(02-27-2012 12:04 AM)statefanatic Wrote:  You don't think the alliance knows what the TV folks want? Give it up already. You are starting to find anything you can to hang on to the hopes Tech will get the call. The reason Tech has till the end of April is because that is when Benson will be announcing the plans for expansion. If Tech doesn't accept then UTSA is in. Like I said already it is 90% likely Tech accepts.

It is a fact that TV will tell the Alliance how far to expand. Of course I hope that Tech gets into the Alliance...just like you would hope ASU would. That's beside the point.

If what you said in the OP is true, there is no need to wait till April. If what you said in the OP is accurate, it is far different than 90%. I would be interested to know how you quantify that probability...but I digress.

Benson gave Tech an ultimatum? Sorry bro, I've watched Benson for the past 11 years...I don't buy it.

(02-26-2012 11:50 PM)Fanof49ASU Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:37 PM)Tiguar Wrote:  LaT is a no-brainer. We have football now and they have a familiar face at commissioner. I think LaT elevates the conference. TexSt is an... interesting choice. I would have preferred App but I guess Benson wanted to go after programs that were already transitioning to FBS before FCS that have yet to begin.

'Elevates' my azz! They're no better than any of the current SBC members.



FWIW....I can't wait to see the hogDawg meltdown. It's sure to be epic.

They sure don't bring it down.

(02-27-2012 12:09 AM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 12:04 AM)statefanatic Wrote:  You don't think the alliance knows what the TV folks want? Give it up already. You are starting to find anything you can to hang on to the hopes Tech will get the call. The reason Tech has till the end of April is because that is when Benson will be announcing the plans for expansion. If Tech doesn't accept then UTSA is in. Like I said already it is 90% likely Tech accepts.

It is a fact that TV will tell the Alliance how far to expand. Of course I hope that Tech gets into the Alliance...just like you would hope ASU would. That's beside the point.

If what you said in the OP is true, there is no need to wait till April. If what you said in the OP is accurate, it is far different than 90%. I would be interested to know how you quantify that probability...but I digress.

Benson gave Tech an ultimatum? Sorry bro, I've watched Benson for the past 11 years...I don't buy it.

Is it an ultimatum or just a deadline for moving the conference to 12 ? Isn't that the latest teams can declare their intentions to be able to join in a certain year ?

(02-27-2012 12:14 AM)MG61 Wrote:  Is it an ultimatum or just a deadline for moving the conference to 12 ? Isn't that the latest teams can declare their intentions to be able to join in a certain year ?

That's June 30th...for 2013. If it's been said, it's a deadline, not an ultimatum. Benson and Reneau have a very good relationship.

(02-27-2012 12:14 AM)MG61 Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 12:09 AM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 12:04 AM)statefanatic Wrote:  You don't think the alliance knows what the TV folks want? Give it up already. You are starting to find anything you can to hang on to the hopes Tech will get the call. The reason Tech has till the end of April is because that is when Benson will be announcing the plans for expansion. If Tech doesn't accept then UTSA is in. Like I said already it is 90% likely Tech accepts.

It is a fact that TV will tell the Alliance how far to expand. Of course I hope that Tech gets into the Alliance...just like you would hope ASU would. That's beside the point.

If what you said in the OP is true, there is no need to wait till April. If what you said in the OP is accurate, it is far different than 90%. I would be interested to know how you quantify that probability...but I digress.

Benson gave Tech an ultimatum? Sorry bro, I've watched Benson for the past 11 years...I don't buy it.

Is it an ultimatum or just a deadline for moving the conference to 12 ? Isn't that the latest teams can declare their intentions to be able to join in a certain year ?

I don't think it makes a difference since no WAC or Sun Belt school is making a decision about the future till they see what happens with CUSA/MWC

(02-27-2012 12:18 AM)techdawg88 Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 12:14 AM)MG61 Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 12:09 AM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 12:04 AM)statefanatic Wrote:  You don't think the alliance knows what the TV folks want? Give it up already. You are starting to find anything you can to hang on to the hopes Tech will get the call. The reason Tech has till the end of April is because that is when Benson will be announcing the plans for expansion. If Tech doesn't accept then UTSA is in. Like I said already it is 90% likely Tech accepts.

It is a fact that TV will tell the Alliance how far to expand. Of course I hope that Tech gets into the Alliance...just like you would hope ASU would. That's beside the point.

If what you said in the OP is true, there is no need to wait till April. If what you said in the OP is accurate, it is far different than 90%. I would be interested to know how you quantify that probability...but I digress.

Benson gave Tech an ultimatum? Sorry bro, I've watched Benson for the past 11 years...I don't buy it.

Is it an ultimatum or just a deadline for moving the conference to 12 ? Isn't that the latest teams can declare their intentions to be able to join in a certain year ?

I don't think it makes a difference since no WAC or Sun Belt school is making a decision about the future till they see what happens with CUSA/MWC

We already know what's going on with the alliance. BSU is staying one more year, cusa would be in a bad situation without it...down to 7 football playing schools. the mwc saw their AQ possibilities leave with BSU and the coogs of BYU...they are propping each other up and any school from the SBC that leaves for it should question their administration's sanity...but I don't know much about the big whigs...it's just an opinion...

I'm not completely buying this for a couple reasons. First, I believe LT will wait to see what MUSA will do. And second every indication I have is that UTSA is a more attractive candidate to conferences. UTSA is on MUSA's expansion list. TX St is not currently. UTSA also has their own market and averaged 36k fans a game....unless they are also working on MUSA. Tx St is a very good candidate also I just don't think they are first.

(02-26-2012 11:59 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:46 PM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:36 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  So unless you are actually the La Tech AD, then you can't know for sure what has been decided at this point.

I have no idea if this rumor is true or not. But it could be.

Administrations lie...and they don't talk to people like me. But, T-Boone Pickens knows more than the OSU AD about some things. Fred Smith...

Does Tech have any of those? On a much smaller scale, but still. We all know that there are the folks who officially run the program...and then there are those who actually run the program.

Could Reneau and Benson have struck a secret deal? Sure, but the guys who "run" our program don't know about it. And if they don't know, I'd be shocked if the OP's source does either.

I can tell you my source could very well be wrong. I can also tell you Tech has indeed been in heavy talks with Benson and are 90% sure they will join. Those big money people you refer to will deny until the very end. If Tech lets the money people call the shots then you will go down with the rest of the WAC. The alliance doesn't even have Tech in its top 10.

The alliance is looking for a market to get a bigger TV deal. UNT, FIU, FAU, MTSU, Utah st and SJSU all have larger markets than Tech. It's time for Tech fans to get off there high horse and accept that you will be back in the conference you ran from.

Although it has never gone public, UL could very well be a choice in the alliance----Don't think that the projected 35K attendance for this year along with last years 30K att and the 40K plus at the NO Bowl didn't turn some heads--also the continued population growth of the area and school enrollment----- the 1 hour drive of 4 large metro areas to Lafayette give a interest in the Cajuns also for travel and TV viewership!!!

(02-27-2012 01:07 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  I'm not completely buying this for a couple reasons. First, I believe LT will wait to see what MUSA will do. And second every indication I have is that UTSA is a more attractive candidate to conferences. UTSA is on MUSA's expansion list. TX St is not currently. UTSA also has their own market and averaged 36k fans a game....unless they are also working on MUSA. Tx St is a very good candidate also I just don't think they are first.

Their our reason as Texas St a Bowl counter and UTSA is a year behind, Plus Texas State been playing football Longer then one year..

Also Tech might be the best team from winning and fans, but As you know that hasn't meant **** because ECU should of would of been invited to the Big East over half the school who were invited..

And if they wait for The Alliance and Belt invites UTSA and the Alliance don't take Tech they be in A WAC with 5 football schools..

Will be A good few weeks for sure..

(02-27-2012 01:15 AM)exflash Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:59 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:46 PM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:36 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  So unless you are actually the La Tech AD, then you can't know for sure what has been decided at this point.

I have no idea if this rumor is true or not. But it could be.

Administrations lie...and they don't talk to people like me. But, T-Boone Pickens knows more than the OSU AD about some things. Fred Smith...

Does Tech have any of those? On a much smaller scale, but still. We all know that there are the folks who officially run the program...and then there are those who actually run the program.

Could Reneau and Benson have struck a secret deal? Sure, but the guys who "run" our program don't know about it. And if they don't know, I'd be shocked if the OP's source does either.

I can tell you my source could very well be wrong. I can also tell you Tech has indeed been in heavy talks with Benson and are 90% sure they will join. Those big money people you refer to will deny until the very end. If Tech lets the money people call the shots then you will go down with the rest of the WAC. The alliance doesn't even have Tech in its top 10.

The alliance is looking for a market to get a bigger TV deal. UNT, FIU, FAU, MTSU, Utah st and SJSU all have larger markets than Tech. It's time for Tech fans to get off there high horse and accept that you will be back in the conference you ran from.

Although it has never gone public, UL could very well be a choice in the alliance----Don't think that the projected 35K attendance for this year along with last years 30K att and the 40K plus at the NO Bowl didn't turn some heads--also the continued population growth of the area and school enrollment----- the 1 hour drive of 4 large metro areas to Lafayette give a interest in the Cajuns also for travel and TV viewership!!!

Did you just pimp your school to another conference while on the SBC message board? Pretty damn pathetic dude...

If this is true Benson needs to make a profile so I can dock his rep points. Oh my God I never want to have to deal with La Tech fans on a year to year basis.

I like the addition of TxSt but I would much rather see UTSA join than La Tech.

(02-27-2012 02:11 AM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  If this is true Benson needs to make a profile so I can dock his rep points. Oh my God I never want to have to deal with La Tech fans on a year to year basis.

I like the addition of TxSt but I would much rather see UTSA join than La Tech.

It will be fireworks.

So in this scenario the WAC is dead... what happens to Denver?

Do we keep Denver to balance out UALR and move somebody to the East?

Or do we say to Denver sorry 'bout your luck, you made your bed lie in it?

(02-27-2012 12:11 AM)Tiguar Wrote:  They sure don't bring it down.

Exactly, more so than most of our options....but they don't elevate it.

(02-27-2012 01:15 AM)Fear The Frog Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 01:07 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  I'm not completely buying this for a couple reasons. First, I believe LT will wait to see what MUSA will do. And second every indication I have is that UTSA is a more attractive candidate to conferences. UTSA is on MUSA's expansion list. TX St is not currently. UTSA also has their own market and averaged 36k fans a game....unless they are also working on MUSA. Tx St is a very good candidate also I just don't think they are first.

Their our reason as Texas St a Bowl counter and UTSA is a year behind, Plus Texas State been playing football Longer then one year..

All of this is true, but UTSA is still a more attractive candidate. There is a reason ESPN reported UTSA is on MUSA's short list while TX ST is not. UTSA controls and has a large market all to thier self. TXST is part of the Austin market. UTSA also has the potential to draw 40-50K a game if in a larger conference.

(02-27-2012 08:39 AM)Fanof49ASU Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 12:11 AM)Tiguar Wrote:  They sure don't bring it down.

Exactly, more so than most of our options....but they don't elevate it.

Agree completely . . elevate is a big 'no' . . help to maintain the status quo is more like it.

Go stAte . . Go SBC !!

(02-27-2012 06:23 AM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  

(02-27-2012 02:11 AM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  If this is true Benson needs to make a profile so I can dock his rep points. Oh my God I never want to have to deal with La Tech fans on a year to year basis.

I like the addition of TxSt but I would much rather see UTSA join than La Tech.

It will be fireworks.

So in this scenario the WAC is dead... what happens to Denver?

Do we keep Denver to balance out UALR and move somebody to the East?

Or do we say to Denver sorry 'bout your luck, you made your bed lie in it?

Who do we move to the East in that situation? My first thought we be stAte but they would lose a game with UALR. Do they move ULM to the East to separate them and Tech? Either way I don't really like it. I'd rather pick up an eastern team in all olympic sports.

(02-26-2012 11:59 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:46 PM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:36 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  So unless you are actually the La Tech AD, then you can't know for sure what has been decided at this point.

I have no idea if this rumor is true or not. But it could be.

Administrations lie...and they don't talk to people like me. But, T-Boone Pickens knows more than the OSU AD about some things. Fred Smith...

Does Tech have any of those? On a much smaller scale, but still. We all know that there are the folks who officially run the program...and then there are those who actually run the program.

Could Reneau and Benson have struck a secret deal? Sure, but the guys who "run" our program don't know about it. And if they don't know, I'd be shocked if the OP's source does either.

I can tell you my source could very well be wrong. I can also tell you Tech has indeed been in heavy talks with Benson and are 90% sure they will join. Those big money people you refer to will deny until the very end. If Tech lets the money people call the shots then you will go down with the rest of the WAC. The alliance doesn't even have Tech in its top 10.

The alliance is looking for a market to get a bigger TV deal. UNT, FIU, FAU, MTSU, Utah st and SJSU all have larger markets than Tech. It's time for Tech fans to get off there high horse and accept that you will be back in the conference you ran from.

I was open to your posts until your emotion got involved. I am just catching up on this entire thread...start to finish...and have seen NO instance where "Tech fans" are on a "high horse" about this situation.

I think those Tech fans who have posted here have been straight-up honest. We prefer to go to the Alliance than to go to the Sun Belt. There's nothing "high horsed" about that. We want our program to continue to move in a perceived forward direction. And while you guys have certainly improved in a decade, returning to the Sun Belt would still be perceived/viewed as a step backward.

At the end of the day, it is what it is. If the SBC is our future home, we'll make the best of it.

Does anyone think the Belt will designate one crossover game to be played every year for each team? I guess the real question is if there are enough strong East-West rivalries for it to be a good idea.

Here's my stab:

MT - Louisiana
WKU - North Texas
Troy - stAte
FIU - LA Tech ?
FAU - ULM ?
USA - Texas State ?

The top three I would feel pretty good about year to year. The bottom three makes me question the idea. Is it possible that they let certain teams lock in rivalry games? That may need to happen.

(02-26-2012 10:49 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 09:49 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  La Tech and Texas St. It could be the other Texas school but this is what I've heard. Both Texas schools will be joining for sure if We lose FIU or UNT. Sorry Georgia St and App St but you didn't make the cut.

This is exactly why I don't like Benson. If this is true, the Belt will remain a gateway conference for the FBS. I hope the Benson supporters will be happy.

Right now, is expansion really in the best interest of the current Sun Belt programs? Would the addition of LA Tech and TSU really create a better T.V. contract? Is the Belt preparing to lose a program or two?

I don't understand this one. LT is already FBs and TSU already has everything they need to be FBS and will be in 2013 with or without the SBC. If the conference is going to expand, these two, plus UTSA, are obviously the best candidates.
Your second paragraph has a good point. Will adding these or any teams help the current members? I guess the proof will be in the TV contracts but I'm not sure how long it'll be until the SBC is negotiating new ones anyway. It could be couple of years before we have any idea if expansion was a good or bad move.

(02-27-2012 09:44 AM)BarkonDawgs Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:59 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:46 PM)johnnylightnin Wrote:  

(02-26-2012 11:36 PM)Hilltopper2K Wrote:  So unless you are actually the La Tech AD, then you can't know for sure what has been decided at this point.

I have no idea if this rumor is true or not. But it could be.

Administrations lie...and they don't talk to people like me. But, T-Boone Pickens knows more than the OSU AD about some things. Fred Smith...

Does Tech have any of those? On a much smaller scale, but still. We all know that there are the folks who officially run the program...and then there are those who actually run the program.

Could Reneau and Benson have struck a secret deal? Sure, but the guys who "run" our program don't know about it. And if they don't know, I'd be shocked if the OP's source does either.

I can tell you my source could very well be wrong. I can also tell you Tech has indeed been in heavy talks with Benson and are 90% sure they will join. Those big money people you refer to will deny until the very end. If Tech lets the money people call the shots then you will go down with the rest of the WAC. The alliance doesn't even have Tech in its top 10.

The alliance is looking for a market to get a bigger TV deal. UNT, FIU, FAU, MTSU, Utah st and SJSU all have larger markets than Tech. It's time for Tech fans to get off there high horse and accept that you will be back in the conference you ran from.

I was open to your posts until your emotion got involved. I am just catching up on this entire thread...start to finish...and have seen NO instance where "Tech fans" are on a "high horse" about this situation.

I think those Tech fans who have posted here have been straight-up honest. We prefer to go to the Alliance than to go to the Sun Belt. There's nothing "high horsed" about that. We want our program to continue to move in a perceived forward direction. And while you guys have certainly improved in a decade, returning to the Sun Belt would still be perceived/viewed as a step backward.

At the end of the day, it is what it is. If the SBC is our future home, we'll make the best of it.

Well for starters you can lose the "Belch" reference to our/your conference---and if you really hate Monroe you can call UL just UL or Louisiana!!! Come on let's see real hate!!! lol