA. No wonder a lot of fans hate them. Can't say I blame them.
WTF? Big East NEVER took a team from the Metro conference.... Conference USA- yes. But, then again, what the hell were they supposed to do, just die?
(02-27-2012 03:42 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote: [ -> ] (02-27-2012 03:37 PM)War Torn Ruston Wrote: [ -> ] (02-27-2012 03:28 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote: [ -> ]I can understand if you are in the Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana area why you'd like a league like this. Travel is very good for teams in that area. Travel still isn't that good for ECU in it, and the only team that would bring more than 500 fans to a game in Greenville would be Marshall. ECU and Marshall are just in a far different region than the rest of those schools. I'm not going to insult you idea, just ECU and Marshall from you travel and regional perspective don't fit it.
So you are saying you do not fit in C-USA now because that is what this is with added teams in the same region C-USA is in. Where do you belong? I really do not have any idea what is left for you that is not a step down. The ACC? You will not go to Syracuse or Florida because they are not regional so...... The Big East goes to San Diego so I guess you do not fit in there. SEC? Nope. That A&M trip or Missouri is just not gonna cut it. Switch with Appy State. I bet they wouldn't complain.
ECU fits here just fine. You just can't be happy.
Yes I am saying that we don't fit in C-USA regionally. We never really did even from day one, but it was the best collection of schools we could align ourselves with. The merger going forward will be the best collection of schools we can align ourselves with from a budget, tradition, and name recognition standpoint. There's never going to be a non-AQ league that's regional for us.
Well you can say that about any conference now. Washington and Arizona are pretty damn far away. Uconn and South Florida? Gainsville and Fayetteville. State College and The Twin Cities. Regional has not meant a thing for 2 decades if you think about it.
It is those teams willing to take the risk that get rewarded. Lets say The Big East crumbles. Rutgers, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Uconn are gone. Then South Florida and Houston goes somewhere.
Then The Alliance gets called off and the remaining Mountain West schools talk SMU, UTEP, and Tulsa into joining the MWC and they invite Southern Miss and ECU. Will ECU say no if Southern Miss says yes after Tulane starts shouting they will come?
Also- Where do you feel you fit in?
(02-27-2012 03:47 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote: [ -> ]As much as I get into it with ECU fans on here I can see how they feel about "steping down" and how messed up it is to see UCF, Louisville, SMU, Houston, get in the Big East. If ever say I don't like ECU it's a lie because I think the pirate thing is cool and I really respect the fan base for still standing up for their team through all these dissapointing realignments.
Just for asking sake how would ECU fans feel if say UTEP went to the MWC and was replaced by App State or ODU?
The start of an ECU home game is just brilliant with the little Pirate cartoon on the screen going and the purple smoke. Then they come out to Purple Haze. It is an awesome thing to see. And I have not even been to a game to see it live so it is probably even better. It beats any other North Carolina team by a landslide. It beats most teams period by a landslide actually. I did not like the town of Greenville very much when I was there, it seemed rundown a bit but when people say ECU has no range in its fanbase they are nuts. They would do fine in the ACC and probably have a bigger football fanbase then any school in the ACC except Clemson, FSU, and VA Tech.