(04-03-2014 03:27 PM)CrazyCajun Wrote:  

(04-03-2014 08:37 AM)eaglewraith Wrote:  

(04-03-2014 07:49 AM)CrazyCajun Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 09:51 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(04-01-2014 04:19 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  It isn't easy to go into Boise and get a win, but it is very important that UL-L doesn't to go there and lay an egg. This game will pit against each other what most think will be the best both conferences have to offer in 2014. A Cajun win in Boise would be huge for the SBC. I don't see that happening, but even a hard fought respectable loss, especially one on Boise's home field, would be a positive for the SBC. If its a Boise blowout over the Cajuns, the media will spin it as the game result was what could have been expected, and the SBC's reputation will take a hit. I think Boise will win by 14 after a respectable showing by UL-L.

I'd Argue that stAte's home game against Utah State is probably just as, if not more important for the league. Utah State loses a lot of talent, but they are still seen as one of the top teams in the MWC, and with the game at home, its really a game that we as a league need to win 95 percent of the time.

No one is really going to fault ULL if they get beat up on the Blue Turf...that is a place that very few teams win. The return game in Lafayette the following year is a different story entirely.

I would argue that it is important in the scope of winning OC games for ASU and the Sun Belt. But it is a home game for Astate and while it would be a very good win, its not a road game against Boise State. So winning a home game against a non BCS opponent is not more important for the conference or UL, as beating a Bosie State on the road. IMO

Utah State finished second in the MWC and came within a TD of beating Fresno State to win the conference. They also were ahead of Boise in their division. They also then went on to beat NIU in the Poinsettia Bowl which was an impressive win. They might not have made waves the past couple of years to rival Boise, but they have looked pretty good. Auburn needed every trick play in the book to beat them 3 years ago or they would have had an SEC upset to add to their resume.

stAte beating Utah State does a lot for the strength of the conference this year with the chance of the access bowl. The wins against other G5 schools are very important starting from this point.

I don’t disagree that a win over Utah State would be good for the conference and Astate. Where we disagree is I put a higher premium on beating good programs on the road, especially a program that has consistently won for over a decade now and has been ranked a number of times. Because road wins against quality programs are scarce in the Sun Belt, defeating a team like Boise State on the road would bring UL and the Sun Belt more national exposure. That has been what I’ve witnessed over the years in the Sun Belt.

This is spot on. Utah State might have a better team than Boise does this year, but a UL-L win over Boise would do much more for the perception of SBC football because of what Boise has accomplished in the past. Like beating an Oklahoma or a Tennessee when they're having a down year, its still a win over a storied BCS program. That Utah State/AState game should be a good one, but the UL-L/Boise game will garner more national interest.