I was just stating that even one of the largest schools in the country UCF at times struggled with the travel and their in a mega city with basically no other D1 schools opposed to FIU having one of the top programs of all time in the same city. Try to tell me that a high school kids in Miami would watch FIU play USM or watch an undefeated Miami play Virginia Tech. The old conference USA deal was in large part due to the Houston, Dallas, and Orlando markets and those teams will be gone.

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Actually, cusa is not losing the Houston market as Rice is still there. Dallas and Orlando are gone thus if cusa adds anyone it will be from a larage media market to off set those who left.

I read above about "little metal stadiums". What does that reference mean? No one who has been inside FAU Stadium would make that statement.

As for FIU, the Panthers are in a bowl; Miami is not. FIU and Miami were probably not far apart this year in attendance (a couple of UM game photos I saw from Joe Robbie were downright embarrassing). FIU is probably better than Miami right now, on the field. With major sanctions in the horizon for The U, I see the Miami college playing field leveling considerably over the next few years.

The question, however, remains: Will the FIU faithful grow and really impress the Sun Belt and NCAA with a considerable fan base?

As for UCF (and even USF) , it is ver close to Gainesville and also in the midst of many FSU fans. The traditional and now effectively obsolete "big two" schools throw huge shadows as well.

(12-09-2011 05:02 PM)eager eagle Wrote:  Actually, cusa is not losing the Houston market as Rice is still there. Dallas and Orlando are gone thus if cusa adds anyone it will be from a larage media market to off set those who left.

I have a real hard time believing that Rice delivers the Houston market.

(12-09-2011 05:46 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  

(12-09-2011 05:02 PM)eager eagle Wrote:  Actually, cusa is not losing the Houston market as Rice is still there. Dallas and Orlando are gone thus if cusa adds anyone it will be from a larage media market to off set those who left.

I have a real hard time believing that Rice delivers the Houston market.

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What do you mean by "deliver"?

ability to carry a market. UAB is in Birmingham but do not "deliver" their market, they have little influence outside their fanbase. average residents with no connection to the program generally do not attend their games, buy merchandise, or donate money.

(12-09-2011 06:07 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  ability to carry a market. UAB is in Birmingham but do not "deliver" their market, they have little influence outside their fanbase. average residents with no connection to the program generally do not attend their games, buy merchandise, or donate money.

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Here is the way it works. UAB, for example, cannot compete head to head with Auburn, Ala, etc so all efforts are made to schedule them in different time slots. You have UAB vs Tulsa on and Kansas vs K-State at the same time then might be a lot of folks in B'ham watching the Blazers, bars & lounges & restaurants, etc will be showing BOTH. If UAB played at same time as Aub urn or Ala then most would watch the sec reps however the uab game would still be on in the sports bars, etc. Doesnt make any difference if locals buy mdse, donate, etc-a lot will still watch if the game is available and the more potential watchers the more valuable the market.

that argument may be true with other teams, but I don't think many folks care about UAB football outside their actual fanbase. they just haven't been good, so people don't watch. now basketball, I think they have a following because they have traditionaly been great. Heck I even watch UAB basketball games, I respect their bball program a lot.

Now back to the topic, I don't think Rice will be able to carry the Houston market. too much else going on and they aren't a "power."

(12-09-2011 06:58 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  that argument may be true with other teams, but I don't think many folks care about UAB football outside their actual fanbase. they just haven't been good, so people don't watch. now basketball, I think they have a following because they have traditionaly been great. Heck I even watch UAB basketball games, I respect their bball program a lot.

Now back to the topic, I don't think Rice will be able to carry the Houston market. too much else going on and they aren't a "power."

Neither Rice nor UH have the Houston market. Houston is Aggie town with the Longhorns #2. UH is at best third. There are also a few Baylor Bears sprinkled in. Texas Tech is pretty much non-existent, there are more OU fans than Red Raider fans.

Edit: C-USA gets alot of coverage on FSN. This year it was mainly UH. That is probably because they were undefeated for most if the year. Rice may take up the slack when UH is in the Big East.

I've heard several people in the know say that FIU is the #1 target for CUSA expansion, FWIW.

They are one of several on the short list. Correct.

(12-14-2011 06:02 PM)Beagleagle23 Wrote:  I've heard several people in the know say that FIU is the #1 target for CUSA expansion, FWIW.

Are the Cajuns options 17(a-q). I kid I kid. Checklist to becoming a major D1 program these days. Drop a stadium no matter how big or well attended in a major metropolitan area.

(12-14-2011 06:09 PM)slappycajun Wrote:  

(12-14-2011 06:02 PM)Beagleagle23 Wrote:  I've heard several people in the know say that FIU is the #1 target for CUSA expansion, FWIW.

Are the Cajuns options 17(a-q). I kid I kid. Checklist to becoming a major D1 program these days. Drop a stadium no matter how big or well attended in a major metropolitan area.

I would like UL in C-USA

Rising football
Cool city
Good support
Solid baseball

You guys would be a good addition, IMO.