(02-26-2018 11:46 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote: Hey Joe, didn't you recently start another thread on this board asking if any meaningful rivalries have developed in CUSA? If CUSA West is the best current set up for North Texas right now, and especially with 3 other teams in your state, (1) I'm just curious as to why North Texas hasn't developed a meaningful match up in y'all's division and struggles to fill that 30k seat stadium.
One positive of the SBC is that almost every school has a conference rival. Rivalries generate interest, bring fans out to games, and sell very well on tv. The way those rivalries developed is mostly because of being in close proximity to each other. I can understand wanting more for your school than to have the SBC west shoved at you just because they're close by, but (2) I believe in the long run, G5 schools are better off off-setting the decrease in tv revenue by decreasing the cost of travel and increasing the chance of selling more tickets to visiting fans.
I'm not trying to stoke the embers and turn this into a realignment thread, but (3) what happens to UNT when CUSA East and SBC East teams realize we are all within a few hours of each other and most of us have common history and former rivalries with each other? I think it'll happen regardless of what the B12 does.
1. North Texas is developing meaningful rivalries. I actually stated those in the Rivalry thread you mentioned. After just 5 seasons in C-USA West, North Texas has developed a deep dislike for UTSA, and a healthy resentment of LA Tech. Also, our series with Rice has been very fun and entertaining.
Our attendance issues have been more a result of poor leadership over a 15 year span. Our last AD was not very good at scheduling and also didn't understand how to build a winning program. Our new AD is very smart and good things are happening.
Our recent success on the field combined with growing interest in our developing rivalries has led to increases in our attendance numbers. While the national average for attendance is dropping, North Texas is one of the few programs seeing their attendance numbers improving. Last Season North Texas set a new attendance record (over 22,000). Not great but certainly getting better.
2. I think retraction as a method to save money, is small time thinking. I believe if a conference becomes too regional, they lose national appeal. I think the programs that invest wisely during this period of uncertainty will position their programs for future growth when movement does occur.
Even though those programs will remain outside of the power conferences, I believe these programs will consolidate with other like minded institutions, and overall field better football teams, that can contend with the power programs more often then those that retract into regional conferences. It is just a difference of opinions. We seem to disagree on this issue.
3. Even if 6 of the teams in C-USA East were to leave for the Sun Belt (which they won't), C-USA West would continue on as C-USA. The teams that stay would enjoy more playoff money and share plenty of exit fees. Were it to actually happen, I'd look to add Arkansas State. At that point, I think they would want out of a bloated 16 team Sun Belt.
I just don't see a scenario where jumping to the Sun Belt is a god option for any of the eastern C-USA programs.