(04-02-2014 06:45 PM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(04-02-2014 03:55 PM)CrazyCajun Wrote:  That is based upon the fact that Boise State has a new coach and new QB? And of course UL has 17 starters returning so they don't have a shot. I think this game will be a lot closer then you think and a lot closer then the Cajuns game at home against Tech.

Who is going to be calling plays at Boise? Harsin had no idea how to use the talent he had at Arkansas State. It was a nightmare until he fired himself and let someone else figure it out.

He may have a better shot at Boise because they were recruited more to his style but who knows.

It will certainly be interesting to see how that plays out.

He's actually hired a pretty decent OC at Boise. That was the first thing he did when he landed outside of trying to flip a few of our recruits.

(04-01-2014 04:19 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(03-29-2014 10:52 PM)MJG Wrote:  Respect can be achieved quickly in a season or two.

One team stepping up and getting ranked would be the quickest way.
Louisiana beating Boise early and maybe going 11-1 could change perception as early as next year.

So could a nice run by any other conference member .

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.

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

(04-01-2014 04:19 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(03-29-2014 10:52 PM)MJG Wrote:  Respect can be achieved quickly in a season or two.

One team stepping up and getting ranked would be the quickest way.
Louisiana beating Boise early and maybe going 11-1 could change perception as early as next year.

So could a nice run by any other conference member .

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 agree. if stAte could rally up a large rowdy crowd and pull off the win it would give some credibility to the conference. if that game is televised, I would surely watch it

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

(04-01-2014 04:19 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(03-29-2014 10:52 PM)MJG Wrote:  Respect can be achieved quickly in a season or two.

One team stepping up and getting ranked would be the quickest way.
Louisiana beating Boise early and maybe going 11-1 could change perception as early as next year.

So could a nice run by any other conference member .

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

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

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

(04-01-2014 04:19 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(03-29-2014 10:52 PM)MJG Wrote:  Respect can be achieved quickly in a season or two.

One team stepping up and getting ranked would be the quickest way.
Louisiana beating Boise early and maybe going 11-1 could change perception as early as next year.

So could a nice run by any other conference member .

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.

It's going to take a lot more than beating Utah State for a chance at that access bowl.

(04-03-2014 08:39 AM)AlwaysSunny Wrote:  It's going to take a lot more than beating Utah State for a chance at that access bowl.

Didn't say "win that game and you're in" but you have to be the highest ranked team of all the G5 schools. You've gotta start somewhere. Also, by raising the strength of the conference OOC, you have a chance to have several teams improve their rank as the season goes on.

If we have a poor OOC year, it won't be a Sun Belt team that has a chance at the slot.

(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:  

(03-29-2014 10:52 PM)MJG Wrote:  Respect can be achieved quickly in a season or two.

One team stepping up and getting ranked would be the quickest way.
Louisiana beating Boise early and maybe going 11-1 could change perception as early as next year.

So could a nice run by any other conference member .

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.

Both games (wins) will definately get recognition in the G5. Which SBC team is going to suprise and knock off a P5 team this year is the question - and will get more attention.
Regarding USU and BSU, I don't know how good BSU will be this year (we will see if they are preseason ranked, probably not), but I wouldn't be suprised if USU beats BSU this year. They would have beat them last year if Chuckie Keeton hadn't already been out for the season. Not sure who USU lost to graduation, but if Chuckie is in the game and back at full strength , I wouldn't count them out.
BSU opens their season against Ole Miss on the road, but at a neutral site. That will be a good gauge to watch.

(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.