texasorange
1st String
Posts: 2,462
Joined: May 2005
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I Root For: Syracuse Orange
Location: Plano, TX
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RE: Whom Do We Want for 15 and 16?
(12-30-2011 04:18 PM)NYCTUFan Wrote: (12-30-2011 12:43 PM)catdaddy_2402 Wrote: (12-30-2011 11:05 AM)NYCTUFan Wrote: Looking at possible candidates for expansion the question should be do you want a program that’s established, it is what it is, very little upside potential like a Rutgers, or do you want a program that’s on the rise with upside potential, like a Temple? TU brings the 4th largest media market in the US, a new market for the ACC, a proven basketball brand (6th in all time NCAA wins), and a football program that’s experiencing a rebirth and its steadily on the rise.
It’s all matter of opinion, and when it’s said that “more desirable Northeast teams are out there” I assume you mean the established programs, the Rutgers and UConn. My point is simply if you think outside the safty of the known commodity box, and want to give an up and coming program a shot to make a national splash in your conference, I think Temple brings the most upside for both basketball and football, as well as a good fit geographically.
The only two things that aren't your opinion are the fact that you are in the #4 market and 6th in all-time basketball wins.
Sure your football program is no longer a doormat, but you have not only failed to win the MAC, you have never beat a MAC team with a winning record. Huge step up from the MAC to the ACC, just like it's a huge step up from the A10 to the ACC in hoops.
Temple has already proven they are capable of wasting BCS AQ level money during their time in the Big East. Is Temple's limited success in the MAC a product of them learning their lesson or is it a case of them being surrounded by programs they are more capable of competing with? IMO it's a mix of both.
There is no doubt that the old Temple football program was a joke, on all fronts. From playing home games at Veterans Stadium, to the coaching staffs, their performance on the field and their attendance right down to the administrations lack of commitment to the program. That being said I don’t feel it’s fair to hold the programs history over its head when contemplating its future. There are facts to support the program is on the rise. Playing home games at the Linc, attendance steadily on the rise year over year each year, 2 bowl games in 4 years, winning one of those games, the $9,000,000 committed to the upgrade of the practice facilities, and the hiring of a good solid coaching staff with SEC roots, those are all facts. Do I wish they had a MAC championship under their belt, sure, but they don’t. To the established programs and their fans that may not seem like much, but after the 1 – 11 season of 2006 I think if you asked any college football fan, including Temple fans, if in 5 seasons they would have achieved all that’s listed above, including a record of 26 – 12 over the last 3 seasons, they would have said no way.
I have no delusions of Temple ever being admitted into the ACC, don’t get me wrong, I would love to see it, I just know it’s not happening, it’s just what’s the next step? It’s either a major conference or the MAC and A-10, there is nothing in between. Facts about TU basketball, 3 A-10 titles in the last 4 years, 3 in a row, 4 NCAA tournament appearances in a row. Now I know that wont knock anyone off the chair but if not the ACC or Big East what’s next for a program like Temple? The crumbling C-USA? That’s a huge step down for basketball, and with the loss of the teams to the Big East it’s a lateral move in football.
Let me ask the question, with the exception of the established programs discussed like Rutgers, Penn State, ND, UConn, which up and coming programs, not already in a power conference, bring more potential to the table then Temple? I don’t just mean on field potential, but I also mean potential when it comes to building a product the networks are willing to pay the conference top dollar for, teams with strong TV markets. Also, if there are no steps in between conferences like the MAC, A-10, and the ACC and Big East, how does a school like Temple make the jump to a major conference?
Maybe they don't. Sometimes opportunity knocks once then the door slams shut.
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