(04-24-2017 03:38 AM)techdawg28 Wrote:  Sure, USM could play USA every year. But wouldn't USM rather play Marshall or WKU? Much better competition means a better perception of your program, and that's how you go places.

And lastly, you know what helps put butts in seats? Winning. And the better the competition you're winning against, the more butts get put in seats.

Marshall, yes. WKU, no. Trust me, there is not much (or any) difference in perception of playing WKU than USA.

You're absolutely right about "winning", putting butts in seats. This, we all know. But the regional and historical rivalries do too. Do you really think FAU will bring more fans to a game than Alcorn State (one of the worst case scenario teams to add from all the teams I listed)? And again....I'm interested in the additional opportunity it would allow for us (and all of the CUSA teams) to travel to a larger P5 school and get paid $2 million or so. We could all use the money, right? We have also, historically, beaten some of the biggest named programs on their home field (certainly not every, or even most games...but we have won a lot of them). So it's not an automatic loss. I know that part is different for WKU fans and hard for them to understand or relate to (winning on the road against traditional national powerhouse programs).

Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

(04-24-2017 08:22 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

I'd actually prefer that, but that option isn't as feasible as the one presented here. USM leads the conference in attendance. I'm surprised more fans of teams in this conference aren't interested in boosting their crappy attendance figures. I'd also be surprised if CUSA fans would really be upset and miss playing those 2 extra CUSA games. Again, the attendance figures don't demonstrate that CUSA fans are just LOVING their CUSA competition.

(04-24-2017 08:54 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:22 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

I'd actually prefer that, but that option isn't as feasible as the one presented here. USM leads the conference in attendance. I'm surprised more fans of teams in this conference aren't interested in boosting their crappy attendance figures. I'd also be surprised if CUSA fans would really be upset and miss playing those 2 extra CUSA games. Again, the attendance figures don't demonstrate that CUSA fans are just LOVING their CUSA competition.

So you lead CUSA in attendance yet your revenue is at / near the bottom of the league. How is this sustainable?

Do we even know if the math works out for this? If we did this, 28 more OOC games would be on the market. Can we even be sure we'd be able to fill all of these slots with FBS games?

(04-24-2017 07:53 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 05:02 AM)Ourland Wrote:  Western Kentucky averaged 17,705 fans per home game last season according to NCAA records. The stadium holds slightly more than 22,500.

OK, what does that have to do with anything I said? The stadium is still better than all but Texas St.

It's obvious you don't get out much.

It means attendance at WKU football games is lacking for a conference champion. I wonder how many actual butts in seats there were. I would think you guys would benefit from playing regional schools more often.

(04-24-2017 09:00 AM)Hood-rich Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:54 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:22 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

I'd actually prefer that, but that option isn't as feasible as the one presented here. USM leads the conference in attendance. I'm surprised more fans of teams in this conference aren't interested in boosting their crappy attendance figures. I'd also be surprised if CUSA fans would really be upset and miss playing those 2 extra CUSA games. Again, the attendance figures don't demonstrate that CUSA fans are just LOVING their CUSA competition.

So you lead CUSA in attendance yet your revenue is at / near the bottom of the league. How is this sustainable?

I don't know. That's why I started the thread. lol. Something needs to change (for USM) for sure.

(04-24-2017 09:06 AM)Ourland Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 07:53 AM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 05:02 AM)Ourland Wrote:  Western Kentucky averaged 17,705 fans per home game last season according to NCAA records. The stadium holds slightly more than 22,500.

OK, what does that have to do with anything I said? The stadium is still better than all but Texas St.

It's obvious you don't get out much.

It means attendance at WKU football games is lacking for a conference champion. I wonder how many actual butts in seats there were. I would think you guys would benefit from playing regional schools more often.

Can't wait to hear this guy spin his way out of this.

By the way, I do believe this is a really bad idea, and, if implemented, would just sound the death knell for C-USA.

(04-24-2017 08:54 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:22 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

I'd actually prefer that, but that option isn't as feasible as the one presented here. USM leads the conference in attendance. I'm surprised more fans of teams in this conference aren't interested in boosting their crappy attendance figures. I'd also be surprised if CUSA fans would really be upset and miss playing those 2 extra CUSA games. Again, the attendance figures don't demonstrate that CUSA fans are just LOVING their CUSA competition.

Six is pretty much minimal, maybe even sub-minimal, for a conference schedule. Might as well have everybody go indy in football and make CUSA a league for every sport but football.

(04-24-2017 08:54 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:22 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

I'd actually prefer that, but that option isn't as feasible as the one presented here. USM leads the conference in attendance. I'm surprised more fans of teams in this conference aren't interested in boosting their crappy attendance figures. I'd also be surprised if CUSA fans would really be upset and miss playing those 2 extra CUSA games. Again, the attendance figures don't demonstrate that CUSA fans are just LOVING their CUSA competition.

USM fans turned out for the Savannah State game, does that mean they love Savannah State football? Or was it because it was the home opener after a great season?

For what its worth, Western Kentucky or Middle Tenn has proven on the field to be as good if not better than Memphis. That goes for any of the former teams. It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams. The fact that they left CUSA when this conference had a chance to put a nail in the former Big East says everything.
There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry. The only problem is the money from TV contracts is not what it needs to be at this point. Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work. The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine.

(04-24-2017 09:40 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:54 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:22 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

I'd actually prefer that, but that option isn't as feasible as the one presented here. USM leads the conference in attendance. I'm surprised more fans of teams in this conference aren't interested in boosting their crappy attendance figures. I'd also be surprised if CUSA fans would really be upset and miss playing those 2 extra CUSA games. Again, the attendance figures don't demonstrate that CUSA fans are just LOVING their CUSA competition.

Might as well have everybody go indy in football and make CUSA a league for every sport but football.

that's my #1 choice actually. it isn't as easy or feasible though. at least that's what they tell me. seems simple enough to me.

(04-24-2017 09:47 AM)FIU4Ever Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:54 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 08:22 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Why don't you just go independent, schedule whoever you want, generate all the fan interest in the world and fill up that stadium every week.

I'd actually prefer that, but that option isn't as feasible as the one presented here. USM leads the conference in attendance. I'm surprised more fans of teams in this conference aren't interested in boosting their crappy attendance figures. I'd also be surprised if CUSA fans would really be upset and miss playing those 2 extra CUSA games. Again, the attendance figures don't demonstrate that CUSA fans are just LOVING their CUSA competition.

USM fans turned out for the Savannah State game, does that mean they love Savannah State football? Or was it because it was the home opener after a great season?

Home opener. But it goes to show how apathetic our fans are with CUSA competition when Sav St outdraws them.

(04-24-2017 09:52 AM)D4RKW4T3R ROCK Wrote:  For what its worth, Western Kentucky or Middle Tenn has proven on the field to be as good if not better than Memphis. That goes for any of the former teams. It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams. The fact that they left CUSA when this conference had a chance to put a nail in the former Big East says everything.
There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry. The only problem is the money from TV contracts is not what it needs to be at this point. Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work. The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine.

Almost every thing you said in your post is the opposite of rational thinking. It doesn't really matter if Memphis is better or worse than West Kent or MTSU. The fact that we have years and years of history with them...and them with us....means there will be more people in attendance (USM and MSU fans) and more interest in the game. Like it or not, Memphis is a higher profile brand then those two as well.

You said, "It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams". What's funny about it? Every USM fan should (and most do) prefer to play those teams than most of the teams currently in CUSA. There is history and hatred and rivalry there....and the brand names are more recognized. Nothing funny about that.

"There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry." - What the hell are you talking about?

"Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work." - its late...very late in the game, we don't have time and its not working.

"The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine" - Waiting is what got us in this mess. Its time to finally be proactive...BEFORE we die on the vine.

(04-24-2017 10:58 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 09:52 AM)D4RKW4T3R ROCK Wrote:  For what its worth, Western Kentucky or Middle Tenn has proven on the field to be as good if not better than Memphis. That goes for any of the former teams. It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams. The fact that they left CUSA when this conference had a chance to put a nail in the former Big East says everything.
There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry. The only problem is the money from TV contracts is not what it needs to be at this point. Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work. The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine.

Almost every thing you said in your post is the opposite of rational thinking. It doesn't really matter if Memphis is better or worse than West Kent or MTSU. The fact that we have years and years of history with them...and them with us....means there will be more people in attendance (USM and MSU fans) and more interest in the game. Like it or not, Memphis is a higher profile brand then those two as well.

You said, "It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams". What's funny about it? Every USM fan should (and most do) prefer to play those teams than most of the teams currently in CUSA. There is history and hatred and rivalry there....and the brand names are more recognized. Nothing funny about that.

"There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry." - What the hell are you talking about?

"Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work." - its late...very late in the game, we don't have time and its not working.

"The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine" - Waiting is what got us in this mess. Its time to finally be proactive...BEFORE we die on the vine.

You've got four OOC games a year and to the best of my knowledge the only teams that left you for the AAC that you've scheduled in FB either over the past 5 years or for the foreseeable future is a h&h with Tulane. Do you think opening up more OOC games will change this? Sure you could play more bodybag games against the SEC for a payday but that's not the direction I'm looking for my school to go. If you can't get your fans to come out to see WKU try getting them to come out to see USM.

(04-24-2017 11:13 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:58 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 09:52 AM)D4RKW4T3R ROCK Wrote:  For what its worth, Western Kentucky or Middle Tenn has proven on the field to be as good if not better than Memphis. That goes for any of the former teams. It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams. The fact that they left CUSA when this conference had a chance to put a nail in the former Big East says everything.
There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry. The only problem is the money from TV contracts is not what it needs to be at this point. Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work. The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine.

Almost every thing you said in your post is the opposite of rational thinking. It doesn't really matter if Memphis is better or worse than West Kent or MTSU. The fact that we have years and years of history with them...and them with us....means there will be more people in attendance (USM and MSU fans) and more interest in the game. Like it or not, Memphis is a higher profile brand then those two as well.

You said, "It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams". What's funny about it? Every USM fan should (and most do) prefer to play those teams than most of the teams currently in CUSA. There is history and hatred and rivalry there....and the brand names are more recognized. Nothing funny about that.

"There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry." - What the hell are you talking about?

"Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work." - its late...very late in the game, we don't have time and its not working.

"The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine" - Waiting is what got us in this mess. Its time to finally be proactive...BEFORE we die on the vine.

If you can't get your fans to come out to see WKU try getting them to come out to see USM.

Yeah, that's not working - and we still lead the conference in attendance. That's why im surprised to not hear more support for this idea. However, all of this FBS conference stuff is brand new to Charlotte, FAU, FIU, UTSA, Old Dominion, MTSU, West Kentucky and even UNT, so guess it shouldn't be surprising to hear how those programs / fans are ecstatic with the CUSA slate.

(04-24-2017 11:37 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 11:13 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:58 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 09:52 AM)D4RKW4T3R ROCK Wrote:  For what its worth, Western Kentucky or Middle Tenn has proven on the field to be as good if not better than Memphis. That goes for any of the former teams. It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams. The fact that they left CUSA when this conference had a chance to put a nail in the former Big East says everything.
There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry. The only problem is the money from TV contracts is not what it needs to be at this point. Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work. The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine.

Almost every thing you said in your post is the opposite of rational thinking. It doesn't really matter if Memphis is better or worse than West Kent or MTSU. The fact that we have years and years of history with them...and them with us....means there will be more people in attendance (USM and MSU fans) and more interest in the game. Like it or not, Memphis is a higher profile brand then those two as well.

You said, "It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams". What's funny about it? Every USM fan should (and most do) prefer to play those teams than most of the teams currently in CUSA. There is history and hatred and rivalry there....and the brand names are more recognized. Nothing funny about that.

"There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry." - What the hell are you talking about?

"Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work." - its late...very late in the game, we don't have time and its not working.

"The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine" - Waiting is what got us in this mess. Its time to finally be proactive...BEFORE we die on the vine.

If you can't get your fans to come out to see WKU try getting them to come out to see USM.

Yeah, that's not working - and we still lead the conference in attendance. That's why im surprised to not hear more support for this idea. However, all of this FBS conference stuff is brand new to Charlotte, FAU, FIU, UTSA, Old Dominion, MTSU, West Kentucky and even UNT, so guess it shouldn't be surprising to hear how those programs / fans are ecstatic with the CUSA slate.

I get what you're saying. Its really no different than how ODU fans feel in basketball. We miss playing home and home with VCU and GMU. MTSU and WKU adequately fill in for those two as replacements on the court, but the years of rivalry and hatred just aren't the same. Regarding football attendance, I would expect USM to have great attendance as you've been playing for decades, have generations of fans and a nice large stadium. Same with Marshall. Give the newbies time. I think we're doing pretty darn good in football all things considered.

(04-24-2017 11:37 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 11:13 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:58 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 09:52 AM)D4RKW4T3R ROCK Wrote:  For what its worth, Western Kentucky or Middle Tenn has proven on the field to be as good if not better than Memphis. That goes for any of the former teams. It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams. The fact that they left CUSA when this conference had a chance to put a nail in the former Big East says everything.
There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry. The only problem is the money from TV contracts is not what it needs to be at this point. Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work. The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine.

Almost every thing you said in your post is the opposite of rational thinking. It doesn't really matter if Memphis is better or worse than West Kent or MTSU. The fact that we have years and years of history with them...and them with us....means there will be more people in attendance (USM and MSU fans) and more interest in the game. Like it or not, Memphis is a higher profile brand then those two as well.

You said, "It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams". What's funny about it? Every USM fan should (and most do) prefer to play those teams than most of the teams currently in CUSA. There is history and hatred and rivalry there....and the brand names are more recognized. Nothing funny about that.

"There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry." - What the hell are you talking about?

"Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work." - its late...very late in the game, we don't have time and its not working.

"The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine" - Waiting is what got us in this mess. Its time to finally be proactive...BEFORE we die on the vine.

If you can't get your fans to come out to see WKU try getting them to come out to see USM.

Yeah, that's not working - and we still lead the conference in attendance. That's why im surprised to not hear more support for this idea. However, all of this FBS conference stuff is brand new to Charlotte, FAU, FIU, UTSA, Old Dominion, MTSU, West Kentucky and even UNT, so guess it shouldn't be surprising to hear how those programs / fans are ecstatic with the CUSA slate.

It's WKU Sou. Miss! Fans angry at WKU lately, must be carry over from beat downs on the field lately so we revert back to attendance smack like always...Must be off season...

(04-24-2017 11:46 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 11:37 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 11:13 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 10:58 AM)Reggie Favre Wrote:  

(04-24-2017 09:52 AM)D4RKW4T3R ROCK Wrote:  For what its worth, Western Kentucky or Middle Tenn has proven on the field to be as good if not better than Memphis. That goes for any of the former teams. It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams. The fact that they left CUSA when this conference had a chance to put a nail in the former Big East says everything.
There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry. The only problem is the money from TV contracts is not what it needs to be at this point. Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work. The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine.

Almost every thing you said in your post is the opposite of rational thinking. It doesn't really matter if Memphis is better or worse than West Kent or MTSU. The fact that we have years and years of history with them...and them with us....means there will be more people in attendance (USM and MSU fans) and more interest in the game. Like it or not, Memphis is a higher profile brand then those two as well.

You said, "It is hilarious how some USM fans hang on to the notion of some link or familiarity with former CUSA teams". What's funny about it? Every USM fan should (and most do) prefer to play those teams than most of the teams currently in CUSA. There is history and hatred and rivalry there....and the brand names are more recognized. Nothing funny about that.

"There are some very good teams in this conference from a competition stand point with very good upsides as far as fan support, wins, and rivalry." - What the hell are you talking about?

"Its early in the game and this is a dynamic situation. It takes time and normal forces are at work." - its late...very late in the game, we don't have time and its not working.

"The serious USM fan should be very accustom to waiting considering the way that USM has allowed our athletic brand to die on the vine" - Waiting is what got us in this mess. Its time to finally be proactive...BEFORE we die on the vine.

If you can't get your fans to come out to see WKU try getting them to come out to see USM.

Yeah, that's not working - and we still lead the conference in attendance. That's why im surprised to not hear more support for this idea. However, all of this FBS conference stuff is brand new to Charlotte, FAU, FIU, UTSA, Old Dominion, MTSU, West Kentucky and even UNT, so guess it shouldn't be surprising to hear how those programs / fans are ecstatic with the CUSA slate.

I get what you're saying. Its really no different than how ODU fans feel in basketball. We miss playing home and home with VCU and GMU. MTSU and WKU adequately fill in for those two as replacements on the court, but the years of rivalry and hatred just aren't the same. Regarding football attendance, I would expect USM to have great attendance as you've been playing for decades, have generations of fans and a nice large stadium. Same with Marshall. Give the newbies time. I think we're doing pretty darn good in football all things considered.

ODU is doing fine for themselves. I think y'all are selling out your games? Small stadium, but still. It's not personal...its business.