(07-25-2017 09:30 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:39 AM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:32 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:23 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 06:31 AM)CCUBrad Wrote:  Why is he disliked by so many? What bad things has he done?

Arkansas State fans do not like him because one year he shipped the football championship trophy to the them and it was left outside the athletic office door.

That was the year right after our title year when he cancelled all of his weekend plans and flew to Statesboro for the ULM @ GS game just because there was a chance we could win a conference title.

I know many blame Benson for the breakup of the WAC but I'm not so sure that he was the biggest factor in that. I'm OK with Benson because when I look at some of our peer conference figureheads like Judy MacLeod I find Benson has done a better job. He may not be perfect but he's not terrible.

Benson had ZERO to do with the break up of the WAC. Schools had opportunities they felt were better and there was a lack of regional schools wanting to move up.

Neither is on Benson.

He actually almost saved the WAC by getting some MWC schools to bolt who were unhappy with the direction that league was going. Some WAC school or schools thought they'd spill the beans to the MWC to bolster their chance of getting in there, thinking that would have been the easier path for them. MWC acted quickly when they heard. WAC didn't have a chance after that.

That is what Benson references when he say he had enough of the WAC and the every school for itself mentality.

(07-24-2017 09:48 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  My two biggest takeaways....

-Stated that despite being in separate divisions, both Troy and South Al will play one another every year as "cross rivals." This definitely makes me think we will see everybody get a permanent cross divisional rival

-The conference is happy being a future 10 member leagues and isn't looking to add anyone at this time; HOWEVER, he did confirm there is a member school "looking to add CFB" and if they do, they will be grandfathered into the conference (I didn't realize there was a grandfather clause).

I hope everyone gets a permanent annual crossover opponent.

A-State vs. App State
Cajuns vs. Ga. Southern

The other two pairs could go either way, IMO:

ULM vs. Coastal and Texas State vs. Ga. State
OR
ULM vs. Ga. State and Texas State vs. Coastal

Warhawks, Bobcats, Chants, and Panthers fans, which cross division opponent would you most want to face each year?

(07-25-2017 10:27 AM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 09:30 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:39 AM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:32 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:23 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  Arkansas State fans do not like him because one year he shipped the football championship trophy to the them and it was left outside the athletic office door.

That was the year right after our title year when he cancelled all of his weekend plans and flew to Statesboro for the ULM @ GS game just because there was a chance we could win a conference title.

I know many blame Benson for the breakup of the WAC but I'm not so sure that he was the biggest factor in that. I'm OK with Benson because when I look at some of our peer conference figureheads like Judy MacLeod I find Benson has done a better job. He may not be perfect but he's not terrible.

Benson had ZERO to do with the break up of the WAC. Schools had opportunities they felt were better and there was a lack of regional schools wanting to move up.

Neither is on Benson.

He actually almost saved the WAC by getting some MWC schools to bolt who were unhappy with the direction that league was going. Some WAC school or schools thought they'd spill the beans to the MWC to bolster their chance of getting in there, thinking that would have been the easier path for them. MWC acted quickly when they heard. WAC didn't have a chance after that.

That is what Benson references when he say he had enough of the WAC and the every school for itself mentality.

I remember that, after Utah had announced they were leaving the MW for the Pac-12, and Boise had announced they were joining the MW from the WAC (all this was summer 2010), BUT announced they were going to go independent. The WAC was supposed to get BUY for non football sports, and no one else was supposed to leave the WAC. Then the MW caught wind of that plan and invited Fresno and Nevada. BYU-to-the-WAC was ruined, and the joined the WCC instead. Benson and the WAC scrambled to get Texas State and UTSA, but the only other schools they could get were non football schools.

I don't think Benson could have done anything else. Even without BUY and Utah, the MW was a much more stable, more financially sound, more reputable league than the WAC. Plus they already had Boise waiting in the wings. There was no stopping Fresno or Nevada from leaving the WAC, and certainly not the others (Utah State, Hawaii, and SJSU) from leaving for the MW, either.

(07-25-2017 10:42 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(07-24-2017 09:48 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  My two biggest takeaways....

-Stated that despite being in separate divisions, both Troy and South Al will play one another every year as "cross rivals." This definitely makes me think we will see everybody get a permanent cross divisional rival

-The conference is happy being a future 10 member leagues and isn't looking to add anyone at this time; HOWEVER, he did confirm there is a member school "looking to add CFB" and if they do, they will be grandfathered into the conference (I didn't realize there was a grandfather clause).

I hope everyone gets a permanent annual crossover opponent.

A-State vs. App State
Cajuns vs. Ga. Southern

The other two pairs could go either way, IMO:

ULM vs. Coastal and Texas State vs. Ga. State
OR
ULM vs. Ga. State and Texas State vs. Coastal

Warhawks, Bobcats, Chants, and Panthers fans, which cross division opponent would you most want to face each year?

Boom sounds like a winner to me

As per usual, TXST becomes the afterthought.

For interest, TXST would be USA or GS but I guess we'll be forced into one we (fans) care little about. We have semi history with GS and the USA games have been fun battles. But, just throw one together to try and make something from nothing.

(07-25-2017 11:18 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 10:42 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(07-24-2017 09:48 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  My two biggest takeaways....

-Stated that despite being in separate divisions, both Troy and South Al will play one another every year as "cross rivals." This definitely makes me think we will see everybody get a permanent cross divisional rival

-The conference is happy being a future 10 member leagues and isn't looking to add anyone at this time; HOWEVER, he did confirm there is a member school "looking to add CFB" and if they do, they will be grandfathered into the conference (I didn't realize there was a grandfather clause).

I hope everyone gets a permanent annual crossover opponent.

A-State vs. App State
Cajuns vs. Ga. Southern

The other two pairs could go either way, IMO:

ULM vs. Coastal and Texas State vs. Ga. State
OR
ULM vs. Ga. State and Texas State vs. Coastal

Warhawks, Bobcats, Chants, and Panthers fans, which cross division opponent would you most want to face each year?

Boom sounds like a winner to me

My best friend lives in Atlanta and it is an easier trip for us, so I would say I'd prefer Georgia St.

(07-25-2017 12:23 PM)CatMom Wrote:  As per usual, TXST becomes the afterthought.

For interest, TXST would be USA or GS but I guess we'll be forced into one we (fans) care little about. We have semi history with GS and the USA games have been fun battles. But, just throw one together to try and make something from nothing.

Catmom for my part I would be happy having Texas St as our cross division rivals but I've always felt Georgia St and Texas St would make the best cross division rivals given they are both large metro schools with State in the name. USA & Troy are set so I personally would prefer these cross division rivals
App - stAte
GS - ULL
GSU - Texas St
CCU - ULM
Troy - USA

(07-25-2017 12:23 PM)CatMom Wrote:  As per usual, TXST becomes the afterthought.

For interest, TXST would be USA or GS but I guess we'll be forced into one we (fans) care little about. We have semi history with GS and the USA games have been fun battles. But, just throw one together to try and make something from nothing.

USA will be in Texas State's division. They can't be crossover rivals.

(07-25-2017 10:42 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(07-24-2017 09:48 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  My two biggest takeaways....

-Stated that despite being in separate divisions, both Troy and South Al will play one another every year as "cross rivals." This definitely makes me think we will see everybody get a permanent cross divisional rival

-The conference is happy being a future 10 member leagues and isn't looking to add anyone at this time; HOWEVER, he did confirm there is a member school "looking to add CFB" and if they do, they will be grandfathered into the conference (I didn't realize there was a grandfather clause).

I hope everyone gets a permanent annual crossover opponent.

A-State vs. App State
Cajuns vs. Ga. Southern

The other two pairs could go either way, IMO:

ULM vs. Coastal and Texas State vs. Ga. State
OR
ULM vs. Ga. State and Texas State vs. Coastal

Warhawks, Bobcats, Chants, and Panthers fans, which cross division opponent would you most want to face each year?

Since a lot of y'all wanna trade us for Charlotte, it don't really matter much, do it?

(and before the grammar Nazis strike, it was intentional)

For the record I'd take Texas state over charlotte any day

(07-25-2017 12:47 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 10:42 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(07-24-2017 09:48 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  My two biggest takeaways....

-Stated that despite being in separate divisions, both Troy and South Al will play one another every year as "cross rivals." This definitely makes me think we will see everybody get a permanent cross divisional rival

-The conference is happy being a future 10 member leagues and isn't looking to add anyone at this time; HOWEVER, he did confirm there is a member school "looking to add CFB" and if they do, they will be grandfathered into the conference (I didn't realize there was a grandfather clause).

I hope everyone gets a permanent annual crossover opponent.

A-State vs. App State
Cajuns vs. Ga. Southern

The other two pairs could go either way, IMO:

ULM vs. Coastal and Texas State vs. Ga. State
OR
ULM vs. Ga. State and Texas State vs. Coastal

Warhawks, Bobcats, Chants, and Panthers fans, which cross division opponent would you most want to face each year?

Since a lot of y'all wanna trade us for Charlotte, it don't really matter much, do it?

(and before the grammar Nazis strike, it was intentional)

I have read many more Texas State posters state they would prefer to be in C-USA so they could be with other Texas schools, and not as much of a relatively isolated western outpost in the Sun Belt, than I have read of people who would want to trade Texas State for Charlotte.

My perception is that Texas State fans would like that idea even more than the average Sun Belt fan of another school.

I only team I am interested in a cross-rival game with is GS thanks to the 2005 game. Aside from that everyone is new. Heck I was hoping UL and stAte would become a bigger deal but no one really seems interested in playing us. I can see why fans want to be in CUSA for Texas teams. I hope we don't remain the black sheep of the conference because it is improving so much for football.

(07-25-2017 10:27 AM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 09:30 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:39 AM)Georgia_Power_Company Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:32 AM)TrueBlueDrew Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 07:23 AM)ValleyBoy Wrote:  Arkansas State fans do not like him because one year he shipped the football championship trophy to the them and it was left outside the athletic office door.

That was the year right after our title year when he cancelled all of his weekend plans and flew to Statesboro for the ULM @ GS game just because there was a chance we could win a conference title.

I know many blame Benson for the breakup of the WAC but I'm not so sure that he was the biggest factor in that. I'm OK with Benson because when I look at some of our peer conference figureheads like Judy MacLeod I find Benson has done a better job. He may not be perfect but he's not terrible.

Benson had ZERO to do with the break up of the WAC. Schools had opportunities they felt were better and there was a lack of regional schools wanting to move up.

Neither is on Benson.

He actually almost saved the WAC by getting some MWC schools to bolt who were unhappy with the direction that league was going. Some WAC school or schools thought they'd spill the beans to the MWC to bolster their chance of getting in there, thinking that would have been the easier path for them. MWC acted quickly when they heard. WAC didn't have a chance after that.

That is what Benson references when he say he had enough of the WAC and the every school for itself mentality.

Benson definitely tried everything he reasonably could have in his effort to save the WAC. He even tried poaching SBC schools in the end (IIRC, WKU & N. Texas?) but they said "nope!".

(07-25-2017 12:52 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  For the record I'd take Texas state over charlotte any day

+1

(07-25-2017 12:57 PM)slycat Wrote:  I only team I am interested in a cross-rival game with is GS thanks to the 2005 game. Aside from that everyone is new. Heck I was hoping UL and stAte would become a bigger deal but no one really seems interested in playing us. I can see why fans want to be in CUSA for Texas teams. I hope we don't remain the black sheep of the conference because it is improving so much for football.

Unfortunately injuries along with the coaching change (which brings its additional attritions as well) has really bogged you guys down right now but I still maintain that the Bobcats have huge potential to become a scary force in league. Furthermore while I'm in that small minority I've always been down for a trophy rivalry game with Texas State as it would help build up more excitement but also help to further strengthen ties

Outside of some App fans most would probably rather have Texas State than Charlotte.

(07-25-2017 12:23 PM)CatMom Wrote:  As per usual, TXST becomes the afterthought.

For interest, TXST would be USA or GS but I guess we'll be forced into one we (fans) care little about. We have semi history with GS and the USA games have been fun battles. But, just throw one together to try and make something from nothing.

I get that we've had some fun games vs USA and apparently we played GS back in 05 but that doesn't really matter to our fans. I think maybe APP will move the needle because of the name but we'll see In September.

(07-25-2017 12:55 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 12:47 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(07-25-2017 10:42 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(07-24-2017 09:48 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  My two biggest takeaways....

-Stated that despite being in separate divisions, both Troy and South Al will play one another every year as "cross rivals." This definitely makes me think we will see everybody get a permanent cross divisional rival

-The conference is happy being a future 10 member leagues and isn't looking to add anyone at this time; HOWEVER, he did confirm there is a member school "looking to add CFB" and if they do, they will be grandfathered into the conference (I didn't realize there was a grandfather clause).

I hope everyone gets a permanent annual crossover opponent.

A-State vs. App State
Cajuns vs. Ga. Southern

The other two pairs could go either way, IMO:

ULM vs. Coastal and Texas State vs. Ga. State
OR
ULM vs. Ga. State and Texas State vs. Coastal

Warhawks, Bobcats, Chants, and Panthers fans, which cross division opponent would you most want to face each year?

Since a lot of y'all wanna trade us for Charlotte, it don't really matter much, do it?

(and before the grammar Nazis strike, it was intentional)

I have read many more Texas State posters state they would prefer to be in C-USA so they could be with other Texas schools, and not as much of a relatively isolated western outpost in the Sun Belt, than I have read of people who would want to trade Texas State for Charlotte.

My perception is that Texas State fans would like that idea even more than the average Sun Belt fan of another school.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only TXST fan I've seen on here post about a wish to move to CUSA. Maybe not though.

any bobcat fans that think they're a second thought might be surprised to hear what KK had to say during his FB interview yesterday...

https://www.facebook.com/SunBeltConferen...gg&fref=nf

For those to lazy to click and pull the video up, when asked to explain the current conference infrastructure King Karl discussed that when the league saw the mass exodus in 2013-14, he and the other Belt officials asked the "Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama schools" their input as to the next move for the league, specifically how important was it to "return to Texas" after losing North Texas. Karl specifically mentions both Astate, LR, La La and ULM were very adamant about maintaining a playing prescence in Texas and that's when Belt officials turned their focus' to both Texas State and UTA.

(07-25-2017 02:35 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  any bobcat fans that think they're a second thought might be surprised to hear what KK had to say during his FB interview yesterday...

https://www.facebook.com/SunBeltConferen...gg&fref=nf

For those to lazy to click and pull the video up, when asked to explain the current conference infrastructure King Karl discussed that when the league saw the mass exodus in 2013-14, he and the other Belt officials asked the "Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama schools" their input as to the next move for the league, specifically how important was it to "return to Texas" after losing North Texas. Karl specifically mentions both Astate, LR, La La and ULM were very adamant about maintaining a playing prescence in Texas and that's when Belt officials turned their focus' to both Texas State and UTA.

Thanks for the link. I for one like the Sun Belt and would love it if we had a football conference rival game. Since I live in the Dallas metro area, I wish it were UTA that King Karl was talking about being "grandfathered" in football (the baseball and basketball game rivalry is still a blast) . Any of you UTA fans hear or know anything about this? If you know anything, don't keep us in the dark.