(07-02-2013 08:45 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  Big 12 is looking at Rice, Tulane and Memphis but not for many years and SMU was told not to even try

That makes sense to me because from this point on Texas and Oklahoma have to be in separate divisions.

I hear the big 12 wants Missouri State since they like hosting their championships in Missouri s/

(07-02-2013 08:43 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:18 PM)FreshPrinceOfDarkness Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 05:21 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:52 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  I have to admit, ULL was not the school I thought would be attached to this thread. Louisiana has a quantity problem. LSU, Tulane, La. Tech, La. Laf, La. Monroe... 5 teams in the FBS is a lot for a state the size of Louisiana. ULL has a long way to go in all areas. 1. Proven consistency in sports 2. Not even ranked academically (means they are outside the top 200 nationally. Texas Tech and WVU are tied for lowest in the Big 12 at 165) 3. They raked in $15 mil last year, which is $40 mil less than Iowa State (I don't think TV money is going to make up a $40 mil gap any time soon, especially when that just gets you even with the lowest earning school in the conference).

Conference USA needs to be the next goal for ULL, not the Big 12. As was stated earlier, I can think of a dozen schools off the top of my head that would be considered ahead of ULL.

UL has about twice the enrollment of all except LSU----Not many can say that they have achieved the overall success that the Cajuns have in aforementioned areas-----UL will be a tier one school in one year and is already ranked as a high research university-----Our Budget will be over $20 mill this year and maybe closer to $25 mill---If student athletic fees are achieved then that Budget money goes through the roof-----Also to factor in these kind of teams coming into Lafayette is a factor-----BTW our Endowment is in the $160 million range which surprises many!!!! I agree the name issue is tough but one that gets just the Louisiana by more and more each year---A conference without Monroe would change the Brand very quickly!!!

Your endowment is how much?

NACUBO Endowment Charts

$160 Million ----And this is I guess one of the few good things about our former president's reign---Like everybody's our total took a dip with the markets downfall in years back but wasn't as bad as others--then some great investments along with great increase of the oil field donations kicked it up big time----again there is a lot of oil field money in the Acadiana area but has now spread out much more than the past!!! Again our athletic facilities expansion will be a $175 million deal but will be a combination of individual donations, student accessed fees, and I am sure some bond money----the banks (about 30-50) have put together a great package for funding!!! I didn't post this initially without some really good info to back up the goals and happenings of the university and its fabulous potential!!!

$160 million ranks around #300 which is squarely in FCS or Div-II territory. Nice trolling BTW.

This is one of the weirdest threads I've seen in a long time.

As an outsider that has recently moved into Lafayette, the school is no where near ready for a conference of the calibre of the Big 12.

As someone else said, UL (not ULL) deserves to be in CUSA most definitely. You got to take this in the proper steps. As a different someone else said, Louisiana has a lot of smaller schools in the FBS. The Cajuns need to prove themself solidly above all those schools that are not named LSU. They are on their way to doing that with the two NO Bowl wins. People know who they are nationally now. The Cajuns need to make sure it doesnt end up just being a flash in the pan.

Schools like USF or ECU over in the East are better prospects for the Big 12.

(07-02-2013 05:28 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:00 AM)oliveandblue Wrote:  There are better Big XII targets available. Cincinnati, BYU, USF, SMU, UH, Nevada, and New Mexico are likely ALL ahead of you in the picking order.

Here are a few big problems:

1. Your market is too small.
2. The NO Bowl isn't a top tier bowl - most fans don't have any clue that you're on the way up.
3. Your brand is still fairly weak. Being called UL-Lafayette instead of just Univ. of Louisiana is highly problematic in this regard.
4. You still haven't proven you're a tier of UL-Monroe (there are a few ways to do this). Most casual fans consider you to be equal to them.

WOW a Tulane guy talking attendance---We had more in one game at your home field than you had all year----By the way the 2 Louisiana schools you played had 104 points scored on the WAVE in 2 games!!! lafayette is a very Rich area and the growth we have made is unreal which is about 25 years behind thanks to an over the hill president!!!

I will say this in support of this guy. Lafayette is growing and there is a ton of money in the town and the town wildly supports the Cajuns. There are a lot of split loyalty fans in the city for UL and LSU. It makes for a good argument for UL to move up to the next level but once again...the Big 12 is a reach way too far up for UL. Think CUSA.

(07-02-2013 09:02 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 05:28 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:00 AM)oliveandblue Wrote:  There are better Big XII targets available. Cincinnati, BYU, USF, SMU, UH, Nevada, and New Mexico are likely ALL ahead of you in the picking order.

Here are a few big problems:

1. Your market is too small.
2. The NO Bowl isn't a top tier bowl - most fans don't have any clue that you're on the way up.
3. Your brand is still fairly weak. Being called UL-Lafayette instead of just Univ. of Louisiana is highly problematic in this regard.
4. You still haven't proven you're a tier of UL-Monroe (there are a few ways to do this). Most casual fans consider you to be equal to them.

WOW a Tulane guy talking attendance---We had more in one game at your home field than you had all year----By the way the 2 Louisiana schools you played had 104 points scored on the WAVE in 2 games!!! lafayette is a very Rich area and the growth we have made is unreal which is about 25 years behind thanks to an over the hill president!!!

I will say this in support of this guy. Lafayette is growing and there is a ton of money in the town and the town wildly supports the Cajuns. There are a lot of split loyalty fans in the city for UL and LSU. It makes for a good argument for UL to move up to the next level but once again...the Big 12 is a reach way too far up for UL. Think CUSA.

Tulane is favorite for academics, huge endowment and gets them smack into SEC country

(07-02-2013 08:59 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  As an outsider that has recently moved into Lafayette, the school is no where near ready for a conference of the calibre of the Big 12.

As someone else said, UL (not ULL) deserves to be in CUSA most definitely. You got to take this in the proper steps. As a different someone else said, Louisiana has a lot of smaller schools in the FBS. The Cajuns need to prove themself solidly above all those schools that are not named LSU. They are on their way to doing that with the two NO Bowl wins. People know who they are nationally now. The Cajuns need to make sure it doesnt end up just being a flash in the pan.

Schools like USF or ECU over in the East are better prospects for the Big 12.

----Oh wait---Is that the ECU that the Cajuns whipped up on in the Bowl game???? sorry i couldn't help that softball lob!!!I think that ECU and the Cajuns will lead the attendance for the non AQ schools this year and be ahead of MANY of the AQs!!!

I like the Cajuns (even after what you did to us in the bowl game). I like the Lafayette area... but UL will not find itself in the B12 for a while, if ever.

I think that the ACC is happy where they are at; many of their members did not want to expand last time around, except for the addition of Notre Dame, which is likely the lynchpin that is going to hold them together, along with the GOR.

If the B12 expands, I would expect them to look at the following schools, in order:

BYU
UCF/USF
USF/UCF
SDSU
Boise State
Memphis
Tulane
East Carolina (which has a .00005% chance of ever happening)

EDIT: I forgot to throw Cinci in there as well.

Look Cajuns we all know you on the rise and so is Arkansas state but sbc to b12 is quite the jump. I have a feeling both schools will move to CUSA within next 2 years..after that a few good seasons. Continue to fill those stadiums like both ark st and Cajuns do bingo

(07-02-2013 09:20 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  I like the Cajuns (even after what you did to us in the bowl game). I like the Lafayette area... but UL will not find itself in the B12 for a while, if ever.

I think that the ACC is happy where they are at; many of their members did not want to expand last time around, except for the addition of Notre Dame, which is likely the lynchpin that is going to hold them together, along with the GOR.

If the B12 expands, I would expect them to look at the following schools, in order:

BYU
UCF/USF
USF/UCF
SDSU
Boise State
Memphis
Tulane
East Carolina (which has a .00005% chance of ever happening)

1 problem nobody really wants Tulane. They did basically crash the big east party. 2 Memphis isn't quite the stud most people think they are!
Ucf maybe Usf no
Boise st wants in pac12
Byu wants in PAC 12

(07-02-2013 09:02 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 05:28 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:00 AM)oliveandblue Wrote:  There are better Big XII targets available. Cincinnati, BYU, USF, SMU, UH, Nevada, and New Mexico are likely ALL ahead of you in the picking order.

Here are a few big problems:

1. Your market is too small.
2. The NO Bowl isn't a top tier bowl - most fans don't have any clue that you're on the way up.
3. Your brand is still fairly weak. Being called UL-Lafayette instead of just Univ. of Louisiana is highly problematic in this regard.
4. You still haven't proven you're a tier of UL-Monroe (there are a few ways to do this). Most casual fans consider you to be equal to them.

WOW a Tulane guy talking attendance---We had more in one game at your home field than you had all year----By the way the 2 Louisiana schools you played had 104 points scored on the WAVE in 2 games!!! lafayette is a very Rich area and the growth we have made is unreal which is about 25 years behind thanks to an over the hill president!!!

I will say this in support of this guy. Lafayette is growing and there is a ton of money in the town and the town wildly supports the Cajuns. There are a lot of split loyalty fans in the city for UL and LSU. It makes for a good argument for UL to move up to the next level but once again...the Big 12 is a reach way too far up for UL. Think CUSA.

Or think AAC. Tulane could use a travel partner.

(07-02-2013 07:48 AM)exflash Wrote:  Well we all know that it is coming soon. The Big 12 needs more teams and don't be surprised if a new school (state) is added. That would be the University of Louisiana (Lafayette). Things have turned drastically at the school with 2 straight Bowl wins with last years home crowd of 45K to the NO Bowl. A stadium expansion to 65K and a huge athletic department building program. Future enrollment of 20K projected and this very wealthy area seems to have gotten behind its RAGIN' CAJUNS. In the not too distant past the Cajuns have sent an at large WBB to the regionals, softball team to the WCWS, Baseball team to Super regionals and a CWS appearance, 2 basketball regionals, and the afore mentioned football successes. Getting their foot into Louisiana recruiting area and a perfect geographical fit also bide well for the Cajuns. The future looks bright regardless for UL!!!

Afraid college football is too market driven these days. Considering USM is 109-51-1 in football against the seven schools leaving for the AAC, & we couldn't even get an invite to the AAC. That's not even counting the UL, UC, or USF records.
It's sad, but that's the way things are.
Just continue to do well, no matter the conference you're in & keep striving to move up.

(07-02-2013 09:38 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 09:02 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 05:28 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:00 AM)oliveandblue Wrote:  There are better Big XII targets available. Cincinnati, BYU, USF, SMU, UH, Nevada, and New Mexico are likely ALL ahead of you in the picking order.

Here are a few big problems:

1. Your market is too small.
2. The NO Bowl isn't a top tier bowl - most fans don't have any clue that you're on the way up.
3. Your brand is still fairly weak. Being called UL-Lafayette instead of just Univ. of Louisiana is highly problematic in this regard.
4. You still haven't proven you're a tier of UL-Monroe (there are a few ways to do this). Most casual fans consider you to be equal to them.

WOW a Tulane guy talking attendance---We had more in one game at your home field than you had all year----By the way the 2 Louisiana schools you played had 104 points scored on the WAVE in 2 games!!! lafayette is a very Rich area and the growth we have made is unreal which is about 25 years behind thanks to an over the hill president!!!

I will say this in support of this guy. Lafayette is growing and there is a ton of money in the town and the town wildly supports the Cajuns. There are a lot of split loyalty fans in the city for UL and LSU. It makes for a good argument for UL to move up to the next level but once again...the Big 12 is a reach way too far up for UL. Think CUSA.

Or think AAC. Tulane could use a travel partner.

That would be a nice leap for UL. UL is a big time baseballschool though. Between CUSA and AAC, which is the better baseball conference?

(07-02-2013 09:17 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:59 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  As an outsider that has recently moved into Lafayette, the school is no where near ready for a conference of the calibre of the Big 12.

As someone else said, UL (not ULL) deserves to be in CUSA most definitely. You got to take this in the proper steps. As a different someone else said, Louisiana has a lot of smaller schools in the FBS. The Cajuns need to prove themself solidly above all those schools that are not named LSU. They are on their way to doing that with the two NO Bowl wins. People know who they are nationally now. The Cajuns need to make sure it doesnt end up just being a flash in the pan.

Schools like USF or ECU over in the East are better prospects for the Big 12.

----Oh wait---Is that the ECU that the Cajuns whipped up on in the Bowl game???? sorry i couldn't help that softball lob!!!I think that ECU and the Cajuns will lead the attendance for the non AQ schools this year and be ahead of MANY of the AQs!!!

Hey, if the Cajuns and Pirates match up again, I will definitely be pulling for the Cajuns to whip up on the Pirates again. You can't compare the facilities though. I see Cajun Field every day....

(07-02-2013 09:49 PM)AtlantaEagle Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 07:48 AM)exflash Wrote:  Well we all know that it is coming soon. The Big 12 needs more teams and don't be surprised if a new school (state) is added. That would be the University of Louisiana (Lafayette). Things have turned drastically at the school with 2 straight Bowl wins with last years home crowd of 45K to the NO Bowl. A stadium expansion to 65K and a huge athletic department building program. Future enrollment of 20K projected and this very wealthy area seems to have gotten behind its RAGIN' CAJUNS. In the not too distant past the Cajuns have sent an at large WBB to the regionals, softball team to the WCWS, Baseball team to Super regionals and a CWS appearance, 2 basketball regionals, and the afore mentioned football successes. Getting their foot into Louisiana recruiting area and a perfect geographical fit also bide well for the Cajuns. The future looks bright regardless for UL!!!

Afraid college football is too market driven these days. Considering USM is 109-51-1 in football against the seven schools leaving for the AAC, & we couldn't even get an invite to the AAC. That's not even counting the UL, UC, or USF records.
It's sad, but that's the way things are.
Just continue to do well, no matter the conference you're in & keep striving to move up.

Very true however football powers it also. AAC will wake up to the market illusion but will probably be too late bc North Texas(dallas market) doesn't out view UofLouisiana Cajuns or Ark st...CUSA is following their lead ..nobody wants to watch a 4-8 CUSA team over a 10-2/9-3 sun belt..UL has new Orleans,baton rouge lafeyette..Arkansas St. has Memphis and little rock..

UNT puts 20k in the stand in DALLAS!
ULL AND ARK ST had 30k in much smaller areas

In the end fan bases will tell who is winning realignment! FIU,FAU and UNT have pathetic fan bases! This is why Appalachian st was a great add for the sun belt. They have a better following than 2 of those 3.

Name recognition and you school brand will be a huge key! UNT FAU and FIU have a big population to brand too but they own almost 0% of their respected markets

The Big 12 problem lies not in expansion, per se, but in geography. Whether or not they ever go beyond 10 teams, the WVU issue needs to be fixed. I watch every WVU game I can, and I enjoyed their step in competition last season. In my view, they belong in the ACC where they have like minded schools within reach of their alumni base. (Yeah, I know that the ACC is stuck at 15, which is also a weird number, and probably won't last forever. I'd love to see WVU come home, so to speak, to the East coast, by being a 16th add to the ACC. LIkely? Probably not, but I'd still like to see it happen.)

There are any number of fixes to the Big 12: Houston (though another TX team seems unlikely), Memphis (improving their basketball profile immediately), BYU, or New Mexico, with the ability to stay at 10 or go to 12 or beyond, if they choose. But I would like them to fix the geography problem. (Sorry, ULL, but I don't see you as in the mix at all.)

(07-02-2013 05:28 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 08:00 AM)oliveandblue Wrote:  There are better Big XII targets available. Cincinnati, BYU, USF, SMU, UH, Nevada, and New Mexico are likely ALL ahead of you in the picking order.

Here are a few big problems:

1. Your market is too small.
2. The NO Bowl isn't a top tier bowl - most fans don't have any clue that you're on the way up.
3. Your brand is still fairly weak. Being called UL-Lafayette instead of just Univ. of Louisiana is highly problematic in this regard.
4. You still haven't proven you're a tier of UL-Monroe (there are a few ways to do this). Most casual fans consider you to be equal to them.

WOW a Tulane guy talking attendance---We had more in one game at your home field than you had all year----By the way the 2 Louisiana schools you played had 104 points scored on the WAVE in 2 games!!! lafayette is a very Rich area and the growth we have made is unreal which is about 25 years behind thanks to an over the hill president!!!

Please let me know where I said that UL-Lafayette doesn't have the attendance to make the Big XII? I mentioned TV market and relative brand strength as my two primary reasons for why it won't work.

Furthermore, I didn't say a word about Tulane being better. I'm well aware that UL-Monroe and UL-Lafayette beat us this past season.

Tulane still leads the all-time series with UL-Lafayette by a count of 21-5 (based on your pre-game presser from last season).

(07-02-2013 09:20 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  I like the Cajuns (even after what you did to us in the bowl game). I like the Lafayette area... but UL will not find itself in the B12 for a while, if ever.

I think that the ACC is happy where they are at; many of their members did not want to expand last time around, except for the addition of Notre Dame, which is likely the lynchpin that is going to hold them together, along with the GOR.

If the B12 expands, I would expect them to look at the following schools, in order:

BYU
UCF/USF
USF/UCF
SDSU
Boise State
Memphis
Tulane
East Carolina (which has a .00005% chance of ever happening)

EDIT: I forgot to throw Cinci in there as well.

That last edit is probably the most likely candidate. They are the most equip to play with a P5 in all sports and are a great travelling partner for WVU. As I've said before, the B12 would probably really like for Memphis to tap into their potential and become a Louisville type success story. They have the basketball, and they have the football talent; you usually just end up seeing them on the rosters of SEC West.

(07-03-2013 09:24 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(07-02-2013 09:20 PM)Ned Low Wrote:  If the B12 expands, I would expect them to look at the following schools, in order:

BYU
UCF/USF
USF/UCF
SDSU
Boise State
Memphis
Tulane
East Carolina (which has a .00005% chance of ever happening)

EDIT: I forgot to throw Cinci in there as well.

That last edit is probably the most likely candidate. They are the most equip to play with a P5 in all sports and are a great travelling partner for WVU.

Just a hunch, but I think the B<12 won't be expanding for a few years. If and when they do, the process will be (mostly) dictated by media-considerations, just like it was this time and all the other times. With that in mind, I agree with Ned Low that BYU would be the likeliest candidate, and UCF/USF probably the next two most-likely. USF needs an OCS; I assume they will get on at some point in the next decade. Those moves would put the B<12 in two very dynamic areas with vibrant demographic growth (Utah and Florida).

If (for the sake of argument) they take all 3, then you're looking at 13. Would they want one more? I have no idea and I don't think anyone else does, either. But if wanted a #14, all the other schools would basically be thrown into one big pot. Cincinnati would certainly be on the list, but I don't think their geographic proximity to WVU would really be that big a deal.

You never know with these things, but my honest guess is that the B<12 won't announce any of those moves for at least 3 or 4 years, if ever.