(07-01-2015 07:12 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(07-01-2015 06:34 PM)FlyHawk98 Wrote:  Maybe it wouldn't be to late for ECU to create the East Coast Conference.

That ship has probably sailed at this point. Terry Holland certainly wanted to do something like that at one point in time, and was routinely mocked for that idea (by ECU fans and by many on this board). He was also the first vocal supporter of taking C-USA above 12 schools to cut down on the number of cross division games, and was again mocked for that proposal. 10-15 years from now if the AAC has been raided again I'd like to see an east coast league form, but without Holland around I can't see another ECU leader with enough respect and clout to accomplish it because it would initially be an extremely unpopular move with the ECU fan base.

Holland was a wise man. My understanding is he was pro Charlotte joining CUSA. If so we appreciate it.

(07-01-2015 05:16 PM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  

(07-01-2015 05:08 PM)mistabinks Wrote:  It's not a bad thing. If given a choice, most schools would rather be in CUSA 2.0+ than CUSA 3.2.

May be some merit to the argument that AAC is a good move for some of the current CUSA members. But, let's not overlook the "GRASS IS GREENER SYNDROME"! With Exit Fees and Entrance Fees; and with The AAC being just another member of the Non-Cartel 5; there's no real likelihood of AAC ever becoming a Cartel Member (ain't ever gonna be a Power 6)! So, what specific advantages would result in any of our brothers shifting over to AAC?

There would be no advantage, especially if the AAC lost two teams. I'm disappointed to hear all the CUSA bashing here. Many of us would be without a home or in some other dire situation if not for CUSA. HAVE SOME PRIDE! We just had another great bowl season and we're getting better.

The reason this topic is so toxic is that there is no right answer. Everyone has their own opinions on why a school should be in a bigger conference but the problem is that about 10 schools control everything and they always will. The others like Vandy, Wash St, Purdue, etc are scared to death that they will lose some of that big money they don't deserve so they will never want change and as long as the same 10 teams keep playing each other for titles they will be happy. Then there is us and the SB, MAC, AAC, and MW, we don't matter unless it's feasible to get a bigger paycheck from ESPN, CBS, etc and unless you are BYU the rest of us don't really do that for anyone. We are all screwed until the end of time. So just enjoy your football team as much as you can because as UAB showed us it can disappear right out from under you if you aren't careful.

This is only attractive to renew old rivalries with familiar peers, but CUSA is a good home and conference. For me, it wouldn't necessarily be a smart decision. It would be an emotional one. I like CUSA, and I feel there is real promise in this conference.

To reiterate, Landon isn't representative of Marshall or Marshall fans. His articles are opinion pieces, and most of the time, they are glaringly inaccurate and offensive.

(07-01-2015 10:21 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  

(07-01-2015 05:16 PM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  

(07-01-2015 05:08 PM)mistabinks Wrote:  It's not a bad thing. If given a choice, most schools would rather be in CUSA 2.0+ than CUSA 3.2.

May be some merit to the argument that AAC is a good move for some of the current CUSA members. But, let's not overlook the "GRASS IS GREENER SYNDROME"! With Exit Fees and Entrance Fees; and with The AAC being just another member of the Non-Cartel 5; there's no real likelihood of AAC ever becoming a Cartel Member (ain't ever gonna be a Power 6)! So, what specific advantages would result in any of our brothers shifting over to AAC?

There would be no advantage, especially if the AAC lost two teams. I'm disappointed to hear all the CUSA bashing here. Many of us would be without a home or in some other dire situation if not for CUSA. HAVE SOME PRIDE! We just had another great bowl season and we're getting better.

Well Said, Afflicted! Well Said. Go CUSA. Beat AAC!

If Marshall was dominating CUSA year to year (the last two years have been -- but 2 years not enough traction) as a theme, I would say not to join if the 2 best AAC teams leave to the B12. It makes the AAC lesser, while also still tougher than CUSA and as pointed out -- more expensive, changing a good thing going by rocking the boat, etc.

Same goes for NIU leaving the MAC to the AAC.

Or if the AAC was still the Big East and a (barely) P5 (keeping Louisville), same could go for Boise NOT to join.

However, Marshall hasn't defined itself in CUSA as *the* team year-to-year-to-year (yet?). Therefore, since no "rocking the boat" so much, I would say go join AAC if given the opportunity while it'd be no risk on the cash front.

This is our hill. And these are our beans!

The financial penalties for leaving and then the entry fee alone would prevent us from jumping. Frankly, I like CUSA. It sets up well for us with similar institutions and similar budgets. As others have said, each school, including Marshall, needs to be the best it can be and collectively make CUSA a better league. Lets beat our OOC opponents and make noise!

(07-01-2015 07:47 PM)Artifice Wrote:  

(07-01-2015 05:23 PM)monarx Wrote:  If Cincy, Memphis and UConn left, the AAC/CUSA should just trade Tulsa, Houston, Tulane and SMU for ODU, Marshall, UMass and Charlotte, We'd likely all be happier, as fans would have better rivalries and road trips and schools would save a ton in travel costs.

Agreed. Many argue against regionalizing the leagues, but at that point it makes too much sense.

The issue would be splitting Florida.

This in spades!!

There is a lot of "Grass is Greener Syndrome" going down on this thread. CUSA has faired far better than the AAC in football since expansion. Perception will only last so long before before facts kick in. CUSA has better football than AAC.

(07-01-2015 02:48 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  Its official!! Marshall has completely taken over for ECU in the "I don't want to be here Department"!!!

Well, to be honest, no one in the AAC wants to be there either. So, as a soon as a school leaves the CUSA for ACC same school will probably be ready to leave the AAC as well.

(07-02-2015 08:26 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  There is a lot of "Grass is Greener Syndrome" going down on this thread. CUSA has faired far better than the AAC in football since expansion. Perception will only last so long before before facts kick in. CUSA has better football than AAC.

ill throw in my opinion since its the offseason:

ill point out the AAC has won a national bball championship and a bcs game since expansion not including 2 womens bball titles and 9 baseball invites (the next 2 biggest sports) all of this in just 2 years....you are going to have to explain to me how c-usa has faired far better ...and what facts are kicking in

i also find it strange most of you will say c-usa has a betterfootball based around the ncaa distribution (which is decided by the bcs computers)

but 0% of you guys will say the FCS MVC is better than c-usa...who those same bcs computer ranked higher than c-usa

(07-01-2015 03:05 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Wait, Rice doesn't want to be here either. Neither does LaTech, Southern Miss, UTEP, UAB (they really didn't want to be here, and won't in football for a couple of years), and , well almost everyone else (I guess Charlotte and ODU still want to be here, as they just got here. Perhaps the Florida schools as well?)

Seriously? Charlotte actually "got here" first 20 years ago, well before your school.

(07-02-2015 09:01 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(07-01-2015 02:48 PM)pilot172000 Wrote:  Its official!! Marshall has completely taken over for ECU in the "I don't want to be here Department"!!!

Well, to be honest, no one in the AAC wants to be there either. So, as a soon as a school leaves the CUSA for ACC same school will probably be ready to leave the AAC as well.

Once the football rapture occurs only two souls will ascend to heaven. Limbo will no longer exist, so all of the rings of hell will move up one spot, but none will have a chance of salvation.

(07-02-2015 09:11 AM)pesik Wrote:  

(07-02-2015 08:26 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  There is a lot of "Grass is Greener Syndrome" going down on this thread. CUSA has faired far better than the AAC in football since expansion. Perception will only last so long before before facts kick in. CUSA has better football than AAC.

ill throw in my opinion since its the offseason:

ill point out the AAC has won a national bball championship and a bcs game since expansion not including 2 womens bball titles and 9 baseball invites (the next 2 biggest sports) all of this in just 2 years....you are going to have to explain to me how c-usa has faired far better ...and what facts are kicking in

i also find it strange most of you will say c-usa has a betterfootball based around the ncaa distribution (which is decided by the bcs computers)

but 0% of you guys will say the FCS MVC is better than c-usa...who those same bcs computer ranked higher than c-usa

That BCS bowl you brag about was BigEast in everything but name. The rest is basketball so before you start using that "Houston" logic to justify anything know and READ that I was talking about football.

(07-01-2015 07:47 PM)Artifice Wrote:  

(07-01-2015 05:23 PM)monarx Wrote:  If Cincy, Memphis and UConn left, the AAC/CUSA should just trade Tulsa, Houston, Tulane and SMU for ODU, Marshall, UMass and Charlotte, We'd likely all be happier, as fans would have better rivalries and road trips and schools would save a ton in travel costs.

Agreed. Many argue against regionalizing the leagues, but at that point it makes too much sense.

The issue would be splitting Florida.

I know some of the schools involved would be unhappy about it, but this just makes so much sense, particularly if they want to have more conference games/matches/meets in non-revenue sports.

Not sure where the Florida schools would go, geographically East but still somewhat farther from the rest of the conferences (UCF, USF, FAU, and FIU). Could put UAB west, all 4 Florida teams in the eastern side, and add another school west to reach 12 (if that's still desirable once that requirement for a championship game is lifted)? :
East:
ECU
Temple
Navy
WKU
Marshall
ODU
MTSU
Charlotte
USF
UCF
FAU
FIU

West:
Tulsa
Houston
SMU
Tulane
Rice
N. Texas
La Tech
S. Miss
UTSA
UTEP
UAB? (not sure if east or west makes more sense, but this would help even out the teams)
One more team added to make 12

Or maybe not all the Florida schools agree to be in the same conference, so could divide them 2 and 2, and UAB and an additional team could go east? What would it take for this to happen? Maybe the P5 breaking off? Or something less drastic?

I would love that Western Division. Those are the schools I want to play regularly.

(07-02-2015 10:01 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  I would love that Western Division. Those are the schools I want to play regularly.

Tulsa 2-10
Houston 8-5
SMU 1-11
Tulane 3-9
Rice 8-5
N. Texas 4-8
La Tech
S. Miss 3-9
UTSA 4-8
UTEP 7-6
UAB 6-6

I can understand why :)

and before some Tech fan can do it...59-10

There's a few switch overs I would like to play at least once a year ..for the trip. Rice, UTSA, S. Miss, Houston..not all 4 every season but 1 every year. I like trips to Houston and S. Miss because it's close enough to the Gulf to get a few days of fishing in before we play and San Antonio because there's a lot of history in Southern Texas that I didn't get to see on our last 2 trips to TXST.

That eastern side would be like a wet dream for Western basketball fans...including myself because of all the Fla schools..fishing, beaches, sun, warm weather in the winter

Also, I know it would never happen, would undermine some rivalries, and might be tough geographically, but if they did divide college athletics into more divisions, a relegation-promotion system similar to what happens in European soccer would be loads of fun for the fans and would force better teams to play other good teams and demote the perennial underachievers.

The geographical issue might be somewhat alleviated if the lower divisions were separated by geography, but it definitely could hurt rivalries.

(07-02-2015 09:55 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  

(07-02-2015 09:11 AM)pesik Wrote:  

(07-02-2015 08:26 AM)pilot172000 Wrote:  There is a lot of "Grass is Greener Syndrome" going down on this thread. CUSA has faired far better than the AAC in football since expansion. Perception will only last so long before before facts kick in. CUSA has better football than AAC.

ill throw in my opinion since its the offseason:

ill point out the AAC has won a national bball championship and a bcs game since expansion not including 2 womens bball titles and 9 baseball invites (the next 2 biggest sports) all of this in just 2 years....you are going to have to explain to me how c-usa has faired far better ...and what facts are kicking in

i also find it strange most of you will say c-usa has a betterfootball based around the ncaa distribution (which is decided by the bcs computers)

but 0% of you guys will say the FCS MVC is better than c-usa...who those same bcs computer ranked higher than c-usa

That BCS bowl you brag about was BigEast in everything but name. The rest is basketball so before you start using that "Houston" logic to justify anything know and READ that I was talking about football.

no it was american by name...non of the recent c-usa teams ever played under the big east name...ucf was the team that won the bcs
and you are grasping on to straws if you are trying to justify anything simply based on a name change and minor technicalities