Texas State and UTSA missed a bowl due to being in transition? When was this?

Texas State was where we are in our transition in 2012, and they only won four games that year.

UTSA was on the same timeline and in 2012 they didn't total 6 wins with no more than 1 being an FCS team.

Looks like we could be the first team to be locked out solely due to the rule. I love how Benson calls it "paying your dues". Let's call the rule what it is…an unnecessary rule passed out of butthurt that strong FCS programs move up and taking bowl bids right out of the gate.

I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

I would agree with that.

(10-21-2014 08:08 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  Texas State and UTSA missed a bowl due to being in transition? When was this?

Texas State was where we are in our transition in 2012, and they only won four games that year.

UTSA was on the same timeline and in 2012 they didn't total 6 wins with no more than 1 being an FCS team.

Looks like we could be the first team to be locked out solely due to the rule. I love how Benson calls it "paying your dues". Let's call the rule what it is…an unnecessary rule passed out of butthurt that strong FCS programs move up and taking bowl bids right out of the gate.

It's possible that UTSA and TXST, like USA, knew that since they weren't bowl eligible in their transition year, built their team around the first year they were eligible. USA had growing pains in their transition year, 2012, with redshirting and purposefully not signing large classes leading to FBS so that we didn't have a ton of attrition and overabundance of non-FBS talent. We built our program with 2013 in mind knowing that we couldn't win the conference or go to a bowl in 2012. We finished 6-6 (5 points away from 10-2, and 12 points away from 11-1) in 2013 and didn't get a bowl. Who knows what could have been different if we would have known we could have been bowl eligible our transition year? Point is we were all told we were ineligible so we planned on it.

(10-21-2014 08:29 AM)GST-bone09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

I would agree with that.

Most reasonable people would agree with that, but I'm telling you Benson is already trying to squirm out of it - I guarantee he won't help make it happen!

Finally Cajun fans may have another program as upset with Benson as we are!

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?

I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

Take the names off the question, wouldn't you want to send your best to play a MAC, CUSA, etc. team?

(10-21-2014 07:58 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  Did not listen but I think he wants a 12th member, and championship game but is frustrated that not all the members do at this point.

As far as people criticizing him that has been mostly the fans of the 'left-behind' schools that are really just mad they are still here, don't want to be here, and want to blame someone else.

Think he has done a very good job of putting together another strong group of schools in the new SBC. GaSt, and TxSt, have high ceilings as FBS, Idaho and NMSU do not have the 'call-up' stigma, and when he added GaSo and AppSt he hit an out of the park, grand-slam game winning home run, that will pay big benefits down the road.

None of this will stop the fans of the left-behinds from bad mouthing Benson, and trying to entice you newbies into joining them.

Keep in mind that Benson was hired two years ago. At the time of his hiring, the majority of this board hated the decision because they all felt he was a poor commissioner of the WAC.

This isn't some new thing that Arkansas State and Cajun fans have started. He was never liked from the beginning. There were Texas State fans frustrated when they joined the league that Benson was commissioner.

(10-21-2014 08:41 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?

I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

I have no doubt Ga Southern could beat La Tech and Toledo. Neither of those teams plays physical football.

And I don't think the Sun Belt has that great of an image to tarnish in football. I think the best Sun Belt teams should represent the league in bowls, regardless if they are FCS transitionals or not.

Unfortunately, I don't see Benson applying or fighting for a waiver for a 10-2 Ga Southern team, because he is lazy and frankly doesn't care.

(10-21-2014 08:36 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:29 AM)GST-bone09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

I would agree with that.

Most reasonable people would agree with that, but I'm telling you Benson is already trying to squirm out of it - I guarantee he won't help make it happen!

Finally Cajun fans may have another program as upset with Benson as we are!

Most posters here know that I like the SunBelt and believe in the longterm strength and quality of our teams. But I can sure see what leaves a bad taste in everyone's ass as it relates to leadership. Rather than the costly and time consuming process of trying to relocate to another conference, I vote for dumping Benson and installing top quality management.

Where do we start?

(10-21-2014 08:46 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:41 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?

I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

Unfortunately, I don't see Benson applying or fighting for a waiver for a 10-2 Ga Southern team, because he is lazy and frankly doesn't care.

Take your hate for the man and put it to the side ... nothing he can do can change the fact that they won't play in a bowl unless there is not enough teams. Why is that so hard?

(10-21-2014 08:45 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 07:58 AM)Seminole Indian Wrote:  Did not listen but I think he wants a 12th member, and championship game but is frustrated that not all the members do at this point.

As far as people criticizing him that has been mostly the fans of the 'left-behind' schools that are really just mad they are still here, don't want to be here, and want to blame someone else.

Think he has done a very good job of putting together another strong group of schools in the new SBC. GaSt, and TxSt, have high ceilings as FBS, Idaho and NMSU do not have the 'call-up' stigma, and when he added GaSo and AppSt he hit an out of the park, grand-slam game winning home run, that will pay big benefits down the road.

None of this will stop the fans of the left-behinds from bad mouthing Benson, and trying to entice you newbies into joining them.

Keep in mind that Benson was hired two years ago. At the time of his hiring, the majority of this board hated the decision because they all felt he was a poor commissioner of the WAC.

This isn't some new thing that Arkansas State and Cajun fans have started. He was never liked from the beginning. There were Texas State fans frustrated when they joined the league that Benson was commissioner.

^this^

I wasn't around here when his hire took place, but I'd have most certainly questioned the wisdom of hiring the same guy who oversaw the demise of WAC football.

(10-21-2014 08:49 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:36 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:29 AM)GST-bone09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

I would agree with that.

Most reasonable people would agree with that, but I'm telling you Benson is already trying to squirm out of it - I guarantee he won't help make it happen!

Finally Cajun fans may have another program as upset with Benson as we are!

Most posters here know that I like the SunBelt and believe in the longterm strength and quality of our teams. But I can sure see what leaves a bad taste in everyone's ass as it relates to leadership. Rather than the costly and time consuming process of trying to relocate to another conference, I vote for dumping Benson and installing top quality management.

Where do we start?

BINGO! We have a winner!

(10-21-2014 08:55 AM)warhawk09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:46 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:41 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?

I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

Unfortunately, I don't see Benson applying or fighting for a waiver for a 10-2 Ga Southern team, because he is lazy and frankly doesn't care.

Take your hate for the man and put it to the side ... nothing he can do can change the fact that they won't play in a bowl unless there is not enough teams. Why is that so hard?

There was a time when you could have said, put aside your hate for the king......the fact is that taxation without representation is here to stay. There's a reason to fight for what's right.

How often has an FCS callup won a conference championship in its first year of play? I don't know that it's ever occurred.

As others have said, the Belt needs to have its BEST teams on the national stage when bowl season kicks off, and if that's Georgia Southern, then so be it.

(10-21-2014 09:05 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:55 AM)warhawk09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:46 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:41 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?




I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

Unfortunately, I don't see Benson applying or fighting for a waiver for a 10-2 Ga Southern team, because he is lazy and frankly doesn't care.

Take your hate for the man and put it to the side ... nothing he can do can change the fact that they won't play in a bowl unless there is not enough teams. Why is that so hard?

There was a time when you could have said, put aside your hate for the king......the fact is that taxation without representation is here to stay. There's a reason to fight for what's right.

How often has an FCS callup won a conference championship in its first year of play? I don't know that it's ever occurred.

As others have said, the Belt needs to have its BEST teams on the national stage when bowl season kicks off, and if that's Georgia Southern, then so be it.

Agreed - I'd rather the conference be represented by 20,000 Eagles at the Camelia or Go Daddy Bowl than 1,500 Warhawks at the Duck Commander Bowl!

(10-21-2014 09:05 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:55 AM)warhawk09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:46 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:41 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?

I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

Unfortunately, I don't see Benson applying or fighting for a waiver for a 10-2 Ga Southern team, because he is lazy and frankly doesn't care.

Take your hate for the man and put it to the side ... nothing he can do can change the fact that they won't play in a bowl unless there is not enough teams. Why is that so hard?

There was a time when you could have said, put aside your hate for the king......the fact is that taxation without representation is here to stay. There's a reason to fight for what's right.

How often has an FCS callup won a conference championship in its first year of play? I don't know that it's ever occurred.

As others have said, the Belt needs to have its BEST teams on the national stage when bowl season kicks off, and if that's Georgia Southern, then so be it.

Marshall did it which is why the eligibility rule were put in place.

I don't expect we will play in a bowl even if we finish 10-2 and win the conference. Yea it would make sense for a conference champ to go bowling, but it's an NCAA rule. I also wouldn't expect to push another SBC out of a bowl spot.

The only way GS makes a bowl game is if 2 things happen:
1. We win >6 games against FBS and/or 1 FCS eligible team. This is likely to happen.

2. There are no other eligible FBS teams to fill all bowl spots. IF this happened then it would mean there are no other teams, SBC or otherwise. Which means we wouldn't be pushing anyone out of a bowl spot. Benson should've just said that. His priority is to get all bowl eligible SBC teams into the post season. IF no other team meets the requirement, then he and the conference should support/lobby the NCAA to grant the waiver. It's really up to the bowl committees anyway if they even want GS.

Benson just needs to learn how to better prepare for interviews and find ways to not insult anyone. So far I haven't seen anything to warrant his firing, but nor have I seen anything that would warrant a contract extension either. I will say I'm glad we are in the SBC and thats partly thanks to Benson pushing expansion to 12 teams. I also like that we will have 4 bowl games next year. They are all steps forward. We will see what he does with further conference growth, CCG, and TV contracts.

The radio interviewer certainly pressed him on the Ga. Southern issue a good bit.

I think any reasonable Ga. Southern fan (and yes we have our share of unreasonable fans too) would agree that any bowl eligible Sun Belt team should go bowling before a transitional Ga. Southern team, even if that Ga. Southern team finishes 9-3 or 10-2.

That being said you would like to hear the commissioner be a bit more supportive of Ga. Southern. If you listen to what Benson said you definitely get the idea that he does not really care for any effort Ga. Southern is making to appeal/ask for a waiver.

(10-21-2014 09:05 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:55 AM)warhawk09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:46 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:41 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:19 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  I'm not a believer in any 6-6 team being awarded a bowl game. And if Georgia Southern was 7-5 along with a couple of other established SunBelt teams, I'd argue that the established Belt teams be given first chance to compete in a bowl.

But if Georgia Southern ends up winning the Belt outright or tied for first place, I'd surely expect the conference commissioner to do everything possible to see them play in a bowl.

Just my personal opinion.

Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?

I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

Unfortunately, I don't see Benson applying or fighting for a waiver for a 10-2 Ga Southern team, because he is lazy and frankly doesn't care.

Take your hate for the man and put it to the side ... nothing he can do can change the fact that they won't play in a bowl unless there is not enough teams. Why is that so hard?

There was a time when you could have said, put aside your hate for the king......the fact is that taxation without representation is here to stay. There's a reason to fight for what's right.

How often has an FCS callup won a conference championship in its first year of play? I don't know that it's ever occurred.

As others have said, the Belt needs to have its BEST teams on the national stage when bowl season kicks off, and if that's Georgia Southern, then so be it.

HOLY CRAP!!!! It doesn't matter. Benson can't change NCAA rules. THIS IS NOT HARD!!!

(10-21-2014 09:39 AM)warhawk09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 09:05 AM)CajunFanatico Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:55 AM)warhawk09 Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:46 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 08:41 AM)EigenEagle Wrote:  Agreed on both counts.

People talk about what a team fresh from FCS being a co-champ might do to the image of the league, but don't want to turn said teams loose to show what they can do in a bowl game?

I have no doubt we can play with teams like Toledo and La. Tech. No, I'm not saying we'd beat the brakes off of them but I have no doubt we could play with them.

Unfortunately, I don't see Benson applying or fighting for a waiver for a 10-2 Ga Southern team, because he is lazy and frankly doesn't care.

Take your hate for the man and put it to the side ... nothing he can do can change the fact that they won't play in a bowl unless there is not enough teams. Why is that so hard?

There was a time when you could have said, put aside your hate for the king......the fact is that taxation without representation is here to stay. There's a reason to fight for what's right.

How often has an FCS callup won a conference championship in its first year of play? I don't know that it's ever occurred.

As others have said, the Belt needs to have its BEST teams on the national stage when bowl season kicks off, and if that's Georgia Southern, then so be it.

HOLY CRAP!!!! It doesn't matter. Benson can't change NCAA rules. THIS IS NOT HARD!!!

HOLY CRAP!!!!! How the conference commissioner does or does not support conference members IS IMPORTANT. THAT's NOT HARD! No one here has demanded that Benson change the rules so you're arguing a point no one has tried to make. We are asking him to at least appear to support member schools.