(01-04-2019 08:35 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  I see a bad trend for CUSA in those rankings...

Agreed. CUSA has taken a step back the last few years in terms of teams finishing ranked. Problem is, Sun Belt hasn't really gotten over that hump yet.

I also don't see App State finishing the season ranked this year either. I just looked and looks like majority of teams in front of them won their bowl games so I'm not sure who they would jump?

(01-04-2019 01:32 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  LOL this is awesome. No wonder the App fans love you all so much. It's so easy to get you riled up. I was just all in good fun.

Shhhh.....

Sent from my XT1635-01 using CSNbbs mobile app

(01-04-2019 09:04 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 08:35 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  I see a bad trend for CUSA in those rankings...

Agreed. CUSA has taken a step back the last few years in terms of teams finishing ranked. Problem is, Sun Belt hasn't really gotten over that hump yet.

I also don't see App State finishing the season ranked this year either. I just looked and looks like majority of teams in front of them won their bowl games so I'm not sure who they would jump?

We’ll finish 27th or so. Top 40 three of the last four years. Probably only Boise can claim that.

SBC has trended up since 2013 (realignment). That hump proclaimed by CUSA fans used to be an SBC school has never been ranked, now the goal lost has been “moved”.

We’ll continue to break through each milestone.

I don’t say this to demean your point as you’ve been one of the more reasonable CUSA posters on here, good discussion overall.

(01-04-2019 09:45 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 09:04 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 08:35 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  I see a bad trend for CUSA in those rankings...

Agreed. CUSA has taken a step back the last few years in terms of teams finishing ranked. Problem is, Sun Belt hasn't really gotten over that hump yet.

I also don't see App State finishing the season ranked this year either. I just looked and looks like majority of teams in front of them won their bowl games so I'm not sure who they would jump?

We’ll finish 27th or so. Top 40 three of the last four years. Probably only Boise can claim that.

SBC has trended up since 2013 (realignment). That hump proclaimed by CUSA fans used to be an SBC school has never been ranked, now the goal lost has been “moved”.

We’ll continue to break through each milestone.

I don’t say this to demean your point as you’ve been one of the more reasonable CUSA posters on here, good discussion overall.

Agreed that SBC is trending up. Is the conference as a whole really trending up that much or has it just been the success of App St?

Def no shame in finishing where you have. I think this is one of those years where Sun Belt is going to get screwed out of a Top 25 ranking. I think you guys have earned a Top 25 ranking this year. Just unlucky that pretty much all the teams in the 20's won their bowl games.

Still at the end of the day. As of right now, the Sun Belt has never had a team finish ranked in the Top 25. There were times like this year where I thought SBC deserved it but it's never happened. That's still very telling imo.

Also, thanks for the kind words. I've enjoyed discussing with you guys as well.

(01-04-2019 09:04 PM)herdfan129 Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 08:35 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  I see a bad trend for CUSA in those rankings...

Agreed. CUSA has taken a step back the last few years in terms of teams finishing ranked. Problem is, Sun Belt hasn't really gotten over that hump yet.

I also don't see App State finishing the season ranked this year either. I just looked and looks like majority of teams in front of them won their bowl games so I'm not sure who they would jump?

To the point made earlier that egos get in the way. Your wrong. Follow the money it’ll never let you down. CUSA benefits from numbers. Take away the two at the top and lose two who are compelled by the money saved to reduce travel and tighter regional presence and Texas state and Ga state likely stay with the Belt. If one Fl school bites the other has to follow or soon after will.

Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

That’s cool. See UCF. I like that route better.

(01-04-2019 11:06 PM)Oldyeller Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

That’s cool. See UCF. I like that route better.

The UCF route has been winning big bowl games and finishing top 25 for a good bit. This isn't their 2nd only good year.

(01-05-2019 07:45 AM)NCeagle Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 11:06 PM)Oldyeller Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

That’s cool. See UCF. I like that route better.

The UCF route has been winning big bowl games and finishing top 25 for a good bit. This isn't their 2nd only good year.

That’s right. 10 win seasons take longer than 12 win seasons particularly after a 12 loss season. GSs history is sufficient to turn around any deficit as it relates to Troy and App in short time. GS skull drug App on national tv this year. We’re not too far behind if at all.

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

Absolutely agree 100%. Excellent post.

Can App St and Troy survive the coaching changes? As you said, both Troy and App St are ready to be that ranked team and potential Access Bowl contender in terms of brand/recent success. The good news for the Sun Belt is that there are two of you. So it only takes one of you to get it right to keep some of the momentum going for the conference.

Ga Southern is def on the rise but as you said, about 30 wins (over next 3 years) away from really being where App and Troy are today. It sucks for Ga Southern because they made a bad coaching hire at the worst time possible. That one coaching hire, at that specific moment in time set the program back from 5-10 years imo. I say this because we at Marshall did the exact same thing. We made the worst coaching hire we have made since the late 70's/early 80's. We happened to do it as we made the move from the MAC to the old CUSA. Set us back around 10 years imo. So I feel for Ga Southern in that regard.

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

While i agree the Sun Belt needs App State and Troy to continue being successful. for upward trajectory to continue, the conference needs a 3rd and/or 4th team to step into that group also. we thought stAte would have been that, but they cant close the deal, Georgia Southern ( this years team got a good start on this) and Louisiana seems to be the next teams with that opportunity. without adding a 3rd or 4th team to the group, the Sun Belt will plateau.

(01-05-2019 10:17 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

While i agree the Sun Belt needs App State and Troy to continue being successful. for upward trajectory to continue, the conference needs a 3rd and/or 4th team to step into that group also. we thought stAte would have been that, but they cant close the deal, Georgia Southern ( this years team got a good start on this) and Louisiana seems to be the next teams with that opportunity. without adding a 3rd or 4th team to the group, the Sun Belt will plateau.

Meh the circle jerk above triggers the gag reflex. App may quickly revert to the mean and Troy knows how critical the coaching carousel impacts programs at this level.

Hoping that doesn't happen we'll have more than two programs tapping on the ceiling. Ark state hasn't gone anywhere. ULL can't wait for next year. GS can't wait for next year. The rest are by a long shot not out of it.

Troy and App have new coaches and the nerves are beginning to set in providing us with the love fest above. Three programs at the moment have upped the anti in the Belt two of them being new to the league. Fans from other G5 conference who are paying attention see the excitement and level of competition on the rise in the Belt and are curious to see how we're handling it. GS 30 wins away from achieving App's brand is a farce. For the road to be sooo long App would have to lay some serious eggs over the next two years. If App keeps up the competition but finishes behind GS the road get's shorter.

Not worried about App St, hiring Drinkwitz&Dorsey is huge. They will be even better in my opinion. Unlike, Troy...not many great candidates left. Houston and Yurcich are not available anyomore, and I really liked them.

(01-05-2019 11:12 AM)T2003 Wrote:  Not worried about App St, hiring Drinkwitz&Dorsey is huge. They will be even better in my opinion. Unlike, Troy...not many great candidates left. Houston and Yurcich are not available anyomore, and I really liked them.

We'll see. Considering they've been handed a ready made conference favorite squad it should be much easier to do, but this is staff has it's work cut out for them to go 41-11 their first four years.

(01-04-2019 11:06 PM)Oldyeller Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

That’s cool. See UCF. I like that route better.

How's that, having your AD trash talk his way up the ladder? Declaring fake national titles? Personally I'd rather gain respect on the field than infamy.

(01-05-2019 11:05 AM)Oldyeller Wrote:  

(01-05-2019 10:17 AM)balanced_view Wrote:  

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

While i agree the Sun Belt needs App State and Troy to continue being successful. for upward trajectory to continue, the conference needs a 3rd and/or 4th team to step into that group also. we thought stAte would have been that, but they cant close the deal, Georgia Southern ( this years team got a good start on this) and Louisiana seems to be the next teams with that opportunity. without adding a 3rd or 4th team to the group, the Sun Belt will plateau.

Meh the circle jerk above triggers the gag reflex. App may quickly revert to the mean and Troy knows how critical the coaching carousel impacts programs at this level.

Hoping that doesn't happen we'll have more than two programs tapping on the ceiling. Ark state hasn't gone anywhere. ULL can't wait for next year. GS can't wait for next year. The rest are by a long shot not out of it.

Troy and App have new coaches and the nerves are beginning to set in providing us with the love fest above. Three programs at the moment have upped the anti in the Belt two of them being new to the league. Fans from other G5 conference who are paying attention see the excitement and level of competition on the rise in the Belt and are curious to see how we're handling it. GS 30 wins away from achieving App's brand is a farce. For the road to be sooo long App would have to lay some serious eggs over the next two years. If App keeps up the competition but finishes behind GS the road get's shorter.

See, I was looking at this from an outside in perspective not tongue wagging for my own program. But that point was lost on you. Of course stAte, Louisiana, and GS are knocking on the door of being at the top of the conference but my post was about sentiments among sports writers and voters. So I reissue my point, GS is 30 wins in 3 seasons away from gaining the same plateau that App and Troy are on now. stAte needs to start winning OOC and bowl games and Louisina needs to rehab their image but all of them can reach that same point.

My bold prediction:

Next year’s sun belt championship is Georgia Southern vs Louisiana.

GS is taking the mantle as the standard bearer for the conference in 2019, I believe.

Louisiana will be the best in the west, but that’s not saying a whole lot. I think Coastal would be a top 2 team in that division.

(01-05-2019 12:46 PM)CoastalAlum2011 Wrote:  My bold prediction:

Next year’s sun belt championship is Georgia Southern vs Louisiana.

GS is taking the mantle as the standard bearer for the conference in 2019, I believe.

Louisiana will be the best in the west, but that’s not saying a whole lot. I think Coastal would be a top 2 team in that division.

Next year is an odd year man, that means AState wins the West. Home team never loses in the series, and AState hosts in odd years.

(12-23-2018 02:51 PM)debragga Wrote:  Seeing LaTech fans ***** and moan if we were somehow invited would be pretty funny, but I think we’re good where we’re at

In point of fact, LaTech fans ***** and moan about pretty much everything.

Don't get up. I'll show myself out.

(01-04-2019 10:51 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Whether or not the Sunbelt's upward trajectory continues depends on how Troy and App State weather the storm of coaching change (No disrespect to Ga Southern fans I'll explain later). App and Troy are rising brands. Both are just on the edge of gaining critical mass. Both have been ranked. One has two marquee power 5 wins. Either or both taking a step back sets the league as a whole way back.

If App and Troy stumble Georgia Southern could be the toast of the league next year but they need 3 more 10 win seasons to get on the same brand level as App and Troy. They're 30 wins away from achieving that same critical mass. That's not to say they couldn't do it, but in the eyes of national writers being a good G5 one year isn't good enough. You have to be good for three.

No, that's not how it works at all.

If Georgia Southern goes 12-0 next year and App goes 6-6, there's no drop off in Sun Belt level whatsoever. Unless you believe that no one else in the conference outside of App/Troy is going to win 10 games, but if you do, there's little hope for you.

The Sun Belt has always worked in stretches. Teams dominate the league for a few years, than they fall off some and another team comes in and dominates. North Texas dominated from 01-04. Troy dominated from 06-10, AState dominated from 10-15. App and Troy picked up from 2016 on.

If the Sun Belt averages 3 10 win teams a year, then the reputation of the league as a whole is going to go up regardless. Those teams could be Texas State/ULM/Coastal Carolina, and it still trends the league up. Doesn't matter who wins...just that we have multiple 10 game winners a year.