Just as an aside....Arkansas State has some of the gnarliest fans there are. We have been around a long time and have been through a lot of hell. I think for the most part we are pretty realistic and straightforward. I'm not here to specifically slam anyone's school or program.

I do however slam the system. We have been screwed by the system since at least 1975 when we were 11-0 and one of only two undefeated teams in the nation and sat home on our butts unranked during bowl season. This prior to being forced down to I-AA because wealthier programs didn't want any more crumbs falling off the table. Just because it is how it is doesn't mean it should be.

If by some weird circumstance my school ended up in CUSA, I certainly would not be here proclaiming glory or some superiority. You can write that down.

(05-10-2012 11:27 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  I have nothing against the UNT fans who recognize what is going on and are real about it. I just don't appreciate the few who stick around wanting to be included and respected, yet brag about their departure as if it is something the rest of us envy.

Who's bragging about leaving?

You are, with that sig pic you are rocking. If ya only saw it over on their board that would be one thing, but that's not how the bbs network works my friend. Every post you make screams, "We're UNT and I can't wait to sport that C-USA patch!"

If you were honest about it that'd be cool, but you're over here saying, "We're still Sun Belt and proud of it," But the signature says otherwise. Either be on your way out and sport the proud sig, or stop complaining when folks leave yall out of polls because of the fact you are now considered property of C-USA.

Of course a few of us are angry. Our schools have worked hard for years at improving the SBC...with no shot at ever being considered for a better league. and our reward is to get to listen to everyone talking about leaving.

(05-10-2012 11:29 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  Just as an aside....Arkansas State has some of the gnarliest fans there are. We have been around a long time and have been through a lot of hell. I think for the most part we are pretty realistic and straightforward. I'm not here to specifically slam anyone's school or program.

I do however slam the system. We have been screwed by the system since at least 1975 when we were 11-0 and one of only two undefeated teams in the nation and sat home on our butts unranked during bowl season. This prior to being forced down to I-AA because wealthier programs didn't want any more crumbs falling off the table. Just because it is how it is doesn't mean it should be.

If by some weird circumstance my school ended up in CUSA, I certainly would not be here proclaiming glory or some superiority. You can write that down.

That is almost the exact same story of what happened to UNT, and it is why Hayden Fry left for Iowa. We were a one lose team in the late 70's, were ranked 16th in the nation, and didn't get a bowl invitation. Then we got forced down to I-AA.

(05-10-2012 11:32 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Of course a few of us are angry. Our schools have worked hard for years at improving the SBC...with no shot at ever being considered for a better league. and our reward is to get to listen to everyone talking about leaving.

Better league? hardly.

(05-10-2012 11:22 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 11:12 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 09:21 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Hell I'd argue that we are in a MUCH stronger position now than before FIU and North Texas jumped ship. We drop dead weight in UNT, replace them with an up-and-coming program in Texas State. Then, we gain the State of Georgia and remain in Florida.

Sun Belt FTW baby!

You aren't dropping UNT or FIU. They are calling the shots and chose to leave for another conference. It's amazing how you have continually trashed both programs because of a choice to change conferences. GROW UP. Both have been Belt members longer than Troy. Both have contributed as much or more overall to the conference as Troy. Neither has claimed to be "moving up". We are moving to, what we beleive, is a better, more logical home for our athletic programs. Quit whinning and bitching we'll be gone in 2013.

+1

BTH seems to rail against UNT quite a bit these days. Others on the board seem more level-headed.

We are in a stronger position with Texas State I believe than we were with UNT. That has nothing to do with UNT....it has to do with the possibility that Texas State may be better positioned to handle being alone in the Sun Belt better than UNT was.

I think being alone in the conference weakened UNT more than it will Texas State. I think that has to do with location and type of school.

I think UNT now has the opportunity to finally break out with the in-state opponents in terms of attendance and in-state notice. IF they can dominate those opponents on the field.

Saying that we may be in a better position with Texas State is not a slam on UNT...in fact its sort of a slam on the Belt for leaving you on an island. At least from me anyway.

(05-10-2012 11:36 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 11:32 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  Of course a few of us are angry. Our schools have worked hard for years at improving the SBC...with no shot at ever being considered for a better league. and our reward is to get to listen to everyone talking about leaving.

Better league? hardly.

Wasnt talking about CUSA...I was talking about some of the BCS leagues.

The infuriating thing about CUSA is that people leave for it because they percieve it to be better simply because its not named the Sun Belt.

(05-10-2012 11:29 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  Just as an aside....Arkansas State has some of the gnarliest fans there are. We have been around a long time and have been through a lot of hell. I think for the most part we are pretty realistic and straightforward. I'm not here to specifically slam anyone's school or program.

I do however slam the system. We have been screwed by the system since at least 1975 when we were 11-0 and one of only two undefeated teams in the nation and sat home on our butts unranked during bowl season. This prior to being forced down to I-AA because wealthier programs didn't want any more crumbs falling off the table. Just because it is how it is doesn't mean it should be.

If by some weird circumstance my school ended up in CUSA, I certainly would not be here proclaiming glory or some superiority. You can write that down.

Good points.

That's fair enough, and understandable how you feel about the system and its particular effect on your program. I also share your thoughts on proclaiming superiority, therefore no one can't quote me in this board, or most FIU fans for that matter, of having done so and gloating or belittling other programs, as we've been unfairly subjected to at times, especially after it was apparent we were headed in another direction.

Good night to all...

Things are slowly changing. No league is considered top dawg from day 1. The Sun Belt is the youngest league, be patient and eventually we'll earn the respect we've worked so hard for. And the best part is those who bailed on us won't be able to enjoy that moment like the rest of us.

(05-10-2012 11:27 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  I have nothing against the UNT fans who recognize what is going on and are real about it. I just don't appreciate the few who stick around wanting to be included and respected, yet brag about their departure as if it is something the rest of us envy.

I don't "brag" about our departure, but I am certainly glad that we are making the move to a conference that is better suited to us. We've never made a secret that CUSA is where we wanted to be & we've never done anything but try to do our part in building the Sun Belt. Hope you don't have a heart attack or stroke with all of your built up anamosity. I just don't appreciate that you can't seem to stop trashing, whinning, moaning and groaning about a decision that wasn't yours to make.

(05-10-2012 11:34 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote:  

(05-10-2012 11:29 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  Just as an aside....Arkansas State has some of the gnarliest fans there are. We have been around a long time and have been through a lot of hell. I think for the most part we are pretty realistic and straightforward. I'm not here to specifically slam anyone's school or program.

I do however slam the system. We have been screwed by the system since at least 1975 when we were 11-0 and one of only two undefeated teams in the nation and sat home on our butts unranked during bowl season. This prior to being forced down to I-AA because wealthier programs didn't want any more crumbs falling off the table. Just because it is how it is doesn't mean it should be.

If by some weird circumstance my school ended up in CUSA, I certainly would not be here proclaiming glory or some superiority. You can write that down.

That is almost the exact same story of what happened to UNT, and it is why Hayden Fry left for Iowa. We were a one lose team in the late 70's, were ranked 16th in the nation, and didn't get a bowl invitation. Then we got forced down to I-AA.

If my statistic is right, ASU is only one of four teams to go undefeated and not win a National Championship.....and we weren't even ranked.

Not that we expected a National Championship.....but that team did deserve an opportunity to face a quality opponent in a bowl game.

The system is rigged.

I'm willing to tolerate it being rigged.....but the fact that the system is so jealous over every crumb is what is intolerable.

But hey, it's all for the good of the student-athlete right?

Maybe I'm not talking about you MG61. Maybe just maybe, I'm refering to other UNT fans who have complained about SBC threads that did not include UNT in their premise, when they themselves visually reminded everyone they were more proud to be associated with another Conference instead of the Sun Belt.

Like I said, I have nothing against UNT or their fanbase...just certain folks who want their cake and to eat it too.

(05-10-2012 11:32 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  You are, with that sig pic you are rocking. If ya only saw it over on their board that would be one thing, but that's not how the bbs network works my friend. Every post you make screams, "We're UNT and I can't wait to sport that C-USA patch!"

If you were honest about it that'd be cool, but you're over here saying, "We're still Sun Belt and proud of it," But the signature says otherwise. Either be on your way out and sport the proud sig, or stop complaining when folks leave yall out of polls because of the fact you are now considered property of C-USA.

Look, I've tried to post about next football season. I didn't get on the board to pimp C-USA or brag. I don't go on the C-USA board and bad mouth the Sun Belt either. If that is how you interpret my sig, I guess you are going to have to come to terms with it, because it's not going anywhere, and until 2013 neither is UNT.

Its not the sig Joe, its the fact you rock the pic proudly, then go out of your way to fuss at others when they exclude yall from discussions having to do with the Sun Belt's future. UNT is not part of the SBC's future, so getting upset with someone for leaving yall out of that talk is bs. THAT is why Im giving you a hard time. Either you're with us or them, you cant have it both ways.

Do you see where I'm coming from?

(05-10-2012 11:54 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Its not the sig Joe, its the fact you rock the pic proudly, then go out of your way to fuss at others when they exclude yall from discussions having to do with the Sun Belt's future. UNT is not part of the SBC's future, so getting upset with someone for leaving yall out of that talk is bs. THAT is why Im giving you a hard time. Either you're with us or them, you cant have it both ways.

If we are playing a Sun Belt schedule next season, and we are, then we are part of the Sun Belt's future. I am proud of my sig. It represents UNT finally getting to play other Texas and regional teams, like Rice, and Tulsa. If you want to give me a hard time because you don't like my sig, that's your choice, but don't act like I'm on here talking trash about the Belt or talking down to others. UNT is still part of this conference, and should be included.

(05-10-2012 09:28 AM)Glassonion Wrote:  It would amaze me, to see CUSA or the SB for that matter, continue with this game plan that they basically plagiarized from the BE, when the BE is now in turmoil because of it.

This is where you hit the reset button to go back to the Spring of 2010. Do over. Mulligan.

The Big East is in turmoil because of the hybrid nature of the league. Half of the conference has absolutely nothing in common institutionally with the other. One side is 7 small Catholic schools that don't play FBS football. Then there's ND who WON'T play FBS football in the Big East but uses them for bowl tie ins and other sports. Then there's the all sports members who are all large public schools consisting of a couple of flagships, a private school, a few commuter city schools and a couple of directionals.

It's a complete disaster. Nobody on one side has trusted anybody on the other since the 1st ACC raid. It's nothing but a marriage of convenience due to basketball $$$$$ and I'd be really surprised if it lasts much longer. They really should split and I really think they might when UL leaves. That will probably set off the final chain reaction.

(05-11-2012 12:21 AM)blunderbuss Wrote:  They really should split and I really think they might when UL leaves. That will probably set off the final chain reaction.

Doubt UL is leaving. Big 12 seems content the way they are dividing their money right now.

After ODU makes the move I would offer Western Kentucky - WKU has a basketball history with a passionate fan base...plus WKU was part of the core programs from the 1980's Sun Belt when they played SERIOUS hoops: UAB, ODU, Charlotte and WKU....VCU was the other basketball program that made up that core group.

Charlotte went to the Final 4 in 1977...UAB and VCU dominated the Sun Belt in the 80's...UAB went to the Elite 8 in 1982 and almost made the Final 4...WKU went to the Final 4 in 1971...they've been to two Elite 8's and seven Sweet 16's in their history...yeah, Western is alright by me.

I don't recall VCU ever doing much in the 80's in the SBC. I do recall USA being a major factor in that decade, something a UAB fan would probably rather forget.

Edit: I looked around and stand corrected on VCU. They won 4 of the first 5 regular season championships of the 80's and won the tournament 3 times. They faded badly from 1986 on, which accounts for my not remembering their accomplishments.
USA, by the way, won or shared the regular season championship in 79, 80, 81 and 89, went to the NCAA tournament in 79, 80 and 89 (beating Alabama in the first round that year) and the NIT in 81 and 84. They 14 players drafted by the NBA in the 80's, although the draft had many more rounds back then.