Although I live in Hattiesburg - I'm not a fan of USM. However the Golden Eagles have (historically) held their own with almost everyone they have played. Last year was a fluke year with a very bad head coach. I have been to a couple games at M. M. Roberts and they do draw people from New Orleans, Mobile, The MS Gulf Coast and Jackson. I would consider them more of a regional favorite. IF they ever get in major conference then you will see what they can really do; and it will surprise a few on here.
If they could get into somewhere like the Big XII they would need to enlarge the stadium. The only reason their attendance is down right now is because of the horrible C-USA. But you bring in teams like Texas, Oklahoma, OSU, Kansas, K State, Tech, Baylor etc. on a recurring basis USM season ticket sales would be through the roof.
Those of you that don't live in South Mississippi can't possibly understand and will flame this post. But as a Bulldog fan I'm telling you that USM in a conference like the Big XII would hurt our recruiting and Ole Miss' recruiting in state (especially the southern half) and then USM would get a lot of good players from South Alabama and NOLA area; after LSU and Alabama of course.
Just an observation from someone who lives here.

(07-23-2013 03:55 PM)mlb Wrote:  

(07-23-2013 02:42 PM)Eagle in the gym Wrote:  Not according to the numbers we've been given. Have you seen facts stating that, or is that your opinion? I'd love to see that in black and white.

People watch Southern Miss games. But our "market" is very low on tv sets. Heck, we're 90-minutes from Jackson, New Orleans, and Mobile, pending on which direction you are driving. We've always done well nationally with our games. We just need to mass produce the population.

The ratings are so bad for CBS Sports Network that they won't even allow Nielson to track them. You had 1 game rated game last season, that was at Nebraska. The rest are in ratings purgatory. The fact that there was zero interest from the AAC should tell you all you need to know about your TV ratings... the schools that were added were all based on TV executives telling the AAC who would be the most valuable. Markets count, but actual ratings do as well.

If the actual ratings counted then why over the last 4 seasons 46 of Southern Miss' 52 games played have been televised? While Memphis and Tulane who was selected according to you for ratings and markets appeared 33 and 32 times respectively. Its interesting that Tulane vs Memphis was not televised last year. Our ratings might be in purgatory, but its hard to rate someone who isn't on the tube at all.

Southern Miss > Navy

(07-23-2013 08:36 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  Southern Miss > Navy

----I look at all the things that S Miss has going for it and I think that UL the Ragin' Cajuns have even more --I think that they have more students, more population, more people within an hour drive, a bigger stadium, more attendance, more endowment, better academics, and now a better football team----I think that they will rank behind ECU as the second best attendance for football in the south for our category---With the new $165 million athletic facilities and a stadium of 65K the Sky will be the limit if it keeps going---it has had so much potential for so long and now we have the leadership at the president, AD, and head FB coach levels---What do you guys say???

(07-23-2013 10:32 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-23-2013 08:36 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  Southern Miss > Navy

----I look at all the things that S Miss has going for it and I think that UL the Ragin' Cajuns have even more --I think that they have more students, more population, more people within an hour drive, a bigger stadium, more attendance, more endowment, better academics, and now a better football team----I think that they will rank behind ECU as the second best attendance for football in the south for our category---With the new $165 million athletic facilities and a stadium of 65K the Sky will be the limit if it keeps going---it has had so much potential for so long and now we have the leadership at the president, AD, and head FB coach levels---What do you guys say???

gotta get out of the Sun Belt first

(07-23-2013 08:36 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  Southern Miss > Navy

On the field, sure. You're able to recruit a different caliber of player than Navy can. If not for the school's unique mission, Navy wouldn't have been invited to the AAC. In fact, I'm still not sure we join in 2015.

But the AAC is not the Golden Ticket USM is looking for. And if the B12 does expand again, a small school in MS will not be a high priority. Somehow, the G5 conferences need to figure out how to get a guaranteed spot in the CFB playoff when it expands to 8.

Access is really the only card left in the deck.

(07-23-2013 07:56 PM)Thegoldstandard Wrote:  If the actual ratings counted then why over the last 4 seasons 46 of Southern Miss' 52 games played have been televised? While Memphis and Tulane who was selected according to you for ratings and markets appeared 33 and 32 times respectively. Its interesting that Tulane vs Memphis was not televised last year. Our ratings might be in purgatory, but its hard to rate someone who isn't on the tube at all.

Fair point... and I fully agree about Tulane. Memphis was added because of their basketball program, plain and simple. That being said, UC hasn't had a game not televised since the C-USA days, therefore if we were going by your logic then UC should be in a P5 conferenc.e

(07-23-2013 08:36 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  Southern Miss > Navy

Yeah, but I don't Southern Miss playing a national game on CBS on the second week of December.

Like I stated earlier in the thread, how are Southern Miss' TV numbers when they are not playing a P5 school?

(07-23-2013 05:11 PM)Saint Bulldog Wrote:  Although I live in Hattiesburg - I'm not a fan of USM. However the Golden Eagles have (historically) held their own with almost everyone they have played. Last year was a fluke year with a very bad head coach. I have been to a couple games at M. M. Roberts and they do draw people from New Orleans, Mobile, The MS Gulf Coast and Jackson. I would consider them more of a regional favorite. IF they ever get in major conference then you will see what they can really do; and it will surprise a few on here.
If they could get into somewhere like the Big XII they would need to enlarge the stadium. The only reason their attendance is down right now is because of the horrible C-USA. But you bring in teams like Texas, Oklahoma, OSU, Kansas, K State, Tech, Baylor etc. on a recurring basis USM season ticket sales would be through the roof.
Those of you that don't live in South Mississippi can't possibly understand and will flame this post. But as a Bulldog fan I'm telling you that USM in a conference like the Big XII would hurt our recruiting and Ole Miss' recruiting in state (especially the southern half) and then USM would get a lot of good players from South Alabama and NOLA area; after LSU and Alabama of course.
Just an observation from someone who lives here.

I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12. If the Big 12 all came to play in Hattiesburg, of course they would sell tickets! That would be the case in any town south of the Mason/Dixon or on the Plains. You know what would make sense? Ole Miss or Miss. St. moving to the Big 12 so that they have a national brand in a new market, and the SEC gets out of doubling up in the same market (setting historical ties aside for the moment). In terms of conference realignment for financial purposes, that is plausible. Any AAC or C-USA school outside of UConn, Cincinnati, and maybe USF or UCF if somebody becomes desperate does not make financial sense for any P5 conference.

(07-23-2013 10:32 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-23-2013 08:36 PM)OrangeCrush22 Wrote:  Southern Miss > Navy

----I look at all the things that S Miss has going for it and I think that UL the Ragin' Cajuns have even more --I think that they have more students, more population, more people within an hour drive, a bigger stadium, more attendance, more endowment, better academics, and now a better football team----I think that they will rank behind ECU as the second best attendance for football in the south for our category---With the new $165 million athletic facilities and a stadium of 65K the Sky will be the limit if it keeps going---it has had so much potential for so long and now we have the leadership at the president, AD, and head FB coach levels---What do you guys say???

Nothing wrong with being a homer but man you need to come back to earth!!!

Stadium: 36k to 31k win SMiss
Students: 17.9k to 16.8k close but win SMiss

I could go on and on.... but in what world is ULL building a 65k stadium!?!.....

(07-24-2013 10:08 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12. If the Big 12 all came to play in Hattiesburg, of course they would sell tickets! That would be the case in any town south of the Mason/Dixon or on the Plains. You know what would make sense? Ole Miss or Miss. St. moving to the Big 12 so that they have a national brand in a new market, and the SEC gets out of doubling up in the same market (setting historical ties aside for the moment). In terms of conference realignment for financial purposes, that is plausible. Any AAC or C-USA school outside of UConn, Cincinnati, and maybe USF or UCF if somebody becomes desperate does not make financial sense for any P5 conference.

My point was that if Southern Miss had good home games then M. M. Roberts Stadium wouldn't be big enough to hold everyone. This year they play, at home, Texas State, FIU, North Texas, Florida Atlantic & Middle Tennessee. I can't think of one of those that I would like to see. Do I think that the Big XII would invite USM? No. But I believe that a lot of people are selling the Eagles a little short and if given a chance they would surprise people.

(07-24-2013 10:08 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12.

We could make that claim about any school that's not a "Media darling", (and you could argue some of the "cupcakes" in the P5 would have the same problem) in fact, that's what the big powers LOVE to see happen. They see the Lower P5 teams and the non-AQ's fans just making these kind of comments at one another, while they can say they're "staying out of the fray".

Just to pick a team at random.. you really think Alabama fans would get excited over a football team like Duke coming to play at Legion Field?

If we were to actually have a "FULL" reshuffle, I'd wager a lot of schools that are in the P5 leagues would find themselves on the outside looking in.

Quote: But I believe that a lot of people are selling the Eagles a little short and if given a chance they would surprise people.

Monken's got a chance to prove that this upcoming season.. Three mean road games.. win just 1 (or even 2 (or hopefully a sweep!)) of those games, and be tough as nails if (heaven forbid), we lose them.. I think the excitement level SKYROCKETS, even with the home conference schedule we have (and we wont' even get into how pissed off USM fans are at the conference right now for that schedule!)

(07-24-2013 10:42 AM)Saint Bulldog Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 10:08 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12. If the Big 12 all came to play in Hattiesburg, of course they would sell tickets! That would be the case in any town south of the Mason/Dixon or on the Plains. You know what would make sense? Ole Miss or Miss. St. moving to the Big 12 so that they have a national brand in a new market, and the SEC gets out of doubling up in the same market (setting historical ties aside for the moment). In terms of conference realignment for financial purposes, that is plausible. Any AAC or C-USA school outside of UConn, Cincinnati, and maybe USF or UCF if somebody becomes desperate does not make financial sense for any P5 conference.

My point was that if Southern Miss had good home games then M. M. Roberts Stadium wouldn't be big enough to hold everyone. This year they play, at home, Texas State, FIU, North Texas, Florida Atlantic & Middle Tennessee. I can't think of one of those that I would like to see. Do I think that the Big XII would invite USM? No. But I believe that a lot of people are selling the Eagles a little short and if given a chance they would surprise people.

105K fans paid $50+ per seat to watch their team host an Eastern Michigan team on a 19 game losing streak. Last year NMSU(1-11) was the visiting team for a game that broke the host school's attendance record. It wasn't homecoming and they aren't rivals. Stop blaming attendance on the other team.

(07-24-2013 11:00 AM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 10:08 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12.

We could make that claim about any school that's not a "Media darling", (and you could argue some of the "cupcakes" in the P5 would have the same problem) in fact, that's what the big powers LOVE to see happen. They see the Lower P5 teams and the non-AQ's fans just making these kind of comments at one another, while they can say they're "staying out of the fray".

Just to pick a team at random.. you really think Alabama fans would get excited over a football team like Duke coming to play at Legion Field?

If we were to actually have a "FULL" reshuffle, I'd wager a lot of schools that are in the P5 leagues would find themselves on the outside looking in.

Sure, a true reshuffling of conferences would be an interesting exercise considering market forces today. I doubt you would see doubled markets in a conference anywhere except possibly the L.A. and Bay areas for the PAC since they are massive, geography is limiting, and the public/private in each area make it more marketable (no big brother/little brother issue). We definitely do not have 4 ACC schools in NC, for example. In any case, the state of Mississippi has two schools that would qualify as P5 level, and both are in the bottom half of that list based on objective factors (population, academics, revenue). As you said, there would likely be some attrition (Wake Forest, Washington State, and Oregon State would probably be on that list.)

USM is in the right spot for them. There are multiple factors that come into play when it comes to conference realignment like academics, location, tradition, athletic dept size, etc. USM falls short in too many areas for it to get into a P5 conference. Same for Boise for that matter. It may suck for a USM fan, but that's the reality of it.

(07-24-2013 11:11 AM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 10:42 AM)Saint Bulldog Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 10:08 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12. If the Big 12 all came to play in Hattiesburg, of course they would sell tickets! That would be the case in any town south of the Mason/Dixon or on the Plains. You know what would make sense? Ole Miss or Miss. St. moving to the Big 12 so that they have a national brand in a new market, and the SEC gets out of doubling up in the same market (setting historical ties aside for the moment). In terms of conference realignment for financial purposes, that is plausible. Any AAC or C-USA school outside of UConn, Cincinnati, and maybe USF or UCF if somebody becomes desperate does not make financial sense for any P5 conference.

My point was that if Southern Miss had good home games then M. M. Roberts Stadium wouldn't be big enough to hold everyone. This year they play, at home, Texas State, FIU, North Texas, Florida Atlantic & Middle Tennessee. I can't think of one of those that I would like to see. Do I think that the Big XII would invite USM? No. But I believe that a lot of people are selling the Eagles a little short and if given a chance they would surprise people.

105K fans paid $50+ per seat to watch their team host an Eastern Michigan team on a 19 game losing streak. Last year NMSU(1-11) was the visiting team for a game that broke the host school's attendance record. It wasn't homecoming and they aren't rivals. Stop blaming attendance on the other team.

Nearly all of those ticket holders are season ticket buyers. They didn't buy the season tickets to see Eastern Michigan. If the opponent didn't matter then conferences would look a lot different.

(07-24-2013 10:42 AM)Saint Bulldog Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 10:08 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12. If the Big 12 all came to play in Hattiesburg, of course they would sell tickets! That would be the case in any town south of the Mason/Dixon or on the Plains. You know what would make sense? Ole Miss or Miss. St. moving to the Big 12 so that they have a national brand in a new market, and the SEC gets out of doubling up in the same market (setting historical ties aside for the moment). In terms of conference realignment for financial purposes, that is plausible. Any AAC or C-USA school outside of UConn, Cincinnati, and maybe USF or UCF if somebody becomes desperate does not make financial sense for any P5 conference.

My point was that if Southern Miss had good home games then M. M. Roberts Stadium wouldn't be big enough to hold everyone. This year they play, at home, Texas State, FIU, North Texas, Florida Atlantic & Middle Tennessee. I can't think of one of those that I would like to see. Do I think that the Big XII would invite USM? No. But I believe that a lot of people are selling the Eagles a little short and if given a chance they would surprise people.

Almost every school can claim that same thing though so it's a moot point.

(07-24-2013 12:02 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 11:11 AM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 10:42 AM)Saint Bulldog Wrote:  

(07-24-2013 10:08 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I won't flame you, but I will wholeheartedly disagree that Southern Miss brings any value to the Big 12. If the Big 12 all came to play in Hattiesburg, of course they would sell tickets! That would be the case in any town south of the Mason/Dixon or on the Plains. You know what would make sense? Ole Miss or Miss. St. moving to the Big 12 so that they have a national brand in a new market, and the SEC gets out of doubling up in the same market (setting historical ties aside for the moment). In terms of conference realignment for financial purposes, that is plausible. Any AAC or C-USA school outside of UConn, Cincinnati, and maybe USF or UCF if somebody becomes desperate does not make financial sense for any P5 conference.

My point was that if Southern Miss had good home games then M. M. Roberts Stadium wouldn't be big enough to hold everyone. This year they play, at home, Texas State, FIU, North Texas, Florida Atlantic & Middle Tennessee. I can't think of one of those that I would like to see. Do I think that the Big XII would invite USM? No. But I believe that a lot of people are selling the Eagles a little short and if given a chance they would surprise people.

105K fans paid $50+ per seat to watch their team host an Eastern Michigan team on a 19 game losing streak. Last year NMSU(1-11) was the visiting team for a game that broke the host school's attendance record. It wasn't homecoming and they aren't rivals. Stop blaming attendance on the other team.

Nearly all of those ticket holders are season ticket buyers. They didn't buy the season tickets to see Eastern Michigan. If the opponent didn't matter then conferences would look a lot different.

Spot on, my good man.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm sure your next coach will get you back to your winning ways. As far a conference realignment goes... I'm sure So. Miss is on the short list for AAC call up should they lose a couple of more teams. It just depends whether it will be sooner or later.

(07-24-2013 12:54 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm sure your next coach will get you back to your winning ways. As far a conference realignment goes... I'm sure So. Miss is on the short list for AAC call up should they lose a couple of more teams. It just depends whether it will be sooner or later.

Agreed if the next moves send UConn and Cincy to a P5 and the conference becomes Southern/Plains-centric. If they try to retain ties to the midwest and the northeast, though, a handful of schools from the MAC (Ohio and UMass come to mind) would make more sense than USM from a financial perspective. I doubt the AAC is looking west any longer since the most valuable properties, Boise and SDSU, have already fallen through. Barring an attempt to get schools from the MAC, USM and Rice make sense.