The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...n-sun-belt

This is probably why you will see lots of server overload messages today.

It's because there's about 300 people viewing the SBC board currently.

& an upper limit was set for 25 viewers.

If any traffic is causing the server problems, it's not 300 people on the Sun Belt board
It's because Memphis is nervously convincing themselves that Pastner would never leave Memphis for USC or UCLA. They never learn.

There are 284 guests at empty.org right now, plus their regulars

It has to be because of the crappy league they are joining.

Good pick up for the Belt. App State and Georgia Southern has a better following than almost everyone in the Sun Belt, and they'll be able to continue their rivalry which is a darn good one.

(03-25-2013 03:20 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  If any traffic is causing the server problems, it's not 300 people on the Sun Belt board
It's because Memphis is nervously convincing themselves that Pastner would never leave Memphis for USC or UCLA. They never learn.

There are 284 guests at empty.org right now, plus their regulars

Cal's not going anywhere.

At least they can re-cycle their signs:

(03-25-2013 04:20 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 03:20 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  If any traffic is causing the server problems, it's not 300 people on the Sun Belt board
It's because Memphis is nervously convincing themselves that Pastner would never leave Memphis for USC or UCLA. They never learn.

There are 284 guests at empty.org right now, plus their regulars

Cal's not going anywhere.

At least they can re-cycle their signs:

The 'Belt may not be done either...

Quote:As for further Sun Belt expansion, SB Nation's Jason Kirk was told by a source in February that James Madison, Jacksonville State, UT-Chattanooga, Idaho and New Mexico State have been considered, likely among others.

Benson wants 12 football teams. He's just got to convince the Presidents to go along with him.

(03-25-2013 03:27 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  Good pick up for the Belt. App State and Georgia Southern has a better following than almost everyone in the Sun Belt, and they'll be able to continue their rivalry which is a darn good one.

Yep, this. Hornet, you're one of the smartest football guys on here.

(03-25-2013 03:27 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  Good pick up for the Belt. App State and Georgia Southern has a better following than almost everyone in the Sun Belt, and they'll be able to continue their rivalry which is a darn good one.

You're spot on about the following, but I think everyone will be surprised with how long they'll struggle in FBS. Like we tried to warn USA fans, the step up from FCS to FBS is almost incomparable. Obviously that doesn't prevent some upsets from happening - each team can only put 11 on the field at once - but there's nothing to prepare a program to facing 25 extra scholarships week in and week out. As we saw in (at least) the first couple of years under Callaway, it do make a difference.

It do. But, both teams know how to win and have very solid foundations. This step was a long time coming for both because of their foundations and winning traditions. I'm not saying they'll be big winners right away but they will be competitive week in and week out. Especially in the belt.

(03-25-2013 04:20 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 03:20 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  If any traffic is causing the server problems, it's not 300 people on the Sun Belt board
It's because Memphis is nervously convincing themselves that Pastner would never leave Memphis for USC or UCLA. They never learn.

There are 284 guests at empty.org right now, plus their regulars

Cal's not going anywhere.

At least they can re-cycle their signs

It appears that BlazerSax has become a Memphis fan.

Quote:Someone tell me why the UCLA gig would be so much better than here.

(03-25-2013 07:34 PM)blazr Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 03:27 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  Good pick up for the Belt. App State and Georgia Southern has a better following than almost everyone in the Sun Belt, and they'll be able to continue their rivalry which is a darn good one.

You're spot on about the following, but I think everyone will be surprised with how long they'll struggle in FBS. Like we tried to warn USA fans, the step up from FCS to FBS is almost incomparable. Obviously that doesn't prevent some upsets from happening - each team can only put 11 on the field at once - but there's nothing to prepare a program to facing 25 extra scholarships week in and week out. As we saw in (at least) the first couple of years under Callaway, it do make a difference.

There is a MAJOR difference between these two and USA. These two have a winning pedigree and have a strong tradition with their programs. USA basically just started football and is trying to establish themselves on the go. I think both will struggle to start off but lets be honest, how many teams in the Sun Belt they would have beaten last year? Yes. The transitional phase will be a little rough for both but I expect them to be able to get their footing a lot faster than a program that just started with no tradition or history of winning.

(03-26-2013 05:26 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 07:34 PM)blazr Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 03:27 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  Good pick up for the Belt. App State and Georgia Southern has a better following than almost everyone in the Sun Belt, and they'll be able to continue their rivalry which is a darn good one.

You're spot on about the following, but I think everyone will be surprised with how long they'll struggle in FBS. Like we tried to warn USA fans, the step up from FCS to FBS is almost incomparable. Obviously that doesn't prevent some upsets from happening - each team can only put 11 on the field at once - but there's nothing to prepare a program to facing 25 extra scholarships week in and week out. As we saw in (at least) the first couple of years under Callaway, it do make a difference.

There is a MAJOR difference between these two and USA. These two have a winning pedigree and have a strong tradition with their programs. USA basically just started football and is trying to establish themselves on the go. I think both will struggle to start off but lets be honest, how many teams in the Sun Belt they would have beaten last year? Yes. The transitional phase will be a little rough for both but I expect them to be able to get their footing a lot faster than a program that just started with no tradition or history of winning.

Got to agree with the Hornet on this one. By the time they begin (2015), both schools will be up to SBC standards and will probably compete for the championship.

(03-26-2013 07:52 AM)SunDogV Wrote:  

(03-26-2013 05:26 AM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 07:34 PM)blazr Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 03:27 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  Good pick up for the Belt. App State and Georgia Southern has a better following than almost everyone in the Sun Belt, and they'll be able to continue their rivalry which is a darn good one.

You're spot on about the following, but I think everyone will be surprised with how long they'll struggle in FBS. Like we tried to warn USA fans, the step up from FCS to FBS is almost incomparable. Obviously that doesn't prevent some upsets from happening - each team can only put 11 on the field at once - but there's nothing to prepare a program to facing 25 extra scholarships week in and week out. As we saw in (at least) the first couple of years under Callaway, it do make a difference.

There is a MAJOR difference between these two and USA. These two have a winning pedigree and have a strong tradition with their programs. USA basically just started football and is trying to establish themselves on the go. I think both will struggle to start off but lets be honest, how many teams in the Sun Belt they would have beaten last year? Yes. The transitional phase will be a little rough for both but I expect them to be able to get their footing a lot faster than a program that just started with no tradition or history of winning.

Got to agree with the Hornet on this one. By the time they begin (2015), both schools will be up to SBC standards and will probably compete for the championship.

Oh, absolutely. I didn't mean to imply that they will be on the same track or face the same hurdles as USA. However, I think some have the notion that since Appy St. beat Michigan (among others over the years) and Ga. Southern has consistently one of the top teams in FCS, then they'll come right in and compete for Sun Belt championships by their 2nd year. I think it'll take a bit longer (4 years sounds more likely with 2nd and 3rd years being very competitive). Those extra 25 scholarship players we fans don't pay much attention to, but they keep the offensive and defensive starters from running up and down the field on punts/kickoffs, getting injured on said punts/kickoffs, and they keep the inevitable rash of injuries from completely derailing a season to a certain extent (aside from the schools having to build up quality in those last 25 schollys, right from the start Troy State can absorb double or triple the number of players in street clothes than App State or Ga. Southern before dipping into walkons).

I agree with MB. Blazersax is now a Memphis fan. Lol

George-Anne Sports ‏@GeorgeAnneSport 7m

President Brooks Keel announced that #GSU has an accepted an invitation to join the #SunBeltConference

#GATA

(03-26-2013 12:02 PM)blazr Wrote:  However, I think some have the notion that since Appy St. beat Michigan (among others over the years) and Ga. Southern has consistently one of the top teams in FCS, then they'll come right in and compete for Sun Belt championships by their 2nd year.

Count me in that group.