Although the contract with New Orleans that expires this year still requires New Orleans to take the champion this year, the first rule of contracts is if the parties agree the contract means whatever they agree to do despite the writing.

The Commissioner has indicated in the past that he wants to wheel and deal on bowls and try to make the best match-ups with the cooperation of the teams.

So that brings up an interesting set of scenarios in determining where to place Louisiana and I am presuming the placement will be dictated by what Scott Farmer tells Karl Benson.

1. Send 'em back to New Orleans for a third straight year. Probable opponent Tulane. Lousy TV, good ticket revenue, a flatliner for national respect and for poll votes.

2. Godaddy Bowl to meet the MAC champion. Probable opponent #20 (BCS) Northern Illinois. Good TV, good ticket revenue. Good for poll votes, OK for national respect.

3. Advocare Independence to face one of Syracuse, Pitt, and Boston College. Good TV, good ticket revenue, good for national respect and poll votes. (assuming that no more than two of Florida, Vandy, Tennessee, and Mississippi State get eligible).

How I view the options.
-New Orleans This is the easy safe choice for the Cajuns. Fans will be happy and tickets will be sold. Locally beating Tulane matters.
-Mobile. From a competitive stand-point if you are the best you want to play the best and the easiest way to start changing the view that the MAC is better is for a Sun Belt to play a ranked MAC team and beat them for the second year. Harder sell to fans. Even though it isn't that much longer of a drive, most schools are back in session the next morning and anyone wanting to really "enjoy" the bowl experience isn't going to want to go to work the next morning.
- Shreveport. Fans are going to automatically have reservations about going to Shreveport and complain about swapping Bourbon Street for Texas Street. But it is chance to play an ACC school on a "neutral" field that will see mostly Cajun fans in the stands.

Just my opinion, but I think they need a new challenge. A change of venue. More exposure. Call it whatever you want, but it seems to me that a return to NOB for them will be a let down. It would be a wimpout to go beat up on Tulane. Step up in competition and go beat someone ranked.

(11-11-2013 09:48 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  Although the contract with New Orleans that expires this year still requires New Orleans to take the champion this year, the first rule of contracts is if the parties agree the contract means whatever they agree to do despite the writing.

The Commissioner has indicated in the past that he wants to wheel and deal on bowls and try to make the best match-ups with the cooperation of the teams.

So that brings up an interesting set of scenarios in determining where to place Louisiana and I am presuming the placement will be dictated by what Scott Farmer tells Karl Benson.

1. Send 'em back to New Orleans for a third straight year. Probable opponent Tulane. Lousy TV, good ticket revenue, a flatliner for national respect and for poll votes.

2. Godaddy Bowl to meet the MAC champion. Probable opponent #20 (BCS) Northern Illinois. Good TV, good ticket revenue. Good for poll votes, OK for national respect.

3. Advocare Independence to face one of Syracuse, Pitt, and Boston College. Good TV, good ticket revenue, good for national respect and poll votes. (assuming that no more than two of Florida, Vandy, Tennessee, and Mississippi State get eligible).

How I view the options.
-New Orleans This is the easy safe choice for the Cajuns. Fans will be happy and tickets will be sold. Locally beating Tulane matters.
-Mobile. From a competitive stand-point if you are the best you want to play the best and the easiest way to start changing the view that the MAC is better is for a Sun Belt to play a ranked MAC team and beat them for the second year. Harder sell to fans. Even though it isn't that much longer of a drive, most schools are back in session the next morning and anyone wanting to really "enjoy" the bowl experience isn't going to want to go to work the next morning.
- Shreveport. Fans are going to automatically have reservations about going to Shreveport and complain about swapping Bourbon Street for Texas Street. But it is chance to play an ACC school on a "neutral" field that will see mostly Cajun fans in the stands.

Good synopsis! If the Independence Bowl invitation would only apply if only two of the four SEC programs become bowl eligible, I don't see UL waiting if the NO Bowl sends out an official invitation. Those have come on Nov. 22nd and Nov.25th the past two years. When does the Independence Bowl usually send out invitations?

(11-11-2013 10:19 AM)YJason Wrote:  Just my opinion, but I think they need a new challenge. A change of venue. More exposure. Call it whatever you want, but it seems to me that a return to NOB for them will be a let down. It would be a wimpout to go beat up on Tulane. Step up in competition and go beat someone ranked.

Its all about $$$$$$$$. UL can sell NO Bowl tickets, especially against Tulane. That will be a big factor.

(11-11-2013 10:19 AM)YJason Wrote:  Just my opinion, but I think they need a new challenge. A change of venue. More exposure. Call it whatever you want, but it seems to me that a return to NOB for them will be a let down. It would be a wimpout to go beat up on Tulane. Step up in competition and go beat someone ranked.

That's were I disagree other than the BCS championship game, bowls are for the fans to appreciate their team's accomplishment. As a Cajun fan I want NOB its an easy travel, lots to do within walking distance and a dome stadium. There's nothing else to prove. If we have to go to mobile I'm not happy but ok with it because it is a conference tie in. No way do I want to go to Shreveport nothing to do there and it's out doors you wont get the none Cajun fans in the north as excited as you will in New Orleans to go see the Cajuns play. I really don't care who the team is that we play as long as we play. The benefit of playing a bad school from Louisiana vs a decent school from a bigger conference is that we recruit against the schools in Louisiana. The bottom line is the game is for the fans and as a fan I prefer New Orleans .

You'd fill the little stadium in Mobile with Cajun fans as easily as you would New Orleans.

(11-11-2013 10:32 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  You'd fill the little stadium in Mobile with Cajun fans as easily as you would New Orleans.

Don't quote me on this because I've never been there but I think the stadium in mobile only holds 40,000 where will we all sit if the opposing team brings a decent crowd.

(11-11-2013 10:36 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:32 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  You'd fill the little stadium in Mobile with Cajun fans as easily as you would New Orleans.

Don't quote me on this because I've never been there but I think the stadium in mobile only holds 40,000 where will we all sit if the opposing team brings a decent crowd.

I would be disappointed to go there. It's a very crappy stadium.

Unless three of those SEC teams aren't eligible Independence most likely won't be released to offer invites until the BCS formally notifies that they have selected two SEC teams. While it won't be announced until the evening of December 8, they will know for sure around noon that day.

I guess I have a higher opinion of the Cajun fan base than is warranted if ticket sales are a concern. Shreveport and Mobile are sufficiently close that there should be little difference in ticket sales regardless of the three sites, especially with the league skimming half off the top.

(11-11-2013 10:38 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:36 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:32 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  You'd fill the little stadium in Mobile with Cajun fans as easily as you would New Orleans.

Don't quote me on this because I've never been there but I think the stadium in mobile only holds 40,000 where will we all sit if the opposing team brings a decent crowd.

I would be disappointed to go there. It's a very crappy stadium.

A big advantage to the NOB is all schools are out for Christmas break so it make traveling easier. A Tulane match would bring 50-60 thousand fans how could NOB pass that up no matter how bad Tulane may end up.

(11-11-2013 10:31 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:19 AM)YJason Wrote:  Just my opinion, but I think they need a new challenge. A change of venue. More exposure. Call it whatever you want, but it seems to me that a return to NOB for them will be a let down. It would be a wimpout to go beat up on Tulane. Step up in competition and go beat someone ranked.

That's were I disagree other than the BCS championship game, bowls are for the fans to appreciate their team's accomplishment. As a Cajun fan I want NOB its an easy travel, lots to do within walking distance and a dome stadium. There's nothing else to prove. If we have to go to mobile I'm not happy but ok with it because it is a conference tie in. No way do I want to go to Shreveport nothing to do there and it's out doors you wont get the none Cajun fans in the north as excited as you will in New Orleans to go see the Cajuns play. I really don't care who the team is that we play as long as we play. The benefit of playing a bad school from Louisiana vs a decent school from a bigger conference is that we recruit against the schools in Louisiana. The bottom line is the game is for the fans and as a fan I prefer New Orleans .

Personally I'm hoping that is the opinion of the Cajun administration. If AState has truly got its act together the NOB committee is the one I least want to face to try to get in.

(11-11-2013 10:41 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:38 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:36 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:32 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  You'd fill the little stadium in Mobile with Cajun fans as easily as you would New Orleans.

Don't quote me on this because I've never been there but I think the stadium in mobile only holds 40,000 where will we all sit if the opposing team brings a decent crowd.

I would be disappointed to go there. It's a very crappy stadium.

A big advantage to the NOB is all schools are out for Christmas break so it make traveling easier. A Tulane match would bring 50-60 thousand fans how could NOB pass that up no matter how bad Tulane may end up.

I think that would be the best possible matchup and venue for the Cajuns. It would also be a financial success.

(11-11-2013 10:38 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  Unless three of those SEC teams aren't eligible Independence most likely won't be released to offer invites until the BCS formally notifies that they have selected two SEC teams. While it won't be announced until the evening of December 8, they will know for sure around noon that day.

I guess I have a higher opinion of the Cajun fan base than is warranted if ticket sales are a concern. Shreveport and Mobile are sufficiently close that there should be little difference in ticket sales regardless of the three sites, especially with the league skimming half off the top.

No for fans its about convenience imagine asking Astate to play in Detroit or Boise you would be happy for the team but you may not attend because of convenience. The Cajuns going to the Independence bowl would greatly benefit the conference because it would guarantee us three bowl teams. Waiting that long could hurt the conference because you couldn't place anyone in the NOB until then which could cause a domino effect possibly costing the conference another spot somewhere else.

(11-11-2013 10:31 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:19 AM)YJason Wrote:  Just my opinion, but I think they need a new challenge. A change of venue. More exposure. Call it whatever you want, but it seems to me that a return to NOB for them will be a let down. It would be a wimpout to go beat up on Tulane. Step up in competition and go beat someone ranked.

That's were I disagree other than the BCS championship game, bowls are for the fans to appreciate their team's accomplishment. As a Cajun fan I want NOB its an easy travel, lots to do within walking distance and a dome stadium. There's nothing else to prove. If we have to go to mobile I'm not happy but ok with it because it is a conference tie in. No way do I want to go to Shreveport nothing to do there and it's out doors you wont get the none Cajun fans in the north as excited as you will in New Orleans to go see the Cajuns play. I really don't care who the team is that we play as long as we play. The benefit of playing a bad school from Louisiana vs a decent school from a bigger conference is that we recruit against the schools in Louisiana. The bottom line is the game is for the fans and as a fan I prefer New Orleans .

I disagree with some of your statement. Bowls are to reward the TEAM and FANS, and if Coach Hudspeth and the team want to play a better opponent, then it should be considered. And while you don't think there is anything to prove, it would certainly help UL's Bowl Resume in the region to travel to Shreveport or Mobile well after buying a good number of tickets.

There are short and long term goals for your program, playing Tulane in the NO Bowl only addresses the opportunity to beat someone in your own back yard with recruiting implications. UL would get very little national respect and ratings would be terrible. The long term goals is to build your bowl resume in the region, making UL more attractive to other bowls and improving the UL football brand by beating better competition. Improving your brand will eventually earn you more opportunities to play on television.

I have no problem with New Orleans, it's been great! But your view is only great for the fans, not for the program.

I doubt Mobile or Shreveport accomplishes more for UL than a trip to New Orleans.

(11-11-2013 10:52 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I doubt Mobile or Shreveport accomplishes more for UL than a trip to New Orleans.

That depends upon the opponent. To say an opporttunity to play against a nationally ranked NIU team or an ACC team and beat them would not accomplish more for UL in national recognition, is flawed logic.

(11-11-2013 10:55 AM)CrazyCajun Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:52 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I doubt Mobile or Shreveport accomplishes more for UL than a trip to New Orleans.

That depends upon the opponent. To say an opporttunity to play against a nationally ranked NIU team or an ACC team and beat them would not accomplish more for UL in national recognition, is flawed logic.

I was under the impression you were commenting more on the venue than the opponent.

Still, is playing NIU in Mobile for exposure going to be more beneficial to the program than playing Tulane in New Orleans and banking some cash while also shoring up so,e recruitment? That's an interesting question as well.

(11-11-2013 10:52 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I doubt Mobile or Shreveport accomplishes more for UL than a trip to New Orleans.

I have to agree it not like you're going to get the best from another conference in Shreveport it's going to be a lower level conference team. Now if you want to play a conference best then go to Mobile and play NIU but you still end up with just Cajun fans in the stadium. Our credibility will come next year if we can run the table in OC games. Besides who really watch the Independence bowl on TV.

How about this, ULL manages to win out, cracks the top 25 and has a chance at a top 25 match up in Mobile against NIU. The bad part is, if people don't care about NIU or ULL, they are not going to care about this game. However, if they have a chance to play an ACC team, people will watch just due to more people care about ACC then the MAC.

That is how all this works. How many TVs will actually be turned on for a game. ESPN owns a lot of these bowls and they will persuade schools to go the way they want. But don't hold your cards to long, just ask LaTech.

(11-11-2013 10:48 AM)CrazyCajun Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:31 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(11-11-2013 10:19 AM)YJason Wrote:  Just my opinion, but I think they need a new challenge. A change of venue. More exposure. Call it whatever you want, but it seems to me that a return to NOB for them will be a let down. It would be a wimpout to go beat up on Tulane. Step up in competition and go beat someone ranked.

That's were I disagree other than the BCS championship game, bowls are for the fans to appreciate their team's accomplishment. As a Cajun fan I want NOB its an easy travel, lots to do within walking distance and a dome stadium. There's nothing else to prove. If we have to go to mobile I'm not happy but ok with it because it is a conference tie in. No way do I want to go to Shreveport nothing to do there and it's out doors you wont get the none Cajun fans in the north as excited as you will in New Orleans to go see the Cajuns play. I really don't care who the team is that we play as long as we play. The benefit of playing a bad school from Louisiana vs a decent school from a bigger conference is that we recruit against the schools in Louisiana. The bottom line is the game is for the fans and as a fan I prefer New Orleans .

I disagree with some of your statement. Bowls are to reward the TEAM and FANS, and if Coach Hudspeth and the team want to play a better opponent, then it should be considered. And while you don't think there is anything to prove, it would certainly help UL's Bowl Resume in the region to travel to Shreveport or Mobile well after buying a good number of tickets.

There are short and long term goals for your program, playing Tulane in the NO Bowl only addresses the opportunity to beat someone in your own back yard with recruiting implications. UL would get very little national respect and ratings would be terrible. The long term goals is to build your bowl resume in the region, making UL more attractive to other bowls and improving the UL football brand by beating better competition. Improving your brand will eventually earn you more opportunities to play on television.

I have no problem with New Orleans, it's been great! But your view is only great for the fans, not for the program.

I guess all of us Cajun fans will have our own opinions but will support what ever decision that HUD and Scott Farmer make just have to go bowling.