(09-15-2020 09:45 PM)Luckyshot Wrote:  "Is the Marshall vs App State game Saturday on CBS the most important game for CUSA and Sun Belt in decades?"
No, no and hell no. Sunbelt won three more important games than this just last week. Even leaving out the many P5 wins the two conferences have gotten, there have been bigger G5 matchups. Several C-USA Champ Games were bigger (2011 mentioned). I would put the 2003 TCU @ USM game as bigger. Just being on CBS in a good slot once isn't going to change anything. Even if you win new fans, they won't be able to find your games the rest of the year. Best thing it could do for us is have great rankings that could be used to show TV Execs that people will tune into our games if they can find them and they are good games. All the ESPN games Saturday can contribute to that too. Most important between the two conferences? Maybe.

You're completely missing the point.

You mentioned the 2003 TCU at USM game. That was at a time when CUSA had leverage, and would routinely offer games on ESPN.

Here we are in 2020, and we can count on our hand the number of times that we have been presented this opportunity.

This Saturday, not only do we have multiple ESPN games, but we have the CBS SEC time slot.

Don't just brush this aside, take it in, and appreciate it for what it is

We have an opportunity to change perception, this will definitely help us if we come out looking good in future negotiations.

That is why these games, and this one in particular, means so much.

For those that can remember some great App/Marshall games in the 80s and 90s, often times the underdog rose to the occasion for some epic battles and quite a few upsets.

I’d estimate the lower ranked team won about a third of the games those FCS years.

(09-15-2020 09:12 PM)Saint3333 Wrote:  UNCC’s “close loss” to App is confusing language. App had three turnovers (one on the one yard line), gave up a KO return for TD, and still won by 15.

The better question may be is this the biggest game ever between the two conferences? Could be, certainly will be the most viewed and one of the seldom matchups in which one team is ranked and the other would be with an upset victory.

App will need to clean up the mistakes from week one, especially turnovers and contain Marshall’s QB and RB to win. Marshall will need to protect the QB and force App to throw the ball 30 times or more.

These could be two of the top five olines in the G5.

clt says Charlotte played with an injured QB1. Marshal by 12

I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

(09-16-2020 07:27 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

Before we get a bunch of posters from the Sunbelt over here pissing all over our thread, let me be 100% clear. I respect your teams. I really respect App State, so don't act like you need to come over here and be the taller midget.

This game is about top 25, national brand recognition, it will be great for all of us involved.

Y'all are welcome here, but so far, many of the App State and Marshall faithfully have kept it respectful and fun. I personally enjoy that. Thank you!

(09-16-2020 07:36 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:27 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

I have a lot of respect for Marshall and I think most App fans do, and the respect is returned- see the difference between the Marshall and UNCC threads.

and No, I don't think people who tune into CBS on Saturday will care about conference perception, which is exactly why I voted NO on the poll. This game isn't important from a conference standpoint, but it is important for the individual schools.

It doesn't change the overall perception, which has been established over a # of years, rather than very recently. One game is not going to change that.

(09-15-2020 07:03 PM)rileylives Wrote:  I have to be completely honest. I'm a little shocked so many on here do not see the big picture ramifications on the line.

So far 66% of the vote is going towards "no"

Well, you said decades. You also brought up the 2011 CUSA title game which was also on network TV and had a BCS bowl game on the line. So right there that game trumps it. I doubt App would be ranked if the BIG10 and PAC12 were included and know that this game would not be on network. It's great exposure and I'm looking forward to watching it but there aren't really much ramifications beyond that.

(09-16-2020 07:58 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(09-15-2020 07:03 PM)rileylives Wrote:  I have to be completely honest. I'm a little shocked so many on here do not see the big picture ramifications on the line.

So far 66% of the vote is going towards "no"

Well, you said decades. You also brought up the 2011 CUSA title game which was also on network TV and had a BCS bowl game on the line. So right there that game trumps it. I doubt App would be ranked if the BIG10 and PAC12 were included and know that this game would not be on network. It's great exposure and I'm looking forward to watching it but there aren't really much ramifications beyond that.

Here's where the "no" consensus is wrong on this.

Let's say Marshall wins. Now we've got a top 25 team for CUSA. Then let's say La Tech makes a run, they make it into this top 25. We've got an undefeated Marshall and an undefeated La Tech squaring off, two top 25 CUSA teams.

That's the rub we get just from this game. That's why this is so important.

More eyes on our product that we've probably ever had in decades. And that's why I say decades.

(09-16-2020 07:36 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:27 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

To be fair the SBC has ranked ahead of CUSA for three of the last four years by various ranking systems and the one that matters for revenue - CFB profit sharing.

Marshall the last four years is 6-4 vs. OOC G5 teams, 3 bowl games. No games vs. the SBC, 4 vs. AAC, 2 vs. MWC, 4 vs. MAC.

App is 9-0 vs. OOC G5 teams, 4 bowl games. 6 vs. CUSA, 3 MAC.

Marshall has played tougher OOC games during that span.

(09-16-2020 07:36 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:27 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

All due respect, the "one good week" argument is nonsense. Ever since App (not Appy) joined the SBC, the SBC has been beating P5's. Troy/LSU, S. Alabama/Nebraska, G. State/Tenn, App/UNC, App/USC... App alone has beaten two top tier CUSA teams relatively handedly in our last 2 bowl games (MTSU was CUSA Champ I believe) and we beat them 45-13. I'm not saying it isnt close but, I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference.

(09-16-2020 08:25 AM)NeersBy90 Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:36 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:27 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

All due respect, the "one good week" argument is nonsense. Ever since App (not Appy) joined the SBC, the SBC has been beating P5's. Troy/LSU, S. Alabama/Nebraska, G. State/Tenn, App/UNC, App/USC... App alone has beaten two top tier CUSA teams relatively handedly in our last 2 bowl games (MTSU was CUSA Champ I believe) and we beat them 45-13. I'm not saying it isnt close but, I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference.

No, MTSU was not a conference champ.

Further, you have recent history. Teams like Marshall and Southern Miss have been beating p5's and other teams for much longer than that.

This matchup on Saturday is kind of intriguing to me. I do think these are two of the top teams in our respective conferences.

But beating up on our middle pack is not the same as taking down our top teams from the last few years.

I really don't think any team from Sunbelt could have beaten the 2014 Marshall team, the 2015 and 2016 Western Kentucky teams, or the 2017 FAU team.

(09-16-2020 08:33 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 08:25 AM)NeersBy90 Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:36 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:27 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

All due respect, the "one good week" argument is nonsense. Ever since App (not Appy) joined the SBC, the SBC has been beating P5's. Troy/LSU, S. Alabama/Nebraska, G. State/Tenn, App/UNC, App/USC... App alone has beaten two top tier CUSA teams relatively handedly in our last 2 bowl games (MTSU was CUSA Champ I believe) and we beat them 45-13. I'm not saying it isnt close but, I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference.

No, MTSU was not a conference champ.

Further, you have recent history. Teams like Marshall and Southern Miss have been beating p5's and other teams for much longer than that.

My mistake on MTSU but it doesn't negate the butt whoopin it was.

I understand that Marshall and Southern Miss have been beating P'5s for much longer than that but that doesn't mean CUSA is a better conference today. That's why I said "I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference."

(09-16-2020 08:12 AM)rileylives Wrote:  More eyes on our product that we've probably ever had in decades. And that's why I say decades.

I know CBS is 'big', but I'm not certain it's 'THAT' big. CBS draws over 2 million+ during this SEC window typically, compared to the 1 million+ that ESPN draws for a normal window game. We'll probably have about 50% more audience than we typically would have for an ESPN game. That's better than not having an increase, but its not going to magically change the fate of the universe. The loser of the game is probably eliminated from all NY6 autobid contention. If App wins, they'll be 22 or 21 in the next poll. If Marshall wins, its likely we could break into the Top 25 next week considering we are receiving votes currently in both polls. And that's about it for this week. - move on to the next one.

(09-16-2020 08:37 AM)NeersBy90 Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 08:33 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 08:25 AM)NeersBy90 Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:36 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:27 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  I voted no, simply because I think given the H2H, overall performance of the conference and perception, its clear to most fans that SBC has pulled in front of CUSA, and one game isn't going to change that.

for the individual schools though, its clearly the most important game for a while, certainly from a brand publicity standpoint.

Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

All due respect, the "one good week" argument is nonsense. Ever since App (not Appy) joined the SBC, the SBC has been beating P5's. Troy/LSU, S. Alabama/Nebraska, G. State/Tenn, App/UNC, App/USC... App alone has beaten two top tier CUSA teams relatively handedly in our last 2 bowl games (MTSU was CUSA Champ I believe) and we beat them 45-13. I'm not saying it isnt close but, I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference.

No, MTSU was not a conference champ.

Further, you have recent history. Teams like Marshall and Southern Miss have been beating p5's and other teams for much longer than that.

My mistake on MTSU but it doesn't negate the butt whoopin it was.

I understand that Marshall and Southern Miss have been beating P'5s for much longer than that but that doesn't mean CUSA is a better conference today. That's why I said "I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference."

So far, good respectful conversation.

But no, you haven't really been better in 5 years. That was my point. We've had a weaker 2-year run here lately. Our 2018 champion and 2019 champions were probably not as good as your App State champions in the last couple years. But again, over a longer period, there was no team that would beat the teams I mentioned from 2014 to 2017.

(09-16-2020 08:41 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 08:37 AM)NeersBy90 Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 08:33 AM)rileylives Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 08:25 AM)NeersBy90 Wrote:  

(09-16-2020 07:36 AM)rileylives Wrote:  Conference perception? You really think that people tuning into a national CBS game will care about who has a stronger conference between CUSA and Sunbelt?

Further, we've had very few opportunities of top teams going head-to-head. I don't know when Marshall has played any top Sunbelt teams, but I can guarantee there haven't been many wins against us lately. So stop with that nonsense.

Last year's App State versus UAB was the first one in many years that I can remember. And don't act like the Sun Belt is really that much better than CUSA, are you kidding me?

Y'all had one good week, this week is another one. You win out this week, then I agree you've pulled ahead. But a lot to be determined. Let's go!

All due respect, the "one good week" argument is nonsense. Ever since App (not Appy) joined the SBC, the SBC has been beating P5's. Troy/LSU, S. Alabama/Nebraska, G. State/Tenn, App/UNC, App/USC... App alone has beaten two top tier CUSA teams relatively handedly in our last 2 bowl games (MTSU was CUSA Champ I believe) and we beat them 45-13. I'm not saying it isnt close but, I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference.

No, MTSU was not a conference champ.

Further, you have recent history. Teams like Marshall and Southern Miss have been beating p5's and other teams for much longer than that.

My mistake on MTSU but it doesn't negate the butt whoopin it was.

I understand that Marshall and Southern Miss have been beating P'5s for much longer than that but that doesn't mean CUSA is a better conference today. That's why I said "I think the SBC has proven over the last 5 or so years, its a stronger football conference."

So far, good respectful conversation.

But no, you haven't really been better in 5 years. That was my point. We've had a weaker 2-year run here lately. Our 2018 champion and 2019 champions were probably not as good as your App State champions in the last couple years. But again, over a longer period, there was no team that would beat the teams I mentioned from 2014 to 2017.

I will respectfully disagree. I love the civil discourse and respectful conversation we're having.

I'll put our squad last year up against anyone of those teams you mentioned and I think we at worst split 50/50 with those teams from 2014-2017. I think anyone of the teams below would've competed and beaten some of those teams as well. Its a moot point because there's no way to call the teams back and have them play.

Our App team from 2018 had Penn State beaten and let it slip away in OT, In Happy Valley in front of 105,000 fans.

Our 2017 team missed 3 kicks and lost to one of the better team's Wake has had in recent memory by 1 point

Our 2016 team gave a game away at Tennessee in front of 100,000 fans in OT as well

All of the CUSA champions I mentioned were ranked.

Marshall finish the year ranked in 2014, Western Kentucky finished the 2015 season ranked, and FAU the 2017 season ranked. They were highly prolific teams.

I'll defer to their fanbases to make their case.

But yeah anybody can beat anybody I agree. It's just those were teams on another level. It took a 130 plus point shootout for Western to beat Marshall in 2014. It was a stupid crazy game. It would take that kind of production to beat our top teams in that era.

(09-16-2020 08:56 AM)rileylives Wrote:  All of the CUSA champions I mentioned were ranked.

Marshall finish the year ranked in 2014, Western Kentucky finished the 2015 season ranked, and FAU the 2017 season ranked. They were highly prolific teams.

I'll defer to their fanbases to make their case.

But yeah anybody can beat anybody I agree. It's just those were teams on another level. It took a 130 plus point shootout for Western to beat Marshall in 2014. It was a stupid crazy game. It would take that kind of production to beat our top teams in that era.

We could've played with any G5 team last year (even those prolific teams). We could score when we needed to and get stops when we needed too. Sounds to me like there wasn't much defense played in 2014 haha. Its going to be a great game Saturday and I love the national audience. Good luck and Sgoooo Neers!

(09-15-2020 07:03 PM)rileylives Wrote:  I have to be completely honest. I'm a little shocked so many on here do not see the big picture ramifications on the line.

So far 66% of the vote is going towards "no"

Or the counter point could be we are shocked at the self inflated importance one has of their program....with all due respect.